Bono shades and Clinton sax in charity sale
Bono’s iconic Armani shades, a Jimi Hendrix guitar and a saxophone signed by former US President Bill Clinton are just some of the 200 pieces of music memorabilia being auctioned off for charity this month.
The sale, to raise money for musicians on the Gulf Coast of America whose lives were ruined by hurricanes Rita and Katrina in 2005, has secured donations from the greatest names in pop and rock.
The Icons of Music auction is being held in New York in aid of the Music Rising campaign, co-founded by U2 guitarist The Edge, and it includes lots from Elvis, Hendrix, The Beatles and the Rolling Stones.
And some of the exhibits are on display in the Clarence Hotel in Dublin this week.
U2 have donated 19 lots with The Edge parting with his 1975 Cream Gibson Les Paul guitar, valued at €45,000 which he used on every U2 studio album.
The Edge said: “I wanted that Steve Jones ’Never Mind the Bollox’ sound, so I got the same guitar – right down to the colour.
“I never could get that sound, but I found a bunch of songs in this instrument, and have used it extensively ever since, on tour and in the studio.”
The Edge has also donated the necklace he wore in The Fly video valued at €3,000.
Other highlights include a guitar signed by the Rolling Stones and played during Super Bowl XL valued at €12,000, Kurt Cobain’s MTV Video Music Award for Nirvana estimated at €4,500 and the famous wire rimmed sunglasses worn by John Lennon for €4,500.
A handful of cheaper, quirky items are also in the sale such as a pair of lace pants worn by Madonna in her sex book photo shoot for €600, one of Britney Spears’ hats and a handbag used by Cher.
Also featured are items belonging to Elvis, Buddy Holly, Bob Dylan and other icons.
In all, 196 items have been donated.
Proceeds from the auction will go to the Music Rising campaign founded by The Edge, producer Bob Ezrin and Gibson Guitar chairman Henry Juszkiewicz in 2005 to aid musicians affected by devastating hurricanes in the last few years.
Organisers conservatively estimate the sale will raise up to €450,000 to help musicians living along the Gulf Coast.
Darren Julien, chief executive of Juliens Auctions, said: “That’s very conservative but we think we will get a lot more and I’m sure the final result will be an awful lot higher.”
The Icons of Music auction will be held in the Hard Rock Cafe New York in Times Square on April 21.
And in a novel effort to attract would-be buyers from around the world, bidders can join the sale on line at www.juliensauctions.com. People can also place bids online ahead of the sale.
