The 10 most valuable pieces of music memorabilia sold at auction
Music has always had a special place in the hearts of fans, and over the years, music memorabilia has become a significant part of popular culture.
Here are the 10 of the most valuable pieces of music memorabilia sold at auction:
1. John Lennon's Gibson J-160E Guitar
The guitar used by John Lennon to write several of The Beatles' early hits, including "She Loves You" and "I Want To Hold Your Hand," sold at auction in 2015 for $2.41 million. The guitar was lost for over 50 years and was rediscovered by a novice musician in the 1960s.
2. Bob Dylan's Electric Guitar
The Fender Stratocaster that Bob Dylan played during his controversial 1965 Newport Folk Festival performance sold at auction in 2013 for $965,000. The guitar is known as "the guitar that changed the world" because it marked Dylan's transition from acoustic folk music to electric rock.
3. Elvis Presley's "Jailhouse Rock" Suit
The white suit Elvis Presley wore in his iconic "Jailhouse Rock" dance sequence sold at auction in 2011 for $125,000. The suit was designed by Nudie Cohn, a legendary tailor to country music stars.
4. Jimi Hendrix's Fender Stratocaster
The guitar Jimi Hendrix played during his famous performance at Woodstock in 1969 sold at auction in 1990 for $334,000. The guitar was one of Hendrix's favorites and is considered an iconic piece of music history.
5. Michael Jackson's "Bad" Tour Jacket
The black and gold jacket Michael Jackson wore during his "Bad" tour sold at auction in 2012 for $298,000. The jacket was designed by Michael Bush and Dennis Tompkins, who were Jackson's longtime costume designers.
6. Prince's "Yellow Cloud" Guitar
The guitar Prince played in several of his music videos and during his 1988 Lovesexy tour sold at auction in 2016 for $137,500. The guitar was custom-made for Prince by the luthier Andy Beech.
7. Madonna's "Like A Virgin" Dress
The iconic wedding dress Madonna wore in the music video for "Like A Virgin" sold at auction in 2014 for $81,250. The dress was designed by Marlene Stewart and became an instant cultural sensation when the video was released in 1984.
8. The Beatles' Drum Kit
The drum kit played by Ringo Starr during the band's appearances on "The Ed Sullivan Show" in 1964 sold at auction in 2015 for $2.2 million. The kit was used by Starr throughout the early years of The Beatles' career.
9. Kurt Cobain's Acoustic Guitar
The Martin D-18E guitar Kurt Cobain played during Nirvana's famous "MTV Unplugged" performance sold at auction in 2019 for $6 million. The guitar is one of the most expensive pieces of music memorabilia ever sold and is a symbol of Cobain's enduring legacy.
10. The Rolling Stones' "Bridges To Babylon" Drum Kit
The drum kit Charlie Watts played during The Rolling Stones' "Bridges To Babylon" tour sold at auction in 2008 for $168,000. The kit was custom-made for Watts by Premier Drums and was used throughout the tour.
These 10 pieces of music memorabilia represent some of the most iconic moments in music history and offer a glimpse into the lives of some of the greatest musicians of all time.
For fans and collectors alike, owning a piece of music history is a way to connect with the artists and songs that have touched their lives.
About your Author:
Adrian Roose has over 30 years’ experience covering all aspects of the rare stamp & memorabilia industry during which he has sold over £50m of unique items, helping build collections for Royalty, household name celebrities and 1,000s of collectors around the world.
Adrian was previously a Director at Stanley Gibbons, a Board Member of Stampex, and Executive Director of Paul Fraser Collectibles, PFC Auctions and JustCollecting, prior to founding The Memorabilia Club.