Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I am trying to find out who designed the famous "The Beatles" drop T bass drum logo and first time it was used in a Beatles' performance. Any assistance would be appreciated in this regard. Thanks.

Recent email correspondence has revealed that:
"The Drum Book" by Geoff Nicols (History of the Rock & Roll Drum Kit) on page 35 says Eddie Stokes painted all the drum heads for Ivan Arbitar (where Ringo bought the drums) painted Ringo's head for Brian Epstein. According to
Beatles photographer Dezo Hoffman, Ringo first appeared in public with his new Ludwig kit in June 1963 at the Playhouse Theatre for a recording of the radio program "Easy Beat" Assuming that this information is accurate that would mean that Ringo played with the now famous bass drum logo for the first time on June 19, 1963 at the Playhouse Theatre in London. The set list consisted of "Some Other Guy", "A Taste of Honey", "Thank You Girl" and "From Me To You."

Peter;

Just a point of interest. If you look carefully at Ringo's drumheads you will notice quite a few 'differences'. Of course there is the difference in size, the 20" bass and later the 22"(the 20" bass had 8 lugs vs 10 that the 22" head had). Also the Ed Sullivan head had LARGE, BOLDER letters than most other heads. The most notable 'differences' occured at the top of the bass drum head in the lettering of 'Ludwig'. Some shots of Ringo shows Ludwig high up at the top with the latter half of the 'g' gone. Some show the full word 'Ludwig' while others have the Ludwig positioned lower on the head.
I've been told that Ringo had 'at least' 8 separate heads, which I am in the process of varifying through a database I am working on. Also there was a 'Weatherhead', three small circle type pattern that was 'sometimes' there and other times not?

Gary: Thanks for drawing attention to these finer details. Is there any chance that you could submit examples by email to the Rickenbacker Registration Page or post them here.

Peter;

Have you, or anyone you know of, tried to contact this Eddie Stokes? I bet he would be able to tell us some things that most people haven't heard! To him at the time it was probably an insignificant little assignment.

Gary: I too have thought of this. Are you up to the task?

Peter;

So far I have found 26 listing for Eddie Stokes! Does ANYBODY have any information that could help narrow this down (at least maybe to a dozen)!