The Futurama guitar that shaped The Beatles sold for record $1.27 million

A guitar once owned and played by George Harrison during the formative years of The Beatles has set a new record by selling for $1.27 million at Julien’s Auctions in Nashville. It's yet another example of how huge the Beatles are. As David Tedeschi, director of the upcoming Beatles ‘64, explained regarding the original Beatlemania's fervor: "It was such a visceral experience that they didn’t know how to put it into words – that’s why they screamed, you know?"

This Resonet Futurama guitar, purchased by Harrison in 1959 from Hessy’s Music Store in Liverpool for just £58, was instrumental in shaping The Beatles' early sound. Harrison used it extensively, playing it in at least 324 performances and during their earliest studio sessions, including their first commercial recording with Tony Sheridan in 1961​. The Czechoslovakian-made Futurama was an affordable guitar known for its quirky design, featuring plastic pickguards and controls.

Despite its modest origin, it played a significant role in the Beatles’ live performances and early studio work, including the instrumental track "Cry for a Shadow," co-written by Harrison and John Lennon​.

This sale was part of Julien's two-day "Played, Worn & Torn II" auction, which showcased over 800 items from music legends, including pieces linked to Eric Clapton, Prince, and Nirvana. A guitar used by Prince during his 1986 Parade tour fetched $381,000, while an Eric Clapton Stratocaster sold for $65,000​.

Why such auctions are still interesting

Obviously, such auctions are mostly for people with disposable income. Therefore, it might seem like such auctions demonstrate rock and roll history as possibly another playground for the rich. Nonetheless, the auction still highlighted the Beatles and George Harrison’s influence on music history merely by fetching such a high price.

Martin Nolan, Julien's executive director, described the guitar as "one of the most important guitars in rock and roll history," and he wasn't wrong. Even though most of us cannot afford to buy such instruments, this auction still underscored that guitar's pivotal role in shaping the Beatles' iconic sound​. Beatlemania still lives.

Coincidentally, this milestone is said to have occurred exactly 65 years after Harrison purchased the instrument, further emphasizing its historical significance​. Not bad for what was originally a cheap guitar, right?