Music Rising Charity Auction For Hurricane Victims Nets $2.4 Million
A fundraising auction for a charity that replaces musical equipment lost to hurricanes Katrina and Rita has brought in $2.4 million. The fundraiser, which auctioned off music memorabilia from Paul McCartney, The Edge, Bono, Jimi Hendrix and and many others, greatly exceeded expectations.
Music Rising was co-founded by The Edge, the U2 guitarist who donated one of his favorite axes, a 1975 Gibson Les Paul (above) that he has played for years. The guitar had been expected to bring $60,000 to $80,000, but it went for $288,000, including the commission. Other highlights included a pair of sunglasses donated by Bono that went for $24,000, a guitar from Bob Dylan that sold for $192,000 and a guitar from Paul McCartney that brought in $81,600. A guitar owned by Jimi Hendrix was sold for a whopping $480,000.
he final amount going to the charity had not been tallied yet, he said. For some items, the total selling price goes to Music Rising, while other items designated a portion of the proceeds.
