Max Roach's Stolen Drums Found in Tennessee Barn

In 2007, jazz drummer and bebop innovator Max Roach passed away. Not only was the legendary drummer lost to the world, but his drums were stolen. Finally, the missing set has been recovered, in quite possibly the last place anyone ever expected to find it.

A few weeks ago, Roach's daughter Maxine received a phone call alerting her that a man who had been caught for another crime had also admitted to stealing the drums and hiding them in a Byrdstown, Tenn. barn. On June 6, she, along with her lawyers and a crew from local moving company Duncan Storage and Transfer, set out to recover her father's beloved kit. The authorities even had to join in the operation after Maxine was allegedly threatened with guns, reports the Cookeville Times.

Even though some of Roach's drums are still missing, the mission can still be considered a success. Most of the drums were found in a secret room behind a false wall and a stack of air conditioning units, and were safely shipped to their proper home in New Jersey.

Related links: