BOSTON, MASS.- Brad Delps musical equipment, memorabilia and personal property will be featured in the Marvels of Modern Music by Boston-based
RR Auction.
Brad Delp was an American singer and songwriter, best known as the lead vocalist of the rock bands Boston and RTZ, and his side project Beatlejuice, an homage to his beloved Beatles. A Massachusetts native, he also lived in New Hampshire for a portion of his life. Delp joined Boston in 1970 and the band rocketed to stardom on his soaring vocals and timeless lyrics. Their self-titled debut album, released on August 25, 1976, ranks as one of the best-selling debut albums in U.S. history, with more than 17 million copies sold. It went platinum by November.
The collection includes instruments Delp used, including guitars and his piano. The 1873 Chickering concert grand piano with a full 88 keys, made of beautiful hand-carved South American rosewood with ivory keys, complete with its ornately carved music rack.
This was one of the finest pianos of its time, and one of few to feature a full 88 keyscomparable Steinways of the era had only 85 keys due to technical limitations. Chickering, a Boston-based piano maker, was able to design a case that supported the weight of a full 88-key soundboardhence the huge, elegantly hand-carved legs crafted from sturdy rosewood.
The Chickering concert grand became the preferred piano of greats like Franz Liszt and Louis Gottschalk, who played them while touring the United States. This fine musical instrument can be heard on Delps cover of The Great Pretender.
Its an exceptionally desirable instrument in its own right, this piano is made even more remarkable by its association with a popular music legend, said Bobby Livingston, Executive VP at RR Auction. We're honored Brads Family chose RR Auction to curate this first-ever offering of his memorabilia.
Additional Highlights include:
Brad Delp's Paul Reed Smith Custom 22 electric guitar.
Brad Delp's Notebook with handwritten notes and lyrics that show the creative process behind "Rockin' Away" and other songs.
Brad Delp's dazzling glittery platform shoes. Straight out of the '70s, these wild shoes must have looked fabulous on stage.
Brad Delp's reference acetate for the iconic 'More Than a Feeling. This ultra-rare acetate may have been a one-off produced while trying to create the radio edit for the hit singleit is a minute shorter than the album version of the track, and forty seconds longer than the single edit.
One-of-a-kind collection of Brad Delp's home movies and candid photographs from Boston's 1979 tour of Japan, consisting of 44 rolls of Super 8 video tape (33 of which remain in their Kodak boxes.)
The eclectic record collection of Boston's lead singer that includes over 70 albums from Delps personal record collection.
The Marvels of Modern Music Auction from RR Auction will begin on December 7 and conclude on December 14.