Hosted by Julien’s Auctions and taking place at the Hard Rock Cafe in Time Square, the three day event – running May 20, 21 and 22 – will include the May 22 auction of “Property From The Archives of Alex Lifeson”; it will feature over 60 vintage guitars and other career memorabilia from the personal collection of the legendary Rush rocker.
More than 100 lots featuring signature guitars, instruments, wardrobe, gear and memorabilia owned and used by Lifeson will be offered to the public for the first time.
Highlights from the collection include:
* A 1976 custom-built Gibson ES-355TD, aka “Whitey, played by Lifeson throughout most of his career with Rush. “Whitey” is featured on all albums from “A Farewell to Kings” to “Test for Echo,” and can be seen played by Lifeson on stage during all Rush tours from 1977 to 2015 as well as in many of the band’s music videos. This splendid guitar was part of Rush’s most explosive era of creativity. Alex Lifeson: “I purchased this guitar in 1976, it was custom-built in Kalamazoo just for me. It has been my main guitar and is the iconic Alex Lifeson guitar."
* A 1970 Gibson Les Paul acquired by Lifeson during Rush’s inaugural tour and played extensively on all Rush albums and tours from “Fly By Night” and “2112” to “Hemispheres.”
* A 1971 Jose Ramirez acoustic guitar used by Lifeson to record all classical-style tracks on the album “Hemispheres,” including “The Trees” and “La Villa Strangiato.”
* A 1976 Gibson Dove acoustic guitar played on numerous tours and used by Lifeson to write “Closer to the Heart” and other songs from the 1977 Rush album “A Farewell to Kings.”
* A 1976 Gibson J-55 acoustic guitar used by Lifeson to compose Rush’s platinum-selling album “2112” as well as “A Farewell to Kings” and served as the main acoustic guitar on “Natural Science” and “Camera Eye” from “Permanent Waves” and “Moving Pictures.”
* A 1980 custom Hentor Sportscaster played by Lifeson on most Rush albums since “Moving Pictures,” and was the main guitar used on the recording of the album “Grace Under Pressure.” This guitar was favored by Lifeson as his primary instrument for soloing – in particular the solo for the band’s hit single “Limelight,” and can be seen in the music videos for “Vital Signs,” “Countdown,” and “Enemy Within.” The Sportscaster’s heavy yet versatile sound embodies Rush’s bold sonic explorations of the 1980s and Lifeson’s growth as a soloist during this time.
* A 1981 Gibson Howard Roberts fusion guitar that served as Lifeson’s main guitar during the “Moving Pictures” tour.
Additional items on offer will include concert and tour ephemera, passes, and photographs as well as original lyric sheets.
For complete details, visit juliensauctions.com.
Lifeson will next be heard on the April 8 release of the self-titled debut album by Envy Of None; the new project sees the rocker working with Coney Hatch founder/bassist Andy Curran, producer and engineer Alfio Annibalini, and singer-songwriter Maiah Wynne.
Rush will release a series of expanded 40th Anniversary editions of their 1981 classic, “Moving Pictures”, on April 15.
See also:
Rush release YYZ video from Moving Pictures 40th anniversary reissue
Alex Lifeson‘s Envy Of None debut Look Inside video
First Neil Peart Spirit Of Drumming Scholarship winner announced
Alex Lifeson‘s Envy Of None stream new single Look Inside
Search Rush at hennemusic
