 |
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Zak Starkey's Gear |
Zildjian's
Zak Starkey inspired 22" & 21" K Crash Rides (Jan 2008)
The legend says Keith Moon gave Zak his first drum kit. Actually, Ringo had given
him a small four-piece Ludwig kit when he was eleven. In Circus Magazine (Oct
3, 1978) Keith (in an Aug 1978 interview) says he gave Zak "a new" drum kit for
his birthday (Sept 1977). This was actually his first BIG professional-grade kit.
According to the Pete Townshend interview, the drums had "nude women on them".
A Pictures of Lily kit???
|
Although I believe Zak does or did at one time own one or part
of one of Keith's "Pictures of Lily" kits [a floor tom
"donated by Zak Starkey" was on display at the either the Cleveland Rock
& Roll Hall of Fame, or one of the Hard Rock Cafes in Sept 99]
- the monstrous set given to him on his 12th birthday was white: "We would spend a few days with Keith at his house in Malibu when we went to visit my Dad in America, after my parents divorced in 1975. When Keith moved back to England, he would often pop in to see me or take me to dinner. I thought of him as a mate rather than an adult." The white kit given to Zak was Keith's circa 1975 Cream/White Premier kit with copper ("Gold") fittings and stands. Zak used this kit live and in the studio with a number of his early bands in the 1980's (The Next / Monopacific). It was sold through Sotheby's in 1992 for about $12,000 - reportedly to the Hard Rock Cafe. [Note that the auction does not account for the entire massive kit!] A full description of the kit's original set up as used by Keith, as well as the set up as it appeared in the Sotheby's catalog in 1992 can be seen at WhoTabs, in their extensive equipment overview! |
   |
A brief interview with Zak in the "Up And Coming"
section revealed the following:
The "Equipment Used" thank you section of the credits for this CD lists Zildjian and Yamaha for Zak's gear.
| The tour book credits thank: | ||
 |
|
 |
| This kit appeared to be a dark green oyster with brass hardware. The Drum Technician for this tour was Jeff Chonis. |
||
For you non-drummers (like me-self), "STM"'s are DW's "unique Suspension Tom Mounts [which] are a suspension type mounting system that does not restrict drum placement or head replacement". The "Edge Snare" is another DW exclusive: "constructed from upper and lower sections of solid brass and a center section of 10-Ply Maple precisely machined to fit and work together flawlessly. This patented design impeccably combines the tone, power and quickness of metal with the rich fatness and depth of wood; giving players the "edge" of having the sonic and performance advantages of both brass and maple in a single drum."
 |
|
Zak Starkey signature sticks Zildjian Super 5A complete with Quadrophenia mod target logo. |
 |
The Quad drum setup appears to be a much enlarged version of the white DW set
used in '95's All-Starrs, this time outfitted with a 3-d mod-target bass drum
face.
The Drum Technician for this tour (the NYC and US first leg) was Yard Gavrilovic.
| According to DW, his Who setup includes: |
 |
RHYTHM (UK) Dec 1996 lists his setup as: |
|
|
For you ultra-gearheads, I found this blip on usenet
Subject: Re: Overheads? From: Cary N(deleted) Date: 1998/02/15 Newsgroups: rec.music.makers.percussion Jesse wrote: > > Can anyone tell me what some good overhead mics would be for a > triangular micing setup? Any help at all would be appreciated. > > -- Hi Jesse. Good overheads should be (I admit not ALWAYS...but should be) electret, as they can be placed at a fair distance away, and take alot of SPL (sound pressure level) They can be battery operated but are now almost always "phantom Powered". Some one else wrote here that they should be omni directional....Nope. That will create too much feedback especially live. CAD makes a great mic in the E-100.It is a single diaphragm flat capsule. Claire bros used them on Zak Starkey's set on the last two Who tours. They list at 469. a piece. The specs are absolutely flat from 5Hz which makes it ideal for the bass drum as well. Peavey makes a decent mike in the PVM 480 for about half that price. VERY good quality. Good luck Cary ------------------------------------------------------Some more for the Gear-heads:
This comes from a fantastic book by Mark Cunningham entitled Live & Kicking - The Rock Concert Industry In The Nineties (Sanctuary Music Library ISBN 1-86074-217-3)
[from the chapter about the Hyde Park Masters of Music]
The microphone selection for Quadrophenia largely reflected The Who's long-term choice of Shure, with ten of Daltrey's favoured SM58s, twelve SM57s, two Beta 52s on Zak Starkey's kick drums, four SM81s around and above his kit, SM7s on brass, four ECL 24/Beta 58 radio systems and a WCM 16 headset on an ECL 114 radio system for Stephen Fry.A word about Mark's book. This is an absolutely terrific look at what it takes to put on the productions that many a punter now take for granted. FULL of minute detail for the gear-head and professional who craves all, but don't let that scare you! Casual enthusiasts will find this very enlightening and entertaining. It's chronological presentation helps demonstrate the leaps and bounds that concert production has taken in just a small span of time. Mark is the publishing editor and chief writer of Total Production, an international live production industry magazine.
