READ ARTICLE, "Irsay, who possesses one of the most impressive collections of musical, historical, sports and pop-culture memorabilia on the planet, is determined to showcase the artifacts while celebrating the music he reveres." Jim will literally rock in concert with legends John Fogerty, Buddy Guy, and Ann Wilson, while showcasing over 75 pieces of history that will likely be housed in his own museum some day. Gilmours Black Strat? At one point in an interview with The Post last week, Irsay referred to the collections value as being $100 million. Why NFL Owner Jim Irsay Paid Millions for David Gilmour 'Black Strat This 1959 Gibson Les Paul Standard Sunburst electric guitar sold for $300,000. Sign Up For Our Newsletters It was in his place, in his flat. '''There was three of us bidding, going up in $250,000 increments. Visit thejimirsaycollection.com for details. 'I had drunk enough liquor to float a battleship around before that auction,' he said. The electric guitar was also used by the tragic rock star in the music video for the song. I dont really have a job. In 2014, he was arrested for DWI and possession of prescription medications. There are plans for a European tour in the summer of 2024. So much of what were about as a world, as humanity, is tied to music. Jim Irsay Collection Its to allow people to see it and share these things., Irsays exhibit has a little bit for everybody, but the heart of the experience is a guitar collection described last year by Guitar Magazine as The Greatest Guitars on Earth.. Jim Irsay music memorabilia collection - Fox 59 But, in terms of owning historic instruments with rock n roll credentials and sheer spending power, nobody can top Jim Irsay. 'This once-in-a-lifetime auction has been one of the greatest privileges in my professional career and I'm duly pleased that the proceeds will also bring much needed attention to mental health awareness.'. Were journeymen, were seekers. Irsay didnt procure most of this stuff personally. Irsay said he had initially approached cities including Nashville and Austin about doing a public-private partnership in which he would provide all of the exhibits at no cost while the cities committed to providing the space and upkeep. The manuscript is now part of the Jim Irsay Collection, which is currently touring the US, John Coltrane's saxophone is one of the more iconic pieces of the Jim Irsay Collection given its historical significance to jazz. While Irsay has collected items from across the spectrum of American history, there is a specific emphasis on the 20th century (We went from horse and buggies on the road to a man on the moon in 65 years, Irsay pointed out to The Post). Obviously the collection would be impossible without Irsay's fortune, much of which comes from his family's heating and cooling (HVAC) empire, not to mention the Colts, a team his late father bought in Baltimore in 1972 before famously moving the franchise to Indianapolis nine years later. Pop Culture. 'All of us in the guitar-collecting business were like: ''What? If the museum he wants gets built, it might not have a lot of velvet ropes or bulletproof-glass enclosures. 'I got this long text: ''Oh my God, it was crazy,''' Irsay told DailyMail.com, repeating the message he received from a conduit after the final gavel. Theres so many things. Part of the Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday & Metro Media Group. John Lennon's 1962 Gibson J-160E - $2,400,000. Handwritten notes, documents, and artifacts from Susan B. Anthony. . "Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay is displaying his world-renowned collection of historic memorabilia to the public for . Upon follow-up, he said it was priceless, and that if a Saudi sheikh offered him $1 billion, the answer would be a flat no. WATCHVIDEO, "Bloomberg caught up with Irsay in advance of the [concert and exhibit in New York]. NFL Colts Owner Jim Irsay Collection: $100 Million Worth of Memorabilia Stone printing of the Declaration of Independence, one of the first exact facsimiles of the final signed document. Since then, Irsay has been open about his emphasis to support mental health resources. Jim Irsay bought Kurt Cobain's guitar for $4.5 million. As you get older, you get more of a position of service. Last May, Irsay purchased a baseball that was signed by Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy during his visit to New York City in 2019. One guy dropped out and then the [other] guy was at [$3.25 million] and then he went to [$3.5 million], and then we went to [$3.75 million] and then silence silence silence'''. Mostly, though, Irsay is drawn to collecting because hebelieves these instruments are more than just inanimate keepsakes. None other than gonzo journalist Hunter S. Thompson encouraged Irsay to purchase Kerouacs On the Road manuscript. The Jim Irsay Collection (@IrsayCollection) / Twitter A portion of Irsay's guitar collection will also be featured on two walls. 