Knopfler – who was the frontman of Dire Straits and is often referred to as one of the best guitarists of all time – auctioned off 112 guitars and 10 amplifiers for a total value of £8.84 million on Wednesday, according to auction house Christie’s, which was responsible for the sale. The total sum corresponds to just over NOK 117 million.
– It warms the heart to witness how much these guitars mean to so many people, and I am happy that they will continue to bring joy to many through the songs of mine they have been recording, says the guitar hero in a press release after the “clearance sale”.
By far the most expensive was the Les Paul guitar from 1959, which went under the hammer for £693,000. It is a rare model year – called the “holy grail of electric guitars” – and has almost been reserved for some of the biggest stars in rock history. In addition to Knopfler, Led Zeppelin’s Jimmy Page, Keith Richard of the Rolling Stones and Fleetwood Mac’s Peter Green are among those who have played with the exclusive model. The latter passed his on to Gary Moore in Thin Lizzy.
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It was known in advance that at least a quarter of the income would go to charity. The recipients are the British Red Cross, a foundation that works to protect wild animals in Africa and Brave Hearts of the North East, which supports children and young people who have shown courage and strength in the face of problems and limitations caused by serious illness and injury.