If it's studio production history that you crave, check out Mark's OUTSTANDING book Good Vibrations: A History of Record Production A must for anyone who has ever wondered "how'd they do that?" about a fave tune or lp! [Sanctuary Music Library ISBN 1-86074-144-4]
The first change was noted on the British Rock Symphony UK Summer Tour. Though the overall kit size and make-up seemed the same, the color was now a deep, yet bright red!
|
According to DW Drums, his current set up is:
The custom finish is described as "Very Red Black Cherry" - more Red
than normal with black hardware. |
 |
Drum Tech for all of the above was once again, Yard Gavrilovic!
1999 HOB Audio details:
For the total gearhead, there is an artilce all about the audio and recording set-ups for The Who at the HOB Chicago at Shure.com - "Recording The Who Live At The House Of Blues Chicago" - by Timothy Powell. Items relating to Zak include:
Mark Cunningham of Total Production, shared many of the sound and stage details concerning the Who's 2000 gigs, in a wonderful article from the Winter 2001 issue:
At the monitor position, it is often personality, rather than equipment, that counts. This is certainly true for The Who: Bob Pridden has held the role of Audio Consultant since 1966 and probably knows the band's music better than they do themselves. Pridden, like [Robert] Collins, is not keen to repeat the insanity of the 1970s: "Holding the record for loudest band is nothing to be proud of. Everything's much more controlled these days, although the band still has that anger on stage that makes them who they are." In-ear monitoring has, he added, made an impact on the band, with Roger Daltrey employing both Shure IEMs and wedges, John Entwhistle[sic] using a single earpiece, and drummer Zak Starkey hooked up to a pair of IEMs and a stool shaker. - Mark Cunningham, _No Substitute: THE WHO From The Bush To The World_, Total Production, Winter 2001
Currently Zak is using 3# 50W Aura drivers screwed to the stool.
Although
no specific info is given as to which products he uses, Zak is listed on the
Pro's
That Play LP on Latin Percussion Inc.'s company site.
| The keen eye of Mike Bailey points out that Zak is using LP's | |
Jam Block (low pitch - red) |
Cyclops Jingle Ring (atop his hi- hats) |
| Zildjian Stick - 2001 Ad | DW Drums Ad - 2001 |
 |
 |
Zak
is still using the above Cherry-Red DW Kit, as seen at the Concert
For New York performance by The Who.
In
March 2002, DW Drums announced their Drummer’s Choice Snare Drums collection.
It showcases the diverse line of DW snares - DW Edge, Craviotto and Collector’s
Series snare drums - as played by a select group of sixteen of DW’s top
Drum Artists. The drums are the same type, size and finish as those used by
the drummers they represent, and range in price form from $525 to $1535.
Zak Starkey (The Who) -- 6.5x14" Craviotto (Black Cherry Oil)
(first appeared my local DW dealer's shop May 6 - thanks
for the 'heads up' Mike B !!)
The
cherry-red DW kit is still in service during The Who's
January / February "warm-up" and Royal Albert Hall gigs .
He was spotted in March playing a bright gold/yellow rented DW kit while backing his dad at The Bal de la Rose Pop in Monaco.
