Eric Clapton’s Historic Guitar Could Sell For $2 Million At Auction

An iconic piece of rock ‘n’ roll history is set to take center stage at an upcoming Nashville auction, where one of Eric Clapton’s most historic guitar is expected to be the highlight of the show.

The rocker’s instrument, known as The Fool, is expected to fetch between $1 million and $2 million. If it does reach the higher end of that range, it will rank as one of the most expensive guitars of all time.

The Julien’s Auctions event, aptly titled Played, Worn & Torn: Rock ‘n’ Roll Iconic Guitars and Memorabilia, is being watched carefully by rock and roll enthusiasts and collectors around the world.

The Fool, a 1964 Gibson SG electric guitar, derives its name from the distinctive psychedelic painted design it displays, which was finished by the Dutch art collective of the same name. Hailed by auction notes as “one of the most immediately recognizable, historically and musically important guitars of all time,” The Fool is celebrated as an enduring symbol of the era of psychedelia in music.

During the ‘60s, Eric Clapton used The Fool on many of Cream’s recordings, which immediately makes it incredibly important to those who know the history of rock music. This legendary instrument holds a special place in music history as Clapton’s favored guitar during his U.S. tour with the iconic band Cream. He used it when the group took to the stage for their American debut in March 1967.

The guitar was given to former Beatle George Harrison after Cream broke up, but it didn’t stay in his possession long. It eventually moved on to singer-songwriter Jackie Lomax, then Todd Rundgren, and then it was auctioned off and entered into private collections, where it has remained for decades.

Also set to be featured in Played, Worn & Torn: Rock ‘n’ Roll Iconic Guitars and Memorabilia are items like one of Kurt Cobain’s guitars—which could fetch a similar price—as well as other special collector’s offerings from musicians like Bono, Dolly Parton, Elvis Presley, Janis Joplin, John Lennon, Johnny Cash, Prince and many others.