AUCTION BROKE TWO WORLD RECORDS AT VAN EATON GALLERIES ON SATURDAY
Los Angeles, California – December 13, 2021 – Music Rising, a charitable organization co-founded by U2’s The Edge and producer Bob Ezrin in 2005 after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina has raised over $2 million. The Guitar Icons: A Musical Instrument Auction to Benefit Music Rising was held Saturday, December 11, 2021 at Van Eaton Galleries in Los Angeles. Proceeds from the auction will provide funding for musicians of the Gulf Coast region who have suffered financially through the pandemic while celebrating the original mission set forth by Music Rising at its inception.
The auction opened with a video message from U2’s The Edge and Bob Ezrin to collectors from around the globe who were ready to bid on the exceptional offering of exclusive guitars and instruments donated by famous friends of the charity. Videos from several of the artists were interplayed throughout the auction, many of whom gave details on their donated guitar and where they played it.
Highlight results of the sale included The Edge’s “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” Custom Signature Fender Stratocaster which sold for $496,100; Paul McCartney’s Tour and Studio-Played Left Handed “Wings” Yamaha BB-1200 Bass which sold for $471,900; Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder’s Concert Smashed Lake Placid Blue Fender Stratocaster which sold for $266,200; U2’s The Edge’s Music Rising “ONE” guitar which sold for $184,525; and Bono’s tour played Gibson ES-175 which sold for $266,200. The sale of $471,900 for Paul McCartney’s left-handed “Wings” Yamaha bass guitar broke the previous world record for the most expensive sale of a bass guitar sold at auction. The previous record was for Bill Wyman’s bass guitar in 2020 which sold for $384,000. Eddie Vedder’s smashed Fender Stratocaster which sold also beat a previous world record for a smashed guitar sold at auction.
“We want to thank everyone involved in this amazing auction including the artists who generously gave of their personal instruments and the bidders from around the globe who helped us break world records. The proceeds Music Rising earned will help bring live music back to life in a part of the country whose musical culture has been hugely influential in the world. We are indebted to the all of the supporters of Music Rising who have given us a great opportunity to return to our roots and help those musicians in need. We thank you. –U2’s The Edge
“Wow, what an auction. We are so thankful to all of the artists, supporters and bidders who helped make Guitar Icons an auction for the history books. In only a few short hours we raised over $2 million. New Orleans musicians are the custodians of a unique music heritage, passing it down through the generations and influencing so many genres of music we enjoy. The proceeds from this auction will help musicians from the region who suffered financially through this pandemic. Thank you so much for your support. – Bob Ezrin
Other highlights included U2’s Adam Clayton’s Tour Played Fender Standard Precision Bass which sold for $78,650; Coldplay’s Chris Martin Tour Played Custom Painted Fender Telecaster Deluxe guitar which sold for $81,070; a Lou Reed Tour-Played “Goldie” Danny Gatton Fender Telecaster which sold for $72,600; a Bruce Springsteen signed American Original ‘50’s Fender Telecaster which sold for $42,350; Lenny Kravitz’s Tour-Played Gibson Custom Shop Flying V sold for $42,350; Joe Walsh’s “Bono” Gretsch played Irish Falcon Guitar sold for $48,400 and Noel Gallagher’s Tour-Played Nash Telemaster sold for $51,425.
Elton John’s keyboard, Alex Lifeson’s amp, Alice Cooper’s set of golf clubs and Pearl Jam original posters were also among the highlights of the auction. All post auction results can be viewed at vegalleries.com.
Music Rising was co-founded by U2’s The Edge and legendary producer Bob Ezrin, along with a host of music industry partners in 2005 after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. Since its inception, Music Rising has provided millions of dollars in aid to musicians and recipients of music education across the country. The auction included an exclusive collection of important instruments donated by famous friends of Music Rising and made up an extraordinary example of some of the greatest moments in music history.
Music Rising has also produced a new limited-edition apparel selection available for purchase at www.musicrising.com. Sales from the merchandise will also benefit Music Rising, with 100% of proceeds going to musicians and crew.
Musicians who wish to apply for aid can go to www.musicrising.com and click on the Assistance tab at the top of the homepage. They must complete the application and submit it by February 14, 2022 to be considered. The proceeds will be administered by the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation. Approved applicants will be contacted directly by the Foundation.
Limited Edition Guitar Icons: A Musical Instrument Auction to Benefit Music Rising catalogs can still be purchased at vegalleries.com and also benefit the charity.
Fans of Music Rising can still view the exclusive artist videos and interact online at ohyay.co/musicrising
Hi-res images available by emailing [email protected]
ABOUT VAN EATON GALLERIES
Van Eaton Galleries is one of the world’s premier original animation art and collectibles galleries. The Gallery is located in Sherman Oaks, California and specializes in unique original animation artwork. Established in 1994, the gallery offers distinct collections from the world of animation and special exhibits and events for collectors, fans and guests from around the globe. The gallery is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10am to 6pm. Van Eaton Galleries has offered such collections as That’s from Disneyland, The Story of Disneyland, The Secret Art of Dr. Seuss, and animation artwork from Disney, Warner Bros., DreamWorks, Hanna-Barbera, Don Bluth and many others. For more information, please visit https://vegalleries.com/auctions
ABOUT MUSIC RISING
MUSIC RISING was launched in 2005 following Hurricane Katrina. The organization’s mission was to rescue the musical culture of New Orleans and the Gulf South region of the United States in the hurricane’s aftermath by replacing musical instruments there were lost or destroyed in the deluge. Co-founded by U2’s The Edge and legendary producer Bob Ezrin – along with a host of music industry partners, the organization – the organization provided instruments to thousands of musicians and students and many churches, community and cultural programs. Since its inception, Music Rising has assisted over 3,000 musicians. In April, 2006, the organization helped to re-open the historic Preservation Jazz Hall in New Orleans and Music Rising heralded the historic performance by U2 and Green Day at the New Orleans Superdome officially reopening the stadium during the New Orleans Saints game. Later, the organization dedicated itself to helping churches and schools rebuild their music programs by providing tens of thousands of students with instruments to support music education and choir members with instruments they needed to bring music back to their congregations. Music Rising was also dedicated to supporting a variety of community musical and cultural organizations and events. Music Rising also awarded a $1 million grant to Tulane University’s The New Orleans Center for the Gulf South at Tulane University (NOCGS).
The Center is now home to the coordinate major, Music Rising – The Musical Cultures of the Gulf South, a course of study focused on the region’s music and culture. The NOCGS also co-sponsors the Trombone Shorty Academy (TSA), a program for teaching musical fundamentals and cultural traditions to young musicians from underserved New Orleans high schools. Music Rising’s commitment continued to grow by providing instruments to other areas across the country affected by natural or economic disasters including the floods of Nashville in 2010, Hurricane Sandy in 2012 and others. The charity is the recipient of the 2005 Gold HALO Award for Cause Marketing, the 2006 Billboard Humanitarian Award, the 2008 PRISM Award and the recipient of close to $1 million from the Clinton Global Initiative. In 2016, Music Rising was honored with the prestigious Jazz Foundation of America Medal of Honor. Music Rising is administered by The Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation and 100% of donations made go directly to its efforts. Fans and supporters can purchase new limited-edition merchandise to benefit the organization directly from the website. To find out more go to www.musicrising.com
PRESS CONTACT
Caroline Galloway
440-591-3807