Fender guitar signed by Prince sells for $25,000 in auction of Bradley Center artifacts

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

A guitar signed by Prince from his Dec. 17, 1997, "Jam of the Year" tour that was up for auction by the BMO Harris Bradley Center sold for $25,000. The signature included his symbol when he was the artist formerly known as Prince.

A guitar signed by superstar Prince sold for $25,000 in an auction of BMO Harris Bradley Center artifacts that concluded Tuesday night.

The paisley pink Fender Telecaster went to a bidder named Orange1997 in the online sale conducted by Great Lakes Auctions. The guitar was signed by Prince, who died two years ago, when he played the arena in 1997.

BMO Harris Bradley Center President Steve Costello laughs as he holds an electric guitar signed by the band members of Metallica when they performed there in 1997. The guitar was among Bradley Center artifacts being auctioned.

The same bidder spent a total of $44,025 in the auction, landing some of the highest profile offerings. They include guitars signed by Garth Brooks ($1,575), James Taylor ($3,550), Bon Jovi ($4,250) and Neil Diamond ($9,650) as well as microphones signed by members of NSYNC ($3,550).

The auction generated more than $160,000, a Bradley Center spokeswoman said Wednesday morning. Proceeds from the auction will be used to help cover costs to close the Bradley Center.

The Bradley Center said that bidders should assume that the instruments and microphones in the auction were not owned by or played by the musicians.

Guitars signed by members of the hard rock group Metallica during a 1997 visit brought in a total of $30,200. A guitar smashed onstage during the show by band member Kirk Hammett sold for $12,600, while and intact guitar sold for $17,600.

Other notable sales:

Guitar signed by Dave Matthews Band: $6,800
Microphones signed by the Backstreet Boys: $820
Bass guitar signed by Rush: $8,650
Ice skate signed by Nancy Kerrigan: $460
Microphone signed by Cher: $400

The Bradley Center held its last major public events in April and is winding down operations in advance of the opening of the new $524 million Milwaukee Bucks arena just to the north. Built with $250 million in public money, the new arena opens in late summer.

The last Bradley Center event is the annual meeting of Northwestern Mutual agents in late July. Demolition of the arena, a gift to the community from the late Jane Lloyd Pettit, will begin in the fall.