Julien’s Auctions, the industry-leading pop culture memorabilia auction house, announces their event with one of the most fabled, beloved and respected rock icons in the world, Joe Walsh. The “Life’s Been Good” collection features an extraordinary array of unique guitars, cars, amps, ham radios, stage wardrobe, and historic rock and roll ephemera. Bidding begins today at JuliensAuctions.com.
In advance of the upcoming auction, “Life’s Been Good: Joe Walsh” set for December 16 and 17 in West Hollywood at the historic music venue the Troubadour, Julien’s is proud to announce that a selection of highlights from the collection will be on view to the public for a very special event in New York City. Beginning today, November 12, at Hard Rock® Cafe in Times Square, New York, the exhibit will continue through December 3.
A portion of the proceeds from the sale will be donated to VetsAid, a non-profit 501(c)(3) charity which, since 2017, has directly supported a variety of national and regional veterans-based charities. Now in its ninth year, the annual VetsAid music event will take place in Walsh’s birthplace, Wichita, Kansas on November 15 and stream live via VEEPS. As always, Walsh will perform with a star-studded lineup including Vince Gill, Nathaniel Rateliff, Susan Tedeschi & Derek Trucks and Ryan Bingham and the Texas Gentlemen. To date, VetsAid has disbursed over four million dollars in grants (go to VetsAid.org for more information).
Watch the “Life’s Been Good: Joe Walsh” announcement video below:
“One thing you find about human nature is we collect things and I have acquired too much stuff. I wanted people to have a chance to get a guitar or get something of mine that they may think is valuable. So, it’s my way of giving back. And this will help veterans as a portion of the proceeds from the auction will go to VetsAid.” And then Joe added with his trademark humor, “And now I will have more room in my warehouse so I can go get more stuff!”
“We’re thrilled to announce that bidding is now open for ‘Life’s Been Good: Joe Walsh,’” said Martin Nolan, Executive Director & Co-Founder of Julien’s Auctions. “It’s an honor to present these extraordinary pieces celebrating Joe Walsh’s life and career to fans and collectors worldwide and to support VetsAid through this historic auction.”
One of the many incredible highlights of the sale and a true monumental artifact of music history is the Record Plant and Design FX Location Truck Recording Console. The soundboard stands as a symbol of an era when live performance and studio innovation forever merged. Originally housed in one of The Record Plant’s legendary mobile trucks—renowned for capturing the energy of rock’s greatest moments—this console played a pivotal role in recording live sets and broadcasts that defined generations. From The Rolling Stones, Eagles, and Elton John to Metallica, Neil Young, and Michael Jackson’s iconic 1993 Super Bowl Halftime Show, its faders preserved some of the most electrifying performances in modern music. Beyond the stage, it was employed to mix historic broadcasts including the Academy Awards, Grammy Awards, and VH1 Storytellers sessions for artists such as Tom Petty and Sarah McLachlan. Owned and used by Joe Walsh, this storied console is more than recording equipment—it is a living chronicle of rock and pop’s most unforgettable moments, representing the unparalleled legacy of The Record Plant’s engineering excellence and creative daring which exemplified its pioneering role in music production.
Highlights from “Life’s Been Good: Joe Walsh” include:
Record Plant and Design FX Location Truck API Recording Console
An API recording and mixing console, formerly installed in one of The Record Plant’s mobile recording trucks, with the number 2395 inscribed on one side. This particular console –– along with its associated rack mounted equipment –– has recorded many live performances by world-famous artists including Eagles, Blues Traveler, Bonnie Raitt, Elton John, The Rolling Stones, Metallica, Neil Young, Willie Nelson, Green Day, Michael Jackson’s 1993 Super Bowl Halftime performance. This console was also used to record for broadcast including The 1992-1995 Academy Awards, The 1993 Grammy Awards, VH1 Storytellers for Tom Petty, Tom Waits, and Sarah McLachlan.
Estimate: $250,000–$500,000
2013 McLaren MP4-12C Spider
This Rare McLaren Luxury Supercar, painted Graphite Gray Metallic, was personally owned and driven by Walsh.
Estimate: $150,000–$250,000
Joe Walsh | 1998 Eagles Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Induction-Worn Moschino Brick Suit with Photo
A Moschino “brick wall” suit, c. 1997, worn by Joe Walsh to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony held on January 12, 1998 at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York, NY.
The double-vent, wool blend suit jacket features three front pockets, two interior pockets, and a three front button closure, and built-in shoulder pads. Together with a pair of matching straight leg suit pants. Each labeled “Cheap and Chic by Moschino.” Jacket size 46; pant size US 36.
