R. I. P. Jim Irsay

[OldStrummer]

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.

[Offshore Angler]

Makes one wonder if the Beano Burst will now surface.

[jrgtr42]

Makes one wonder if the Beano Burst will now surface.

Not from Irsay, but I did see that Dirk Ziff is donating his collection to the Met, the same museum that hosted Jimmy Page's #1 a couple of years ago. One of the most secretive collections in the world going to be seeing the light of day, though I understand it'll be 2027 before the exhibit opens.
If he does have it, and he does know that's what it is (hard to say one way or the other; there aren't a ton of super-clear photos of it) I wonder if it would be part of that exhibit, considering the negative publicity around the Ed King's burst that he ended up with a ways back.

[OldStrummer]

This discussion brings to my mind the apparent lack of regard for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. It seems to me this would be the logical "permanent display" for some of the items listed in these collections. But no, the collectors would rather have them separately displayed than have the HOF include them.

[Tele-Bob]

The RRHOF is a somewhat contested venue that exists make money by having these phony induction ceremonies and events to determine who is actually worthy of recognition.
If it were handled more honestly and in the tradition of rock and roll, everyone would already be in it and we could all go see ALL the memorabilia by ALL the artists now.
They're just milking a process and pissing off a lot of people who feel that many worthy artists have yet to be included. They will be included at some point. When it fits the business model. I can't think of anything less rock n' roll than that.

I have no problem seeing an extensive instrument collection in a museum. Somehow, it seems a bit more esteemed than the RRHOF.

[Offshore Angler]

This discussion brings to my mind the apparent lack of regard for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. It seems to me this would be the logical "permanent display" for some of the items listed in these collections. But no, the collectors would rather have them separately displayed than have the HOF include them.

The R&R HOF is a money grab, not a true Hall of Fame. It has almost zero credibility.


Chuck

[OldStrummer]

The R&R HOF is a money grab, not a true Hall of Fame. It has almost zero credibility.

Sad, isn't it. When it could be so much more.

[Offshore Angler]

Sad, isn't it. When it could be so much more.

\

Pfft, that's what my parents said about me.