London – At the height of 'Cool Britannia' in the 1990s, Britpop was a word bandied by radio stations and newspapers to describe a new wave of British bands. They tended to have guitars, long hair and a rock and roll attitude, but the more elusive question is: what was the sound of Britpop? Some bands were balladeering and emotive, others jubilant and loud. The answer, perhaps, lies at Bonhams Knightsbridge's Film, Rock and Pop sale on 17 November where the Yamaha G3 acoustic grand piano, used on records by Paul Weller, The Stone Roses, The Charlatans, Ash, The Manic Street Preachers and, most famously, Oasis's (What's The Story) Morning Glory – including the global hit Wonderwall, is up for auction. It has an estimate of £20,000 – 30,000.
When Oasis began recording (What's The Story) Morning Glory they had already broken through as one of the most exciting British bands. Their debut record, Definitely Maybe, had spawned three UK top singles and topped the album charts. Overseas, however, they had not been so successful. Determined to change this they entered Rockfield Studios in March 1995 with the intention of taking over the world and, after four months recording, they achieved just that. The album was number 1 in 14 different countries, including the US, and they had their first global hit song with Wonderwall. Just hearing the first chord of its distinctive guitar opening is enough to identify the song – but equally important is the piano line that leads the outro, played on the Yamaha G3 acoustic grand piano on offer at Bonhams by Noel Gallagher and Paul 'Bonehead' Arthur, the band's bass player. The piano also features on Don't Look Back in Anger and Champagne Supernova.
Bonhams Director of Popular Culture, Katherine Schofield, said: "Hidden away in the rolling hills of Monmouth you could drive right past without the knowledge that this unassuming, former stables has been host to the recording of some of the biggest and most influential albums in music history. Since 1990, at the heart of The Coach House studio, one of two studios on Rockfield's grounds, this grand piano has stood, and its sound has played a part in helping to define the 'Britpop' era.. We are truly delighted that it is part of our sale especially as this is the first time Rockfield has parted with any equipment from their studios."
Rockfield has been one of the focal points of British rock and roll since it opened in 1961. Over the years some of the biggest names have passed through the studio, such as Black Sabbath, Queen, Iggy Pop, Stereophonics, Coldplay, and more, recording career shaping albums. Located just outside Monmouth, Wales, Rockfield became the first recording facility to offer a rural location to record in and onsite artists lodgings. This allowed the bands to fully immerse themselves in the recording process – staying for long periods and working day and night.
Other highlights from the sale include:
• Oasis: A complete pearl export series four-piece drum kit used by Tony McCarroll. Tony McCarroll was the first drummer with Oasis, playing and recording with the band from its inception as 'Rain' in 1990, through to 1995. This kit was purchased from Johnny Roadhouse in Manchester and was McCarrll's main kit during his career with Oasis, being used on their debut album Definitely Maybe in 1995, as well as hit singles 'Supersonic', 'Live Forever', 'Whatever', as well as on the band's first no.1 single 'Some Might Say' on the album (What's The Story) Morning Glory?. The kit was also used in Oasis music videos, on all their UK, European and US tours from 1992-1995 and on live TV including the band's first live television performance on 'The Word' on the 18th March 1994. Estimate: £12,000-18,000.
• Eddie Van Halen: A signed and stage-used EVH Charvel Art Series electric guitar, 2004, Eddie Van Halen first introduced his custom designed EVH Art Series guitars during the Van Halen Summer Tour 2004 reunion with Sammy Hagar as part of Charvel's 25th Anniversary Celebration. Each guitar had unique artwork personally created by EVH, with each one being hand-striped and autographed by EVH himself. Each guitar was also accompanied by a certificate of authenticity, a photo of EVH playing the guitar, and a specially designed and distinctive EVH guitar case. Estimate: £25,000-30,000.
• Amy Winehouse: a blue Hawaiian-style dress worn on stage by Amy during her performance in Brazil and later signed by her, 2011. This stylish dress, typical of Amy's Rockabilly-look, was worn by her in January 2011 during one of her five shows in Brazil, at which the opening acts were Janelle Monáe and Mayer Hawthorne. She can be seen wearing the dress with a pink belt in images and videos of the concert online as she sang hits such as 'Rehab', 'Back to Black', 'Valerie', and 'You Know I'm No Good'. Soon after this tour of South America, Amy started on a twelve-leg European tour, but this was unfortunately cut short and then later cancelled, so that she could recuperate and concentrate on her health and wellbeing. Estimate £30,000-40,000.
25 October 2021