IN SOME areas, rock musicians still don’t get due respect.Â
Mainstream media doesn’t always give them prominent obituaries when they are gone, their funerals can be ramshackle, their resting places humble.
But no-one can suggest the late Ace Frehley is not getting his dues in auction houses where some of his prized possessions are being sold.
Ace’s 1975 Les Paul has sold for US$512,0000 – or A$718,000 – at the Hard Rock Cafe at Times Square in New York City in the last few days.
If you wanted to buy just any old 1975 Les Paul, it would set you back between A$5000 and A$10,000.
Other of Space Ace’s instruments also exceeded their pre-auction estimates, including:
- A 1997 Gibson Signature Les Paul Custom played during Super Bowl XXXIII (A$80,800);
- A Sanchez Custom Gibson Les Paul Jr. from the 1996 Kiss reunion tour (A$80,800);
- A stage-worn costume from the Destroyer era (A$71,800);
- A stage-worn jumpsuit shared by Ace and Arthur Kane of The New York Dolls – never at the same time(A$16,200);
- A tour jacket from the 1977Â Rock And Roll Over tour (A$12,600).
Ace died after two falls at the age of 74 last October.
In most cases the organisers of the Music Icons auctions, Julian’s, passes the proceeds from the sales straight to the musicians or their families, after taking a pre-negotiated commission.
In some cases charities receive a cut of sales if this is the wishes of those owning the items before the auction.
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Keith Nelson | Buckcherry | 2016