Guitars from Jim Irsay’s iconic collection – including those previously owned by Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, David Gilmour and more – to go on public display at Indiana University
As far as guitar collectors go, few are more prolific than American businessman and Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay. Featuring some of the world’s most iconic guitars – including instruments formerly owned by Kurt Cobain, Eddie Van Halen, Johnny Cash, Les Paul and so many more – Irsay’s collection is said to be worth a cool $1 billion, at least.
And now, guitars from the world-famous collection are set to go on display at a new exhibition hosted by Indiana University in Bloomington.
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They’ll be displayed as part of the university’s Amped at IU exhibition, which will run until September 2025. However, Irsay’s collection will be on display for one day only, during the exhibition’s grand opening on 27 September.
Of course, not every guitar from Irsay’s collection will be on display during the exhibition, which is forgivable, really; Irsay is the proud owner of over 200 iconic guitars – among a host of other musical gear and memorabilia – including the 1963 Gretsch 6120 Country Gentleman used by John Lennon on The Beatles‘ 1966 single Paperback Writer, Kurt Cobain’s left-handed Fender Mustang – which he bought for over $4.5 million – and David Gilmour’s famous 1969 Black Strat, used on classic Pink Floyd albums The Dark Side of the Moon, Wish You Were Here and The Wall.
And Irsay’s collection continues to grow, too; in late 2023, he bought Eric Clapton’s famous Gibson SG, “The Fool”, for $1.27 million.
Eric Clapton’s Fool guitar at the media preview for Julien’s “Played, worn, torn rock ‘n’ roll iconic guitars and memorabilia” in 2023. Image: Valerie Macon/AFP via Getty Images
While we don’t know exactly which guitars will be featured in the Amped at IU exhibition, a press release obtained by Guitar World confirms guitars previously owned by “Jerry Garcia, Bob Dylan, David Gilmour, Eric Clapton, Prince, Kurt Cobain, John Lennon, George Harrison, Paul McCartney, Nancy Wilson, Les Paul, Pete Townshend, and The Edge” will all feature.
“The exhibit is focused on the history of the modern guitar and allows patrons to survey some of the most important and iconic instruments of the last 70 years,” says Indiana University.
“It reflects on how guitars and similar stringed instruments have impacted popular music genres including jazz, country, folk, and especially rock and roll.”
If you can’t wait until 27 September, you can learn more about the Jim Irsay Collection right now.
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Source: www.guitar-bass.net
