BUZZ BEAT MEDIA

Julien’s Auctions, the industry’s leading rock n’ roll memorabilia auction house, held its historic two-day auction “MUSIC ICONS” on May 29^th and 30th at The Hard Rock®, New York. History was made over the two-day auction event, featuring a spectacular line-up of music history from rock royalty owned and used by music icons such as John Lennon, Prince, Randy Bachman, Freddie Mercury, Michael Jackson, Elvis Presley, and more.

World Record for The Most Expensive Beatles Guitar 

Ever Sold at Auction

John Lennon’s historic Framus 12-string Hootenanny acoustic guitar

The highly anticipated sale of John Lennon’s lost hootenanny guitar used by the legendary Beatles during the 1965 Help! Album was sold to a telephone bidder for an unprecedented US$2,857,500/ HK$22,288,500, making it the most expensive Beatles guitar to ever sell at auction. The guitar was recently found in an attic after being presumed lost for over 50 years. It was seen and heard in the recording of The Beatles Help! album and film and many of The Beatles’ greatest hits from the 1960s.  

“We are absolutely thrilled and honored to have set a new world record with the sale of John Lennon’s lost hootenanny guitar,” said David Goodman, CEO of Julien’s Auctions after day one of Music Icons auction.  “This guitar is not only a piece of music history but a symbol of John Lennon’s enduring legacy.  Today symbolizes what we do best at Julien’s – creating opportunities for people to reconnect with the cultural touchstones that have shaped the moments that matter most throughout their lives.  Today’s unprecedented sale is a testament to the timeless appeal and reverence of The Beatles’ music and John Lennon.”

World Record for The Most Expensive Prince Guitar 

Ever Sold at Auction

Prince’s Original Crown Jewel “Cloud 3” Electric Guitar (picture left)

After nearly twenty years, Prince’s legendary re-discovered original “Cloud 3” electric guitar which was reinstated by Julien’s as one of the Purple One’s most important guitars used in his iconic 80s-90s tours from Purple Rain to Diamonds & Pearls, set a new world record for the most expensive Prince guitar ever sold at auction for US$910,000/ HK$7,098,000.

World Record for The Most Expensive Robbie Roberston Guitar 

Ever Sold at Auction

Bob Daylan &Robbie Robertson’s 1965 Fender Telecaster guitar with book (picture right) was sold for US$650,000/ HK$5,070,000, smashing the world auction record for Robbie Robertson guitar.

OTHER IMPRESSIVE RESULTS

Bono’s iconic U2 signed 2005 Gretsch G6136i “Irish Falcon” sold for US$260,000/ HK$2,028,000.

Steve Jones’ custom 1974 Gibson Les Paul electric guitar, recently verified as THE punk rock icon’s true original and iconic Sex Pistols axe, sold for US$390,000/ HK$3,042,000.

Adam Clayton’s Fender Rose Sparkle Precision bass guitar from U2 Las Vegas residency sold for US$260,000/ HK$2,028,000.

Cliff Williams’ circa 1980s AC/DC teal double cutaway precision style bass guitar with eight mother of pearl inlaid “penis” motifs sold for US$22,750/ HK$177,450.

Tina Turner’s 1996-97 “Wildest Dreams Tour” Stage-Worn Versace Outfit: sold for US$38,100/ HK$297,180.

Michael Jackson’s 1984 Victory Stage-Worn “Billy Jean” Black Sequin Jacket: sold for US$114,300/ HK$891,540.

Amy Winehouse’s 2008 Chanel leather bag: sold for US$22,750/ HK$177,450.

Adam Clayton’s Stage-Worn Las Vegas Residency Hiragana T-Shirt: sold for US$6,350/ HK$49,530.

Julien’s Auctions, the industry’s leading rock ‘n’ roll memorabilia auction house, has broken world records with the sale of Beatles memorabilia, including a previous John Lennon acoustic guitar, which sold for a record US$2.4 million/ HK$18.7 million, Ringo Starr’s Ludwig drum kit, which sold for a record $2.2 million/ HK$17.2 million, The Ludwig Beatles Ed Sullivan Show drumhead, which sold for a record price of US$2.1 million/ HK$16.4 million, and The Beatles White Album, owned by Ringo Starr, that sold for US$790,000/ HK$6,162,000.

*Cover Photo/Thumbnail Photo from Julien’s Auctions