Irsay, the eccentric owner of the Indianapolis Colts, had assembled an all-star band, including blues guitarist Kenny Wayne Shepherd, R.E.M. Almost alarmingly so. The worlds leading authority and resource for all things guitar. Since then, Irsay has been open about his emphasis to support mental health resources. In May 2019, Julien's Auctions sold a used paper plate Cobain wrote a set list on for a 1990 Nirvana show at the 9:30 nightclub in Washington, D.C. . nytimes.com N.F.L. His collection debuts at the Downtown Las Vegas Events Center, which is also free to the public, along with guitars and musical instruments used by the Beatles, Prince and Kurt Cobain; 1823 edition of the Declaration of . The scroll is on loan from Jim Irsay, the owner of the Indianapolis Colts of the NFL. 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. Items on display ran the gamut from historical artifacts such as letters from George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, the wanted poster for John Wilkes Booth and the Atlantic Charter signed by Winston Churchill and Franklin D. Roosevelt to pop culture items such as Hunter S. Thompsons Red Shark 1973 Chevrolet Caprice convertible. Buzz Aldrins space suit recently sold at auction for nearly $3 million, but Irsay is holding out for Armstrongs. 'These things will come alive some day,' Irsay said. I am only a steward of this collection, so its my job to share it with as many people as I can.. We never put it in harms way. , Irsay touted self-owned guitars, artifacts and historic memorabilia belonging to. Kurt Cobain's iconic Smells Like Teen Spirit guitar sold for a staggering $4.55 million after a bidding war won by Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay on May 22. Kurt married Courtney Love of Hole fame in 1992; together they had daughter Frances Bean who is now 27-years-old. ABOUT THE JIM IRSAY COLLECTION Jim Irsay's passion for rock music, American history and pop culture led him to assemble a robust collection of historic and culturally-significant artifacts over several decades that together make up The Jim Irsay Collection. I LOVE WHAT I DO. Cobain committed suicide in 1994 aged 27. Corporate Meetings: 702.388.2101 The Jim Irsay Collection features historical documents, sports collectibles, musical instruments, pop culture memorabilia, and more. Like his father and grandfathers struggles, Irsay is no stranger to alcoholism, addiction and mental health challenges himself. Irsay hadn't expected to top that, but Gilmour's guitar was suddenly garnering much higher bids. Indeed, hes not shy about allowing his numerous musical celebrity friends to play guitars from his collection, and will occasionally do it himself. Theres so many things. He also draws parallels between trailblazers in music and creatives in business watching James Brown work is no different than Steve Jobs and over the years has found kindred spirits in the many musicians he counts as friends. 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. In fact, Cobain's family donated a portion of the proceeds to the organization, which has already raised more than $16 million since 2020 to help fight the stigma of mental illness. Irsay, 62, who is worth an estimated $3.5billion, is a major guitar collector, having bought instruments previously owned by Elvis Presley, George Harrison, Prince, Bob Dylan and David Gilmour, among others. The Beatles. 'I had drunk enough liquor to float a battleship around before that auction,' he said. Artifacts and signed documents from numerous U.S. Presidents, including George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin D. Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy and others. He talked about how much putting together a world-class collection costs and what it would take for him to part with it." 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. Recently, Irsay has added a Kurt Cobain guitar and Muhammad Ali's . THE JIM IRSAY Collection is just as quirky as the man who created it, Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay. Irsay is clearly thrilled with this acquisition, describing it as unbelievable. Today, the necks startling lustre and the overall originality of the instrument tell us little about its former owner and, perhaps fittingly, theres a frustrating and slightly icy sense of detachment that leaves us feeling no closer to rocks greatest poet and greatest enigma. We apologize for any inconvenience and hope to see you at the event! 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. 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. 1,031 talking about this. 