logo

The Global Domain Name (url) Families.com is currently available for acquisition. Please contact by phone at 805-627-1955 or Email for Details

Celebrity Updates—Cashing in on Rock ‘n’ Roll Memorabilia

Celebrity auctions intrigue me. Not so much because of the items that are up for sale (though it is interesting to see what celebs consider “safe” to part with), but what I find so astounding is how much some die-hard fans are willing to fork over for an item previously owned by someone they likely have never met.

In a previous blog I previewed an auction Christie’s was running featuring rock ‘n’ roll memorabilia from some of the hottest bands of the 1960s and ’70s. Most of the items were non descript and unpretentious, such as used T-shirts, sweaters and albums. Apparently, rock ‘n’ roll fans must either have a ton of money to burn or they are some of the most loyal fans in the world because the auction surpassed all expectations and raked in more than $1 million.

Some of the history making sales included a Jimi Hendrix album that sold for $20,000 and a Rolling Stones’ T-shirt that netted more than $4,000. In addition, a copy of Hendrix’s “Axis: Bold as Love” album from 1968 – inscribed “Thanks for everything” and accompanied by three color photos of the rock star – sold for double its pre-sale estimate of $10,000. And the sales that made my jaw drop–three cardboard posters for Hendrix concerts in 1968 and 1969, which fetched $10,625, $16,250 and $18,750 respectively.

Can you imagine dropping nearly 20 grand on a cardboard poster?

But the madness didn’t stop there—-a limited edition, long-sleeved sweater designed to promote the Stones’ 1973 “Goat’s Head Soup” album sold for $4,750. And remember the T-shirts I mentioned in my previous blog? The Yardbirds shirt worn by rock journalist Greg Shaw to the 1967 Monterey Pop Festival brought in $3,000 while a maroon Led Zeppelin 1973 shirt fetched $1,625. Meanwhile, the short-sleeved white shirt with green sleeves with the words “War is over! If you want it” from the John Lennon song “Happy Xmas (War Is Over),” sold for $1,875.

So who has the resources to spend that kind of dough on pieces of cotton?

According to the auction house, all the T-shirts were bought by U.S. private collectors except for the John Lennon one, which was acquired by an institution it wouldn’t name.

Related Articles:

The Pope’s Former Wheels—Deal or No Deal?

Your Classic Rock T-shirt Could be Worth a Fortune

Bidding On Pop Culture Memorabilia–Do You Have What It Takes?

Pop Culture Potpourri: House Parts For Sale and Welcome To The Big House

How Much Would You Pay For Obi-Wan Kenobi’s Cloak?

Hell Hath No Fury As A Woman Scorned

Spending Money On Those Who Need It Most

Guilt-Free Shopping

This entry was posted in Celebrities and their Charities and tagged , , , by Michele Cheplic. Bookmark the permalink.

About Michele Cheplic

Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism. She spent the next ten years as a television anchor and reporter at various stations throughout the country (from the CBS affiliate in Honolulu to the NBC affiliate in Green Bay). She has won numerous honors including an Emmy Award and multiple Edward R. Murrow awards honoring outstanding achievements in broadcast journalism. In addition, she has received awards from the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association for her reports on air travel and the Wisconsin Education Association Council for her stories on education. Michele has since left television to concentrate on being a mom and freelance writer.