http://www.julienslive.com/view-auction ... y%3Dgibson
Current bid at time of posting is $9,000
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Stewart Copeland’s blue Tama ImperialStar drum kit used on stage and in the studio from 1976 to 1990.
This drum kit, affectionately called “The Blue Kit,” was given to Copeland by Tama in 1976 when the 23-year-old first became sponsored by the brand. At the time, Copeland was drumming in the British prog-rock group Curved Air. Later in 1976, Copeland met Sting, and invited him to move to London to join his new band, The Police.
The first batch of Police songs were written, rehearsed, and gigged using The Blue Kit. Throughout 1977, the drums were hauled in and out of small venues as the band played their first shows around the UK and Europe. The kit was also used in the studio as The Police recorded their first single, “Fall Out/ Nothing Achieving.”
In 1978, the band took The Blue Kit to Surrey Sound Studios to record their debut album, Outlandos D’Amour. The album produced four top-ten singles: “Roxanne,” “Next to You,” “So Lonely,” and “Can’t Stand Losing You.” The band spent a year touring in the USA and Europe promoting the album.
In 1979, The Police recorded their second album, Reggatta De Blanc, again using The Blue Kit in the studio and on the road. This album produced the band’s first two number one singles “Message in a Bottle” and “Walking on the Moon.”
At the same time, Copeland was also recording with The Blue Kit for his solo project using the pseudonym, Klark Kent. The album Klark Kent was released in 1980.
In 1980, The Blue Kit was retired from touring and spent most of the 1980s set up in Copeland’s home studio in Buckinghamshire, England.
In 1983, Copeland recorded his first film score for Francis Ford Coppola’s movie Rumble Fish (Universal, 1983) including the single “Don’t Box Me In” with Stan Ridgeway. In addition, Copeland used The Blue Kit for the soundtrack to his documentary The Rhythmatist (Charter Films, 1985) and for the main titles and series music for the television program The Equalizer (Universal Television, 1985-1989).
In 1990, the kit went into storage in the United Kingdom.
The blue Tama ImperialStar drum kit is accompanied by all of the original mountings and legs as well as a full set of six vintage cymbals used by Copeland and chosen by him to complement the kit for this auction.
The Blue Kit:
Four metallic blue drum shells -
22" x 14" Bass Drum, serial number 55474
12" x 7" Rack Tom 1, serial number 55672
13" x 8" Rack Tom 2, serial number 52753
16" x 15" Floor Tom 1, serial number 55407
14" x 5" Snare drum, serial number 62500
The drums are fitted with Remo Weatherking drum skins used by Copeland, except for the bass drum, which has a vintage C.S. Black Dot Bass Drum Head specifically chosen and installed by Copeland for this auction.
Cymbals:
10" Paiste 2002 Splash, serial number 313565
20" Paiste ‘Sound Creation’ Bell Ride, serial number 9261(or 7)84
24" Paiste Rude Ride/Crash, serial number 122031
18" Paiste Signature Series Fast Crash, serial number C6066359
14" Paiste 2002 Top Sound Edge Hi-Hat, serial number 122039
14" Paiste Rude Hi-Hat (bottom), serial number 122038
Copeland's hi-hat and snare stands, kick pedal, three cymbal stands plus an extra clamp and extension arm for his signature splash cymbal setup, and brown leather drum throne head complete the kit.
Additionally accompanied by the original six cases, affixed with travel stickers; four are affixed with Curved Air stickers publicizing the album Airborne.
A complete manifest is available upon request.
PROVENANCE From the Personal Collection of Stewart Copeland
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