Legends’ signatures go under hammer
By JARED SMITH – Taranaki Daily News
Last updated 05:00 17/07/2010
ANDY JACKSON/Taranaki Daily News
GUITAR HEROES: Taranaki Cancer Society special events co-ordinator Kelly Batley with a framed guitar signed by rock band U2. It is one of six guitars signed by famous musicians to be auctioned on August 14.
Six guitars signed by some of the world’s best “axemen” and their cohorts will go under the hammer in New Plymouth next month for a good cause.
The Squire-brand fender guitars are signed by rock legends like Bob Dylan, Carlos Santana, Led Zeppelin’s Jimmy Page and Robert Plant, and U2’s Bono and The Edge.
They are enclosed in glass cases with photos and biographical information on the respective band or artist.
The funds raised will go to the Taranaki Cancer Society.
Special events co-ordinator Kelly Batley said the money will go towards the cost of a new shuttle.
“It’s to take patients to Palmerston North for radiation therapy.”
The society received the guitars from the Helping Hand Group, an international charity organisation which helps fundraisers and arranges events.
The rock auction is being held at Puke Ariki Museum alongside G-Taranaki as a fringe event on August 14.
Kris Rasmussen of Professionals real estate agency will serve as auctioneer.
Local band Dark Water will open with a performance at 3pm, before the bidding begins at 3.30pm.
The reserve on each guitar is $3000.
In May this year a similar guitar signed by U2 sold in a Melbourne auction for $30,000, while last October an AC/DC guitar fetched $15,000 in Brisbane.
Online bids are currently being taken via the website www.rockauction.co.nz, where those who wish to attend can submit their details.
While the event is invite only, phone bids will be taken at the auction. The event is also being held in the memory of Rock Auction co-founder Gary Sharpe-Young, who died earlier this year.
