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Bill Haley & His Comets Signed Decca Records Recording Contract, 1954 $3,000.00 60574-32 A document of historical importance in the annals of rock & roll is this contract between Bill Haley and Decca Records, dated March 29, 1954, signed by Haley and legendary producer, Milt Gabler, just two weeks before Bill Haley & The Comets recorded the epochal "(We're Gonna) Rock Around The Clock." Though Haley's music career began in 1943, his first recordings in the late 1940's were oriented towards country & western and western swing. Two years after forming the Saddlemen in 1949, Haley's style began to chance. In 1951, the Saddlemen recorded Jackie Brenston's "Rocket '88," (considered by many to be the first true "rock & roll' record), three years before the term came to describe the new genre. In 1952, Haley changed the group's name to Bill Haley with The Comets, and recorded "Rock The Joint." The melding of his style of country with rhythm & blues laid the framework for what was to come in 1954. Though "(We're Gonna) Rock Around The Clock," from that very first Decca Recording session in April 1954, only spent one week on the U.S. singles chart at #23, the second Decca single, a cover of Big Joe Turner's "Shake, Rattle & Roll," hit #7. After "(We're Gonna) Rock Around The Clock" was used as the theme song in the 1955 feature film, "The Blackboard Jungle," Bill Haley & The Comets became household names as the single was re-released, spending eight weeks at #1, and eventually becoming one of the biggest-selling singles of all-time. Although it was not the first rock & roll record, it was most certainly the most successful in the new genre, and is long regarded as a landmark recording in rock history. The four-page contract stipulates in part "...William J. Haley for himself and an organization known as Bill Haley and his Comets...Dear Mr. Haley: This contract for your personal services and the services of musicians is made between Decca Records, Inc. as the employer and you and the musicians who make up the orchestra represented by you as leader...will perform together for us under your leadership for the purpose of making phonograph records. Recordings will be made at recording sessions in our studios...A minimum of twelve record sides shall be recorded during the period of this contract, and additional recordings shall be made at our election. The musical compositions shall be mutually agreed upon between you and us, and each recording shall be subject to our approval as satisfactory, for manufacture and sale...We will pay you in respect of recordings made hereunder, a royalty of 5% of the retail list price in the country of manufacture...on 90% of all records sold...The period of this contract shall be one year commencing with the date hereof...you grant us the option to renew this contract for a period of one year...We agree that we will distribute for exploitation purposes at least 1,000 promotion records of each of the first three records released for sale hereunder". The contract continues to outline typical contractual obligations related to other issues, including union scale payments to participating musicians, royalty rates for recording with other artists, Decca's right to assign the contract to any of their subsidiary affiliates, respect for A F of M (American Federation of Musicians) rules, use of name and likeness for advertising and promotional purposes, and royalty rate stipulations for foreign sales. The contract is signed in blue ballpoint pen by Haley as "William J. Haley" and black fountain pen by Milt Gabler on behalf of Decca Records. Milt Gabler's signature on this contract further attests to his place in rock & roll history. Though he was more well-known in the jazz field as a producer for Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, and Peggy Lee, among others, he also produced jump blues king Louis Jordan! Also included in this historic assemblage: 1) typed cover letter to Bill Haley related to the one-year extension of the contract from Decca Records to Bill Haley, dated December 3, 1954, 2) typed letter from Decca to Haley's attorneys advising them of contract extension, dated November 12, 1958, 3) three-page vintage photo copy of three-year contract renewal to commence on January 5, 1955, 4) vintage photocopy of royalty accounting figures between 1954 and 1958. The 11" x 14" contract and attachments are twice stapled. The pages exhibit mailing folds and a few scattered wrinkles and stains.

Steppenwolf/John Kay Signed "Sookie Sookie" Music Manuscript $100.00 50007-8 During the early 1980's, Michael Wilk, longtime Steppenwolf keyboardist and John Kay's writing partner, transcribed numerous Steppenwolf songs to sheet music in preparation for show rehearsals and recordings. Included here is Wilk's handwritten score to "Sookie Sookie," the group's second single from their 1968 self-titled debut album. Though the single failed to crack the top 40 in the winter of '68, the follow-up, "Born To Be Wild," went to #2 on the Billboard singles chart in the summer of 1968. Steppenwolf founder, lead singer and guitarist, John Kay, has signed the top of title page in black felt tip pen. EX.

