You can never have too much John Lennon in your life!

“John Lennon: Life is What Happens, Music, Memories & Memorabilia” tracks Lennon’s legacy of music, art and activism in an exciting and memorable way, with more than 400 photographs, including many rarely seen before.

The collection of photographs are of Lennon throughout his life and career, as well as memorabilia associated with this larger-than-life lad from Liverpool, as well as his Beatles band mates. In addition, you’ll discover quotes by and about Lennon, along with personal insights from fans and celebrities who recall Lennon’s impact on their lives.

John Lennon: Life is What Happens, Music, Memories & Memorabilia is Goldmine’s Deal of the Week. SAVE NOW!

Backstage Auctions held a hot Rock n’ Pop auction earlier this month (June 4-12). Over 750 lots were up for bid, much of it memorabilia from the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s. But among the hottest items sold were Ron Wood paintings and Woodstock memorabilia were very popular among bidders. Here are some results:

RON WOOD 2007 “WA WA WOOD” SIGNED CANVAS ART
Realized Sold Price: $1,840.00
Self portraits have always been an interesting way for an artist to communicate his or her life to the outside world. What better way for Rolling Stones’ guitarist Ron Wood to chronicle his own life than in the same tradition? This painting — aptly titled “Wa Wa Wood” — expresses the man’s passion for his instrument and the joy of playing onstage to millions of fans.

Released in 2007 (in a limited edition of 250), this canvas was professionally matted and framed. It measures 39 x 54 inches and is signed by Ron Wood. It is numbered 82/250 and includes the original COA issued by “Scream Art” in the UK. It is a piece in pristine condition, too.

RON WOOD 2008 “PENSIVE” KEITH RICHARDS SIGNED CANVAS ART
Realized Sold Price: $575.00
This painting originated as a study sketch during one of the Rolling Stones rehearsals. Ron Wood has said that he remembers this particular moment vividly, as he was taken by how deep in thought Keith Richards had been. The colorful excitement in the painting’s detail explains why Wood is drawn to Richards as a subject in his work. Ronnie aptly titled it “Pensive.”

This is a digital screen print on canvas, which was offered in 2008 as a limited edition series of 600. This particular canvas, which measures approximately 21 x 32 inches, is #88/600. It has been signed in silver by Ronnie Wood and is in excellent condition. Some lucky bidder got it for a very reasonable $575.

WOODSTOCK 1969 ORIGINAL “HOSPITAL” FIRST AID SIGN
Realized Sold Price: $1,897.00
Backstage Auctions claims that out of all the original Woodstock collectibles they have offered over the years, this one is by far the most unusual.

Set up at various locations surrounding Max Yasgur’s farm, the Woodstock organizers offered several First Aid spots for those in need of medical assistance. The main tent was the ‘Hospital’ where people with more serious ailments were treated. In lieu of having official signage, a simple white sheet and red paint were used to create this 84 x 144 inch sign.

The infamous Day Two rain storm caused the paint to run, giving this historic memento a somewhat ‘spooky’ effect.

Dan List of the Village Voice was at Woodstock ‘on assignment’ and decided to take the memento home on Monday morning, after Hendrix played his last notes.

The overall condition is very good (all things considered). A very cool piece. No surprise that this was a popular item among many bidders.

WOODSTOCK 1969 ORIGINAL PRESS KIT & ORIGINAL PHOTOS
Realized Sold Price: $2,013.00
Auctioned off as an original Woodstock press folder, containing a total of six press releases on various subjects, this piece also included ten original black & white photos (8×10″), stamped on the back by Village Voice photographer, Robert Niebuhr. Three of the photos show Mary Werning, who was an associate of the Village Voice, selling copies of the New York City tabloid.

Like the other Woodstock collectibles in the auction, this item came from the collection of Dan List, who at the time was an editor at the Village Voice. List traveled to Woodstock to write a cover feature for The Village Voice.

It sold in excellent condition.

JIMI HENDRIX 1972 AUTHENTIC TEST PRESSING & VINTAGE VINYL LOT
Realized Sold Price: $1,685.40
A fantastic piece for any music collector: an authentic test pressing of Jimi Hendrix’ 1972 “In The West” album, straight from Electric Lady Studios engineer & producer John Jansen. The test pressing shows some surface wear but overall it is in good condition.

For related items that you may enjoy in our Goldmine store:

• The ultimate Woodstock memorabilia book: “Woodstock Peace, Music & Memories”
• Get the DIGITAL Download: “Woodstock Site: Then and Now”

By Patrick Prince

This weekend, Backstage Auctions will start their Rock n’ Pop auction (June 4-12). Goldmine recently covered the auction house’s fantastic lots of rare rock ‘n’ roll photography (accompanied with their original rights) available in this auction. Click here for that story. But that is not the only great investment for collectors. The Rock n’ Pop auction will also include a number of vintage posters and signed memorabilia, including signed artwork by The Rolling Stones’ Ron Wood (an example piece at left).

Ron Wood is a perfect example of a musician whose artwork has really become valuable and sought after. Expectations are high that the pieces of Wood’s artwork in this particular auction will move quickly because the paintings are priced better than what a buyer would typically see in a gallery.

Backstage Auctions have previously auctioned off artwork by other musicians such as Grace Slick and Marilyn Manson, but Ron Wood, as Jacques van Gool (founder of Backstage Auctions) explains, is more of a unique case.

“I would definitely say of all the musicians, or artist/musicians, Ron Wood is the upper echelon,” says van Gool. “He is probably one of the best known musicians that is also an artist. There are quite a few musicians who have tried to do paintings —  anyone from Grace Slick to Paul Stanley of KISS — and I think that Ron Wood has proven for several decades now that this is not just a phase where a musician feels they need to express themselves differently.

“There are a 101 examples of musicians who either start writing a book, start painting, or want to make a movie. They come up with creative outlets and they normally only last for a couple years. Marilyn Manson is a great example. Manson, for a couple of years, wanted to do nothing but painting. And now he’s onto something else. Paul Stanley started to paint several years ago and he’s actually still painting so he might be one of those who has a second career.

“Ron Wood,” explains van Gool, “has earned a legitimate place as a painter because he’s been doing it for several decades and people have come to see and understand that he’s for real. His love for painting is genuine and I would say that he is definitely one of the most recognizable and most prolific musicians turned artists out there right now.

“Ron Wood has had the exposure,” continues van Gool, “and people collect his art. Obviously a portion who buy his art are probably Rolling Stones fans or Faces fans — a fan of his musical background. But I would say that a majority of the people who buy his art, buy it because they like his art — regardless of who he is or the band he plays for. There’s no denying that it does help to be a Rolling Stone because things will be a little bit easier, but again, I think he’s one of those exceptions where he may have used his Rolling Stone membership as a jumpstart in the beginning but he has done several hundreds of painting and he is a legitimate artist now.”

There are also vintage rock posters up for auction, concerts from Hendrix to Led Zeppelin/Jethro Tull (see below). For more information, go to www.backstageauctions.com.

Is it that obvious that we love The Beatles around here? Yeah, well, guess it is. But we know you love The Beatles, too, and this week we have one of those offers you can’t refuse if you are a big Beatles fan: a whopping 34 percent off the book “John Lennon: Life is What Happens. Music, Memories & Memorabilia.” It’s not only a great book to own if you’re a Lennon fan but for the music collector/historian in you, too. SAVE ON OUR DEAL OF THE WEEK NOW!