Description

Julien's Auctions is proud to present "Music Icons", an auction taking place in Beverly Hills and live online at Julien's Live on Friday, June 19th and Saturday, June 20th.

Some of the most iconic memorabilia and important artifacts ever assembled, representing the legendary multi-genre music artists of our time will be offered: Kurt Cobain, Nirvana, Prince, Elvis Presley, The Beatles, Madonna, Michael Jackson, Johnny Cash, Jim Morrison, the Rolling Stones, Queen, David Bowie, The Police, Guns N’ Roses, Bob Marley, Elton John, Whitney Houston, Cher, and many more.

At the center of this event is the 1959 Martin D-18E played by Kurt Cobain throughout Nirvana’s most legendary performance in their live taping for the popular MTV Unplugged series on November 18, 1993. Approximately five months before his death, Cobain chose this guitar to paint what Rolling Stone called "his last self-portrait." Learn all about this remarkable pop culture artifact in this specially prepared limited catalogue here:



Highlights include: a custom-made 1984 blue cloud guitar used by Prince; a rare page of handwritten working lyrics for “Maxwell’s Silver Hammer” by Paul McCartney; Jim Morrison’s rare and historic “Paris Journal,” filled with handwritten thoughts and poems by The Doors frontman shortly before his death; Johnny Cash’s most fabled professional and personal items including his tour used Yamaha baby grand piano; a star-studded collection of jewelry and belt buckles from Elvis Presley; and Michael Jackson’s famous black loafers, an MTV VMA Moonman for “Leave Me Alone” in 1988-1989, and a custom-made Dennis Tompkins/Michael Bush black satin belted trench coat.

Additional highlights include: a never before seen archive of original material, sheet music, handwritten lyrics and ephemera from Steely Dan’s Walter Becker; Phil Lesh’s most signature instruments, graphic jackets, sweaters, armbands, amplifiers, speaker cabinets and road cases used with the Grateful Dead; and costumes worn by The Queen of Pop, Madonna, in two of her most mythic music videos - 1990’s “Vogue” and 1984’s “Material Girl”.

Also featured are: a 14-piece Tama Starclassic drum kit finished in Police Sparkle Blue made for and used by Stewart Copeland during The Police 2007 reunion tour; David Bowie’s 1966 unreleased studio recordings of songs from his 1967 self-titled debut album and full alternate versions of the tracks “Silly Boy Blue”, “Sell Me a Coat”, and “Please Mr. Gravedigger”; a Wurlitzer 200 Series electric piano played on stage by Joe Witkin during Sha Na Na’s integral performance at the original Woodstock festival in 1969’ and Liberace’s ornate red and white Howard “Cabinet Grand” J upright piano circa 1902 decorated with rhinestones, tassels, rope, and an embroidered sheet.

More highlights include: Eddie Van Halen’s burgundy Peavey EVH Wolfgang guitar; an orange Ludwig drumhead from The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour with a hand drawing of Sonny Bono and Cher; Whitney Houston’s show stopping stage gowns and event appearance outfits; a custom made bluish-purple silk shirt worn by Mick Jagger during The Rolling Stones’ 2019 No Filter Tour; a white boiler suit worn in AC/DC’s 1990 music video “Are You Ready”; a Guns N’ Roses’ 1989 MTV VMA Moonman for “Sweet Child O’ Mine”; Freddie Mercury’s 1981 stage and photo shoot worn white and red “FLASH” T-shirt; and Elton John’s shirt worn by the Rocket Man during his 1984 Breaking Hearts Tour.



If you can't make it out to Beverly Hills to bid in person, you can still watch all the action as well as bid online at julienslive.com!

This limited catalogue also provides an opportunity for a special keepsake for your collection.

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