Unique Robert Smith-owned Guitar Customised by Gorillaz’ Jamie Hewlett & Damon Albarn Stars in Bonhams Pop X Cuture Sale

Pop X Culture

20 Oct 2022 London, New Bond Street

Robert Smith / Gorillaz

A Unique Reissue Guild S-200 T-Bird Guitar Owned and Played by Robert Smith and Customised by Gorillaz’ Jamie Hewlett and Damon Albarn, 2021,

• The one-of-a-kind guitar, owned by Robert Smith, was used by The Cure frontman whilst performing on stage with Gorillaz in 2021
• The guitar is signed by Robert Smith, and specially customized by Gorillaz co-founders Jamie Hewlett and Damon Albarn
• All proceeds will go to the charity EarthPercent, founded by Brian Eno

Bonhams is to offer a unique customised guitar owned by Robert Smith of The Cure, which he played on stage with Gorillaz during the British band’s headline concerts at the O2 Arena, London in August 2021. The one-of-a-kind guitar is signed by Robert Smith and customised by artist and Gorillaz co-founder Jamie Hewlett and musician and Gorillaz co-founder Damon Albarn. The piece has an estimate of £5,000 - 7,000. It will be offered at Bonhams Pop X Culture sale on Thursday 20 October at New Bond Street, London.

The guitar has been generously donated by Robert Smith and Gorillaz in support of the charity, EarthPercent. All proceeds from the sale of this lot will go to EarthPercent’s grant-making fund, providing vital support to organisations tackling the climate emergency.

The guitar was first used on stage during a free Gorillaz show for NHS workers and their families at the O2 Arena on 10th August last summer, the band’s first live performance with an audience in over two years. The event also marked the reopening of the London venue following the pandemic. Gorillaz debuted three new collaborative tracks during the show and brought out a slew of guest artists, including Robert Smith, who performed on "Strange Timez" and "Demon Days".

Claire Tole-Moir, Head of Bonhams Popular Culture department, commented: "Both Robert Smith and Gorillaz are true innovators and pioneers of new music, and we are thrilled to be able to work with them by offering this unique customised guitar in aid of Brian Eno’s charity EarthPercent. To be able to own a one-of-a-kind guitar that is both a piece of art and a piece of music memorabilia is already a rare opportunity, but to be able to support EarthPercent’s ongoing campaign of tackling climate change at the same time, is very special and exciting for collectors and fans alike"

EarthPercent commented: "We are thrilled to offer this gorgeous, signed guitar so kindly donated by Gorillaz and Robert Smith to EarthPercent. The funds raised will be redistributed in full to environmental and climate justice organisations tackling the planetary emergency. Music can play a vital role in positive climate action and support like this, from such important artists (and their fans!), is a wonderful contribution to organisations doing the hard work on the frontline of this crisis"

EarthPercent was launched in 2021 by British musician, composer, record producer and visual artist Brian Eno, and aims is to provide a simple way for the music industry to support the most impactful organisations addressing the climate emergency. They hope to raise $100 million from the industry collectively by 2030 by encouraging artists and music-related organisations to pledge a small percentage of their income to EarthPercent. This percentage can then be collected at source and diverted to EarthPercent where it will be directed to the most impactful organisations dealing with climate change. For further information on the charity’s work, visit EarthPercent.org.

Robert Smith is the founder and frontman of The Cure. Inducted into the Rock’n’Roll Hall of Fame in 2019, the band have released 13 studio albums over the course of the last 44 years. They will be embarking on a 46 date European tour in October 2022 in support of their upcoming 14th album Songs Of A Lost World, concluding with 3 headline shows at London’s Wembley Arena in December. Robert Smith collaborated with Gorillaz on the song "Strange Timez".

GORILLAZ - Created by musician Damon Albarn and artist Jamie Hewlett, Gorillaz is singer 2D, bassist Murdoc Niccals, drummer Russel Hobbs and Japanese guitar prodigy Noodle. The BRIT and Grammy-winning virtual band formed following a collision of mishaps, meetings and pure luck to blow up a pre-digital world with their colourful backstory and ground-breaking virtual ways. Based at Kong Studios in West London, Gorillaz settled into a life of musical innovation with an eye-wateringly exciting roster of collaborators, a list that includes musical legends, geniuses and future stars from Elton John to Little Simz, MF Doom to Jean-Michel Jarre, Grace Jones to slowthai, Kali Uchis to Sidiki Diabaté, plus so many more. With seven albums to their name, Gorillaz (2001), Demon Days (2005), Plastic Beach (2010), The Fall (2011), Humanz (2017), The Now Now (2018) and Song Machine: Season One – Strange Timez (2020), Gorillaz is a truly global phenomenon, achieving success in entirely new and unique ways, touring the world from San Diego to Syria, Montevideo to Manchester and winning numerous awards including the coveted Jim Henson Creativity Honor. The band’s eighth studio album Cracker Island is set for release on 24th February 2023. www.gorillaz.com