New York (Top40 Charts/ Backstage Auctions) - Backstage Auctions trusts the immense popularity of heavy metal music and memorabilia among fans and collectors around the world, to successfully pull off a rare and historical hard rock and heavy metal auction. Headlining the auction is the personal collection of Ministry's frontman Al Jourgensen. "Jourgensen's collection is by far one of the most defining collections we have had come through our doors and can be easily described with one word, EPIC," says Backstage Auctions founder Jacques van Gool.
After 30 years of making records and touring in support of those records, Jourgensen felt the time was right to open up "Buck Satan's" vault and share his personal relics with the legions of loyal fans around world. "I have one more album in me - my Buck Satan project, which I am working on now with Rick Nielsen (Cheap Trick), Tony Campos (Static X), Mike Scaccia (Rigor Mortis) and Dave Lombardo (Slayer) and then I want to take a long break and rest for a while," explained Jourgensen to van Gool at Jourgensen's 13th Planet Compound in El Paso.
Among the many highlights is an amazing offering of gear and equipment, including 4 of Al's personal guitars which are all concert and studio used. Additionally, there are Marshall and Crate amps, road cases, Roland keyboards, Ministry and Revco stage backdrops and even two 'Skull & Bones' microphone stands which have been extensively used over the years and are true works of art in their own right, created by legendary "bone sculptor" Turner Van Blarcum, notorious for the Ministry LaLaPoLooza bone set designs.
For the collector who is looking to get a piece of Jourgensen, the auction will certainly have a wild selection of "iconic memorabilia". The auction features Jourgensen's personal leather jackets, coats, pants, vests, boots and even kilts which were all used on stage, in videos and photo sessions," says van Gool. There is also an impressive variety of accessories such as sun glasses, goggles, skull caps, gauntlets, boot straps and a half dozen custom designed rings. For Ministry aficionados', the auction will feature a selection of rare and one-of-a-kind mementos such as several handwritten lyrics, original 2-inch master recording reels for Ministry classics such as "N.W.O.", tour itineraries, a cool megaphone, band signed drumhead, vinyl, a large signed CD collection and a most stunning collection of signed concert posters from around the world, including the most desirable Dublin 2008 concert poster, which happened to be for the last ever Ministry concert.
Rarely does a high-profile artist offer such a comprehensive, historic and personal collection like this. This exciting accumulation of mementos is nothing short of breath-taking and a sure dream coming true for the dedicated and loyal Ministry following around the globe.
The event, aptly titled the "Rock Gods and Metal Monsters Auction", also features rock and roll treasures direct from the personal collections Walter O'Brien (Concrete Management, Co-Founder), Rudy Sarzo(Quiet Riot, Ozzy, Whitesnake, Dio), Graham Bonnet (Rainbow, Michael Schenker Group, Alcatrazz, Impellitteri), Scott Rockenfield(Queensryche), Kip Winger(Winger) and John 5 (Rob Zombie, Marilyn Manson), and that's just the tip of the rockin iceberg.
"When we designed the hard rock and heavy metal themed auction, we really tried to build an event that was not only unique but give fans and collectors access to pieces of rock history that were equally rare and one of kind and we have definitely achieved that goal," says Jacques. The auction will showcase over 400 exceptionally rare pieces of rock memorabilia, including over 50 gold and platinum records awards, an awesome selection of artist used guitars, stage props, artist stage worn apparel, master recordings, rare concert posters and original photos, promo vinyl and loads more!
The Rock Gods and Metal Monsters auction, which will be held on-line at Backstage Auctions goes live on October 31, 2010 and will run through November 7, 2010. A special preview of the entire auction catalog will be available to view beginning Sunday, October 24.
Backstage Auctions is a boutique online auction house specializing in authentic rock memorabilia. By exclusively representing legendary musicians and entertainment professionals directly, every auction event is unique, reflects the seller's legacy and chronicles their legendary career. Backstage Auctions has represented dozens of notable and very talented musicians, producers and managers in the music industry. The very first online auction event featured the private collection of legendary producer Eddie Kramer (Hendrix, Zeppelin, Kiss) and since then, we have represented musicians such as Ted Nugent, Howard Kaylan (The Turtles), Ross Valory (Journey) and Michael Shrieve (Santana) Johny Barbata (Jefferson Starship), Kip Winger(Winger) as well as managers of legendary bands such as The Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplane, KISS, Journey, Joe Walsh, Pantera, White Zombie, Ringo Starr and His All Starr Band and Motley Crue.
Backstage Auctions works closely with each of their clients and incorporates their personal stories and memories throughout the online auction event. The end result is a unique, historical and unforgettable journey spanning decades of music history.
