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Absolutly historic circus drum find!!! Last viewed: 2 hours ago

Posts: 127 Threads: 44

In 1939 George Way & Leedy designed and built a bass drum and a snare drum

as a custom order for Ringling Brothers Barnum & Baily Circus. The snare was made specifically for Red Floyd who was snare drummer for over 30 years. It is WMP with circus animals, clowns, etc made out of the wrap material they used for "Full Dress" drums. It is a Broadway Parallel but has had at least 3 different strainers over the years. At some point he added WFL floor tom legs.

Don't know if he used it as a tom or the legs as a stand. WHO CARES? I have found pictures of him playing this very drum. Red Floyd had a crippled arm but was a top snare drummer of his day. I am thrilled to have this in my living room. Just starting to get it cleaned up. The pics are how I got it. It is cleaning up nicely. Can you imagine where all this drum has been?

Thousands of shows all over the world. Can you tell I am excited?

Makes me want to run away and join the circus.

Posted on 11 years ago
#1
Posts: 1247 Threads: 204

What a fantastic piece! Congrats on such an incredible drum and piece of history!

Posted on 11 years ago
#2
Posts: 5356 Threads: 87

Congrats Bill. What a cool snare! After you last post about Red I only found 1 pic but it does appear to be your drum. Would love to hear more about it and Red history with RBBB when you have the time.

1 attachment
redfloydRBBBC.jpg
19.7 kB
Glenn.

Not a guru just havin fun with some old dusty drums.
Posted on 11 years ago
#3
Posts: 127 Threads: 44

http://www.southpasadenaband.com/about-us/history/the-story-of-our-bass-drum/

Posted on 11 years ago
#4
Posts: 6524 Threads: 37

48 lugs, holy tension rods !i

It`s a drum,.....Hit It !!

.....76/#XK9207 Phonic Sound Machine D454/D-505 snares !i
Posted on 11 years ago
#5
Posts: 966 Threads: 213

what a great piece of hist

ory I'm sure you will enjoy it

...
'68 Ludwig Ruby Red Strata
'68 Ludwig Mod Orange
'58 Gretsch Starlight Sparkle
'69 Ludwig Clubdate BDP
'60s Ludwig Clubdate Black Lacquer / Nickel
'67 Trixon Speedfire Red
COB Ludwig Supra
Many projects
Bunch o snares
Posted on 11 years ago
#6
Posts: 9005 Threads: 266

I attended three Ringling Bros. shows way back in the 50's as a child growing up in New York. The circus would set-up in Madison Square Garden and I'm sure that without knowing who he was, I got to hear Red play. Maybe even your drum! That is an amazing and historical find. Preserve it and be a good caretaker. That drum is headed for the future and for posterity. A genuine historical artifact.

Congrats and thank you for sharing photos.

John

PS - Just a side-note... they used to shut down the Lincoln Tunnel and parts of Mid-town when the circus came to town. Ringling Bros. would off-load the elephants in New Jersey and the elephants would walk into New York City (Manhattan,) through the Lincoln Tunnel, then into mid-town and down to Madison Square Garden. Parents would bring their kids from all over the city to see the circus elephant parade. It was featured in the news every year, a big event in the city.

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WmJ0wu5ZQwY[/ame]

Too many great drums to list here!

http://www.walbergandauge.com/VintageVenue.htm
Posted on 11 years ago
#7
Posts: 127 Threads: 44

It absolutely will be left just like this only a little cleaner.

This was not a collectable it was a working drum. It is very playable.

I am looking for any other info on Red Floyd for an article I am working on.

I intend to play Entry of The Gladiators on it at a concert with the Muskingum Valley Symphonic Winds in Nov. I believe that will be a real rush for me.

Just for the record it will NOT be for sale til my kids have the auction when I'm dead. LOL

PS Oddball, That's 56 lugs & rods on the bass drum.

Posted on 11 years ago
#8
Posts: 1342 Threads: 71

That is just totally awesome! How in the world were you able to find and obtain the drum?

Posted on 11 years ago
#9
Posts: 507 Threads: 31

World class all the way!! Drum, Elephants and bringing up the rear, world class road apples! Jokes aside, it's amazing to have a historical drum survive intact for us to see. Thanks for posting Bill.

Believe it or else!
Posted on 11 years ago
#10
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