CHEAP TRICK's RICK NIELSEN Brings His Legendary Guitar Collection For Benefit Auction With JULIEN'S

Julien's Auctions, the industry-leading music memorabilia auction house, is thrilled to partner with Rock And Roll Hall Of Famer, acclaimed songwriter and guitarist Rick Nielsen to unveil "The Rick Nielsen Collection", a benefit sale featuring Nielsen's historic personal collection of guitars, cars, stage-worn wardrobe, awards, and more. The October 24 auction will benefit St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, an organization close to the rocker's heart. The sale will be held live in person at Musicians Hall Of Fame & Museum at the Historic Nashville Municipal Auditorium. View the auction and register to bid now at Julien's Auctions.

Nielsen's legendary passion for guitars and collecting has resulted in an extraordinary personal archive spanning more than five decades. This landmark sale offers a rare look inside the collection of one of rock's most beloved and entertaining guitarists. From the guitars that helped define Nielsen's unmistakable sound and style to personal pieces collected throughout his extraordinary career, "The Rick Nielsen Collection" offers fans and collectors an unprecedented opportunity to own a piece of rock history.

A portion of the auction proceeds will benefit St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

As the guitarist, songwriter and creative force behind CHEAP TRICK, Nielsen has written some of modern rock's most enduring anthems, including "Surrender", "I Want You To Want Me", "Dream Police", "She's Tight" and "If You Want My Love". Since the 1970s, his distinctive guitar work, songwriting combining hard rock, power pop and larger-than-life stage presence have helped propel CHEAP TRICK from its hometown of Rockford, Illinois, to international stardom, including its legendary breakthrough at the Budokan in Japan, earning the band generations of devoted fans along the way.

The eccentric guitarist's collection has included two 1958 Gibson Explorers and a 1963 Guild Merle Travis, one of only three ever made. Nielsen also owns three custom five neck guitars, including the stage-played 2004 Hamer "Five Neck" Korina, which will be offered for sale publicly for the first time ever in this landmark auction.

The collecting obsession started before he was even a guitarist. With parents who owned a music store inspiration came early, and he started out on the drums. After seeing THE BEATLES and THE ROLLING STONES, he became fascinated with guitars — and hasn't stopped. Nielsen bought his first Les Paul — a 1955 Gold Top — for $65 and still has it. From there, his passion for collecting rare and distinctive guitars only grew.

"I couldn't sing or dance, but I was big into songwriting, and I tried to put everything I had into that. I never wanted to be like anybody else — I just wanted to be me. I knew I was never going to be a virtuoso, so I ended up being a 'medium-oso,'" said Rick Nielsen. "I started out with one guitar, and over the years the collection just kept growing. It seemed like a good time to sell some of it — you can't take it with you. When it's all over, hopefully I'll still have one guitar.

"A portion of the proceeds will go to St. Jude because I knew Danny and Marlo Thomas, and they're great people doing really good stuff. I'm honored to support them and hopefully encourage others to do so as well."

"Rick has created and curated an incredible collection that ranges from world famous to infamous," said Lou Robinson, director, music business development at Julien's Auctions. "These are items that have been played and worn on stages around the world, with some even going on to live in museums. I am so proud that Rick has entrusted Julien's to tell his story and give fans the opportunity to own a piece of his legacy."

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.