Classic Pop Icons

An iconic red suede jacket worn by Elvis Presley in the 1950s is one of 578 items featured in an online Rock ‘N’ Roll auction from GOTTA HAVE IT® Collectibles .

The auction features original 45s, movie posters, rare photographs, handwritten lyric sheets, signed memorabilia, and jewellery and clothing worn by some of the greats of popular music, including Elvis Presley, Michael Jackson, The Beatles, Bob Dylan, James Brown and many more.

Here’s some of the most interesting items on offer.

Elvis Presley - red suede jacket

This jacket was purchased at the famous Lansky Brothers store in Memphis. There are numerous candid photos of him wearing it, and it was also worn for official RCA publicity shots. Elvis is seen wearing it on the covers of the single releases Playing for Keeps/Too Much, Jailhouse Rock/Treat Me Nice and I Got Stung/One Night.

The jacket comes with a letter of provenance from hairdresser Homer Gilleland.

Minimum Bid: $10,000
Estimate: $20,000-30,000

Click here to view the lot

Elvis Presley - black leather boots from “Loving You”

These boots were worn by Elvis in his second film “Loving You”, which was made by Paramount Pictures in 1957.The boots were worn throughout the movie and Elvis’ name is stamped in them, as well as the Paramount men’s wardrobe department stamp.Minimum Bid: $5,000.00 Estimate: $6,000-8,000

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Michael Jackson - stage worn shirt and pants

This light blue beaded shirt and white pants with rhinestones were worn by Michael Jackson on stage during the 1984 “Victory Tour,” which was the largest and final North American concert tour ever performed by The Jacksons.

The outfit was worn on opening night of the Dodger Stadium performances in Los Angeles, California on November 30, 1984.

This is just one of many Michael Jackson lots in the rock ‘n’ roll auction.

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Minimum Bid: $30,000
Estimate: $35,000-40,000

Michael Jackson - “Billie Jean” handwritten lyrics

“Billie Jean” is one of the greatest songs of the 1980s and certainly one of Michael Jackson’s finest performances. Here we have six pages of handwritten lyrics by Michael Jackson.

Minimum Bid: $30,000
Estimate: $35,000-40,000

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The Beatles - “Hard Days Night” signed album

“Hard Days Night” album covers signed by all four Beatles are hard to come by. This one is in good condition. The price does strike me as a little extreme though.

Minimum Bid: $30,000
Estimate: $40,000-50,000

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Bob Dylan - “My Back Page” handwritten lyrics

These are Bob Dylan’s handwritten working lyrics to “My Back Page” and “Ballad in Plain D.” Both songs appeared on Dylan’s 1964 album “Another Side of Bob Dylan.” The first three verses of “Ballad in Plain D” appear on the reverse of the sheet.

Minimum Bid: $50,000
Estimate: $50,000-75,000

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Guitar greats signed guitar

This is one of the coolest items in the auction, if not the most valuable. Ten guitar greats have signed this Epiphone guitar, including Chuck Berry, Jeff Beck, B.B. King, Buddy Guy, Bo Diddley, Les Paul, Otis Rush and Steve Winwood.

Minimum Bid: $2,000
Estimate: $2,100-2,300

Click here to view the lot

The online auction runs until Wednesday March 10, 9pm EST.

Click here to view the complete catalogue

This year’s International Beatle Week looks set to be a lot of fun, with a packed programme of guided tours, auctions, the annual Beatles convention and performances by scores of bands and tribute groups. Liverpool’s International Beatle Week is in its 27th year and has become the biggest event of its kind, attracting fans from all over the world.

Highlights of this year’s International Beatle Week include:

• Billy J Kramer playing his first UK concert in seven years
• Denny Laine performing Wings and Moody Blues classics
• Nube 9 from Argentina and Apple Jam from the US
• Pepperland and Merseybeat legends The Searchers
• Mark McGann revisting his award-winning role for “John Lennon: In My Life” at the Philharmonic Hall on August 29.
• A garden party at the legendary Casbah Club to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Pete Best joining The Beatles.

The Internation Beatle Week will take place from 25 to 31 August 2010.

For information and ticket details, go to www.whatsonwhen.com

You can view pictures and videos of last year’s International Beatle Week at:
http://www.magicalbeatletours.com/liv09_index.htm

Happy Valentine’s Day from Classic Pop Icons. Today is a good excuse to look back at some of the classic love songs of the 50s and 60s. Enjoy these timeless performances from Jackie Wilson, Buddy Holly, Elvis Presley, The Shirelles and The Beatles.

“To Be Loved” - Jackie Wilson

Jackie Wilson was an outstanding performer with a brilliant voice and impressive stage presence. Elvis Presley and Michael Jackson were among his fans. “To Be Loved” was one of nine hit singles composed for Jackie Wilson by Berry Gordy, Jr., Gordy’s sister Gwen and Roquel Davis. Others included the fabulous “Reet Petite” and “Lonely Teardrops.” “To Be Loved” was a top 20 hit in the US and UK.

“True Love Ways” - Buddy Holly

Buddy Holly’s finest ballad was co-written with Norman Petty and recorded with the Ray Ellis orchestra in October 1958. “True Love Ways” was released posthumously on the album “The Buddy Holly Story, Vol. 2″ and was also a hit single in the UK (b/w “Moonbeams” and US (b/w “That Makes it Tough”.)

“Can’t Help Falling In Love” - Elvis Presley

This is one of Elvis Presley’s best loved ballads. “Can’t Help Falling In Love” was recorded for the Blue Hawaii soundtrack in 1961 and has since featured on countless compilations. Many artists have covered this song, including U2 and UB40, but Elvis’ remains the definitive performance. It was later used to close Elvis’ shows throughout the ’70s.

“Will You Love Me Tomorrow?” - The Shirelles

The Shirelles’ “Will You Love Me Tomorrow?” was one of the truly great pop songs of the early 1960s. It was recorded in 1960 and in 1961 became the first song by an all-girl group to hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100. The Shirelles were Shirley Owens, Doris Coley, Beverly Lee and Addie ‘Micki’ Harris.

“Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow?” was one of many classic songs written by Gerry Goffin and Carole King, including “Up On the Roof” (the Drifters), “One Fine Day” (the Chiffons), and “I’m Into Something Good” (Herman’s Hermits).

“And I Love Her” - The Beatles

We conclude with a 1964 classic from The Beatles. “And I Love Her” featured in the movie “A Hard Day’s Night” and the soundtrack album for that movie, and was also released as a single (b/w “If I Fell”). The song was written mainly by Paul McCartney, but John Lennon possibly had input on the middle eight. This is a stand out ballad from The Beatles in a period where they were churning out one classic song after another.

Twenty-nine years ago today the world heard the shocking news that John Lennon had been murdered at the entrance of The Dakota building in New York City.

Lennon’s death robbed the world of one of its brightest and most original stars, and scuppered any talk of a Beatles reunion - however unlikely that was.

To mark the anniversary, there is a public candlelight tribute at Lennon’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, which is in front of the iconic Capitol Records Building at 750 Vine Street in Hollywood. The annual memorial features music, guest speakers, an open mic and a Circle of Peace of Beatles fans before and after the ceremony.

John is best remembered through his music, so today I’d like to highlight some of my favourite Lennon songs, starting with a Beatles classic and finishing with what has become one of the most popular Christmas songs of all time.

The Beatles- Ticket to Ride

The Beatles- In My Life

John Lennon - Imagine

John Lennon - Happy Xmas (War Is Over)