Christine McVie’s 'Songbird' piano, Taylor Swift-signed guitar highlights of first livestreamed MusiCares auction
Los Angeles, California (Press Release): Julien’s Auctions has unveiled the first star-studded lineup of items to be sold at MusiCares Charity Relief Auction, the music industry’s highly anticipated event that will take place live for the first time ever at the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles and online on juliensauctions.com on Sunday, February 4, 2024.
More than 75 exclusive, one-of-a-kind items given by the world’s biggest music artists and cultural figures will include instruments, wardrobe, personal items, and memorabilia coming directly from the likes of Christine McVie, Taylor Swift, James Hetfield, Robert Smith, Paul McCartney, Harry Styles, Bad Bunny, Dr. Dre, Los Angeles Lakers, Joe Walsh, and Lionel Richie will hit the auction block with many being offered to the public for the first time.
Christine McVie’s 'Songbird' Yamaha C3 Baby Grand Piano
Making a grand entrance on the auction stage will be a famous piano from one of the most popular rock bands of all time, Fleetwood Mac: Christine McVie’s Yamaha C3 Baby Grand Piano (estimate: $20,000 - $30,000). The piano played on stage by one of the legendary Grammy Award-winning band members, co-founder, co-lead singer, keyboardist, and songwriter is named after the super group’s most beloved track 'Songbird' written by McVie. She performed on this piano for two decades between the tours for 'Rumours' and 'The Dance' in 1977 and 1997 in Fleetwood Mac’s closing encores in concert.
Taylor Swift's signed Baby Taylor model acoustic guitar
From Time Magazine’s Person of the Year 2023, Taylor Swift, is a signature Baby Taylor model acoustic guitar in natural finish signed by Swift with a heart after her name below the sound hole (estimate: $5,000 – $7,000) on offer. This guitar has not been played by Swift but was donated and signed by her. The 12-time Grammy Award-winning phenomenon and only female in Grammy history to win Album of the Year three times is one of the most influential women in the world who continues to shatter records with the ongoing success of the landmark Taylor Swift Eras Tour.
Paul McCartney, signed copy of book 'The Lyrics: 1965 to Present'
Paul McCartney, music icon, founding Beatles member and 18-time Grammy Award winner, will be offering a signed, hardcover copy of 2021 book of the year 'The Lyrics: 1965 to Present'. The book features two volumes of the musicians’ lyrics to 154 of his songs from his time before and during the Beatles, Wings and his solo career that will be personalized to the winning bidder (estimate: $1,000 - $2,000). Included in the book is McCartney's commentary, never-before-seen photos, handwritten notes, art, and ephemera, all of which are part of his personal collection and are being offered for public view for the first time.
James Hetfield’s ESP LTD Vulture guitar
Eight-time Grammy winner and Metallica frontman signed by Hetfield 'JH 23/Metallica/2023' in black satin finish with EMG Het Set pickups, set-neck and ebony fingerboard with custom vulture inlay, in original hard case with an assortment of guitar picks and an ESP sticker ($4,000 – $6,000).
Robert Smith’s RS-1000 Stage Artist Edition Schecter acoustic guitar
The Cure frontman and two-time Grammy nominee Robert Smith’s RS-1000 Stage Artist Edition signature Schecter model acoustic guitar, in black finish with moon and star inlays, signed by Smith 'The Cure/2023/Robert Smith' ($3,000 – $5,000) played on stage at The Cure's May 2023 Hollywood Bowl performance during the North American leg of their Shows of a Lost World tour. The tone knobs are taped over and the volume knob features a glow in the dark sticker, with additional glow in the dark stickers along the fretboard binding marking the frets.
Harry Styles’ signed 1999 Gretsch White Falcon hollow body electric guitar
Harry Styles’ signed 1999 Gretsch White Falcon hollow body electric guitar, in white finish with gold sparkle bindings and Cadillac Tailpiece ($3,000 – $5,000). The body of the guitar is signed and dated 2023 with a drawing of a heart and swirl by the singer, songwriter, actor and fashion icon, who’s been honored with six Brit Awards, three Grammy Awards, an Ivor Novello Award, and three American Music Awards.
Dr Dre signed all-white Nike Air Force 1 Low '07 sneakers
A pair of all-white Nike Air Force 1 Low '07 sneakers exclusively signed by seven-time Grammy winner Andre 'Dr. Dre' Young for MusiCares. Each sneaker features Dr. Dre's signature prominently on the lateral side ($500 - $700). With four RIAA Platinum certified albums, two RIAA Platinum certified singles, three RIAA Gold certified singles, and one RIAA Gold certified album, Dr Dre continues to reign supreme among hip-hop heavyweights more than 30 years after breaking onto the music scene.
Joe Walsh’s 2015 Fender Stratocaster guitar
Five-time Grammy winning artist and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee of the famed Eagles and legendary guitarist, Joe Walsh’s personally owned and signed 2015 Fender Stratocaster guitar in Olympic White finish with Fender Hot Noiseless Stratocaster pickups, with rosewood fingerboard and black nylon guitar strap. The body of the guitar is boldly signed in black marker by Joe Walsh who selected this guitar from his personal collection ($4,000 – $6,000).