At the ceremony, the Eagles performed “Take It Easy” and “Hotel California,” marking the only time all seven Eagles (including former members) took the stage together. They broke their “no former members” policy for the induction night. While giving their speeches, former band member Don Felder commented on Walsh’s suit by jokingly calling it a “charming outfit.”
Estimate: $15,000–$20,000
Joe Walsh | Barnstorm Debut Album – 1966 Framus Strato Gold De Luxe 12-String Electric Guitar, Sunburst
A 1966 Framus Strato Gold De Luxe 12-string electric guitar, serial #7638 66B, in sunburst finish. According to Walsh, this guitar was heavily used on Barnstorm’s debut solo album.
Made in February of 1966, this Framus Strato Gold De Luxe features a 24.5 inch scale length plywood neck with a bound 21 fret rosewood fretboard, a zero fret, pearloid dot inlays, and 12 aftermarket chrome Grover tuners. The two piece birdseye maple body is finished in sunburst and decorated with large gold control plates and a striped brown, black, and pearl celluloid pickguard, all of which takes up the majority of the available space on the body. It wears a chrome bridge and vibrato tailpiece, the mechanism hidden beneath a gold plated body plate, two original gold plated Framus pickups, and simplified electronics featuring a single volume control and pickup on-off switches. The guitar includes a black hardshell case with “Barnstorm Joe Walsh” stenciled on the lid, with a light blue-grey interior and bridge and tailpiece covers in the storage compartment.
Estimate: $15,000–$20,000
Joe Walsh | Stage Played Duesenberg Joe Walsh Signature Guitar, Gold Burst with Image
A 2014 Duesenberg Joe Walsh Signature semi-hollowbody electric guitar, serial #142361, in Walsh Gold Burst finish. Stage played by Joe Walsh on tour in 2014-2015, including at Kenny Chesney’s The Big Revival 2015 Tour kick-off on March 26th, 2015 at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, TN. A 25.5 inch scale length set maple neck with a bound 22 fret rosewood fretboard, Morse code inlays that spell “Joe Walsh”, and locking Duesenberg tuners. The body has a laminate spruce top finished in gold burst, laminated maple back and sides finished in transparent brown, and multi-ply binding throughout. A mix of hardware plating on this model with gold plated pickup covers and nickel for the Tune-O-Matic style bridge, Duesenberg vibrato, knobs, and pickguard accent strip. A Duesenberg HSC Single Twin pickup in the neck position and a Little Toaster in the bridge position. Unlike most production versions, this one does not have the Tibetan knot design placed between the pickups, which makes it easy to identify in photographs and concert footage (click here). Includes original black Duesenberg hardshell case with black interior, string package sleeve, a Duesenberg first aid kit, extra neck pickup, strap, and an image of Joe with the guitar.
Estimate: $4,000–$6,000
Joe Walsh | Hammarlund HQ-One Forty Five 145C Ham Shortwave Radio Receiver
A Hammarlund HQ-One Forty Five model 145C Ham radio shortwave receiver, serial #438. According to Joe, it was the first radio he bought after he acquired his radio license. Features 11 tubes, a 10:1 signal to noise ratio, and an intuitive control layout. Includes manual and flyer.
Estimate $1,200–$1,500
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=blBcRRbNqDY?feature=oembed]
This landmark sale from a true titan of Rock and Roll promises to electrify music fans and collectors around the globe. Visit JuliensAuctions.com to register for this historic event on December 16th–17th, live in West Hollywood at the famed Troubadour and online.
“Life’s Been Good: Joe Walsh” Exhibition:
Wednesday, November 12th – December 3rd
New York: Hard Rock® Cafe New York 1501 Broadway-Times Square New York 10036
Free to the Public: Daily: 11:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m. Eastern Time
Live And Online Auction:
“Life’s Been Good: Joe Walsh”
December 16th-17th
Troubadour, West Hollywood
9081 N Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069
10am PT/1pm ET
Registering To Bid:
Registration is required to bid in this auction and can be done in person on the day of the auction, or online before the sale at Julien’s Auctions.
For inquiries, please email info@juliensauctions.com or call 310-836-1818.
Placing Bids:
There are four ways to bid in Live Auctions:
1. Bid with Julien’s Auctions online.
2. Bid over the telephone through an auction house representative.
3. Bid in person in the room at our auction events.
4. Bid in advance by absentee bid. Absentee bid forms are available by calling 310-836-1818
Julien’s Auctions accepts payments with cryptocurrencies including Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, DAI, Ethereum, Litecoin, Dogecoin and USD Coin.
