Guitars, Cars, And Lyrics: Musician Memorabilia That’s Worth A Fortune
When it comes to a favorite band or musician, people are willing to pay top dollar for a car, handwritten song lyrics, or even a guitar. Even if it so happens to be a burned guitar, it belonged to Jimi Hendrix, so it's worth a whopping $312,500!
See what other music memorabilia is worth a stack of cash today.
Prince's 1984 Blue Cloud Guitar: $563,000
During his career, Prince was a notorious onstage performer, shredding on his guitar and singing some iconic songs like "Purple Rain" and "When the Doves Cry." One of his many famous guitars was actually thought to be lost, his 1984 Blue Cloud, also known as Blue Angel.
Julien's Auctions stumbled upon the internment, selling it at auction for a whopping $563,000.
Paul McCartney's Yamaha BB-1200 Bass Guitar: $496,100
In an auction set up by record producer Bob Ezrin, Paul McCartney's Yamaha BB-1200 bass guitar was a big moneymaker. The instrument the Beatle played while performing with the band The Wings ended up selling for the highest price for a bass ever.
In the end, someone paid $496,100 for the privilege of owning the iconic bass.
Kurt Cobain's MTV Unplugged Guitar: $6 Million
Kurt Cobain was the epitome of grunge during the 1990s. The lead singer of Nirvana, his performance on MTV Unplugged was legendary. So much so that Peter Freedman of RØDE Microphones was willing to pay top dollar to own the guitar he played during the show.
In 2020, the iconic guitar sold for an astounding price of $6 million.
Eric Clapton's 1968 Martin D-45 Guitar: $625,000
When Eric Clapton's acoustic guitar was sold at Julien's Auction's 'Icons & Idols: Rock 'N' Roll auction in 2021, it was the most expensive item in the catalog. The famed musician used this particular guitar during his time with Derek and the Dominos in 1970.
At the auction, Clapton's guitar sold for $625,000.
Elvis Presley's Red Hagstrom Viking II Electric Guitar: $625,000
The King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley, made quite the impression in the younger generation of the 1950s when he went on tv, swinging his hips and singing with his sultry voice. One of the leading icons of the 20th century, people were willing to pay top dollar for The King's red Hadtorm Viking II electric guitar, borrowed by his session musician Al Casey for various events.
The guitar was sold at auction for a solid $625,000.
Ringo Starr's Copy Of The White Album: $790,000
Considered one of the greatest albums of all time, it is no surprise Beatles fans and music buffs were willing to pay top-dollar for Ringo Starr's copy of the White Album, The Beatles' ninth studio album.
Even though he left the band the same year as the album's release, 1968, he snagged the first-ever copy. It sold at auction for a whopping $790,000.
The Hand Written Lyrics To "Hey Jude": $910,000
A song that was released as a non-album single, "Hey Jude," went on to top the charts in both Britain and the United States. Paul McCartney wrote the song for John Lennon's young son, Julian.
And it was the handwritten lyrics that sold for a hefty price in 2020, a solid $910,000.
Janis Joplin's Handpainted Porsche: $1.76 million
Janis Joplin not only had an electric stage presence, but she also had an electric presence. Her eccentric personality was perfectly showcased with her car, a Porsche. She took it upon herself to hand-paint the car with butterflies, skulls, birds, and more.
In 2015, the Porsche broke records, selling for $1.76 million at auction.
Eric Clapton's Black Fender Stratocaster: $959,500
For 15 years of his career, Eric Clapton could be seen on stage with his trusty black Fender Stratocaster guitar. His go-to instrument was last seen during a special performance at the Royal Albert Hall in London. That was 1991.
At Christie's auction house in 2004, the guitar was purchased for $959,500.
Keith Richards's Bentley S3 Continental Flying Spur: $999,000
Rolling Stones fans might recognize this Bentley S3 Continental Flying Spur, also known as "Blue Lena." It was Keith Richards's favorite car, named after singer Lena Horne. Sadly, one too many accidents in the car led Richards to sell in in 1978.
