Electric guitar played by Bob Dylan and Robbie Robertson at historic concerts to be auctioned in May

Dan Weir

7 years ago

Courtesy of Julien's Auctions

Courtesy of Julien’s AuctionsA 1965 Fender Telecaster guitar owned by The Band‘s Robbie Robertson and used by Robertson and Bob Dylan at various historic concerts and recording sessions will be up for bid at a memorabilia auction held May 19 in New York City. The guitar, which is expected to fetch between $400,000 and $600,000, will be part of the second day of Julien’s Auctions’ next “Music Icons” sale, which will include a live auction at the Hard Rock Café in New York and online bidding.

The guitar was famously played by both Dylan and Robertson on the folk-rock legend’s historic “going electric” 1966 tour, on which Bob was backed by The Hawks, the group that would eventually rename themselves The Band. The instrument also was used during the recording of Dylan’s Blonde on Blonde and The Basement Tapes albums, and The Band’s 1968 debut, Music from Big Pink, and its 1969 self-titled effort. In addition, Robertson played the guitar with The Band at the Woodstock, Isle of Wight and Watkins Glen festivals; the Festival Express tour; and the group’s famous December 1971 stand at New York’s Academy of Music that included Dylan as a special guest.

The guitar also has been played by George Harrison and Eric Clapton.

In 1970, Robertson stripped the Telecaster’s original black paint to reveal the wood underneath. He’s continued to use the guitar throughout the years.

“This guitar has been on the front lines of so many phenomenal events, I gaze at it with amazement,” says Robertson. “When I think about all the creativity this guitar has been a part of, I’m still blown away.”

Part of the proceeds raised by the guitar’s sale will benefit the American Indian College Fund.

For more details about the upcoming “Music Icons” sale, visit JuliensAuctions.com.