'This crazy Australian billionaire bid $6 million dollars on it,' Irsay said. who just might ask Mr. Irsay for a test drive of Hunter S. Thompson's vintage 1973 Red Shark convertible, can be reached at 317-370-8447 or at bridgeshd@aol.com. And a deeper feeling than just having words or sign language, or hunting and gathering systems. They become alive when theyre playing.. READINTERVIEW, "The focus [of the collection] is on powerful people who changed the world. Like any music lover or fan I want to try to have fun with it and share it, he continues. campaign to encourage others to use mental health resources when needed. WATCHVIDEO, "Bloomberg caught up with Irsay in advance of the [concert and exhibit in New York]. This time, Irsay wisely declined. '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. And then we have people on retainer like Jim Canary, whos a paper conservator at Indiana University. Mostly, though, Irsay is drawn to collecting because hebelieves these instruments are more than just inanimate keepsakes. Speaking between drags of his cigarette from a midtown-Manhattan hotel room, Irsay was preparing to exhibit his extensive collection of rare music memorabilia in New York on Friday. 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. Yet the 1964 Stratocaster Dylan played that day was soon left behind on a private aeroplane and he never looked back. 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. The guitar was estimated to sell for $1 million . 'People probably thought, ''That guy's crazy, we're not bidding.'' The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline. But on January 25, he showcased distinctive items hes been able to obtain as a collector. Owner of the NFL Indianapolis Colts, Jim Irsay's passion for rock music, American history and pop culture has led him to assemble a. Larry Hall, the chairman of the Jim Irsay Collection, who is also the VP of Special Projects and Historical Affairs with the Colts, described part of the intricate process in transporting all of the valuable artifacts. The collection didnt begin as a means to inherit valuable objects, but rather to share music with others. In 2022, according to the release, Guitar Magazine highlighted Irsay's collection of guitars as "The Greatest Guitars on Earth." Colts' Jim Irsay hosting free event in downtown Las Vegas . THE JIM IRSAY Collection is just as quirky as the man who created it, Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay. 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. It sold for $50,000 (and probably could have been obtained for $50 before Russia invaded Ukraine). But I can be a curator. The Jim Irsay Collection at the Navy Pier in Chicago. Last May, Irsay purchased a baseball that was signed by Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy during his visit to New York City in 2019. 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. This time, Irsay wisely declined. Its the same as the Horseshoe [the Colts]. When the folk messiah turned Judas and performed Maggies Farm, Like A Rolling Stone and Phantom Engineer (an early version of It Takes A Lot To Laugh, It Takes A Train To Cry) with an electric band on 25 July 1965 at the Newport Folk Festival in Rhode Island, this short but controversial set would later be hailed as a watershed moment in pop history. "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. 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. According to Duthiers, Irsay also invites guest musicians to join and play famous guitars from the collection. Getty The comments below have not been moderated. It was in his place, in his flat. That's insane. As of January 25, Kicking the Stigma has raised over $4.5 million. The guitar promptly ignited a furious bidding war, which Irsays representative won by offering the max $3.75 million. Its so important to me that in the museum, people can play things and touch them, he told guitar.com. In November of the following year, the Gretsch was gifted to his cousin David Birch. The product of a quarter-century of feverish gathering, this massive cross section of musical, pop cultural, and political history includes everything from Abraham Lincolns pocketknife to Jack Kerouacs manuscript for the novel On the Road. Items that will be on display include: An eclectic collection of pop culture and sports memorabilia will also be on display, including: The evening will also include some live music, with Irsay taking the lead and an all-star band backing him. In 2014, he was arrested for DWI and possession of prescription medications. IndyStar, Indianapolis Star: Local Sat, 04/20/2019 - 12:59pm Page 1; Page 2; Page 3; Page 4; . 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. 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). If the (other bidder) would have gone to $4 million, I would have been out because I was asleep, Irsay told The Daily Mail. 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. Here are some selections from the roughly 9 million oddball facts and anecdotes surrounding it. The Jim Irsay collection can be seen at Manhattan's Hammerstein Ballroom on Friday and will continue touring, Irsay's intuition admittedly fell short in 2019, when he paid a record $4 million for Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour's 'Black Strat' (pictured) a Fender Stratocaster that was drawing bids from 61 different countries, Bob Dylan plays a Fender Stratocaster electric guitar for the first time on stage as he performs at the Newport Folk Festival on July 25, 1965 in Newport, Rhode Island. 