Brian Jones’ £300k guitar star of show at Rolling Stones auction

THE £300,000 guitar of the late Brian Jones takes centre stage during a huge Rolling Stones auction which could see sales exceed £1m.

- JAMES GAMBLE

The Rolling Stones pose for a portrait in 1964. Clockwise from left, Mick Jagger, Bill Wyman, Charlie Watts, Brian Jones, Keith Richards

(Michael Ochs Archives/Getty)

Jones's Harmony Stratotone guitar, bought in 1962, is one of a huge treasure trove of memorabilia put up for sale by collector Ali Zayeri.

Experts laud the guitar - used by Cheltenham-born star Jones to teach bandmate Keith Richards - as one of the most important instruments in rock and roll history.

Other items include stage-worn jackets worn by Jones, Richards and Mick Jagger priced at over £30,000 each, as well as rare posters estimated to fetch similar amounts.

‘The lots will be on offer as part of Heritage Auctions’ sale - titled Satisfaction: The Rolling Stones Treasures from the Ali Zayeri Collection ~ next month.

The centrepiece of the auction, guitarist Jones acquired his Harmony Stratotone axe in 1962 and played it during the Rolling Stones’ session for their first single, Come On/I Want To Be Loved.

He also played it on stage with the Rolling Stones in 1962 and 1963, including at the Marquee Club in London.

‘The guitar has featured as part of Rolling Stones exhibitions the world over, including ‘The Rolling Stones: 50 Years of Satisfaction exhibition at the Rock N’ Roll Hall of Fame and ‘The Rolling Stones: Exhibitionism at Saatchi Gallery in London.