The Beatles Signed Publicity Card #1 $7,000.00 50007-5 This Parlophone Records publicity card, featuring one of photographer Dezo Hoffman's famous images from summer 1963, has been signed in red ballpoint pen by all four band members: John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr. Unfortunately, the pen "died" on Paul halfway through his last name. The card is lightly worn with a tiny marginal stain at the top, with mounting remnants on the back, otherwise in very good condition. LOA from Beatles autograph expert Frank Caiazzo.

The Beatles Signed Publicity Card #2 $5,500.00 50007-6 The Parlophone Records publicity card is signed on the reverse in blue ballpoint pen by all four group members, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr. The photograph was taken by Dezo Hoffman at Abbey Road Studios on September 4, 1962, the day The Beatles recorded the final version of their first Parlophone single, "Love Me Do." Careful scrutiny of the photo reveals George Harrison's black eye, the result of the fallout from the August 16th dismissal of Pete Best as the group's drummer. Harrison received the shiner from a Pete Best booster during a Cavern Club appearance in late August. The signature side is quite clean and overall very good, while the photo side bears creases and a few tiny tears at the top. LOA from Beatles autograph expert Frank Caiazzo.

Johnny Cash's Honorary Dodge City Marshal's Badge $1,500.00 50007-17 Johnny Cash was presented with this six-pointed Dodge City Marshal's badge engraved with his name during a concert tour stop in Dodge City, Kansas, on Mar. 16, 1988. At the same ceremony, Cash was also named an "honorary citizen" of Dodge City. Incidentally, Cash was in good company, as legendary lawmen, Wyatt Earp and Bat Masterson were former marshals of Dodge City. In 1996 Cash released his version of the 1962 Hank Snow hit, "I've Been Everywhere," in which Dodge City is included in the final stanza among the 91 places mentioned: "...Sioux City, Cedar City, Dodge City, what a pity, I've been everywhere, man..." The badge was amongst items from the Johnny Cash & June Carter Cash estate sale, held at Sotheby's in September 2004.

Jefferson Airplane Royalty Agreements Collection (4) $200.00 50007-11 Comprising four documents relating to songwriting royalty splits : 1) April 24, 1967 agreement between RCA Records and Jefferson Airplane Music Co. concerning royalty rates for the Jorma Kaukonen & Marty Balin-penned song, "She Has Funny Cars," the first track from 1967's "Surrealistic Pillow" album, management signed; 2-4) three similar documents between RCA Records and Mole Music outlining royalty payments for the Grace Slick & Papa John Creech song "Milk Train, a song included on 1972's "Long John Silver" album, The Nov. 3, 1972 document is signed by Grace Slick, who has signed above the crossed-out signature of John Creech. One of the Nov. 27, 1973 documents is signed by Papa John Creech. "Long John Silver" was Jefferson Airplane's final studio album before their 1989 reunion, with the band dissolving after their September '73 shows at San Francisco's Winterland. The documents exhibit slight folds not affecting the signature, otherwise very good to fine.

Janis Joplin Handwritten Letter Number 1 $1,600.00 21443-1 (1943 - 1970) American rock and blues singer who incorporated the styles of Bessie Smith and Billy Holliday producing albums with Big Brother and the Holding Company and Full Tilt Bogie Band. Died of a heroin overdose in 1970. Excessively rare A.L.S. "J", 1p. 4to., [Port Arthur, Texas, Oct. 14, 1965] to her lover, Peter De Blanc in New York. This fine letter was penned just months before Joplin's career took off. At this time, she was living at home with her parents, hoping to rebuild her life and recover from her drug abuse of the previous few years. During that time she sang in small venues in New York and San Francisco, where she first met De Blanc. Shortly after this letter was written, Joplin moved to Austin and then to San Francisco where she joined Big Brother & the Holding Company. In a very legible, clear hand, she writes describing her good grade on a sociology test dealing with social problems, alcoholism, self-destructive behavior, and so on [not included]. In part: "... I got this back today & I'm very proud! Thought you might like to read it. Need I say - highest in the class. Mother said to call it my application for the position of wife of a Mensa member...I guess having depressingly first hand knowledge of social problems helps...". Fine condition.

