Share

Bob Dylan guitar going under the hammer for $500k

New York - Bob Dylan's electric guitar, on which he performed a career-defining set at the Newport Folk Festival in 1965, is going under the hammer in New York for $500 000 (R5m).

Christie's will auction off the 1964 Fender Stratocaster guitar on 6 December with five newly discovered Dylan song lyrics dating back to 1965-66.

Christie's expects the guitar to fetch $300 000 to $500 000, and the lyrics $3 000 to $30 000.

The three-song electric set at the Newport Folk Festival in Rhode Island saw a 24-year-old Dylan evolve from folk-protest singer into an enigmatic rock legend.

Rolling Stone described it as one of the most notable events in music history, but his folk fans were furious.

A giant in the history of American music

"I did this very crazy thing," Dylan said at the time.

"I didn't know what was going to happen, but they certainly booed, I'll tell you that. You could hear it all over the place."

The guitar and lyrics are in the possession of a daughter of the pilot who flew the private jet used by Dylan and his band in the months after the performance.

In 2011, it was submitted to US television programme History Detectives and verified as genuine.

The guitar, which was also used during recording sessions for his album Bringing It all Back Home, comes with its case and original black leather strap.

Born Robert Allen Zimmerman, in 1941 in Duluth, Minnesota, Dylan was the voice of a generation and a giant in the history of American music.

He taught himself music and changed his name, reportedly after the Welsh poet Dylan Thomas.

bob dylan

(Photo: AP)

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE