Cheap Trick guitarist Rick Nielsen is parting with hundreds of pieces from his own collection, and Julien’s Auctions, which is handling the sale, will direct a portion of the proceeds to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. The auction runs live at the Musicians Hall of Fame & Museum at the Historic Nashville Municipal Auditorium on October 24th.
More than 300 pieces make up the collection, with over 70 guitars among them. One standout item is a five-neck Hamer guitar owned by Nielsen, the same instrument he performed with on stage. Other notable objects include a 1955 Ford Thunderbird, handwritten lyrics for “Heaven Tonight,” and a John Deere tractor fitted with a snowplow and a custom checkboard design.
There are also rarer items, including one of only three 1963 Guild Merle Travis guitars ever produced.
Nielsen on the Sale
When Nielsen addressed the auction, she described her approach to music: “I couldn’t sing or dance, but I was big into songwriting, and I tried to put everything I had into that. I never wanted to be like anybody else—I just wanted to be me. I knew I was never going to be a virtuoso, so I ended up being a ‘medium-oso.’.” She also recalled how her guitar collection began: “I started out with one guitar, and over the years the collection just kept growing.” She said the timing felt right to part with some of those instruments. “It seemed like a good time to sell some of it—you can’t take it with you. When it’s all over, hopefully I’ll still have one guitar. A portion of the proceeds will go to St. Jude because I knew Danny and Marlo Thomas, and they’re great people doing really good stuff. I’m honored to support them and hopefully encourage others to do so as well.”
What Is Being Sold
A wide range of items make up this collection, spanning many years of Nielsen’s career. Among them are instruments he used during performances, vehicles he owned, and personal objects of a private nature.
The Venue and Date
On October 24th, the sale will be held at the Musicians Hall of Fame & Museum, located within the Historic Nashville Municipal Auditorium.
Who Is Behind the Sale
The person in charge of music business development at Julien’s, Lou Robinson, offered remarks about the collection. His statement was: “Rick has created and curated an incredible collection that ranges from world famous to infamous. These are items that have been played and worn on stages around the world, with some even going on to live in museums. I am so proud that Rick has entrusted Julien’s to tell his story and give fans the opportunity to own a piece of his legacy.”
Register to Bid
Julien’s website is where the complete offerings and bidding registration can be found.
The All Washed Up Tour
Cheap Trick are currently on the road in North America as part of their “All Washed Up” tour, which runs until November 22nd.
The collection numbers 300-plus pieces, with 70-plus guitars among them. A portion of the proceeds will go toward research at St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.
Highlights
– Five-neck Hamer guitar played onstage
– 1955 Ford Thunderbird
– Handwritten lyrics for “Heaven Tonight”
– Custom checkboard design John Deere tractor with a snowplow
– One of three 1963 Guild Merle Travis guitars ever produced
This is a guitarist’s lifelong collection going public, ranging from guitars to a vintage car to a tractor with a plow, and he is giving back a portion of the money to a children’s hospital. It is a generous gesture wrapped in a spectacle, and it is the kind of story that makes the auction circuit feel less like commerce and more like a fan club.
See the video the story is built around at Consequence.
Get the Notebook.
The day's best stories and every fresh verdict, in plain English, in your inbox by seven. One email a day, no more.