'I have JFK, his rocking chair, Jackie Robinson's bat that he hit a homerun World Series with, Muhammad Ali's shoes from the Thrilla in Manila against Joe Frazier,' Irsay said. I began this collection to preserve, protect and share historic artifacts with others in hopes of telling stories of our shared past and culture and inspiring people to dream big and strive for great things in life, said Jim Irsay. I dont think its ever had that kind of blues played on it before, Shepherd remarks later, and our own close encounter with the Black Strat reveals a setup thats clearly been optimised for a less ferocious touch than that of the Louisiana-born blues-rocker. In the interests of making the collection more accessible to the public, a series of pop-up exhibits and concerts in the USA and Europe are set to be the precursor to the opening of a museum akin to Seattles MoPOP, which was founded by Microsofts Paul Allen. And for most of the time since, the nearly million-dollar axe one of. The billionaire expressed interest in building a serious collection. READ ARTICLE, Smells like team spirit: Billionaire Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay shares his collection of rare guitars at a free exhibition after splurging $4.4 million on Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain's Fender Mustang READ ARTICLE, "Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay is displaying his world-renowned collection of historic memorabilia to the public for the first time in the Big Apple. Stone printing of the Declaration of Independence, one of the first exact facsimiles of the final signed document; Renowned American author Jack Kerouacs original 119-foot, The original manuscript for Alcoholics Anonymous Big Book, the organizations founding document, The original 1777 Continental Congress proclamation designating Thanksgiving as a national holiday, A Jackie Robinson game-used bat from 1953 (the founding year of the Colts), Muhammad Alis 1965 first walkout robe that bore his new name, and his boxing shoes from the 1975 Thrilla in Manilla vs. Joe Frazier, Handwritten documents and artifacts from womens suffrage pioneer Susan B. Anthony, Artifacts and signed documents from numerous U.S. Presidents, including George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Harry S. Truman, John F. Kennedy and others. Sometimes its not popular. Owner of the NFL Indianapolis Colts, Jim Irsay's passion for rock music, American history and pop culture has led him to assemble a. To settle a bet, John Lennon showed up and played three songs in what would prove to be his final public performance. Then (because it was the middle of the night in Hawaii, where he was at the time) he went to bed. And the best part is that its free. I was kind of early in the process, and I was outbid, Irsay told guitar.com. When I first got the [On The Road] scroll, Rolling Stonesaid that I would destroy it! Irsay says, laughing. nytimes.com N.F.L. In 2022, his collection of guitars was highlighted as The Greatest Guitars on Earth by Guitar Magazine. The guitar was estimated to sell for $1 million . These guitars are unlike manuscripts or something like that, Irsay said. Powered by. READ ARTICLE, "As much of a spectacle as the cover sets might bewith Irsay backed by members of John Mellencamps band and R.E.M., among otherstheyre simply a warmup act for the main attraction, Irsays massive and still-growing collection." For the small audience in attendance, its a thrill to hear such a storied guitar played at close quarters in a different musical context. Its hard to argue with this assessment. Jim Irsay, the owner of the Indianapolis Colts of the N.F.L., has spent $100 million buying one-of-a-kind sports, music and pop culture memorabilia. Its so important to me that in the museum, people can play things and touch them, he told guitar.com. The Nirvana frontman played the blue-and-white 1969 Fender Mustang guitar to record the band's seminal 1991 grunge anthem, The guitar, case and strap sold for seven times its $642,0000 estimate with Julien's Auctions in California. I am only a steward of this collection, so its my job to share it with as many people as I can.. Hes still adding to the collection and keeping it topical. "Over the years, some remarkable guitar collections have featured in the pages of this magazine. Among the collection