It is 60 years this weekend since The Beatles first played in Worcester – and to mark the occasion a valuation day by experts who specialise in the band will take place in the city.
Music memorabilia dealers Tracks – who are based in Lancaster – will be giving a price on rare Beatles items at Bank House Hotel tomorrow (Saturday, May 27) between 10.30am and 4pm.
They say that the market for Beatles and music related memorabilia which began in the 80s has since “grown exponentially in size and significance”.
“It is a market worth millions now and the scope is becoming increasingly wide in terms of the artists it includes,” a Tracks spokesperson said.
It comes as The Beatles performed in Worcester on two occasions – the first being on Tuesday, May 28, 1963 at the Gaumont – now the derelict former Buzz Bingo hall on Foregate Street. This was part of their UK tour with Roy Orbison.
Throughout the tour, they played the same set of seven songs: ‘Some Other Guy’, ‘Do You Want To Know A Secret’, ‘Love Me Do’, ‘From Me To You’, ‘Please Please Me’, ‘I Saw Her Standing There’ and ‘Twist And Shout’.
They returned to the Gaumont on Wednesday, September 4 1963.
This was the first of four consecutive concerts promoted by John Smith. Brian Epstein granted them as a result of the cancellation of several Mersey Beat Showcase nights earlier in 1963. The Beatles earned £250 for each of the concerts.
In the world of music memorabilia, the artists and bands whose memorabilia attract the highest prices are: The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Queen, Jimi Hendrix, David Bowie, The Who, Pink Floyd, Bob Marley, Led Zeppelin, Madonna, Prince, Michael Jackson and Nirvana/Kurt Cobain.
The signatures of The Beatles have always brought the most money.
Tracks say that “a good clean set of autographs can be £4,000 upwards and a set from 1967 can be in excess of £5,000”.
Album sleeves autographed by The Beatles can bring £15,000 to £20,000 and even more if signed on one of the later releases. An album signed on the front cover by Led Zeppelin or Jimi Hendrix can realise over £10,000.
Vintage concert posters from the 1960s relating to the Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix or a poster from the 1970s relating to Led Zeppelin can bring around £10,000.
Punk memorabilia relating to the Sex Pistols and the Clash and other groups of that era have become highly sought after as of late. Posters from the Sex Pistols tour of 1976 when most of the concerts were cancelled can bring £2000 to £3000 if in excellent condition.
Material relating to the 80s icons Madonna, Prince and Michael Jackson can bring “stratospheric prices”, Tracks said.
For example, a Madonna worn dress can fetch around £15,000, a Prince owned or used guitar can fetch around £235,000 and a Michael Jackson performance jacket can fetch around £20,000.
Tracks are not only offering free advice and valuations but are also interested in buying items relating to any major artist or band on the day - immediate payment can be made by bank transfer.
In addition to the above, handwritten lyrics, stage used or personally worn clothing, instruments, awards, personal effects and record company promotional items from any major group or artist are the types of items which Tracks are interested in appraising and evaluating.
In the late 1950s and into the 60s, the Gaumont hosted many pop icons of the day - including Buddy Holly & The Crickets, Gene Vincent, Eddie Cochran, Bo Diddley, Brenda Lee and Bobby Vee and the Rolling Stones.
In 1967, the Walker Brothers topped the bill in a show that had supporting acts Jimi Hendrix, Cat Stevens and Engelbert Humperdinck.
In 1973, David Bowie performed as Ziggy Stardust. Rod Stewart appeared solo as well as fronting The Faces. In November 1973, Moot The Hoople - from nearby Hereford - topped the bill, with Queen as supporting group.
Tracks’ valuation day at Bank House Hotel tomorrow (May 27) will take place in Pear Tree Room – close to the reception. There will be free parking and free admission.
People are invited to bring any rare item of music memorabilia for a free valuation.
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