Auctioned guitar will be on display in NYC
Kurt Cobain’s 1969 Fender Mustang electric guitar played in Nirvana’s breakthrough hit and landmark 1991 music video, “Smells Like Teen Spirit,” will be on display in New York City for the first time ever on June 3rd. Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay won the instrument during a bidding war at auction last week for nearly $5 million.
Irsay is bringing items from his renowned assemblage of historic and iconic artifacts from rock music, American history and pop culture to New York City for a one-of-a-kind, invite-only reception on Thursday, June 2nd, showcasing Irsay’s passion for preserving culturally-significant artifacts to share with the world.
“I am proud and honored to exhibit one of the world’s finest private collections of historic items and artifacts to the public for the first time,” states Irsay. “So many of these artifacts represent specific moments in history that changed the world – whether in the arts, public service, technology or other endeavors in life.”
He will open The Jim Irsay Collection for the first time publicly on Friday, June 3rd from noon until 8 pm. Both events will be held at the Manhattan Center’s Hammerstein Ballroom.
The collection is highlighted by musical instruments and items owned and used by some of the greatest artists in music history, including Bob Dylan, The Beatles, Prince, Eric Clapton, Elton John, The Grateful Dead’s Jerry Garcia, Les Paul, Pink Floyd’s David Gilmour, The Doors’ Jim Morrison, and other music icons, as well as autographed photos, handwritten lyrics, and other historical music memorabilia.
Guests to the private reception will also get to enjoy tunes from The Jim Irsay Band, a band “which has never existed and will never exist again.” Performing with Irsay on vocals are John Mellencamp guitar Mike Wanchic, founding REM bassist Mike Mills, guitarist Tom Bukovac, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, John Mellencamp drummer Kenny Aronoff, and John Mellencamp and Los Lonely Boys keyboardist Michael Ramos.