are instruments owned and used by The Beatles, Prince, Bob Dylan, Elton John, Johnny Cash, James Brown, Eric Clapton, Jerry Garcia, Les Paul, David Gilmour, Kurt Cobain, Jim Morrison, Pete Townshend, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, John Coltrane, The Edge, and others. A cool $3.9m. The Dish Ultimately the guitar was auctioned off for a record $6 million to Australian entrepreneur Peter Freedman. Sylvester Stallones original manuscript notes for his Oscar-winning film, Jack Kerouacs original 119-foot scroll for his novel. Some might know Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay as just that the owner of a football team. I dont have any ownership over it. Jim Irsay bought Kurt Cobain's guitar for $4.5 million - Colts Wire The 1959 Martin D-18E - which was often out of tune - was expected to fetch between $1million and $2 million at the online 'Music Icons' sale hosted by Julien's Auctions, but it ended up breaking the record for the most expensive guitar. READINTERVIEW, "The focus [of the collection] is on powerful people who changed the world. Cobain committed suicide in 1994 aged 27. However, one item in particular means a lot to Irsay: an Alcoholics Anonymous manuscript that lists the 12-step program with handwritten notes. Similar Stories to Jim Irsay's Guitar Collection Rocks: Here Are 3 Famous Guitars In Colts Owner's Collection on Bing News. According to Duthiers, Irsay also invites guest musicians to join and play famous guitars from the collection. The storied collection of Jim Irsay, Owner/CEO of the Indianapolis Colts. 'When it got to over $4 million, it was crazy. Jim Irsay Collection Exhibit & Concert - Downtown Las Vegas Events Center Subscribe now and save 50% off the cover price of the Indianapolis Monthly magazine. The original 1777 Continental Congress proclamation designating Thanksgiving as a national holiday. But I can be a steward and a curator. Exclusive: Jim Irsay To Celebrate Jack Kerouac's Hundredth - Forbes After decades of bidding in absentia, hes developed something of a sixth sense about how much an item will go for. And regardless of your area of interest, there will be something there that will blow your mind." However, the musical instrument with the most celebrity fingerprints is likely a piano. Kurt married Courtney Love of Hole fame in 1992; together they had daughter Frances Bean who is now 27-years-old. ''', Irsay's collection also includes the robe Muhammad Ali wore before his 1965 rematch with Sonny Liston inLewiston, Maine, Irsay told DailyMail.com that his favorite piece is John Lennon's piano: 'I'd say John Lennon's piano is probably my favorite thing that I have, musically. Although the museums permanent location hasnt yet been finalised, for the 62-year-old Colts owner, its all about inspiring young people to pick up the baton. Billionaire Rock 'N' Roll Collection - Forbes As of January 25, Kicking the Stigma has raised over $4.5 million. Other notable artifacts include Kurt Cobains 1969 Fender Mustang, Ringo Starrs drum set used during, The Beatles debut on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1964. and Bob Dylans electric guitar played at the Newport Folk Festival in 1965. Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay will display his world-renowned collection of iconic rock memorabilia, American history and pop culture at the Downtown Las Vegas Events Center on Saturday, March 4, 2023. Smells like team spirit: Billionaire Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay shares his collection of rare guitars at a free exhibition after splurging $4.4 million on Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain's Fender Mustang READ ARTICLE. Asked by The Post about the one item from the collection he would save in the event of a catastrophic fire, Irsay had a surprising answer: the manuscript to the big book of Alcoholics Anonymous, written by Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob in the 1930s, which would evolve into the 12-step program. And then theres John Lennons 1963 Gretsch. We never put it in harms way. 