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." Perhaps as a nod to Irsays own well-publicised battle with addiction, theres also the working manuscript for The Big Book aka Alcoholics Anonymous. Somewhat paradoxically, the 63-year-old Irsay also gives off the impression of being one of the most normal people in the pro sports ownership ranks in the sense that hell mingle with the average fan, and wants to be liked. Copyright 2023 Indianapolis Monthly, All Rights Reserved. Its so important to me that in the museum, people can play things and touch them. The exhibit will remain open during the concert. Bought at auction in 2018 for another $2.4m, Irsay acknowledges that the text and its famous 12-step program has literally saved millions of lives. The lot came with the guitar case the Smells Like Teen Spirit group's late frontman used, which has a poster of Poison Idea's album Feel the Darkness on it, whilst inside is a bunch of guitar strings, picks and a 'stash' bag. I want it to be interactive., I cant be Pete Townshend or Chrissie Hynde or whoever because thats just not me. Irsay's collection also includes Jack Kerouac's original 36-metre typewritten manuscript for On The Road ($2.4m), Hunter S Thompson's Red . He typically sets a ceiling on how much he wants to spend and leaves the actual in-person bidding to an intermediary. Kurt Cobain's guitar from Nirvana's 1991 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' music video was up for auction in Las Vegas, where acolytes of the 62-year-old billionaire were ready spend as much as $3.75 million on the piece at Irsay's direction. When you have a gene, thats a very difficult thing. And regardless of your area of interest, there will be something there that will blow your mind." 'When it got to over $4 million, it was crazy. thejimirsaycollection Follow 199 posts 4,783 followers 111 following The Jim Irsay Collection Rock 'n Roll. The event takes place from 611 p.m. I began this collection to preserve 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, Irsay said in a release. Irsay, the eccentric owner of the Indianapolis Colts, had assembled an all-star band, including blues guitarist Kenny Wayne Shepherd, R.E.M. Irsay didnt procure most of this stuff personally. Believe me, its not a one-man show.. "The guitar was acquired by The Jim Irsay Collection in Indianapolis in a bidding war among collectors and bidders all across the globe . When you recover, you want to do what you can to help those because now, today, theres millions out there struggling.. Jim Irsays passion for rock music, American history and pop culture led him to assemble a robust collection of historic and culturally significant artifacts over several decades that together make up The Jim Irsay Collection. ucla environmental science graduate program; four elements to the doctrinal space superiority construct; woburn police scanner live. But I can be a steward and a curator. Indeed, hes not shy about allowing his numerous musical celebrity friends to play guitars from his collection, and will occasionally do it himself. Many items, if not most of the Irsay Collection, were acquired at auction, but Irsay usually wasnt sitting in the crowd waving a tiny paddle with a number on it. Then (because it was the middle of the night in Hawaii, where he was at the time) he went to bed. (Please dress appropriately for the weather that day). 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." He takes it on the road and shows it off for free. Handwritten notes, documents, and artifacts from Susan B. Anthony. He said: 'I am thrilled to preserve and protect another piece of American culture that changed the way we looked at the world.'. Visit jimirsaycollection.com to find out more about the collections upcoming tour dates. Thanks for contacting us. Kurt Cobain's 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' guitar sells for a Australian microphone king buys Kurt Cobain's iconic 'MTV Kurt Cobain's iconic blue guitar from Nirvana's 1991 hit Alex Raskin Sports News Editor For Dailymail.com, Do not sell or share my personal information, 1964 Gibson SG guitar (Beatles' George Harrison/John Lennon), 1979 Doug Irwin 'Tiger' guitar (Grateful Dead's Jerry Garcia), 1969 C.F. A portion of Irsay's guitar collection will also be featured on two walls. The electric guitar was also used by the tragic rock star in the music video for the song. To call Irsays collection breathtaking would not do it justice. He predicted that future historians will look back on the century and pinpoint it as an outlier era of technological advancement. Of course we did. GENERAL INFO: This is an ALL AGES event. There are also other forms of rare collectibles too, like one of Jackie Robinson's game-used bats and Jack Kerouac's 'On The Road' manuscript. For the last quarter of a century, the billionaire owner and CEO of the NFLs Indianapolis Colts has spent big to obtain some of the most iconic instruments in rock history. Its a service of the arts to the community.. Then, he explained, visions help him navigate through his life decisions, and it came to him that this should be a traveling museum. Among the artists featured in the 20 guitars are Jerry Garcia, David Gilmour, Eric Clapton, Les Paul, Jimmy Page, the . Outside of music, the collection includes such historic items as: Subscribe to our newsletter for new stories, tips & events. Recent additions include the SG Special used by Pete Townshend during The Whos exhilarating performance on The Rolling Stones Rock And Roll Circusand the Steinway piano used on tour by Elton John from 1974-1993. It sold for $50,000 (and probably could have been obtained for $50 before Russia invaded Ukraine). 