Read what he has to say in his own words here. If the museum he wants gets built, it might not have a lot of velvet ropes or bulletproof-glass enclosures. . 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. $957,500. Its like Dylan says, He not busy being born is busy dying, Irsay asserts. 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. 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. Its easy to see why a literary loose cannon like Thompson would want Irsay to purchase the manuscript (which he did, for $2.4 million). This was the piano he toured with for 20 years; it was also played by Paul McCartney and Freddie Mercury. They become alive when theyre playing.. The exhibit will remain open during the concert. Jim Irsay's collection includes guitars used by Prince and Bob Dylan, a piano used by John Lennon and a Ringo Starr drum set, as well as the 120-foot-long scroll on which Jack Kerouac wrote the . 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'''. READ ARTICLE, "The list of items [in The Jim Irsay Collection], spanning centuries, is extraordinary. WATCHING THIS COLLECTION COME TOGETHER OVER25 YEARS HAS BEEN A BEAUTIFUL THING. In 2014, Irsay was suspended by the NFL for six games and fined $500,000 for, Since then, Irsay has been open about his emphasis to support. Irsay envisages a space where musical instruments coexist with the other objects in the collection to tell the story of American history and 20th century pop culture. Susan B. Anthony to Prince. linktr.ee/thejimirsaycollection Posts Reels Videos Tagged In 1977, the piano was used by Freddie Mercury for a 1977 Queen tour, and then by Paul McCartney during 1985s Live Aid concert. The exhibit is at the Boott Cotton Mills Museum at The Lowell National Historic Park. I am only a steward of this collection, so its my job to share it with as many people as I can.. 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. 'Lovely guy, and his wife came and it was cool,' Irsay said. 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. READARTICLE, "To call Irsays collection breathtaking would not do it justice. 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. But I can be a curator. 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. Our mission is to serve the 50+ traveler who's ready to cross a few items off their bucket list. Its the same as the Horseshoe [the Colts]. Before sports became his life's work, Jim Irsay was a musician. In addition to the artifacts, The Jim Irsay Bandled by Irsay on vocalswill entertain guests. 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. And for most of the time since, the nearly million-dollar axe one of. My grandfather died of alcoholism in 1927; even my father died of alcoholism, Irsay told Duthiers. Jim Irsay, the billionaire Colts owner, recently spent $4.4 million for a guitar (pictured) belonging to the late Kurt Cobain, Cobain's Fender Mustang was seen in Nirvana's the 1991 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' music video (left). I try to go at the very best of the best.. In 2014, he was arrested for DWI and possession of prescription medications. Martin & Co. D-35 guitar (Pink Floyd's David Gilmour - 'Wish You Were Here'), 1969 Fender Stratocaster guitar (Gilmour - 'The Black Strat'), 1939 C.F. He paid $965,000 for the Newport Stratocaster Bob Dylan played at the 1965 Newport Festival, when he and his band went electric for the first time; dropped $4.4 million for Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobains Fender Mustang; and $4 million for Pink Floyd guitarist David Gimours black Fender Stratocaster. Jim Irsayrenowned philanthropist and Owner of the Indianapolis Coltshas a deep passion for rock music. He described caressing Cobain's 53-year-old Fender, saying: 'With your fingertips, you try to sense its energy.'. American History. But the great thing is that I love what I do, so its not work. Marcs weapon of choice is Dylans Newport Stratocaster and Kenny Wayne selects the Black Strat. . I want it to be interactive., I cant be Pete Townshend or Chrissie Hynde or whoever because thats just not me. He paid $965,000 for the Newport Stratocaster Bob Dylan played at the 1965 Newport Festival, when he and his band went electric for the first time; dropped $4.4 million for Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobains Fender Mustang; and $4 million for Pink Floyd guitarist David Gimours black Fender Stratocaster. Buddy Guy, 86, Chicago legend, slaying at Jim Irsay event pic.twitter.com/xKO8ZXhXyy. While Irsays Collection may be privately owned, he has been sharing it with the worldfor free. . The event was free for the public to attend, provided they signed up before RSVPs reached capacity. Colts Owner Jim Irsay Shows Off Unique Collection Worth Millions, Please review our privacy policy here: https://heavy.com/privacy-policy/, Copyright 2023 Heavy, Inc. All rights reserved. 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. He typically sets a ceiling on how much he wants to spend and leaves the actual in-person bidding to an intermediary. As an added bonus, Chicago blues legend Buddy Guy, astonishingly spry and vibrant at 86 years old, joined onstage as a surprise guest, playing for an enthused crowd. 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. Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay has been steadily assembling one of the most interesting privately owned collections of artifacts in the U.S. 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. Irsay and his band travel around the country to give free performances and public viewings. In November of the following year, the Gretsch was gifted to his cousin David Birch. Irsay is an NFL owner of considerable wealth. This fall, its gone on a national tour, with stops in Indianapolis (natch), New York City, and Los Angeles, to name a few locations. Darren Julien, chief executive officer of Julien's Auctions, said: 'To have this legendary guitar, one of the most culturally significant and historically important guitars of Kurt Cobain and in all of rock music history to return to Indiana to be part of Jim Irsay's renowned memorabilia collection is a great honor and personal highlight of my life. Indeed, hes not shy about allowing his numerous musical celebrity friends to play guitars from his collection, and will occasionally do it himself. We never put it in harms way. In 2014, Irsay was suspended by the NFL for six games and fined $500,000 for driving while intoxicated. 