'I was much younger in those days, and I had this paddle and I had never done this in New York at Christie's. Colts' Jim Irsay to host free concert, museum of memorabilia items in Outside of music, the collection includes such historic items as: Irsay, owner & CEO of the NFLs Indianapolis Colts and an active philanthropist, regularly loans items to museums, nonprofits and other organizations for display and research.Items have been displayed at the U.S.s Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, The Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met), The Lincoln Memorial, the world-famous Beverly Hills Hotel, and the Indiana State Museum; as well as at The Centre Pompidou (Paris), the British Library (London), Auditorium Parco della Musica (Rome) and other locations around the world. Bridges: Eclectic Irsay Collection is beyond comprehension Nothing against Buzz Aldrin hes the only one who hit a six-iron on the moon but really if it was Neil Armstrongs suit, I probably wouldve been in on it, Irsay told reporters. The collection is highlighted by musical instruments and items owned and used by the greatest artists in music history, including Bob Dylan, The Beatles, Prince, Eric Clapton, Sir Elton John, Jerry Garcia, Les Paul, David Gilmour, Jim Morrison, Pete Townshend, Jimi Hendrix, John Coltrane, The Edge, Janis Joplin, Kurt Cobain, and other icons, as well as signed photos, handwritten lyrics, and other historic music memorabilia. But I can be a curator. Indianapolis Colts Owner Jim Irsay has done it again, dropping huge money on famous musical instruments, this time at the auction held by Pink Floyd frontman David Gilmour. "He wants. Once Colts owner Jim Irsay's father, Robert, passed away in 1997, he began a unique collection that is now worth millions. And theres no sign of the pace slowing any time soon the collection continues to expand and the plans for it get more and more ambitious. 'It's so eclectic because it's everything.'" There was, of course, a learning curve for Irsay, who was a little too flippant with the bidding paddle at his first Christie's auction in New York years earlier. , Irsay dealt with addiction using prescription drugs after his college football career at SMU was ravaged by injury. Irsay's father, Robert Irsay, built a fortune estimated to be over $150 million through successful heating and air-conditioning companies. The Jim Irsay Collection: Nashville Event The comments below have not been moderated. If the (other bidder) would have gone to $4 million, I would have been out because I was asleep, Irsay told The Daily Mail. Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay brought his concert and collection bassist Mike Mills and singer Ann Wilson to accompany his eclectic, traveling $100 million memorabilia collection featuring a dazzling array of artifacts from American history, including the realms of music, sports and entertainment at a stop for an evening on Navy Pier in downtown Chicago. The Gretsch becomes the third Beatles guitar in Irsay's collection. That changed music, that brought 'Rubber Soul' with the Beatles. Irsay owned four guitars, including a 1942 Martin D-18 originally owned by Elvis Presley, when he met McKinney. I think when people gather, for instance, for a three-hour football game or for seeing these artifacts in concert, youre released from the sort of that worry and angst that can follow you around, Irsay said to Duthiers. 10 young bluesbreakers who are making the Blues fun again, Maybe Id move to Japan and try and be an English teacher! Mastodons Bill Kelliher on the future of the band, his love of Les Pauls and what hed do if he wasnt in the band. Copyright 2023 Indianapolis Monthly, All Rights Reserved. I wouldnt be here right now without that., The best insights from the ultimate insiders, 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. 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Irsay, the eccentric owner of the Indianapolis Colts, had assembled an all-star band, including blues guitarist Kenny Wayne Shepherd, R.E.M. In an interview with Vlad Duthiers of CBS Mornings, Irsay touted self-owned guitars, artifacts and historic memorabilia belonging to The Jim Irsay Collection, estimated to be worth over $100 million. Specific piano movers that come recommended by Steinway. Irsay's intuition admittedly fell short in 2019, when he paid a record $4 million for Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour's 'Black Strat' a Fender Stratocaster that was drawing bids from 61 different countries. See inside the Jim Irsay Collection and Jim Irsay Band Concert They become alive when theyre playing.. They will become alive again.'. Recently, Irsay has added a Kurt Cobain guitar and Muhammad Ali's . I didn't anticipate that. His travels have taken him to Puerto Vallarta, Costa Rica, Spain, and the Dominican Republic, but he's happiest at home with his wife, two daughters, and dog. Linebacker Shaquille Leonard, actor Rob Lowe and interim head coach Jeff Saturday have each advocated for the initiative, among others. 'I'm a man of integrity, and I didn't bid on it.'