{"meta":{"version":"2.1","_links":{"self":{"href":"https://api.vam.ac.uk/v2/object/O1781878"},"collection_page":{"href":"https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O1781878/"}},"images":{"_primary_thumbnail":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2025PJ1589/full/!100,100/0/default.jpg","_iiif_image":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2025PJ1589/","_alt_iiif_image":[],"imageResolution":"low","_images_meta":[{"assetRef":"2025PJ1589","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2025PJ1637","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2025PJ1636","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2025PJ1635","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2025PJ1592","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2025PJ1591","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2025PJ1590","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2025PJ1585","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2025PJ1584","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false}]},"see_also":null},"record":{"systemNumber":"O1781878","accessionNumber":"LOAN:AMERICASFOUNDATION.1157:1, 2-2024","objectType":"Drum Machine","titles":[],"summaryDescription":"","physicalDescription":"Linn LM-1 drum machine and case owned by David Bowie, 1980s. \r\n\r\n A drum machine housed in black metal with varnished wooden sides, various controls on the front and back face, orange printed text, and a black power cord at the back right corner. The drum machine is rectangular in shape with the front face angling forward at 45-degrees. A black and white printed sticker with the drum machine's make, model and serial number is attached at the back right.\nThe case is made of wood covered with a bright orange veneer, with aluminium edges, two metal butterfly clasps, and a metal handles with rubber grips. Various luggage stickers and maker's stickers are attached, especially at the front face. The inside is lined with green foam.","artistMakerPerson":[],"artistMakerOrganisations":[{"name":{"text":"Linn Electronics","id":"AUTH410336"},"association":{"text":"designed and made","id":"x28674"},"note":""}],"artistMakerPeople":[],"materials":[{"text":"metal","id":"AAT10900"},{"text":"wood","id":"AAT11914"},{"text":"varnish","id":"AAT14974"},{"text":"printing ink","id":"AAT187371"},{"text":"electronic components","id":"THES274431"},{"text":"glue","id":"AAT14815"},{"text":"veneer","id":"AAT12855"},{"text":"foam rubber","id":"AAT14562"},{"text":"paper","id":"x30308"}],"techniques":[{"text":"casting","id":"AAT53104"},{"text":"varnishing","id":"AAT53825"},{"text":"screwing","id":"AAT53020"},{"text":"printing","id":"AAT53319"},{"text":"assembling","id":"AAT53007"},{"text":"glueing","id":"AAT53012"},{"text":"stamping","id":"x34899"}],"materialsAndTechniques":"Cast metal, varnished and screwed wood, printing ink, and assembled electronic components\r\nWood with glued veneer, cast and stamped metal, foam rubber, and printing ink on adhesive paper","categories":[{"text":"David Bowie Archive","id":"THES394093"},{"text":"Entertainment and leisure","id":"THES48959"}],"styles":[],"collectionCode":{"text":"T&P","id":"THES48602"},"images":["2025PJ1589","2025PJ1637","2025PJ1636","2025PJ1635","2025PJ1592","2025PJ1591","2025PJ1590","2025PJ1585","2025PJ1584"],"imageResolution":"low","galleryLocations":[{"current":{"text":"004","id":"THES299354"},"free":"","case":"","shelf":"","box":""},{"current":{"text":"004","id":"THES299354"},"free":"","case":"","shelf":"","box":""}],"partTypes":[[{"text":"musical instruments","id":"AAT41620"}],[{"text":"cases","id":"AAT45659"}]],"contentWarnings":[{"apprise":"","note":""}],"placesOfOrigin":[{"place":{"text":"United States of America","id":"x29333"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"productionDates":[{"date":{"text":"1980s","earliest":"1980-01-01","latest":"1989-12-31"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":"Serial number 00040"}],"associatedObjects":[],"creditLine":"Lent by the V&A Americas Foundation through the generosity of Jones/Tintoretto Entertainment Company LLC","dimensions":[{"dimension":"Height","value":"12.15","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"Drum machine","note":""},{"dimension":"Width","value":"54.65","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"Drum machine","note":""},{"dimension":"Depth","value":"56.5","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"Drum machine","note":""},{"dimension":"Height","value":"21.7","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"Case","note":""},{"dimension":"Width","value":"74","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"Case","note":""},{"dimension":"Depth","value":"63","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"Case","note":""}],"dimensionsNote":"","marksAndInscriptions":[{"content":"VOLUME \nSPEED SPEED \nSTORE VERIFY LOAD TAPE STORAGE \nVOLUME PAN BASS SNARE HIHAT CLAPS CABASA TAMB TOM CONGA COWBELL CLAVE CLICK PAN VOLUME MIXER\nLINK# CHAIN ON-OFF LAST ENTRY DELETE INSERT CHAIN # CHAIN\nREC COPY ERASE LENGTH RECORD DRUMBEAT\nDRUMBEAT# 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 SELECT DRUMBEAT\nPLAY / STOP PLAY / STOP\nBASS SNARE HIHAT CLAPS CABASA TAMB TOM CONGA CLAVE\nBASS SNARE HIHAT HIHAT CABASA TAMB TOM CONGA COWBELL\nDRUMS\nLINN ELECTRONICS, INC. MODEL LM-1","inscriber":{"name":{"text":"","id":""},"association":{"text":"","id":""}},"date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"description":"","interpretation":"","language":"","medium":"","method":"","position":"","script":"","translation":"","transliteration":"","type":"","note":"Printed on the front face of the drum machine in orange to indicate the function of each control."},{"content":"LO OUTPUT HI LEFT RIGHT LEFT RIGHT\r\nOUTPUTS BASS SNARE HIHAT CLAPS CABASA TAMB TOM CONGA COWBELL CLAVE\r\nPITCH ADJUST\r\nHIHAT DECAY\r\n4 6 8 12 16 24 32 48 64 96 192 INT. CLOCK OUT\r\nEXT. CLOCK INPUT\r\nRECORD SAFE\r\nTAPE SYNC TO FROM\r\nREMOTE PLAY / STOP \r\nTAPE STORAGE TO FROM\r\nCAUTION: HAZARDOUS VOLTAGES INSIDE. REFER TO QUALIFIED PERSONNEL.\r\nLINN ELECTRONICS, INC. 3249 TARECO DR. L.A. CALIF. 90068\r\nFUSE","inscriber":{"name":{"text":"","id":""},"association":{"text":"","id":""}},"date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"description":"","interpretation":"","language":"","medium":"","method":"","position":"","script":"","translation":"","transliteration":"","type":"","note":"Printed on back of drum machine in orange text."},{"content":"LINN ELECTRONICS, INC.\r\nMODEL LM-1\r\n110 VAC FUSE AT 1 AMP\r\nSERIAL # 00040","inscriber":{"name":{"text":"","id":""},"association":{"text":"","id":""}},"date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"description":"","interpretation":"","language":"","medium":"","method":"","position":"","script":"","translation":"","transliteration":"","type":"","note":"Printed in white on black sticker attached to back of drum machine."},{"content":"UNDERWRITERS LAB.\r\nREPLACEMENT\r\nPOWER SUPPLY\r\nBS-1851 ISSUE NO.","inscriber":{"name":{"text":"","id":""},"association":{"text":"","id":""}},"date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"description":"","interpretation":"","language":"","medium":"","method":"","position":"","script":"","translation":"","transliteration":"","type":"","note":"Printed in black on cream-coloured label attached to power cable."},{"content":"J.H.\r\nSESSIONS\r\n& SON\r\nBRISTOL\r\nCONN.\r\nSIMMONS\r\nFASTENER \r\nUSA\r\n","inscriber":{"name":{"text":"","id":""},"association":{"text":"","id":""}},"date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"description":"","interpretation":"","language":"","medium":"","method":"","position":"","script":"","translation":"","transliteration":"","type":"","note":"Stamped on clasps of case."