Colts owner Jim Irsay buys Beatles star John Lennon's piano
Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay is now the proud owner of an important piece of music history.
Irsay announced on Saturday morning that he is now the “steward” of John Lennon’s piano that was used to compose songs for the Beatles’ album “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.”
“I’m elated to now be the steward of John’s ‘Sgt. Pepper’ upright piano,” Irsay tweeted. “It’s a responsibility I take seriously, with future generations in mind.”
I’m elated to now be the steward of John’s “Sgt. Pepper” upright piano. It’s a responsibility I take seriously, with future generations in mind. #GettingThemBackTogether #Beatles
— Jim Irsay (@JimIrsay) April 20, 2019
The piano, which was made in 1872, was up for auction. It’s believed that Lennon acquired the piano in 1966 and that it was in both his Kenwood and Tittenhurst Park homes, according to the Indianapolis Star.
The minimum bid for the piano was $575,000, though it was estimated that it would sell for as much as $1.2 million. According to TMZ, Irsay paid $718,750 for the piano.
Irsay is a big collector of music memorabilia, and has purchased guitars used by Bob Dylan, Prince and Jerry Garcia in the past, according to the Indianapolis Star. He has previously purchased Beatles memorabilia, too, including a drumset used by Ringo Starr and Les Paul’s Black Beauty guitar.
The 59-year-old has been the majority owner of the Colts since his father’s death in 1997. Under Irsay, the organization has reached the postseason 15 times and won one Super Bowl. Robert Irsay, Jim’s father, purchased the Baltimore Colts in 1972.
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