Lionel Richie’s gold sequined bomber jacket
Lionel Richie’s custom-made, gold sequined performance bomber jacket featuring a large Swarovski crystal embellished "All Night Long" graphic. Top celebrity stylist David Thomas created this style of performance jacket for the four-time Grammy Award winner and 2016 MusiCares Person of the Year honoree in red, blue and this example in gold ($4,000 – $6,000).
Slash’s 2023 Gibson Les Paul Anaconda Burst Guitar
Grammy Award winning Guns N’ Roses guitarist Slash’s signed 2023 Gibson Les Paul Anaconda Burst Guitar with Anaconda green flame maple top, in original case with accessories. The guitar features Slash's "Scully" design stamped "Demo" and signature truss rod cover with a large "Scully" doodle drawn by Slash on the body of the guitar donated by Gibson Gives in silver marker above his signature ($6,000 - $8,000).
Chris Martin’s handwritten 2023 Rose Bowl set list
Seven-time Grammy Award winning Coldplay frontman Chris Martin’s handwritten colorful set list including Coldplay’s classic songs 'Paradise', 'Clocks', 'Yellow', and more from Coldplay's live performance at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena on October 1, 2023 ($300 - $500).
Lumineers’ signed 'Cleopatra' partial hand-written lyrics
Two-time Grammy nominated alternative folk band Lumineers’ signed 'Cleopatra' partial lyrics written out by hand that reads "I was late for this, late for that / Late for the love of my life / And when I die alone, when I die alone, / When I die I'll be on time./ The Lumineers" with additional heart and signed by band members Wesley Schultz (vocals, guitar), Jeremiah Fraites (drums, percussion). The page features an additional drawing in ink of a Cleopatra winged headdress and crown ($600 - $800).
Don Felder signed 2010 limited edition 'Hotel California' 1959 Les Paul Standard
Four-time Grammy Award winning artist Don Felder signed 2010 limited edition Gibson Custom Shop Don Felder 'Hotel California' 1959 Les Paul Standard re-issue with hand-aged detailing accompanied by the original Custom Shop booklet identifying this as number 88 of 100 made to commemorate this historic instrument created in the image of Felder's original 1959 Burst used for nearly all of the solos on the Eagles' Hotel California album. The guitar is also accompanied by a copy of the deluxe guitar tab sheet music for 'Hotel California' signed by Felder in blue marker.
DJ Khaled’s Gibson Les Paul Studio guitar
Grammy Award winner DJ Khaled’s Gibson Les Paul Studio guitar donated by Gibson Gives and signed "DJ Khaled / We / The Best! / God Did!" referencing his thirteenth studio album released in August of 2022 titled 'God Did', also featuring the single 'God Did' at the 65th Grammy Awards rehearsals ($800 - $1,200).
Bad Bunny signed 2011 Schecter Diamond Series model T S/H-1 guitar
Three-time Grammy Award winner, “The King of Latin Trap", Bad Bunny signed 2011 Schecter Diamond Series model T S/H-1 semi-hollow body guitar, in silverburst finish with flat top and back and twin Super Rock pickups signed backstage at rehearsals for the 65th Grammy Awards telecast ($800 - $1,200).
Willie Nelson and Friends’ signed 2023 Martin D-10 acoustic guitar
Willie Nelson and Friends’ signed 2023 Martin D-10 acoustic guitar from the 12-time Grammy Award winning musician (recipient of Grammy Legend Award in 1990 and the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2000), who has amassed an extraordinary 57 Grammy nominations across his legendary near seven-decade career. The guitar was signed backstage by a long list of performers who appeared at Willie Nelson's 90th Birthday Celebration performances held April 29-30, 2023, at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles including: Willie Nelson; Kris Kristofferson; Sheryl Crow; Bob Weir; Snoop Dog; Booker T. Jones; Beck; The Lumineers; Lyle Lovett; Margo Price; Orville Peck; Helen Mirren; Tom Jones; Warren Haynes; Tyler Childers; Charley Crockett; Roseanne Cash; and many others ($2,000 - $3,000).
James Brown’s custom-tailored jacket
Three-time Grammy Award winning “Godfather of Soul” and 1992 Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award honoree, James Brown’s custom-tailored navy polyester with blue and black floral brocade lining jacket with an embroidered "James Brown" label together with a sterling silver ring with cobblestone inlaid turquoise and coral; a Thomas brand sterling silver and leather wrist cuff; and a pair of Calvin Klein rose colored sunglasses ($600 - $800).
Jon Batiste signed Hohner Instructor 32 melodica
Five-time Grammy Award winning singer, songwriter, bandleader, composer and multi-instrumentalist Jon Batiste signed Hohner Instructor 32 melodica featuring 32 keys in the alto and soprano range from F3 to C6 with additional drawings of hearts and a sun ($500 - $700).