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The Beatles
- JOHN LENNON

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The Beatles
JOHN LENNON
Price Realized
(Set Currency)
  • $182,500
  • Price includes buyer's premium
Estimate
    $150,000 - $200,000

Sale Information

Sale 2063
Punk/Rock
24 November 2008
New York, Rockefeller Plaza





Lot Description

The Beatles
John Lennon
Vox Continental Portable Organ used by John Lennon at the historic August 15, 1965, Shea Stadium concert, as well as the Beatles' August 13, 1965 appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show and on the studio recording of I'm Down.

The organ features a four octave keyboard, wood weighted black and white keys (reversed), detachable Z-shaped chrome frame stand, orange top and accompanying cases.

In front of a crowd of 55,000 plus, Lennon closed out the most famous concert in history with a frenzied rendition of I'm Down, in which he wildly pounded on the offered keyboard, resulting in the organ not working properly for the next show in Toronto on August 17. The next day in Atlanta, the organ was traded in for functioning Vox Continental organ from the Thomas Organ Center - The Vox Shoppe, the exchange being completed by a local Atlanta policeman. The organ remained in the possession of the owner of The Vox Shoppe for nearly four decades.

The organ itself is distinguished by a non-standard Vox Continental logo adhered to the front of the case, which is clearly visible in pictures and film from the event and from the set of The Ed Sullivan Show two days prior. The organ has been recently repaired keeping all the original parts (which were in pristine condition) and is now fully functional. Accompanied by a signed affidavit and advertisements regarding the organ and the Thomas Organ Center - The Vox Shoppe.

LITERATURE/REFERENCE
Babiuk, Andy; Beatles Gear; Balaphon 2002
Lewisohn, Mark; The Complete Beatles Chronicle; Pyramid Bokks 1992
Imagine, The Movie
The Beatles Anthology

EXHIBITED
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Cleveland, Ohio
The Beatles Story, Liverpool
"John Lennon Unfinished Music" at Cite de la Musique, Paris

Literature

Babiuk, Andy; Beatles Gear; Balaphon 2002
Lewisohn, Mark; The Complete Beatles Chronicle; Pyramid Books, 1992

Exhibited

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Cleveland, Ohio

Department Information
Keywords
Lots in this Sale
SALE 2063
Punk/Rock