One in every of Eric Clapton‘s iconic guitars – named “The Idiot” – has turn into probably the most costly guitars ever at public sale.
On Thursday, November 16, the musician’s 1964 custom-painted psychedelic Gibson SG was bought for $1.27 million (£1.03 million) at Julien’s Auctions. The six-string instrument was bought as a part of the three-day music public sale occasion “Performed, Worn and Torn: Rock N’ Roll Iconic Guitars and Memorabilia” on the Arduous Rock Café in Nashville.
Per Guitar World, the guitar is identical ’64 SG that Clapton performed when he and his Cream bandmates have been creating their second LP, ‘Disraeli Gears’. The six-string was painted by the Dutch artwork collective from whom the SG acquired its identify. It grew to become an influential emblem of the psychedelic period in addition to a image of the Summer time of Love in 1967.
Based on Planet Rock, Clapton gifted the guitar to George Harrison following the disbandment of Cream. Harrison then handed it right down to Jackie Lomax. It was additionally owned by Todd Rundgren within the 70s and 80s who gave it the nickname “Sunny” after Cream’s monitor ‘Sunshine of Your Love’, till he bought it at public sale in 2000.
A portion of the proceeds of “The Idiot” guitar will go in the direction of Kicking The Stigma, The Indianapolis Colts and Irsay Household’s psychological well being consciousness initiative.
Talking in regards to the instrument, Darren Julien, President/Chief Govt Officer of Julien’s Auctions stated: “Eric Clapton’s The Idiot, probably the most vital guitars in all of rock music historical past has made historical past as soon as once more tonight at our public sale.”
He continued: “To have this legendary guitar that created and outlined the traditional rock sound that’s an artwork masterpiece and image of the psychedelic ‘Summer time of Love’ period go to Jim Irsay’s famend memorabilia assortment is one other nice privilege and hallmark of my profession and a spotlight of Julien’s Auctions twenty-year anniversary celebration this yr.”
In different Eric Clapton information, again in September, the musician helped increase tens of millions of {dollars} for the Presidential marketing campaign of controversial Democratic candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
At a non-public fundraising occasion in Brentwood earlier this week, rock icons Eric Clapton and Stephen Stills helped Kennedy increase tens of millions for his marketing campaign.
Based on a report by The Hollywood Reporter, Clapton carried out along with his band on the fundraiser and helped increase a complete quantity of $2.3million (£1.85million).
Of this quantity, $1million (£805,000) went to profit Kennedy’s marketing campaign, whereas the remaining $1.3million (£1.05million) went to a political motion committee (PAC), which helps Kennedy Jr.’s candidacy.