Ron Wood Handwritten "Cancel Everything" Lyrics $500.00 50007-3 Faces guitarist Ron Wood was a nearly a year away from becoming a member of the Rolling Stones when he released his first solo album in 1974 "I've Got My Own Album To Do," with help from both Mick Jagger and Keith Richards. We offer handwritten lyrics for a track from the album "Cancel Everything", which was originally titled "I Really Do". Wood has written the lyrics in red, purple, blue and brown marker. There is a trivial dampstain at bottom, otherwise, very good; the 7" x 9" sheet is matted with a color photo and descriptive plaque, framed to 22" x 19".

Bob Weir Signed Guitar & Photos (3) $230.00 60604-2 Bob Weir, guitarist/vocalist of the Grateful Dead and RatDog signed this single cutaway acoustic guitar in blue felt tip pen on the guitar's body. Also included are two onstage 8" x 10's; one from a Grateful Dead concert at Stanford University's Frost Amphitheatre on May 7, 1989, the other from a RatDog gig at the Ram's Head in Baltimore on Apr. 9, 2008, both signed in blue felt tip pen. The guitar comes with gig bag. LOA from Shafran Collectibles, who explains that Weir donated his proceeds from the private signing session to the Further Foundation.

Ringo Starr Signed Backstage Pass $238.00 60311-1 Ringo Starr has signed this unused backstage pass in his usual first name only style of recent years, along with his illustrated star symbol. Executed in bold black marker, the signature is somewhat obscured by the white spot in the middle portion of the star in which appears to be a handwritten "6/7" (perhaps, a reference to the date of the concert "June 7". The additional writing appears to be a non-authentic signature of George Harrison. LOA from Beatles autograph expert Frank Caiazzo.

Van Halen Signed "Van Halen III" Promotional Poster, 1998 $237.00 60452-3 Gary Cherone's only appearance as the band's lead singer was on the million-selling 1998 release, "Van Halen III." This 18" x 24" Warner Brothers promotional is signed in blue felt tip pen by all four group members: Eddie Van Halen, who has added "VH '98", Alex Van Halen, Michael Anthony and Gary Cherone. Signed by the band during a visit to Warner Brothers Records in Los Angeles. The poster is mounted to foamcore and framed to 22" x 28", missing glass. NRMT. LOA

Don Henley Signed Stratocaster Pick Guard $237.00 60452-6 The Eagles vocalist/drummer came out from behind his kit as his solo career took off in the 1980's, a habit that has continued during The Eagles reunion tours. The Rock & Roll Hall of Famer signed this Stratocaster-styled pick guard in black felt tip pen during a visit by the singer to Warner Brothers Records in Los Angeles. LOA

Mark Knopfler Signed Stratocaster Pickguard $119.00 60452-9 Best known as the leader, guitarist, vocalist and songwriter for Dire Straits, Knopfler's affinity for Stratocaster guitars is well documented. This Stratocaster pickguard, signed in black felt tip pen by Knopfler, is ready to be matched with a Stratocaster reminiscent of one of his own favorite guitars, a '54 sunburst he nicknamed "Jurassic Strat". Signed in 1996, during a visit to Warner Brothers Records in Los Angeles. MT. LOA

Dimebag Darrell Abbott Singed Guitar $1,416.00 60561-2 The Pantera founding member has signed the body of this Washburn Dimebag Signature Series Guitar in silver paint pen. Ranked as one of the top ten metal guitarists of all-time, Dimebag Darrell was murdered, along with two crew members and a fan, by a mentally ill individual while performing with Damageplan at the Alrosa Villa in Columbus, Ohio, on December 8, 2004. The guitar was a prize in a Media Play Store giveaway drawing in May 2004. LOA, MT.

Saliva Signed Guitar $472.00 60561-4 All five members of the Memphis-based hard rock/alternative metal band have signed this Fender Squier Precision Bass guitar in black felt tip pen. Signed in 2002 on the body by Wayne Swinney, Paul Crosby and Dave Novotny, and on the pickguard by Jonathan Montoya and Josey Scott. LOA with picture of Josey Scott signing the guitar. NRMT.

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