What is an obituary about an NFL owner doing on a guitar forum? Well, here is what Paul Harvey might have called the "rest of the story."
Jim Irsay, son of Robert Irsay, inherited the Indianapolis Colts from his father Robert, who moved the team from Baltimore in 1984. In 1997, he became the CEO of the team, a role he held until his death on May 21, 2025.
In addition to his football role, he was a philanthropist and a collector of musical instruments. His collection includes:
Kurt Cobain's "Smells Like Teen Spirit" Fender Mustang: This 1969 Fender Mustang was used by Kurt Cobain in the music video for Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit." It was acquired by Irsay for $4.5 million.
David Gilmour's "Black Strat": This 1969 Fender Stratocaster was heavily modified by David Gilmour and is famously heard on Pink Floyd albums such as "The Dark Side of the Moon," "Wish You Were Here," and "The Wall."
Bob Dylan's Newport Folk Festival Stratocaster: This sunburst Stratocaster was used by Bob Dylan when he "went electric" at the 1965 Newport Folk Festival, a pivotal moment in music history. Irsay acquired it for nearly $1 million.
Eric Clapton's "The Fool" Gibson SG: This colorfully painted Gibson SG was heavily featured by Eric Clapton during his time with the supergroup Cream.
George Harrison's 1964 Gibson SG: Used on The Beatles' "Paperback Writer" and the album "Revolver."
John Lennon's 1963 Gretsch 6120 Country Gentleman: Used on The Beatles' 1966 single "Paperback Writer."
John Lennon's 1964 Rickenbacker Rose Morris Model 1996: Used during The Beatles' 1964 Christmas tour.
Jerry Garcia's "Tiger": A famous custom-built guitar used by the Grateful Dead's Jerry Garcia.
The collection also includes vintage guitars, such as an early Martin acoustic from the 1850s, a 1952 Fender Telecaster, and a 1958 Gibson Les Paul Standard. Beyond guitars, the Jim Irsay Collection features other significant artifacts from music history, American history, and pop culture, such as Ringo Starr's first Ludwig drum kit and bass drumhead used on The Ed Sullivan Show, John Lennon's piano, and handwritten lyric sheets by Paul McCartney.
R. I. P.