. Most of these artefacts currently reside either at Irsays home or in his office at the NFL teams headquarters and practice facility. READARTICLE, "To call Irsays collection breathtaking would not do it justice. It's life by the strings for Jim Irsay's guitar man Shepherd may prefer heavier strings and an action with a little more fight but it doesnt stop him from sounding pretty spectacular with David Gilmours longtime number one plugged into a vintage 5E3 Deluxe. Jim Irsay, owner & CEO of the NFL's Indianapolis Colts, is bringing items from The Jim Irsay Collection - a renowned assemblage of iconic artifacts from rock music, American history, and pop culture - home to Indianapolis for one night only, September 9, 7:30-10pm - on the field - at Lucas Oil Stadium. Irsay owned four guitars, including a 1942 Martin D-18 originally owned by Elvis Presley, when he met McKinney. Because to me, thats really what its about.. In another Beatles connection, Elton also played it at a concert in Madison Square Garden in November 1974. As of January 25, Kicking the Stigma has raised. "He wants. bassist Mike Mills and singer Ann Wilson to accompany. It's also an excuse for Irsay to immerse himself in the lives of his heroes, like the evening he spent with Lennon's dear cousin in London. 'It's not really as much as the intellect of the mind; it's more of the spirit and what comes to me,' said Irsay, who could easily be mistaken for a country music mogul in his black sunglasses and grey Stetson. Irsay sets his price before the bidding even starts (in this case, $3.75 million, or $4.4 million with auction fees included) and then sits back and lets the universe take care of the rest. . Thats why were especially excited to share this special evening with our friends, fans and neighbors right here in Indianapolis.. THE JIM IRSAY Collection is just as quirky as the man who created it, Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay. We want to inspire you to explore new destinations, discover new experiences and savor the journey. have each advocated for the initiative, among others. How do you sell the golden tickets? I cant be Pete Townshend or Chrissie Hynde or Natalie Merchant or whoever, because thats just not me. '', 'Thankfully [Allen] wasn't in an ornery mood [during the auction], because if we really got into a bidding war, I couldn't have lasted.'. He now calls Las Vegas home, but has journeyed from the sunshine of California and the rain in Seattle, to the humidity of Arkansas and the snow of Minnesota. Of course we did. You cant keep track, its impossible. I have this obligation. Colts owner spent record $3.975 million on famous guitar - Yahoo! READ ARTICLE, "Irsay, who possesses one of the most impressive collections of musical, historical, sports and pop-culture memorabilia on the planet, is determined to showcase the artifacts while celebrating the music he reveres." 'People probably thought, ''That guy's crazy, we're not bidding.'' 'I've been doing it for 25 years, and I would say I'm one of the only people who can peg these things pretty close,' Irsay said. $965,000. (Please dress appropriately for the weather that day). We did some fun things with it but we were always careful. The Jim Irsay Collection is highlighted by instruments and items owned and used by some of the greatest artists in music history, including Bob Dylan, The Beatles, Prince, James Brown, Eric Clapton, Sir Elton John, Johnny Cash, Jerry Garcia, Les Paul, David Gilmour, Jim Morrison, Pete Townshend, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Kurt Cobain, John Would love your thoughts, please comment. In 2014, Irsay was suspended by the NFL for six games and fined $500,000 for driving while intoxicated. It just changed the world. Irsays lineup of famous guitars has been called the greatest on earth. Its hard to argue with this assessment. I look at it (as if) I own nothing because you never see a hearse pulling a U-Haul, Irsay said. Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay's collection of rare rock & roll instruments is touring the country The 62-year-old billionaire recently spent $4.4 million at auction for a guitar. My sincere thanks to Steve Campbell and Larry Hall for the access to both Jim Irsay and his mind-boggling collection. For example, Gilmours Black Strat, heavily modified with very few original parts other than the body, still feels imprinted with the Pink Floyd stars identity. Getty It was a lot of adrenalin.'. But its professional football. He talked about how much putting together a world-class collection costs and what it would take for him to part with it." He said: 'I am thrilled to preserve and protect another piece of American culture that changed the way we looked at the world.'. Thanks for contacting us.