Drumming News :
Badges Drum Shop is honored to announce an exclusive opportunity for drummers, collectors, and fans of one of the world’s most influential percussionists. Walfredo Reyes Jr.—world-renowned drummer, percussionist, and core member of the legendary band Chicago—is offering a rare selection of his personal instruments for sale both in-store and online at Badges Drum Shop. While several items have already found new homes, many remarkable pieces are still available, and a current list can be found below and at Badges drum shop / Walfredo Reyes, Jr. Collection.
This special collection includes:
- His studio drum set
- Select cymbals and snares from touring and recording
- Unique personal treasures from a lifetime in music
A fixture at Badges Drum Shop and a beloved figure in the local drumming community, Reyes has a career that spans more than five decades. In addition to his long-running role with Chicago, he has toured and recorded with icons such as Carlos Santana, Steve Winwood, Jackson Browne, Gloria Estefan, Smokey Robinson, and many others. Beyond the stage, he has inspired countless musicians through his clinics and private lessons held right at the shop.
As Badges Drum Shop celebrates its 7th Anniversary, the timing of this release feels especially meaningful. These instruments—many bearing stories, signatures, notes, and personal markings—are far more than collectible memorabilia. They are the tools Reyes used to create the art that shaped decades of music, from chart-topping albums to unforgettable live performances.
A Message from Walfredo Reyes Jr.
“I’ve been a professional musician for 54 years, and from 1980 to 2017 living and working in the heart of the Los Angeles studio scene, I was blessed to collect some truly special drums and percussion instruments. These are not just music making tools. They are the instruments that helped me make music with world-renowned artists, the instruments that sat beside me during countless sessions, tours, and magical moments of creation.
With time, life changes. Physically, I can no longer use everything I’ve accumulated in my drum and percussion arsenal… and since moving to the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky area with my wife, Kirsten, and spending nearly seven months a year on the road with Chicago since 2012, I’m no longer in the L.A. studios where these instruments were part of my everyday life. For many years, they traveled everywhere with me from one studio to the next, packed in cases by my incredible drum tech, ready for the next recording.
Now they sit in my basement, still beautiful, still full of music, still carrying all the stories and sounds of the past. I feel it’s time, before I get too old, to let these instruments live again in the hands of musicians who will play them, love them, and continue their journey.
Every drum, every piece of percussion in this collection has history… real history. Great recording sessions, great memories, emotions…. They helped shape albums, songs, soundtracks, and moments that meant something to me… and maybe to you.
I would be honored for these instruments to find new homes where they will be played, appreciated, and brought back to life. If you purchase one, I’m happy to share the stories behind it, show you what it meant to me, and sign anything you’d like. This collection is part of my musical soul, and I want it to inspire someone the way they inspired me.
*Sincerely,
Walfredo Reyes Jr.”
Own a Piece of Music History
Whether you’re a working musician, a collector, or a fan of Reyes’ extraordinary career, this is a rare moment to acquire instruments that have shaped major tours, sessions, albums, and film soundtracks. Each piece carries a legacy—and an energy—that only decades of world-class musicianship can produce.
The collection is available now in-store and online at Badges Drum Shop. Inventory is limited and updated frequently as items sell.
Explore what’s still available and bring home a truly meaningful piece of Walfredo’s musical journey.
