This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/24/2024
John Lennon and George Harrison Owned & Used Sarod and Unreleased Cassette Tape,
John Lennon and George Harrison both owned and played this sarod. A sarod is a stringed instrument, similar to a sitar, but with a a deep, weighty, introspective sound.
According to the very detailed letter of authenticity, this sarod was played by both John Lennon and George Harrison while they were students at the academy of the Maharishi transcendental meditation in Swarg Ashram in Rishikesh of the Ganges in the Winter of 1968. The letter of provenance accompanying the sarod bears the official stamp of the Indian Government to allow the removal of a cultural icon from the country. Over 100 years old, the sarod was brought from Dehradun at the request of Beatles road manager Mal Evans in behalf of the Beatles. John played it first, and then George took it up in a more serious attempt to conquer the instrument, as he was already a student of the sitar. George kept the Sarod in his room, and according to the letter, he could be heard playing it many times during their stay at the ashram where George composed music for "Wonderwall Music" (the first Beatle solo album, Delhi, 1968)
Aashish Khan played the instrument on "Wonderwall Music." When they left the ashram, John and George left the sarod for safekeeping to Pasupatinath Das Swami of Rishikesh, to keep safe until they returned. Unfortunately John and George did not return, and it was kept safely at the ashram for years. According to the letter, the sarod is in very good condition. The neck has two of the original spindles while four were recently replaced to allow it to be played once again, everything else is original to the Beatles time.
The sarod is accompanied by an unreleased, original 1968 1968 cassette with unheard outtakes from Wonderwall: Track 1 Bansoori flute solos 4.30, Track 2 Sitar/Sarod 4.12, Track 3 group chant (50+ people) 4.30.
Dimensions: Approximately 41 inches in length.
Condition: Very good.
Authentication: Letter from Pasupatinath Das Swami of Rishikesh on Maharishi Mahesh Yogi Vedi Vishwavidyalaya, Madhya Pradesh letterhead and a Gotta Have Rock and Roll Certificate of Authenticity. The cassette tape is not sold with copyright, for personal use by buyer only.
This lot has a Reserve Price that has not been met.