A black Fender Precision bass guitar is being donated by Roger Waters
to aid the United Nations Foundation's campaign to eradicate malaria.
The instrument, which most of us automatically associate with Roger as
his "classic" bass, will be auctioned off.
The auction will be held before Roger's Dubai concert on February
21st, most probably to be held live on radio a few days before the
concert (although this detail is yet to be confirmed).
"We'll take the highest bidder backstage so that they can meet Roger
Waters when he signs the guitar. We'll make a cheque out to the United
Nations Foundation then," said Padma Coram from promoters The Talent
Brokers.
Such an iconic instrument so closely linked with Roger and the
history of Pink Floyd, is bound to go for a high figure - especially
with the winner meeting Roger backstage.
For more details of the charity and its' work, visit www.unfoundation.org/malaria.
UPDATE, February 19th: The bass was auctioned off last night for a record Dh450,000, with an Indian businessman placing the lucky last bid.
Successful bidder, Rajan Kilachand, a Dubai-based Indian businessman
and avid collector of musical memorabilia, said he was "very happy"
with the outcome. "I grew up listening to the 70's groups like Pink
Floyd and I have previously bought a [Carlos] Santana guitar in a
similar radio-auction," he told Gulf News.
"I really wanted to pursue the bidding as far as I could, and my bid
was the highest, so I am very happy right now. The money goes to a good
cause as well, so it's worth it."
Waters will sign the guitar before the concert, which is being held at Dubai Media City on Wednesday.
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