Rock Legends Unleashed: Julien's Auctions' 'Music Icons' Sale Celebrates Heavy Metal and KISS's 50th Anniversary
Julien's Auctions has unveiled the details of its upcoming "Music Icons" sale, which will feature over 800 items celebrating the enduring power of heavy metal and marking the 50th anniversary of KISS. The auction will open for bidding on April 27, with a touring exhibition of highlights from the collection in London. Martin Nolan, co-founder of Julien's Auctions, highlighted the growing interest in music memorabilia and the cultural significance of these instruments, which often lead to record-breaking sales.
The collection includes extraordinary guitars from rock legends such as Ace Frehley, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and Kirk Hammett. The two-day auction will take place on May 29-30 at Hard Rock Cafe Times Square in New York City. Interested bidders can view the highlights and register on the Julien's Auctions website.
The "Music Icons" experience will feature iconic guitars played by renowned musicians like Billy Duffy, Izzy Stradlin, and Mick Mars, as well as a Zildjian gong played by Bill Ward of BLACK SABBATH. The exhibition was unveiled at Hard Rock Cafe Piccadilly Circus and will travel to Hard Rock Cafe Tokyo on April 27 before making a stop at Hard Rock Cafe Times Square on May 13.
One of the standout pieces in the collection is Ace Frehley's 1975 Gibson Les Paul, a historically significant guitar that accompanied him on stage and in the studio with KISS. Expected to fetch between $400,000 and $600,000, this guitar has earned Frehley a place on numerous "Top 10 Les Paul Players Of All Time" lists.
The "Music Icons" auction, hosted in partnership with Hard Rock Cafe, offers collectors and fans a unique opportunity to acquire memorabilia from the most influential artists in rock and roll history. The event will feature instruments played by revered musicians on stage and in the studio, allowing attendees to own a piece of music history. Registration is required to bid in the auction, either in person on the day of the event or online through Julien's Auctions.