Jim Gordon has Passed On...

Hi guys, new to the group here. I’ve always been a big fan of Gordon, and about 7 or 8 years ago, I found a Camco Oaklawn in 24,12,13,16 sizes. Sizes that Jim had used at least at some point. This kit was modified to include a Yamaha tom mount and bass spurs, so it is very functional and was a dream come true for me.  It is in natural finish like Jim’s. 
 

Since the 24” Oaklawn bass drums are apparently very rare, I’ve often wondered if there might be any connection back to Jim himself. I guess I may never know, but either way, and incredible set of drums and a real piece of drumming history!

 I hadn't realized Gordon was in J. Browne's band 1978:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wF7zc_YK6A&list=RD9wF7zc_YK6A&start_radio=1

Congratulations @atlantadrumguy, you have a very desirable and cool drumset. I too have an Oaklawn (location of the original Camco factory) set in sizes 24/16/13/12 (in Jim’s natural walnut finish), but mine are actually one of Jim’s sets!

When Jim was incarcerated he left the set in a storage facility on Ventura Blvd. in Studio City (not far from his house on the north side of the Hollywood Hills). In the early-90’s a new owner of the property found the drumset in a locker, and listed it in The Recyler, a Los Angeles buy/sell weekly paper. I drove over to the building (I lived 5 minutes away) and laid $875 in the owners hands. One unusual detail about the set is that the 24" bass drum has no internal reinforcing ring, the only Oaklawn-era Camco set I’ve seen that way.

I also have another Oaklawn set in the same sizes (I own, collect, and play only 24" bass drums), but in Natural maple finish. They’re not from Jim’s collection.

@bdp24 

Great story as always. That's a great piece of memorabilia.

@roxy54: If the Rock ’n’ Roll Hall Of Fame ever does a Derek & The Dominos display, I’d loan them the set. I didn’t manage to see Jim play live, but his playing in the videos I’ve seen is just phenomenal. When I recorded with Emitt Rhodes in his studio he told me Jim was the best musician he ever worked with.