George Harrison’s Guitar Goes Up for Auction

Posted 25 May 2014 in Artist News, Electric Guitar, Gear News

There’s no denying that the Beatles were one of the most influential rock groups of all time.  Here at Guitar News Daily we take our Beatles very seriously.  But just how much money would you be willing to shell out in order to get your hands on a genuine piece of Beatles memorabilia like George Harrison’s guitar?  Or maybe something from John and Yoko or even a little gem owned by Sir Paul McCartney aka The Coolest Man Alive.

George Harrison 1

For a few lucky, wealthy fans in New York last Saturday, that price was set quite high indeed. The crown jewel of the auction was a 1962 Rickenbacker 425 owned by George Harrison and used on many of the Beatles earlier recordings, including the track “I Want to Hold Your Hand”.  You can see him clearly holding this beautiful instrument in the image below.  If you look at Ringo’s face you can see that even he loves looking at that gorgeous instrument.

George Harrison 3

That wasn’t the only Beatles memorabilia sold at the auction, either. One could also have purchased hand drawn doodles signed by John Lennon and Yoko Ono during their 1969 anti-war “bed in” for a mere $187,000.  Anyone who knows their Beatles history is familiar with this set of drawings from that legendary day.

Perhaps a Hofner bass once rented (not even officially owned) by Paul McCartney for only $125,000. We know Sir Paul can now afford to buy his own bass instead of renting but back then I suppose money was a bit tighter for the young band.

George Harrison paul hofner

The Beatles weren’t the only band represented in this auction either; a car owned by Lady Gaga and a white jumpsuit of Elvis Presley’s were also available for sale and garnered $125,000 and $197,000 respectively.  Ok so it feels a little strange mentioning Lady Gaga in the same article as The Beatles and The King but I guess that proves the old adage of There’s a sucker born every minute.  

Man, we wish we had that kind of money to spend on items of rock history.  Maybe someday but for now we’ll live vicariously through the eyes (and wallets) of others.

 



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