By Jennifer Glickel
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
UPPER EAST SIDE — In honor of Ringo Starr's 70th birthday, the legendary rocker’s gold-plated snare drum will be on display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art beginning next week.
The drum, which the Ludwig Drum Company gave to the drummer in 1964 when the Beatles visited Chicago on their first U.S. tour, is on loan to the museum from Starr himself.
"This special presentation drum — made for the most influential drummer of a generation and representing the highest-end production of the most important drum manufacturer of the 20th century — holds iconic stature," said Jayson Kerr Dobney, associate curator in the Met's Department of Musical Instruments said.
"We are so pleased to be able to display in our galleries this spectacular loan from Ringo himself, who has owned it since it was first presented to him in September 1964, for thousands of visitors to see during this landmark birthday year."
Ludwig gave Starr the golden drum to thank him for promoting the brand during the Beatles’ performance on the Ed Sullivan Show in early 1964, when Starr played a Ludwig oyster black pearl drum set with the name "Ludwig" prominently displayed.
The drum will be on display from next Thursday, July 7 – Starr’s 70th birthday – through December, the museum announced on Tuesday.
