"Pictures of Lily"
On loan to The Met
This work of art is currently on loan to the museum.Keith Moon received this drum set at the beginning of the Who’s 1967 U.S. tour and used it extensively for the performances that followed. The custom artwork features nude photos of Lily Langtry, the subject of the Who’s 1967 single “Pictures of Lily.” The psychedelic design incorporates a Union Jack and the text “Keith Moon Patent British Exploding Drummer,” a reference to Moon’s tendency to pack his drum shells with flash powder and detonate them onstage. The two original bass drums are lost, possibly destroyed by Moon’s pyrotechnics.
Technical Description:
Birch ply shells; Nine-piece kit with custom artwork and non-original cymbals
Components: three 9 x 15 in. mounted toms; two 14 x 22 in. bass drums (not original); 5½ x 14 in. snare; two cymbals; hardware
Courtesy of the Victoria and Albert Museum
Components: two 18 x 16 in. floor toms, one 16 x 16 in. floor tom
Collection of Brad & Diana Rodgers
Technical Description:
Birch ply shells; Nine-piece kit with custom artwork and non-original cymbals
Components: three 9 x 15 in. mounted toms; two 14 x 22 in. bass drums (not original); 5½ x 14 in. snare; two cymbals; hardware
Courtesy of the Victoria and Albert Museum
Components: two 18 x 16 in. floor toms, one 16 x 16 in. floor tom
Collection of Brad & Diana Rodgers
Artwork Details
- Title: "Pictures of Lily"
- Artist: Premier Music Intl., Ltd.
- Artist: Keith Moon (British, 1946–1978)
- Date: 1966-1967
- Medium: Birch, metal, plastic, rubber, felt
- Classification: Membranophone
- Credit Line: Courtesy of The Victoria and Albert Museum. Given by the estate of Keith Moon.
- Curatorial Department: Musical Instruments