Randy Bachman will be watching online today and tomorrow as Julien’s Auctions sells close to 200 of his guitars, instruments and gear at the Hard Rock Cafe in New York City as part of their Music Icons sale.
With his house overrun with guitars and battling a few health issues, he decided it was time to trim his collection.
Among the more desirable six strings is his 1959 Gibson Les Paul Standard, also referred to as “The American Woman Guitar,” as it gave birth to The Guess Who’s signature song, as well as "No Time" and BTO's "Let it Ride."
And, while it's the one guitar he would keep if he could only have one, he says he's parting with it not because of the songs he wrote with it, but because of it's weight -- 14 pounds.
And it hasn't been on the road with him in quite some time as it was on display at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame for 15 years until 2015 when it was moved to the National Music Center in Calgary, Canada.
Bachman acquired it in 1968 during a show in a church basement in Nanaimo, British Columbia when an audience member offered him to play the guitar in place of his current guitar with a cracked neck. Subsequently, during a show at a Canadian Curling Rink, Bachman, after breaking a string, stumbled upon the song's now iconic riff.
In 2008, Bachman sold his collection of 385 Gretsch guitars to the Gretsch Foundation, the charitable arm of the Gretsch family and the Gretsch company.
And, he won't be in need of any more as he still has 150.
Also up for bids at the auction is the 1965 Fender Telecaster Bob Dylan played on his 1966 album Blonde on Blonde, as well as on his tour that year with The Band, then known as The Hawks.
The Band’s Robbie Robertson later used it on tour as well as on The Band albums Music From Big Pink and Stage Fright, as well as on sessions for Joni Mitchell and Ringo Starr. It's expected to sell for upwards of $700,000.
In 2008, Bachman sold his collection of 385 Gretsch guitars to the Gretsch Foundation, the charitable arm of the Gretsch family and the Gretsch company.
And, he won't be in need of any more as he still has 150.
Also up for bids at the auction is the 1965 Fender Telecaster Bob Dylan played on his 1966 album Blonde on Blonde, as well as on his tour that year with The Band, then known as The Hawks.
The Band’s Robbie Robertson later used it on tour as well as on The Band albums Music From Big Pink and Stage Fright, as well as on sessions for Joni Mitchell and Ringo Starr. It's expected to sell for upwards of $700,000.