BOSTON – RR Auction will present an incredible collection in its Marvels of Modern Music auction on Thursday, July 19. C.J. Ramone of punk pioneers the Ramones and the family of Brad Delp, the voice of Boston, are sharing some of their historic memorabilia from their bands’ heydays. The fully illustrated auction catalog can be viewed on LiveAuctioneers.
Christopher Joseph Ward, better known as C.J. Ramone, is an American musician who was the bassist for the punk rock group the Ramones, from 1989 when he replaced Dee Dee Ramone, until the band’s 1996 break-up. Now 52, he’s still rocking and shows no signs of stopping.
Imagine being a fan of punk’s seminal pioneers, and then finding yourself part of the band. “I was a huge fan since I was a kid,” said C.J. Ramone, the eventual youngest member of the Ramones by nine years.
When the Ramones were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, original drummer Tommy Ramone credited C.J. with “keeping the band young.” C.J. sang lead on Strength to Endure and wrote two tracks for the band’s farewell album, ¡Adios Amigos! He played with the band for seven years.
Highlights from the collection include C.J. and Dee Dee Ramone’s tour-used Ampeg bass amplifier head and road case, used during 1,200 shows. CJ’s stage-used signature Mosrite bass guitar. Additional items include C.J.’s stage-worn leather jacket—the ‘official uniform’ of the punk rock icons—rare demo tapes, tour itineraries, backstage passes, concert T-shirts and posters.
RR Auction is also assisting the family of Brad Delp in sharing items from his time as the unmistakable lead voice of the classic rock band Boston. Delp joined Boston in 1970, and the group rocketed to stardom on his soaring vocals and timeless lyrics. Their self-titled debut album of 1976 ranks as one of the best-selling debut albums in U.S. history, with more than 17 million copies sold, going platinum within three months.
Highlights’ include Delp’s gold RIAA award for Boston’s landmark debut, an official RIAA gold sales award presented to “Brad Delp to commemorate the sale of more than 500,000 copies of the Epic Records long-playing record album Boston,” and his notebook, containing 14 pages of handwritten notes and lyrics for his project with former Boston bandmate Barry Goudreau.
This auction has many more highlights, from the significant Beatles section to the collection presented by Prince insiders. It also features in-person autographs obtained by legendary collector John Brennan from legends like Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd and Jimi Hendrix. Favorites of today are featured, but the trailblazers and roots of modern music are also represented—jazz, blues and early rock ’n’ roll.
Additional featured lots include:
– Bob Dylan’s handwritten letter to Greenwich Village friend and musician Debbie Green regarding his recording Desire.
– Beatles fully signed 1963 Parlophone mono first pressing of Please Please Me.
– Paul McCartney handwritten lyrics for Through Our Love.
– Elvis Presley’s gold and diamond ring.
– Jim Morrison handwritten poem, discovered in the famed 127 Fascination manuscript collection.
– Prince handwritten lyrics for the unreleased song Go, in purple ink.
– Prince’s personally owned and worn purple shirt, circa Purple Rain era.
Bidding on the Marvels of Modern Music from RR Auction began July 12 and will conclude on July 19. More details can be found online at www.rrauction.com.
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