Auctioning off items connected with rock stars and music history is a big business. Sometimes these auctions benefit charity, as was the case when Pink Floyd’s David Gilmour auctioned off a number of his guitars. Sometimes these auctions are less about gear and more about items with a memorable history, as was the case with a 2019 Beatles-related event. And sometimes, these auctions are a combination of both.
That’s the case with A Century of Music, an online auction taking place on July 14 and 15 at Guernsey’s. Of the items up for bid, some have ties to rock icons — including a jacket worn onstage by Buddy Holly, speakers from Jimi Hendrix’s Electric Lady Studios, a piano signed by Elton John, two guitars used by Paul McCartney and a guitar formerly owned by Eddie Van Halen. Jazz historians might also find Benny Goodman’s old clarinet to be of interest.
The commitment to rock history extends further than that, however. The auction also includes the glass doors of the Hotel Chelsea and a hand-painted map of the grounds that directed attendees of Woodstock where to go.
With a few of the items in the auction, there’s a bittersweet element to their presence. Guitarist Jason Becker contributed several guitars to the auction, with proceeds helping to fund his treatment for ALS.
All told, this auction brings together a host of items from disparate places, including dozens of violins, mandolins and banjos from the Meisel Collection. With enough money, you could likely outfit a small museum with the items that are up for bid. Will this be where yours begins?
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