Drum kit Ringo Starr used in Beatles hits sells for $2.2M

NEW YORK - The Associated Press

AP photo

A drum kit that Ringo Starr used to record some of the Beatles' early hits has sold for $2.2 million at an auction to Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay.

Julien's Auctions says Irsay bought the 1963 Ludwig Oyster Black Pearl three-piece drum kit Dec. 4 at a sale in Beverly Hills, California. The two-day auction includes over 800 items owned by Ringo Starr and his wife, actress Barbara Bach.
     
Starr used the kit in more than 200 performances between May 1963 and February 1964. He also played it on recordings including "Can't Buy Me Love," ''She Loves You," ''All My Loving" and "I Want to Hold Your Hand."
     
The auction concludes Dec. 5. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the couple's Lotus Children Foundation, which focuses on global social welfare issues.