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Keith Moon’s Drumkits: Kenney Jones’ drumkits

This page is under construction, and contains info about Kenney Jones’ drumkits during his stint with The Who, 1979–1982, plus reunions in 1985 and 1988.

1979–1982

The kit Kenney used for his debut with The Who, which was modified slightly shortly thereafter for the Who’s 1980 and 1981 tours. He also used this kit for the recording of 1981’s Face Dances.

Premier kit diagram
Click to view larger version. Overhead view of Kenney Jones’ setup, ca. 1981.

Click to view larger version Overhead view of Kenney Jones’ setup, ca. 1981.

Timeline

First known use:
2 May 1979 – Rainbow Theatre, London, UK.
Last known use:
11 Sept. 1982 – National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham, UK (“warmup” gigs for 1982 farewell tour).

Premier White Soundwave

Wooden shell. Tom toms are double-headed specials.

  1. 22″ bass drum (20″ for studio)
  2. 8″×6″ tom
  3. 10″×8″ tom
  4. 12″×8″ tom
  5. 13″×9″ tom
  6. 14″x19″ tom
  7. 15″×12″ tom
  8. 16″×16″ floor tom
  9. Floor tom
  10. 25″ fiberglass-headed timpani
  11. 3 5 metal shell Premier snare drum

Cymbals (Paiste and Zildjian)

  1. China cymbal
  2. Crash cymbal
  3. Cymbal
  4. Cymbal
  5. Cymbal
  6. China cymbal
  7. Paiste gong
  8. Hi-hat

Trilok stands and pedals.

The drum hoops are a cheap version, which Kenney used because he thought they were more like Ludwig’s hoops, and gave a nicer rimshot.

Any info on the rig holding the gong and the center cymbal will be much appreciated.

Click to view larger version. Rear view of Kenney Jones’ setup, ca. 1981.

Click to view larger version Rear view of Kenney Jones’ setup, ca. 1981.

Kenney Jones’ first Who kit, during soundcheck, 5 May 1979.

Kenney Jones’ first Who kit, during soundcheck, 5 May 1979.

Odyssey Studios, London, ca. June–Dec. 1980

Face Dances sessions, Odyssey Studios, London, 1980, with white Premier kit visible in isolation room.

10 or 11 Sept. 1982, NEC, Birmingham, last known use of Premier kit.

10 or 11 Sept. 1982, NEC, Birmingham, last known use of Premier kit.

1982, 1985, 1988

The kit Kenney used for the Who’s 1982 North American farewell tour, as well as the 1985 Live Aid and 1988 BPI Awards ceremony gigs.

Yamaha kit diagram

Yamaha kit diagram.

Timeline

First known use:
22 Sept. 1982 – Capital Centre, Landover, Maryland (for 1982 North American farewell tour).
Last known use:
8 Feb. 1988 – Royal Albert Hall, London (for BPI Awards ceremony).

Yamaha Custom Recording Kit

Black finish, with 9000 Series hardware

  1. 24″×14″ bass drum
  2. 22″×14″ bass drum
  3. 8″ × 8″ Tom
  4. 10″ × 8″ Tom
  5. 12″ × 8″ Tom
  6. 14″ × 10″ Tom
  7. 16″ × 16″ Floor tom
  8. 18″ × 16″ Floor tom
  9. 5.5″ or 7″ × 14″ Snare

Cymbals

  1. 21″ china cymbal
  2. 16″ Zildjian crash cymbal
  3. 14″ Sabian crash cymbal
  4. 17″ Sabian cymbal
  5. 16″ Zildjian cymbal
  6. 16″ Sabian cymbal
  7. 18″ Zildjian pang ride cymbal
  8. Gong
  9. 14″ Paiste Hi-hat

Any info on the rig holding the gong and the center cymbal will be much appreciated.

Kenney reportedly used the second bass drum only as a means to hold the tom toms, and didn’t play this drum.

Kenney with Yamaha kit, ca. 1982.

Click to view larger version. Kenney with Yamaha kit, ca. 1982.

Kenney with Yamaha kit, ca. 1982.

Kenney with Yamaha kit, ca. 1982.

Kenney with Yamaha kit, ca. 1982.

Kenney with Yamaha kit, ca. 1982.

Kenney with Yamaha kit, ca. 1982.

Kenney with Yamaha kit, ca. 1982.

Resources and Information

Contributors:

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Manufacturers’ sites

Additional information

This page last updated 15 September, 2018