After numerous restorations, the Bentley made its way to auction in 2010. There, Blue Lena sold for just under one million dollars, $999,000.
Bob Dylan's Sunburst Fender Stratocaster: $965,000
For half a century, Bob Dylan's iconic sunburst Fender Stratocaster was thought to be lost. It wasn't. It was found by the cabin crew of a private plane where Dylan had accidentally left it behind.
Finally, the guitar was brought to auction, where it sold for the ridiculous price of $965,000.
The Beatles Gibson SG: $567,500
The Beatles are arguably the best-known band to come out of England. As such, people are sure to recognize this Gibson SG, a guitar that was played by both George Harrison and John Lennon during the band's heyday.
Lennon played this particular guitar during the band's White Album while Harrison played it between 1966 and 1969. An impressive piece of music history, the guitar sold for $567,500.
Ringo Starr's Ludwig Oyster Black Pearl Drum Kit: $2.2 Million
During 200 performances between 1963 and 1964, Ringo Starr played on this Ludwig Oyster Black Pearl drum kit. An iconic piece of music history from one of the biggest bands in history, the drum kit was sold at auction in 2015.
The mysterious buyer bought the kit for a solid $2.2 million.
Bob Dylan's Handwritten "Like A Rolling Stone" Lyrics: $2 Million
Released in 1965, Bob Dylan's song "Like a Rolling Stone" is considered one of the greatest songs ever written. That's probably why the handwritten lyrics sold for so much at Sotheby's auction in 2014.
That year, a private buyer paid $2 million for the opportunity to own the legendary manuscript.
Wallace Hartley's Violin From Titanic: $1.17 Million
During the infamous sinking of the ship Titanic in 1912, Wallace Hartley decided to keep passengers calm by playing his guitar instead of heading towards a lifeboat. He was found, clutching his violin to his chest.
A piece of history, the violin wound up in an epic telephone bidding war. The winner paid $1.17 million to own Hartley's violin.
Jimi Hendrix's Burned Guitar From 1967: $312,500
In 1967, the iconic Jimi Hendrix played at the Monterey Pop Festival, one of his many performances. The difference with this festival was Hendrix finishing his set, placing his guitar down on the stage, and tossing lighter fluid on it before having it go up in flames!
In 2012, that burned guitar sold at auction for a cool $312,500.
Elvis Presley's Omega Watch: $2 Million
In 1955, Elvis Presley signed a contract with RCA Records. The partnership was amazing, and the record company would go on to sell 10 million of The King's albums within one year.
When Presley finally hit 75 million sales, RCA gifted him with an Omega watch. In 2018, the watch sold for a whopping $2 million.
John Lennon's Yellow Phantom V: $2.3 Million (In 1983)
In 1983, John Lennon's yellow Phantom V Rolls-Royce car was a hot commodity. Canadian business magnate Jim Pattison purchased the car at auction for a whopping $2.3 million. That is around $5.5 million in 2022.
The Phantom was showcased in Vancouver at the 1986 World Exposition on Transportation and Communication.
David Gilmour's "Black Strat": $3.97 Million
In 2019, Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour decided to sell his guitar collection, with all of the proceeds going towards climate change charities. One of his prized instruments in the collection was his "Black Strat," a guitar he played in songs such as Comfortably Numb and Money.
Alone, the Black Strat sold for an impressive $3.97 million.
John Lennon's "Imagine" Piano: $2.2 Million
One of the most iconic instruments played by a Beatle is arguably the piano John Lennon used to write the song "Imagine." Not wanting the Steinway Model Z upright piano locked away in storage, it was purchased in 2001 by Wham! frontman George Michael.
After using the piano on a few of his own songs, Michael made sure it made its way back home to Liverpool, England, where it was placed in The Beatles Story exhibition.
