SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Jan. 15 (UPI) -- Music memorabilia, not cars, were auctioned Monday at an Arizona auction house better known for four-wheel drive heavy metal than heavy metal groups.
Items listed for bid at the Rock on the Block Memorabilia auction in Scottsdale, Ariz., included a harmonica played by Johnny Cash, lyrics handwritten by Jimi Hendricks and a 1917 Brambach baby grand piano tickled by John Lennon when he wrote "Woman" and "Starting Over."
"The great thing about auctions is that it just takes two people around the world wanting the same item," said Darren Julien, who worked with Sothebey's in October to auction $3.5 million worth of items from Cher's estate in Malibu, Calif., including $204,000 for the singer's 2005 Bentley.
Jackson jumped into rock memorabilia with a splash last summer when he bought Paul McCartney's first guitar at auction for $633,438.
Barrett-Jackson's first effort at auctioning rock memorabilia isn't necessarily known among mainstream rock collectors worldwide, Julien said, but it should benefit collectors who show up in Scottsdale.
"For guys who spend millions on cars, ($20,000 or $30,000) for memorabilia is nothing," the auctioneer said.
