A piece of rock history is expected to fetch thousands of pounds when it goes under the hammer later this month.
The seven-piece Staccato Thunderhorn drum kit, once used by renowned drummer Mick Kirton, is expected to fetch between £2,000 and £3,000.
Kirton played the distinctive kit during performances at Kendal’s Brewery Arts Centre in the mid to late 1980s, and it also featured on The Groundhogs’ 1985 album Razor’s Edge.
The current owner, David Bucks, of Kendal, said he was instantly captivated when he saw Kirton perform at the Brewery.
He said: “I asked him five times if he’d sell his drum kit to me.
“Eventually, a musician friend bought it from Mick and sold it on to me.
“I played the Staccato Thunderhorn in local bands before retiring it from regular use.
“It’s been part of my life for nearly 40 years, but it deserves to be played – or displayed – by someone who appreciates its place in music history.
“It’s an incredible instrument: enormous, powerful, and so loud it never needed miking up. It was so big it actually calmed my nerves on stage because I could hide behind it.”
Auctioneer and valuer Kev Kendal added: “Kirton affectionately nicknamed the vast bass drum Mama Cass’s pants.
“It’s been well cared for and comes complete with two matching adjustable Tama pedals and the original flight cases made by Kirton himself.
“Another local connection is the kit was used by bands performing at a 1986 charity event on what was Kendal’s showfield.”
Kirton performed with The Groundhogs in the mid-1980s and later went on to play with Hawkwind and Dumpy’s Rusty Nuts.
The drum kit will be offered in 1818 Auctioneers’ Musical Instruments and Equipment Sale, with online bidding open until Sunday November 23.
