31-5-2024 (LONDON) A guitar once owned and played by John Lennon, the legendary co-founder of the Beatles, has shattered the record for the highest-selling piece of Beatles memorabilia after it was auctioned for a staggering £1.5 million (S$2.6 million) in New York. The 12-string Hootenanny acoustic guitar, which had been gathering dust in an attic for the past 50 years, was used by Lennon during the recording of the iconic 1965 album and film “Help.”
The guitar’s journey to the auction block began with its initial acquisition by Scottish musician Gordon Waller of the pop duo Peter and Gordon. Waller later passed the instrument on to a colleague, and it eventually found its way into the possession of the recent owners, who reside in the UK. Unaware of the guitar’s true value, they had initially received an estimate of £485,000 to £647,000 from Julien’s Auctions, the auction house that facilitated the sale.
The auction, held at the Hard Rock Cafe in New York on Wednesday (May 29), attracted a winning bid that far exceeded expectations. David Goodman, chief executive of Julien’s Auctions, expressed his elation at the record-breaking sale, stating, “We are absolutely thrilled and honoured to have set a new world record with the sale of John Lennon’s lost hootenanny guitar. This guitar is not only a piece of music history but a symbol of John Lennon’s enduring legacy. The sale symbolises 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.”
The record-breaking sale of Lennon’s guitar follows the recent auction of late Beatles guitarist George Harrison’s sitar, which sold for US$66,993 (S$90,507) at Nate D. Sanders Auctions in Los Angeles. Harrison’s sitar, purchased on Oxford Street in London in 1965, was used during the recording sessions for the iconic track “Norwegian Wood” from the album “Rubber Soul,” the same album for which Lennon’s Hootenanny guitar was used.
The sitar ignited Harrison’s lifelong passion for Indian music, culture, and Hindu spirituality, sparking a broader interest in the instrument among Western musicians. Harrison’s subsequent visits to India and study under the tutelage of Ravi Shankar led to the creation of Indian-style compositions such as “Within You Without You” and “Love You To,” further cementing his influence on world music.
