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Eric Clapton & Others Sign Guitar In Aid Of Jerry Donahue

6 Dec 19

A host of rock legends including Eric Clapton, Steve Winwood, Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page, Pete Townshend, and Paul McCartney have come together to sign a guitar to support Jerry Donahue’s continued rehabilitation from a massive stroke suffered in 2016. The guitar signed is Jerry’s own Vintage Signature Reissued Series V58JD Telecaster.

Jerry is an American guitarist and producer. Born in New York City in 1946 and raised in California, he is primarily known for his work in the British folk rock scene as a member of Fotheringay and Fairport Convention and the rock guitar trio, The Hellecasters.  Nicknamed the “Bend Master of the Telecaster,” Jerry was a much in-demand player for Robert Plant, Elton John, George Harrison, Bonnie Raitt and The Beach Boys.

The guitar is signed by three guitarists from the Yardbirds (Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page), the three remaining members of Led Zeppelin, a Beatle, and two Beach Boys. So many signatures were gathered on the guitar, additional musicians moved on to signing the case. A partial list of signatories includes Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, John Paul Jones, Paul McCartney, Mark Knopfler, Tony Iommi, Pete Townshend, David Gilmour, Albert Lee, Jeff Lynne, Brian Wilson, Al Jardine, Blondie Chaplin, Steve Winwood, Dave Pegg, Richard Thompson, Joe Brown, Andy Fairweather-Lowe, Martin Barre, Al Stewart, Richard Digance and Ralph McTell.

The auction takes place at Gardiner Houlgate’s Bath Auction rooms on 11 December 2019.

CLICK HERE to learn more about the guitar and bid.

A Sweet Relief Musicans Fund to help with Jerry’s recovery has also been set up at https://sweetrelief.org/jerry-donahue-fund/

Update 12/12/19:  The winning bid was £22,000