Prince (1979-1980) "Prince" Kick-Drum Head from His First Touring Band

A rare 25-inch kick-drum head featuring the iconic "Prince" logo hand-painted in bold black cursive script, used by drummer Bobby Z. during Prince’s earliest live performances in 1979–1980.

THE STORY

This authentic kick-drum head from Prince’s very first touring band is a remarkable piece of early Purple Rain-era history. Measuring 25 inches in diameter, it features the artist’s name painted in large, elegant black cursive lettering positioned just above the microphone port. The head was used by legendary drummer Bobby Z. (Robert Rivkin) and is backed by strong photographic provenance from key 1979–1980 performances.

CONTEXT AND NOTES 

Prince formed his first touring band in the late 1970s, with Bobby Z. on drums. This drum head was used during the band’s earliest major shows, including the December 1, 1979 concert at The Palace in Houston, Texas, and Prince’s national television debut on The Midnight Special in 1980. It comes with a detailed letter of provenance signed by the consignor, who received it directly from a member of Prince’s production staff.

FEATURE HIGHLIGHTS 

Event: Early Prince touring with first band (Bobby Z. on drums)

Era: 1979–1980 Tone: Iconic / Historic A

THE ANNOUNCEMENT 

For sale at auction is an original 25" kick-drum head prominently displaying “Prince” in large black cursive lettering. The head shows authentic concert wear but remains in excellent condition overall.

Multiple verified photo and video matches exist documenting its use on stage in 1979–1980. A rare and highly desirable piece of Prince’s early career.

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All magazine artwork, photographs, logos, and original text excerpts remain the property of their respective copyright holders. This entry is a transformative, non-commercial archival summary created for historical documentation and educational reference.

Sold on Jul 21, 2018 for:

$9,375.00