Zak
is sporting a rather shiny metallic theme, with mirror finish bass drum heads
on the DW's used in the June WHO rehearsals. He used this kit throughout the
Who's 2002 US Tour.
The mirrored heads on the front of the bass drum are vented with small holes
around the edges.
Yard Gavrilovic was again his drum tech.
pg 4 - The Buzz - advert about "What's up on the global
Zildjian Scene" featured a pic of Zak, listed 6th as "Zak Starkey
(UK) - The Who"
Zak
is endorsed with REMO.
He is currently (2002/2003) using POWERSTROKE™ 3 - coated bass heads.
On the snare and toms he is using Coated AMBASSADOR™ heads.
For
the Healers Tour 2003, he continues to use the DW double bass / metallic setup
that he used on the road with The Who in 2002. This aerial shot is from the
Healers' appearance on The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn, aired Feb 10,
2003.
His drum tech for the Healers Tour was Martin Gavrilovic.
 |
This issue sports a great shot of Keith in action on the
white kit that he later gave to Zak. The article "Remembering the Who's
Keith Moon" features interviews with Kenny Jones, Simon Phillips and
Zak Starkey. On newsstands 08/05/03. |
 |
inside rear cover: advert for "The International Sound".
Zak's photo appears 3rd as "Zak Starkey The Who United Kingdom"
 |
The Forum and Royal Albert Hall 2004: Boston
and NY, May 2004: |
His drum tech for these Who shows has been Martin Gavrilovic.
For the true Gearheads, there are quite a few details about the touring audio equipment in and article that appeared in Pro Audio Asia - "Who Dares" - by Cat Strom (talking with Paul Ramsay FOH mixer). Points relating to Zak's kit:
UK Drum magazine Rhythm featured Zak as one of the drummers their "Hero"
series.
(inset
factoids)
Heroes: Zak Starkey - The Who / Oasis
You know him best by his: reputation as one of the UK's most highly-regarded
straight-ahead rock groovers.
Greatest Moment: Getting The Who gig? Or his first gig with Oasis in
front of 100,000 at Glasto? Hmm...
(the write up) "Let's get the obvious bit out of the way now. Zak Starkey's dad used to be a Beatle. The drumming Beatle as it goes. So it's no surprise that young Zak picked up sticks at a young age. But no-one can dispute that he's gone on to carve a career for himself, completely independent of dad Ringo's influence.
Through work with the Lightening Seeds and The who, Zak has earned himself enormous respect from his peers and he's rightly regarded as one of the finest two+four-ers in the country. That's not to do him down - a backbeat is nothing withur feel to die for and Zak delivers just that... in spades.
Wonderfully un-frilly in terms of his approach to his playing, Zak's one of those guys who's characterised both by the power of his strokes and the typically massive size of his drums. In short, he makes a fabulous sound, which is the reason why the Brothers Gallagher trusted him to fill the Oasis drum throne at Glastonbury this year. Despite the fact that he'd only played live with the band once before at a small warm-up gig in Poole..."
Finally
- some "official" info online from Zildjian
about Zak's set-up!
View his brief artist overview there (which chooses to use a few quotes you
are already familiar with from kathyszaksite.com's BIO
page) - view his cymbal setup and a few pics .
(clockwise from hi-hat: 14" Mastersound HiHats; 20" K Crash Ride,
22" K Ride and 20" K Crash Ride -- he had one more in 2000 -kvt
)
 |
These stills were taken from the Oasis EPK2, found on www.oasisus.com.
Note the addition to the snare - a box of Wheaties™ !! The band was apparently trying for a 'D.J.Fontana - old Elvis record' sound on the tune The Meaning of Soul on the album Don't Believe The Truth. |
 Zak is not only playing with the cereal box on top of the snare, he is also using wooden spoons! |
 |
Although
it's tough to tell from a newpaper clipping, it appears that Zak is using the
metallic kit with a 'Rock n Roll Circus' type Oasis logo drumhead - at least
for the Lyla video!
Announce on Zildjian's website on Jan 18th 2007 - the Zak Starkey Artist Series
Sticks.
Artist Series , 16", 0.555 diameter, Natural
Hickory, Wood Tip with "pop art" signature logo.
