If you’re interested in some last minute gift ideas for that special musician and/or U2 fan in your life, you might want to consider this.
Christie’s is including one of Bono’s custom Gretsch Irish Falcons in a London auction on December 16. This is the iconic green hollow body guitar that Bono has used on stage since the Elevation tour, and bears the phrase “The Goal Is Soul” on the pickguard. Christie’s notes that while Gretsch collaborated with the U2 frontman on a production model in 2005, this guitar is from Bono’s own private collection and is the only original prototype ever to go up for auction. As a further treat, this Falcon is signed by all four band members!
The Christie’s website states, “This sale presents a unique opportunity to acquire one of the first prototype Gretsch Irish Falcon’s custom made for Bono….”
Always the humanitarian, Bono has donated the guitar to raise funds for the Musicares Foundation. Christie’s estimates the famous Gretsch will go for over $200,000.
This guitar brings back a lot of fond memories for me! Here are some pictures I took during a 360 show at Oakland, California, on June 7, 2011. Can you name the song that being played?
In Berlin, this guitar could only announce STAY 🙂
I can’t imagine Bono without her on next tour. So I wish they won’t sell it. For now.
He has more than one. And more can be made at any time. 🙂
I definitely live in another world..
One.
It couldn’t be “Stay” — on that tour, “Stay” was only done acoustic with Edge playing a Gibson jumbo and Bono on vocs only.
Bono played the Falcon for a few different songs in 2011, but since he’s playing a ‘C’ chord and seems to be in ballad mode here, I’d put my money on “One.”
And I’d also put my money on Bono’s guitar-playing being WAY soft in the mix, as usual. 🙂
Bono: I’m so sorry to hear about your accident. You say that you may never play guitar again. If the problem is the dexterity in the fingers of your left (fretting) hand, have you considered becoming a dobro player? I just love the music that Jerry Douglas makes. Just a thought. In any event, I wish you a full recovery.
One, Amazing Grace, Hallelujah
Hope to see you smiling and playing guitar again this year or next next. God bless you Bono. Love from Hamburg