The Chronicle (South Tyneside and Durham)
Guitar signed by region’s popular celebs to be sold
A 1951 Fender Telecaster Precision, signed by some of the North East’s most well-known celebrities is to be sold in Newcastle this month.
The bass guitar, favoured by Wallsend-born musician Sting, was originally sold as part of a charity auction in celebration of his 50th birthday. The charity auction, held as a tribute to Sting, by Variety Club Great Britain, took place at the Civic Centre in Newcastle on May 7, 2004.
Sting is one of a number of local celebrities to sign the instrument which is set to go under the hammer at North East Auction House, Anderson & Garland, on June 15.
Actors Robson Green, Tim Healy and Denise Welch (then Healy), and musician Phil Sumner, who were in attendance on the evening of the charity auction, have also signed the Fender Telecaster Precision.
The Guitar, which is in a pristine condition and still has the original Fender tags, comes with a programme of events from the evening and has an estimate of £2000 – £3000.
Anderson & Garland MD, Julian Thomson said: “It’s a pleasure to offer for auction this stunning guitar, signed by some of the North East’s most well known celebrities which was originally sold as part of a charity auction in celebration of Sting’s 50th Birthday.” As well as the 1951 Fender Telecaster Precision, Anderson & Garland will also be auctioning tour jackets from internationally renowned musicians, including Oasis, Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Bob Dylan, Tom Jones, and more. Anderson & Garland received the jackets from a tour manager of 40 years.
Among those being auctioned is a jacket and memorabilia from the 1996 Oasis gig at Knebworth. The event was the biggest selling event at Knebworth with 250,000 people attending over two days.
As well as a suede jacket which was given to the tour staff for Whitney Houston’s 1993 European Tour and jackets issued to touring staff for Michael Jackson’s 1988 BAD Tour, which played to 970,000 people in England alone as there were no Scottish shows.
Mr Thomson added: “It will come as no surprise that this impressive collection of music memorabilia, acquired over a 40 year career, has grabbed the attention of collectors across the world.
“Featuring items from some of the greatest tours the music industry has ever seen, these items are sure to be one of the highlights of our Music Auction, which takes place next week.”