Metal, Hardcore, Indie, Rock
One of the most important guitars in rock and roll history, Ace Frehley‘s 1975 Gibson Les Paul, sold for $512,000 as part of the “Music Icons” series from auction house Julien’s, as per Blabbermouth. The two-day live auction took place at Hard Rock Cafe Times Square in New York City on May 29 and 30. This guitar, which was predicted to sell for between $400,000 and $600,000, was Frehley‘s constant companion from the start of his career. More than any other guitar in his collection, it accompanied him on stage and in the studio with KISS. Frehley has been on almost every “Top 10 Les Paul Players Of All Time” list ever published thanks to his extensive use of this Gibson Les Paul.
A number of additional Frehley products were sold for more than their initial projections: Stage-played 1997 Gibson Signature Les Paul Custom ($57,600); stage-played 1996 KISS reunion tour light show Sanchez Custom Gibson Les Paul Jr. ($57,600); stage-worn “Destroyer” costume ($51,200); stage-worn jumpsuit of Ace Frehley/Arthur Kane of The New York Dolls ($11,520); and Ace‘s 1977 “Rock And Roll Over” tour jacket ($8,960).
The “Music Icons” auction, which was organized in collaboration with the world-famous Hard Rock Cafe, brought together an incredible collection of artifacts that defined the genre from the most significant rock and roll performers in history, including instruments that renowned musicians performed on stage and in the studio. This historic occasion gave fans and collectors a unique chance to purchase works by the music icons who influenced generations. During those two days, guitars, stage gear, handwritten lyrics, and extremely personal artifacts from the musicians who shaped the sound of the previous fifty years were traded.
At the age of 74, Frehley passed away in October of last year. The Morris County Medical Examiner revealed in a report that the original KISS guitarist passed away from blunt-trauma head injuries sustained in a fall. The cause of death was determined to be an accident.