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. It was a lot of adrenalin.'. Given his great love for wordsmiths such as Dylan and Kerouac, Irsays answer is perhaps unsurprising. We want to inspire you to explore new destinations, discover new experiences and savor the journey. So much of what were about as a world, as humanity, is tied to music. WATCHVIDEO, "Bloomberg caught up with Irsay in advance of the [concert and exhibit in New York]. 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. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Its way bigger than just saying, Oh, thats a nice song. Its a 200-foot scroll upon which Kerouac pounded out his most famous missive during a weekslong, alcohol- and drug-fueled frenzy. 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. A portion of Irsay's guitar collection will also be featured on two walls. 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 scroll is on loan from Jim Irsay, the owner of the Indianapolis Colts of the NFL. 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. Yet the 1964 Stratocaster Dylan played that day was soon left behind on a private aeroplane and he never looked back. 'I was much younger in those days, and I had this paddle and I had never done this in New York at Christie's. If Irsays fondest wish comes true, his wildly eclectic collection will one day reside in its own wildly eclectic museum. A guitar formerly owned by Nirvana front man Kurt Cobain that was featured in the music video for the band's hit song "Smells Like Teen Spirit" sold for $4.5 million on Sunday, after billionaire. Most of these artefacts currently reside either at Irsays home or in his office at the NFL teams headquarters and practice facility. 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. I look at it (as if) I own nothing because you never see a hearse pulling a U-Haul, Irsay said. But on January 25, he showcased distinctive items hes been able to obtain as a collector. During our conversation, its apparent that Jim finds a sense of spirituality in the transcendent power of music. But I like people to be able to say, I played Tiger, if you are a guitar player of any magnitude, or even if you just want to hold it. But its professional football. 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. He not only submitted the winning offer at that price, but narrowly and unknowingly outlasted a wealthier bidder in Paul Allen. Historians and philosophers that have looked at the 20th century said that the 12 steps, which has been used in many ways to fight mental health issues, thats really something that [without it] realistically, half the people in this place wouldnt be here and believe me, youd see a ghost from me up here. Jim Irsay, owner of the NFLs Indianapolis Colts, is bringing his collection to the Downtown Las Vegas Events Center on March 4, 2023. To call Irsays collection breathtaking would not do it justice. To me, its really important that the museum is alive. 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. Though many of the pieces in the collection have been present during seismic moments in popular music history, its interesting to compare guitars that spent a long time in the service of one artist to those instruments whose spell in the limelight was more fleeting. Linebacker Shaquille Leonard, actor Rob Lowe and interim head coach Jeff Saturday have each advocated for the initiative, among others. At one point in an interview with The Post last week, Irsay referred to the collections value as being $100 million. '''There was three of us bidding, going up in $250,000 increments. And regardless of your area of interest, there will be something there that will blow your mind." Visit thejimirsaycollection.com for details. Irsay didnt procure most of this stuff personally. As well as being used by Elton himself at sold-out Dodger Stadium shows in October 1975, the piano would go on to be played by Freddie Mercury during Queens A Day At The Racestour in 1977 and by Paul McCartney in front of a television audience over over one billion people during the Live Aid finale in 1985. He owns instruments from all four members, Irsay's interests extend to American history as well, which is why he's included items like Abraham Lincoln's pocket knife, Pictured next to the exhibit of the original scroll that Jack Kerouac wrote On The Road on are Jim Sampas, left, the Literary Executor, Jack Kerouac Estate, and a nephew of Kerouacs and Jim Canary, (right) the conservator at the Lilly Library at Indiana University, at the Boott Cotton Mills Museum at The Lowell National Historic Park in Lowell MA on March 17, 2022. Irsay joined Cheddar News to talk about why he's bringing artifacts from the Beatles to Jerry Garcia to light now." 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. I've only owned two of them.'. The list goes on and on. Renowned American author Jack Kerouacs original 119-foot. How you experience it when you walk in? Well consult Indianapolis Motor Speedway on who they use to move cars. READARTICLE, For matters related to TJIC Exhibitions/Tour, For all media inquiries related to TJIC, For all other (non-tour matters) related to TJIC. He predicted that future historians will look back on the century and pinpoint it as an outlier era of technological advancement. We are no longer accepting comments on this article. They will become alive again.'