It’s with both sadness and joy I report the new James Brown auction currently ongoing at Christie’s.
It’s sad because, whenever there is an auction of a lifetime of possessions, there is an inherent necrophilia. Especially when it comes to music. Is it not inappropriate to want J.B.’s old shoe shine kit? Or his old martini glasses? Why don’t you just buy your own martini glasses?
Buying memories of Brown’s legendary career is one thing, but paying $500 for a handwritten greeting card addressed to Mrs. Viagra and from Mr. Viagra? Isn’t that a little too personal, even for the most fanatical?
I must admit, though, playing a Hammond B-3 Organ once owned by the Hardest Working Man in Show Business might be worth $15,000. I would also wear his sex machine belt everyday, including to work. Alas, I’ll most likely just settle for the new collection of singles Hip-O Select singles out this week.