The photos appear to be the same design as the sticks that were available
on an extremely limited basis during the 96/97 Quad tours. Check you local
Zildjian retailer.
Zak's Kit for the 2007 who shows sported the DW "Broken Glass" finish.
Zak has been using custom made 22" Crash Rides since at least 1996, and many a player has emailed looking to find where they can get some! Well, finally, Zildjian has added 21" and 22" versions to their retail line. Announced on Zildjian's website on Jan 18th 2008 - the Zak Starkey inspired 21" & 22" K Crash Rides feature a Brilliant Finish and a medium-thin weight. They are now the largest Zildjian Crash cymbals available. The Zildjian press release says that they were designed with Zak, and that he's been using them in his set up since 2000. (Though they are listed in his gear in 1996 during the Who Quad tour as well). These latest offerings are the only Brilliant Finish K models.
21" - SKU# K20385
22" - SKU# K20386
For many the handfull of US, UK, Japan and Australia, Zak was back to the full metallic kit, while the VH! Honors and a few others saw the broken glass 07 kit.
For Sale: Drum Workshop Cherry Red Gloss Lacquer 22 22 12 13 14 16 18 14
2x22 Bass Drums
12x9 Tom
13x10 Tom
14x10 Tom
16x16 Tom w/legs
18x18 Tom w/legs
14x5.5 Collectors Series Snare Drum
Details and many pics here: vintagedrumyard.co.uk
For the Super Bowl Half-Time show, Zak had a clear acrylic DW badged kit (that is said to have been built for DW/Zakl by RCI of CT), with fully decked out Ziljians in full roundel colors top and bottom - all cymbals including hi-hats! Now if someone can tell me "whose shirts he wears" ... I have about 1000 emails to answer ...
"I went to Ringo Starr’s recently. I wanted to bring his teenage son Zak a new drum set for his birthday. When I got there, Zak was playing with the headphones on and I could hear ‘My Generation’"
From Rhythm Magazine, DEC 1989 -
[Ringo has just stated that he doesn't practice and why]
Jim Keltner: "He's not advocating not practicing, by the way"
Ringo: "No, I’m not advocating it, it’s just that I don’t do it. But my son practices at least three hours every day"
Jim: "And it shows. He’s a great drummer"
Ringo: Yeah , real strong..."
From Modern Drummer, July 1997 -
MD: "...Practicing is a very solitary thing."
Zak: "I don't practice as such - I don't sit down and practice rudiments or anything, but if a gig comes up and somebody sends me a tape, I'll sit there and learn the stuff. I don't work on my whatever they're called - rudiments - because I don't know them."
MD: "He [dad, Ringo] said you've always been consumed with it."
Zak: "In my teens, when I was playing in those bands, we'd rehearse three times a week and we'd do gigs on the weekends. As far as playing on my own, though, I didn't do it that much."
You
can read an interview
with Yard on Mike Dolbear.com!
And check out Yard's Vintage Drum biz:
With this issue, (Aug 2002), Rhythm starts a series on drum techs, and Yard has a brief write-up
Says Yard (who also techs for drummer Steve Gadd (Eric Clapton band) -- "You don't think for yourself - you listen to what they [ drummers ] tell you and do that. That way you'll stay in work. You know when people come in and say, 'I thought I'd change the snare for you...'? Aaarrgghh! Do what you're asked to do - Zak taught me that. When sound engineers say, 'Can you tweak those toms a bit?', I just remember what Zak said, which was, putting it politely, 'Don't worry about them'."
Sept 2002 continues the Rhythm series on drum techs, which includes Yard's remarks about marking carpets: "Zak has carpets made and when he gets a new kit he has it at home and moves the kit around until it feels really comfortable. Then I go down to the carpet and mark it out with sharpie, so that with overhead shots for video or whatever you don't have tape all over the carpet."
And a few other tidbits ...
Oct 2002 concludes the Rhythm series on drum techs. Though this issue doesn't include any quotes from Yard, it did include his picture!
Last Updated:
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Created: Dec 1996
Copyright © 1996 -
Kathy VanTassell
|
 |