. "He wants. These guitars are unlike manuscripts or something like that, Irsay said. Admission is free and, as of this writing, a limited number of tickets remain available. According to Irsay, at the heart of the collection is a David Gilmour Stratocaster in which 66 countries have contacted him about purchasing. Cobain committed suicide in 1994 aged 27. bassist Mike Mills and singer Ann Wilson to accompany. Irsays collection also includes Jack Kerouacs original 36-metre typewritten manuscript for On The Road ($2.4m), Hunter S Thompsons Red Shark convertible, Abraham Lincolns walking cane and an original Apple II manual signed by Steve Jobs in 1980. 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. 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. It was in his place, in his flat. According to the AP, Irsay dealt with addiction using prescription drugs after his college football career at SMU was ravaged by injury. 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 Gretsch becomes the third Beatles guitar in Irsay's collection. The collection also includes handwritten lyrics, signed photos, and other memorabilia from the artists. 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. He purchased a 1966 Vox guitar , played by Lennon and George Harrison, for $408,000 at auction in 2013. IndyStar, Indianapolis Star: Local Sat, 04/20/2019 - 12:59pm Page 1; Page 2; Page 3; Page 4; . Irsay said although the manual is not music-related, its used as a reminder that there is hope in life. Irsay hopes that life experiences, ranging from outreach or a Jim Irsay Collection concert, can ultimately benefit those who are in need. Special guests will include Stephen Stills of Crosby, Stills and Nash, and Billy Gibbons from ZZ Top. Its easy to see why a literary loose cannon like Thompson would want Irsay to purchase the manuscript (which he did, for $2.4 million). But I was kind of early in the process and I was outbid. 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. Las Vegas (February 27, 2023) Kevin Cronin, the iconic lead vocalist for the legendary REO Speedwagon, will join Indianapolis Colts Owner & CEO Jim Irsay and his all-star band for a free, one-night-only performance in Las Vegas celebrating The Jim Irsay Collection, Irsay's traveling museum of iconic artifacts from rock music, American history and pop culture This is evidenced on day two of our stay in Indianapolis when the team puts together an impromptu concert performance in the grounds of a disused psychiatric hospital. Notwithstanding, its simply one of the most appealing vintage Gretsch guitars weve ever played and it instantly feels like home. Ill never let that happen again.. The collection had a heavy focus on music history, including instruments such as Ringo Starrs drum set from the Beatles famous appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show, John Coltranes saxophone and a piano from Elton John. Last May, Irsay purchased a baseball that was signed by Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy during his visit to New York City in 2019. 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. 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. 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.. READARTICLE, "To call Irsays collection breathtaking would not do it justice. A whole story could be written about Irsays guitar collection, which includes Kurt Cobains guitar from Nirvanas Smells Like Teen Spirit music video and ones played by Prince, Jerry Garcia, George Harrison, Lennon, Paul McCartney, Bob Dylan and Jimmy Page. 'It sounds ridiculous,' he added. For matters related to TJIC Exhibitions/Tour, For all media inquiries related to TJIC, For all other (non-tour matters) related to TJIC. Get the latest news, reviews and features to your inbox. 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. Its a service of the arts to the community.. 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. . He talked about how much putting together a world-class collection costs and what it would take for him to part with it." Outside of music, the collection includes such historic items as: Subscribe to our newsletter for new stories, tips & events. The following are just a few of the guitars in Jim Irsay's collection: 'I said, ''Paul, hey man, thanks for not bidding on those drums, I appreciate it,''' Irsay said. I wouldnt be here right now without that., The best insights from the ultimate insiders, 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. 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So when the Colts boss saw Allen at an event in the following days, Irsay figured he should offer a 'thank you' to Allen, whom he mistakenly assumed had stayed out of the bidding. He's responsible for letting Irsay know about a guitar's significance . 'When it got to over $4 million, it was crazy. Irsay joined Cheddar News to talk about why he's bringing artifacts from the Beatles to Jerry Garcia to light now." He just wasn't willing to cross Irsay's $2.2 million threshold. 'It's so eclectic because it's everything.'" Its so important to me that in the museum, people can play things and touch them, he told guitar.com. Since then, Irsay has been open about his emphasis to support mental health resources. 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." None other than gonzo journalist Hunter S. Thompson encouraged Irsay to purchase Kerouacs On the Road manuscript. WATCHVIDEO, "Bloomberg caught up with Irsay in advance of the [concert and exhibit in New York]. 'These things will come alive some day,' Irsay said. During the course of our photoshoot, he not only pretends to smash the Black Strat but he also mischievously tucks a lit cigarette under the strings behind the nut. An 1823 William J. It sold for $50,000 (and probably could have been obtained for $50 before Russia invaded Ukraine). John Lennon's 1962 Gibson J-160E - $2,400,000. For the small audience in attendance, its a thrill to hear such a storied guitar played at close quarters in a different musical context. 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."