It seems that these days one of the easiest ways to bring in big sums of money is to organize auctions of music memorabilia. Julien’s Auctions in Los Angeles seem to have specialized in these.
And according to Hollywood Reporter, the most recent 3-day music-themed auction event at Julien’s brought in almost $5 million. More than 1,000 items were sold over three days from artists including Eddie Van Halen, Alex Van Halen, The Beatles, Elvis Presley, Cher, Lady Gaga, Madonna, Jimi Hendrix, Bernie Taupin, Tom Petty, Tupac Shakur, Whitney Houston, The Doors, and Little Richard.
The items that sold well included Kurt Cobain’s self-portrait caricature, Elton John’s grand piano, and Prince’s electric guitar.
Cobain’s drawing, which was created during the band’s 1992 promotional tour for Nevermind, sold for $281,250, which was 28 times its original estimate of $10,000.
The 1994 blue Cloud guitar commissioned and owned by Prince sold for $281,250, nearly five times its original estimate of $60,000.
The glossy red Yamaha Elton John Signature Series C-1 Baby Grand Piano signed by John, together with a matching high-gloss red bench, sold for $150,000. Meanwhile, the signed, handwritten lyrics by Bernie Taupin for John’s hit single “Candle in the Wind” sold for $76,800.
Elsewhere, the black jersey and net cutout bodysuit and matching black motorcycle jacket that Cher wore in the music video for “If I Could Turn Back Time” sold for $115,200.