},{"content":"ANVIL CASES\r\nCALIF.","inscriber":{"name":{"text":"","id":""},"association":{"text":"","id":""}},"date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"description":"","interpretation":"","language":"","medium":"","method":"","position":"","script":"","translation":"","transliteration":"","type":"","note":"Stamped on handles of case."},{"content":"LINN ELECTRONICS, INC.\r\n18720 OXNARD ST./#103\r\nTARZANA, CA 91356\r\n(213) 708-8131\r\nBEWLAY BROS. LTD.\r\n250 W. 57TH STREET #2411\r\nNEW YORK, \r\nNEW YORK 10107","inscriber":{"name":{"text":"","id":""},"association":{"text":"","id":""}},"date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"description":"","interpretation":"","language":"","medium":"","method":"","position":"","script":"","translation":"","transliteration":"","type":"","note":"Maker's sticker attached to front face of case."},{"content":"ANVIL CASES\r\n4128 TEMPLE CITY BLVD, ROSEMEAD, CA. 91770\r\nSERIAL B- 2575 (213) 575-8614","inscriber":{"name":{"text":"","id":""},"association":{"text":"","id":""}},"date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"description":"","interpretation":"","language":"","medium":"","method":"","position":"","script":"","translation":"","transliteration":"","type":"","note":"Maker's badge attached to front face of case."},{"content":"MSE MAT SERCURITAS EXPRESS AG\r\n4 BIS, RTE DES JEUNES\r\nCH-1211 GENÈVE 26\n12\nVIAMAT\nUNTERNEHMEN DER VIA MAT HOLDING AG\n\nTRANSPACIFIC \nAIR CARGO\nIF THIS SHIPMENT IS DELAYED, REFUSED [...]\nDESTINATION\n\n","inscriber":{"name":{"text":"","id":""},"association":{"text":"","id":""}},"date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"description":"","interpretation":"","language":"","medium":"","method":"","position":"","script":"","translation":"","transliteration":"","type":"","note":"Printed on stickers attached to front of case."},{"content":"LOT NO.\r\nEA 0137\r\n045\r\nOVERSEAS\r\nMOVING","inscriber":{"name":{"text":"","id":""},"association":{"text":"","id":""}},"date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"description":"","interpretation":"","language":"","medium":"","method":"","position":"","script":"","translation":"","transliteration":"Printed in black ink on yellow sticker attached to right side of case.","type":"","note":""}],"objectHistory":"The Linn LM-1 Drum Computer is a drum machine designed by Roger Linn, manufactured by Linn Electronics and released in 1980. It was one of the first programmable drum machines and the first to use samples of acoustic drums. It was utilised by many leading 1980s musicians including The Human League, Gary Numan, Michael Jackson, and Prince. \r\n\r\nLinn LM-1 and LM-2 drum machines were used by Bowie throughout the 1980s.  When recording the 1985 single 'This Is Not America', Pat Methany recalled ' ...[Bowie] had taken my demo, written lyrics, added a Linn drum machine to it, and had recorded a vocal demo...' . Iggy Pop's album<i> Blah Blah Blah, </i>co- produced by Bowie in 1986, also utilised Linn drum machines. Unsubstantiated stories from the time suggest that Bowie had borrowed the drum machine for these sessions from Queen drummer Roger Taylor. \n\n\n","historicalContext":"","briefDescription":"Linn LM-1 drum machine and case owned by David Bowie, 1980s","bibliographicReferences":[],"production":"","productionType":{"text":"","id":""},"contentDescription":"","contentPlaces":[],"associatedPlaces":[],"contentPerson":[],"associatedPerson":[],"contentOrganisations":[],"associatedOrganisations":[],"contentPeople":[],"associatedPeople":[],"contentEvents":[],"associatedEvents":[],"contentOthers":[],"contentConcepts":[],"contentLiteraryRefs":[],"galleryLabels":[],"partNumbers":["LOAN:AMERICASFOUNDATION.1157:1-2024","LOAN:AMERICASFOUNDATION.1157:2-2024"],"accessionNumberNum":"1157","accessionNumberPrefix":"LOAN:AMERICASFOUNDATION","accessionYear":2024,"otherNumbers":[{"type":{"text":"David Bowie Archive Number","id":"THES394108"},"number":"dbg0392"}],"copyNumber":"","aspects":["WHOLE"],"assets":[],"recordModificationDate":"2026-04-10","recordCreationDate":"2024-06-11","availableToBook":false}}