An electric guitar on which Bob Dylan performed a legendary set at the Newport Folk Festival in 1965 sold for a record $965,000 (RM3.12 million) at an auction in New York on Friday, Christie's announced.
The price for the 1964 Fender Stratocaster smashed its pre-sale estimate of $300,000-$500,000 and made it the most expensive guitar ever sold at auction, Christie's said.
The identity of the private buyer was not revealed.
The auction house also put under the hammer five sets of lyrics dating back to 1965-66, but sold only one -- an early version of "I Wanna Be Your Lover" called "Midnight Suit" -- for $20,000.
The sale came just days after it was revealed that the legendary American singer has been charged in France for inciting hatred by comparing Croats to Nazis in remarks to Rolling Stone magazine.
Dylan, 72, was charged with the offense during a visit to Paris last month after the comments made last year sparked a complaint from the Council of Croats in France (CRICCF).
"If you got a slave master or Klan in your blood, blacks can sense that. That stuff lingers to this day. Just like Jews can sense Nazi blood and the Serbs can sense Croatian blood," Dylan was quoted as saying in an answer to a question about race relations in the United States.
Dylan was informed of the charges while in Paris for three concerts -- a visit during which the French government also awarded him its prestigious Legion d'honneur.
The charge against him carries a maximum sentence of one year in prison and a fine of up to $61,600, although usually penalties are far smaller, sometimes only symbolic.
Dylan has not commented on the charges.
His three-song electric set at the Newport Folk Festival in Rhode Island saw the then 24-year-old evolve from folk-protest singer into an enigmatic rock legend.
Rolling Stone described it as one of the most notable events in music history, but his folk fans were furious.
The guitar and lyrics are in the possession of a daughter of the pilot who flew the private jet used by Dylan and his band in the months after the performance.
Born Robert Allen Zimmerman in 1941, Dylan was the voice of a generation and a giant in the history of American music.
AFP
Fri Dec 06 2013
The 1964 Fender Stratocaster is the most expensive guitar sold at auction. -AFP photo
China promises Latin America 'trustworthy' ties as Trump lays out demands
Beijing looks to improve its foothold in a region historically under the US sphere of influence.
Major risks loom as Trump upends US Russia policy
Washington's approach changes dramatically with the initial meeting between US and Russian negotiators.
Pope Francis has double pneumonia, complicating his treatment, Vatican says
Doctors say a polymicrobial infection occurs when two or more micro-organisms are involved and can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi.
Philippines' VP Duterte challenges impeachment before Supreme Court
Sara Duterte makes her first legal move to fight the case that could lead to her removal and lead to a lifetime ban from public office.
Motor racing - Hamilton steps out in red at unprecedented 10 team F1 launch
I feel so full of life, so much energy, because everything's new and I'm just focused on what is up ahead, Hamilton says.
UAE tells US' Rubio it rejects displacement of Palestinians
The UAE's stance matters as its one of four Arab nations that normalised ties with Israel during Trumps first term.
Taylor Swift wins recording artist of the year crown for fifth time
The megastar's "The Tortured Poets Department" record also topped four IFPI charts, the IFPI says.
More than $50 billion needed to rebuild Gaza, World Bank joint assessment says
Years of rebuilding work, including clearing unexploded ordinance and millions of tonnes of rubble lie ahead.
Malaysia’s AI data centre development to be impacted by recent US restrictions - Liew
Liew Chin Tong says the restrictions would not affect the development of the domestic data centre ecosystem as a whole.
Sweden's top court rejects Greta Thunberg lawsuit on climate action
A court cannot decide that the parliament or the government must take any specific action, the Supreme Court says.
![[COLUMNIST] Trump’s Gaza (pipe) dream](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-10/51728873693_EMIR.jpg "[COLUMNIST] Trump’s Gaza (pipe) dream")
[COLUMNIST] Trump’s Gaza (pipe) dream
The Gaza plan is dangerous and counter-productive as it's merely another recipe for regional instability.
Sivasangari eyes new career-high in world rankings
After climbing to a career-best world number seven, national women's squash ace S. Sivasangari is determined to keep rising.
Outburst against Steven Sim: DAP will probe if there's a complaint - Loke
DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke says the disciplinary committee has not received any reports related to the incident so far.
US judge will not block Elon Musk from firing federal workers, accessing data
The case raises questions about Musk's apparent unchecked authority as a top deputy to President Donald Trump.
Dozens of false killer whales stranded on remote Australian beach
Rescue crews trying to save the majority of the large dolphins that survived the ordeal, according to authorities.
Trump restricts AP access over Gulf of Mexico issue
The AP, citing editorial standards, says it would continue to use the gulf's established name.
China to fly back 200 nationals rescued from Myanmar scam centres, Thai official says
This is part of a multinational effort to crack down on illegal online operations run from the region.
Somber Tiger Woods back in action in TGL loss to New York GC
Tiger Woods makes his first start since the death of his mother when he competed in a TGL match at Palm Beach Gardens.
Brazil's ex-President Bolsonaro charged in alleged coup plot
A total of 34 people were charged, including several military officials.
Trump and Musk target tax enforcers, rocket scientists, bank regulators for job cuts
Concerns grow over transparency, oversight, and Musk's influence on government operations.