A number of pieces that play an important role in rock ‘n’ roll history will soon be offered for sale at auction – if the price is right.
Nearly 200 guitars from Canadian rocker Randy Bachman’s personal collection, many of which have been played on stage, will be available for purchase through Julien’s auctions in May.
Bachman, now 80, is one of the few musicians to have found success as a founding member of two different bands: The Guess Who, which soared in the late 1960s and early 1970s, and Bachman-Turner Overdrive, which emerged in the mid-1970s sixty followed. -1970s and continued into the 1980s and beyond.
Among the most coveted items to appear at auction: the musician’s 1959 Gibson Las Paul Standard, known as the “American Woman” guitar because Bachman used it to write The Guess Who’s most famous hit, which was named after expected to sell for between $200,000 – $400,000.
There are many more guitars up for auction that are expected to sell for various other price ranges, starting at $600 and going up to $200,000.
The Guess Who and Bachman-Turner Overdrive star Randy Bachman, 80, has nearly 200 of his instruments for sale through Julien’s Auctions in May
Bachman’s 1959 Gibson Les Paul Standard electric guitar, called the American Woman guitar after he wrote with it
As founder of The Guess Who, Bachman helped shape the sound of Canadian rock in the 1960s.
His electrifying guitar playing and songwriting talents played a major role in the band’s success, with hits including American Woman, These Eyes and No Time.
Their album American Woman (1970) would top the charts in their native Canada and reach number nine in the US, while five other albums reached the top 10 in Canada.
They also achieved five number one singles in Canada and two in the US before officially breaking up in 1975.
Bachman went on to co-found Bachman-Turner Overdrive with brothers Robbie Bachman (drums) and Tim Bachman (guitar, vocals), along with Fred Turner (bass, vocals).
They unleashed a wave of rock anthems in the 1970s, including hits such as Takin’ Care Of Business, You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet, Let Ir Ride, Hey You and Roll on Down the Highway.
In addition to his work with bands, Bachman’s solo career was equally impressive, showcasing his versatility as a musician and songwriter.
The native of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, also included his white 1955 Fender Stratocaster, which he played live and in the recording studio with BTO, as part of the instrument set up for auction.
Bachman is one of the few musicians to have had major success as the founder of two different bands: The Guess Who and Bachman-Turner Overdrive
Bachman first gained recognition as a guitarist and singer-songwriter in The Guess Who; he is pictured left with Garry Peterson, Burton Cummings and Jim Kale
The 1955 Fender Stratocaster played by BTO on stage and in the studio could sell for between $100,000 and 200,000
Bachman went on to co-found Bachman-Turner Overdrive with brothers Robbie Bachman (drums) and Tim Bachman (guitar, vocals), along with Fred Turner (bass, vocals); these are hits such as Takin’ Care Of Business, You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet, Let Ir Ride, Hey You and Roll on Down the Highway
Bachman’s first guitar – a Harmony H1215 acoustic guitar – is estimated to cost between $600 and $800
Julien’s has set an estimated retail price for the classic white Fender at between $100,000 and 200,000.
Bachman actually had it as his backup for live concerts, playing some rhythm parts for songs like Hey You and Let It Ride.
The collection of prized guitars also includes a 1969 Gibson Les Paul Custom electric guitar, previously owned by Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones and reportedly fetching between $20,000 and $40,000.
The rocker’s 1955 Hoyer Bianka acoustic guitar could sell for between $8,000 and 10,000
As a founding member of The Guess Who, Bachman helped shape the sound of Canadian rock in the 1960s with hits such as American Woman, These Eyes and No Time.
The Randy Bachman Collection, which is being sold as part of the Music Icons auction, will be sold as part of a two-day event at the Hard Rock Cafe in New York City on May 29 and 30.
There’s also a 1977 Gretsch Super Ax gifted to the musician by Chet Atkins that could sell for $1,000-2,000; a Harmony H1215 acoustic guitar that has the distinction of being Bachman’s very first guitar estimated to cost $600-800; a Wolfgang Huttl Op-Art Archtop acoustic guitar said to cost between $4,000 and 6,000; and a 1955 Hoyer Bianka acoustic guitar that could cost between $8,000 and $10,000.
Bachman had previously revealed that he was inspired to become a musician at the age of 15 when he saw Elvis Presley with a guitar around his neck while playing on Tommy Dorsey’s television show in 1958.
Bachman was inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum in 2016.
The Randy Bachman Collection, which is being sold as part of the Music Icons auction, will be sold as part of a two-day event at the Hard Rock Cafe in New York City on May 29 and 30.