'If the [other bidder] would have gone to $4 million, I would have been out because I was asleep,' Irsay said. , Irsay dealt with addiction using prescription drugs after his college football career at SMU was ravaged by injury. In addition to music artifacts, Irsays collection also features Abraham Lincolns pocket knife, Jackie Robinsons game-used bat, a lottery ticket signed by John Hancock and Muhammad Alis championship belt. According to Irsay, at the heart of the collection is a David Gilmour Stratocaster in which 66 countries have contacted him about purchasing. PARKING: There are several parking options that can be found around the venue. So much of what were about as a world, as humanity, is tied to music. Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay has been steadily assembling one of the most interesting privately owned collections of artifacts in the U.S. By Alex Raskin Sports News Editor For Dailymail.com, Published: 13:31 GMT, 3 June 2022 | Updated: 13:45 GMT, 3 June 2022. "Over the years, some remarkable guitar collections have featured in the pages of this magazine. Its been that way ever since the cavemen were around the fire and they scrawled on the walls, they beat things there was always this feeling of self-expression. bassist Mike Mills and singer Ann Wilson to accompany. He looks after scrolls and literature. Jim Irsay bought Kurt Cobain's guitar for $4.5 million. Displaying historical items free of charge makes the collection worthwhile for the 63-year-old. Irsay joined Cheddar News to talk about why he's bringing artifacts from the Beatles to Jerry Garcia to light now." 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. Items on display ran the gamut from historical artifacts such as letters from George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, the wanted poster for John Wilkes Booth and the Atlantic Charter signed by Winston Churchill and Franklin D. Roosevelt to pop culture items such as Hunter S. Thompsons Red Shark 1973 Chevrolet Caprice convertible." The original 1777 Continental Congress proclamation designating Thanksgiving as a national holiday. Irsay threw in a record winning bid of $3.975 million for Gilmour's 1969 black Fender Stratocaster known as "The Black Strat." Our mission is to serve the 50+ traveler who's ready to cross a few items off their bucket list. Art shippers that do nothing but that. Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay has been on a buying spree, purchasing a baseball signed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy for more than $50,000 and the Fender Mustang guitar used by . He's responsible for letting Irsay know about a guitar's significance . The band, which features names like Mike Wanchicon guitar (John Mellencamp), Mike Millson bass (founding member of R.E.M),and Kenny Wayne Shepherdon guitar, will be joined by special guest Ann Wilson of Heart. The Dish Before sports became his life's work, Jim Irsay was a musician. But, in terms of owning historic instruments with rock n roll credentials and sheer spending power, nobody can top Jim Irsay." The band had more than a dozen members, including instrumentalists and background vocalists. Exclusive Events + Special Offers. Ill never let that happen again.. Owner by Day, Rock 'n' Roller by Night 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. In spite of that vow, he almost let Kurt Cobains guitar slip through his fingers. An 1823 William J. . 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. '''There was three of us bidding, going up in $250,000 increments. Danny Bridges. Irsay hopes that life experiences, ranging from outreach or a Jim Irsay Collection concert, can ultimately benefit those who are in need. Among Irsay's acquisitions was an instrument originally owned by the Beatles, a pristine 1959 Gibson Les Paul and an ultra rare 1939 Martin D-45 to his collection. Stone printing of the Declaration of Independence, considered one of the first exact facsimiles of the actual document. While recording Revolver, The Beatles were reimagining the pop landscape from one studio day to the next, and that certainly gives this instrument a special allure even if John obviously preferred his Epiphone Casino. In 2015, Irsay's personal $2.2 million limit for Ringo Starr's drum kit proved prescient. Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay has spent 25 years assembling the worlds leading collection of rock n roll, American history and pop culture artefacts. There are plans for a European tour in the summer of 2024. Pop Culture. 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. Similar Stories to Jim Irsay's Guitar Collection Rocks: Here Are 3 Famous Guitars In Colts Owner's Collection on Bing News. The Jim Irsay Collection & Exhibit includes items such as: Muhammad Alis 1974 Rumble in the Jungle championship belt, a 1953 Jackie Robinson bat, Sylvester Stallones original manuscript notes for the movie Rocky, and instruments by Eric Clapton, Elton John, and Kurt Cobain. However, one item in particular means a lot to Irsay: that lists the 12-step program with handwritten notes. Irsay established himself long ago as a connoisseur of cultural and rock & roll artifacts. Those registering for tickets can also contribute to Irsays Kick the Stigma campaign, an initiative to raise mental health awareness. We are no longer accepting comments on this article. 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 Coltrane, and more. And speaking of drug-fueled missives, in 1998, Thompson sent Irsay an equally impassioned plea for the Colts to draft QB Ryan Leaf instead of Peyton Manning. The moment proved to be a major turning point for rock music, and the guitar Dylan used is Irsay's favorite of his collection: 'If I had to pick one, and its awfully hard, I would say probably Bob Dylans Strat that he plugged in at the Newport Folk Festival in 1965 and changed music, turned it electric. As of January 25, Kicking the Stigma has raised. We are an outdoor venue. I see the seekers walking across the old, beautiful lands of this country 300 years ago, not with muskets but with guitars slung over their backs. READARTICLE. 8 Reasons You Should Consider Taking Back-To-Back Cruises, 10 Fascinating Spots In New York City For History Lovers, 11 Best Things To Do In Enchanting San Miguel De Allende, This Expedition Cruise Ship To Sail Where No Cruise Ship Has Gone Before, Top 10 Most Visited U.S. National Park Sites In 2022 The 2 Unique Spots That Topped The List, Yosemite National Park Closed Indefinitely What Visitors Need To Know, Luxury Resorts And Slime The Spring Getaway Deal Perfect For The Entire Family, For details on Quillt's privacy and cookie policies, please visit our, Swanky New Train Station Coming To Orlandos Airport How It Will Help You Explore Florida, Worlds Largest Vow Renewal Happens In Vegas This March How You Can Join, Beautiful Ice Hotel Now Open In Canada Why You May Recognize It. In 2022, his collection of guitars was highlighted as The Greatest Guitars on Earth by Guitar Magazine. He typically sets a ceiling on how much he wants to spend and leaves the actual in-person bidding to an intermediary. To settle a bet, John Lennon showed up and played three songs in what would prove to be his final public performance. ADA SECTION: We will have a designated ADA/Handicap area. The collection isnt just for viewing purposes, however. Over the years, some remarkable guitar collections have featured in the pages of this magazine. READARTICLE, "To call Irsays collection breathtaking would not do it justice. 'Trust me, you and I won't be here, but 400 years from now, they'll be able to have a hologram connected to this, and it will tell all the stories of the places [the instrument] was. We've received your submission. Given his great love for wordsmiths such as Dylan and Kerouac, Irsays answer is perhaps unsurprising. The original manuscript for Alcoholics Anonymouss Big Book, the groups founding document that includes the origin of the organizations 12-step program. 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 2014, Irsay was suspended by the NFL for six games and fined $500,000 for driving while intoxicated. George Washington to Bob Dylan. linktr.ee/thejimirsaycollection Posts Reels Videos Tagged The storied collection of Jim Irsay, Owner/CEO of the Indianapolis Colts. Previously,Cobain's acoustic guitar from Nirvana's iconic 1993 MTV Unplugged performance sold for a record-breaking $6million at auction in June 2020. A cool $3.9m. READINTERVIEW, "The focus [of the collection] is on powerful people who changed the world. 'I was much younger in those days, and I had this paddle and I had never done this in New York at Christie's. You cant keep track, its impossible. Irsay's father, Robert Irsay, built a fortune estimated to be over $150 million through successful heating and air-conditioning companies. Style 000-42 guitar (Eric Clapton - 'MTV Unplugged'), 1963 Gretsch Chet Atkins 6120 guitar (Lennon), 1964 Fender Stratocaster guitar (Bob Dylan - 'Dylan Goes Electric'), 1979 Yamaha BB-1200 bass guitar (Paul McCartney), 2002 DeArmond by Guild M-75T guitar (Led Zeppelin's Jimmy Page), 1969 Fender Mustang (Nirvana's Kurt Cobain - 'Smells Like Teen Spirit'). The guitar, case and strap sold for seven times its $642,0000 estimate with Julien's Auctions in California. Cobain said of it in his final interview with Guitar World: 'I'm left-handed, and it's not very easy to find reasonably priced, high-quality left-handed guitars. He attributes this both to experience and mysticism. He not only submitted the winning offer at that price, but narrowly and unknowingly outlasted a wealthier bidder in Paul Allen. About $15,000 of the balls sale price went to Ukrainian relief organizations. The Nirvana frontman played the blue-and-white 1969 Fender Mustang left-handed guitar to record the band's seminal 1991 grunge anthem.