Zak Starkey's Keith Moon-THE WHO - Gretsch DRB Special Snare Drum. AUTOGRAPHED by Townsend, Daltrey, Zak plus, PLUS Kenney Jones!!

Zak Starkey, Keith Moon's, THE WHO - Gretsch 1970s 5x14" 8-lug "DRB Special" Snare Drum

This snare drum was owned and used by the late great Keith Moon, legendary (exploding) drummer of THE WHO. The DRB Special was Moon's snare of choice in the early to mid 1970s (see photo). He was known to own at least 3 of them. After Moon's passing, the drum was given to an aspiring drummer named Zak Starkey. Zak had been friends with Moon since he was very young, and Moon was his biggest drumming influence. Zak would of course eventually join THE WHO, touring and recording with the band for 30 years.

Shortly before joining THE WHO, Zak played this snare on every track of WHO bassist John Entwistle's The Rock solo album.

The snare is signed by Roger Daltrey, Pete Townsend, Zak Starkey and Kenney Jones (Keith Moon's immediate replacement and drummer for THE WHO 1978-1988).

This drum shows obvious signs of decades in the hands of the not one, but two of the drummers in THE WHO. The finish is well worn and the chrome hardware shows moderate wear. The drum is functionally excellent. It plays beautifully and the throw off works exactly as it should. The original muffler has been removed. There are no extraneous holes. The Gretsch "Stop Sign" badge and Serial Number - 130841 date the drum to 1970.

The Gretsch "DRB Special" was a customized Gretsch, Model 4102 5.5x14" snare drum with a modified throw off and finished in a mahogany stain. Very few were ever made, and details around their history are scarce. They are believed to have been customized in New York, however most of them can be traced back to London in the early 1970s.

Acquired directly from Zak Starkey. This is one of the most iconic pieces of both THE WHO and rock drumming history I have ever encountered. Includes a COA signed by Zak Starkey.

Serial Number - 130841