The Jim Irsay Collection in all its glory
Michelle Pemberton, IndyStar/USA TODAY NETWORK
Ringo Star's 1963 Ludwig Oyster Black Pearl Downbeat Drum Kit is on display during the The Jim Irsay Collection exhibition, featuring a performance by The Jim Irsay Band, on Friday, Sept. 9, 2022, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
Michelle Pemberton/IndyStar
Colts owner Jim Irsay displayed four of his historic guitars at Fountain Square Theatre. Seen in the case are instruments once owned by Bob Dylan, George Harrison, John Lennon and Elvis Presley.
Melodie Yvonne Ramey/For IndyStar
Guitars from the who's who of music are on display during the The Jim Irsay Collection exhibition, featuring a performance by The Jim Irsay Band, on Friday, Sept. 9, 2022, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Here, a guest photographs Bob Dylan's 1964 Fender Stratocaster known as the "Dylan Goes Electric" guitar, from the 1965 Newport Folk Festival where he controversially "went electric" for the first time
Michelle Pemberton/IndyStar
Jerry Garcia's 1979 Doug Irwin "Tiger" commissioned in 1963 and used on their hit "Touch of Gray" is on display during The Jim Irsay Collection exhibition, featuring a performance by The Jim Irsay Band, on Friday, Sept. 9, 2022, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. The guitar took 6yrs to build.
Michelle Pemberton/IndyStar
Guitars from the who's who of music are on display during the The Jim Irsay Collection exhibition, featuring a performance by The Jim Irsay Band, on Friday, Sept. 9, 2022, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
Michelle Pemberton/IndyStar
Jim Irsay plays the Jerry Garcia "Tiger" guitar at the Indiana State Museum in December 2011. The Colts CEO owns 175 historic guitars.
Frank Espich /The Star
Christopher McKinney, caretaker of Jim Irsay's guitars, plays a 1939 Martin D-45 guitar at Colts headquarters in November 2013.
Frank Espich/The Star
The Vox "Kensington" prototype boasts buttons labeled "treble," "bass," "top boost," 'mid boost," "fuzz" and "repeat." Jim Irsay owns the guitar built for the Beatles in 1966.
Frank Espich / The Star
John Lennon gave the Vox "Kensington" guitar to electronics engineer Alex Mardas in 1967. An engraved plate on the back of the guitar reads "To Magic Alex. Alexi thank you for been a friend." Jim Irsay owns the guitar built for the Beatles in 1966.
Frank Espich / The Star
A "J. Garcia" nameplate is seen on the "Tiger" guitar owned by Jim Irsay.
Frank Espich / The Star
Jim Irsay owns this elaborately decorated Martin D-100 guitar, displayed during summer 2013 at the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art.
Frank Espich / The Star
Frank Espich / The Star
Elton John's Steinway Model D Grand Piano is on display during the The Jim Irsay Collection exhibition, featuring a performance by The Jim Irsay Band, on Friday, Sept. 9, 2022, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
Michelle Pemberton/IndyStar
Michelle Pemberton/IndyStar
An autographed car which once belonged to Edgerrin James is on display during the The Jim Irsay Collection exhibition, featuring a performance by The Jim Irsay Band, on Friday, Sept. 9, 2022, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
Michelle Pemberton/IndyStar
The Jim Irsay Collection has one of the greatest guitar collections on the planet, according to Guitar Magazine.
Courtesy Of The Jim Irsay Collection
Kurt Cobain's 1969 Fender Mustang used on "Smells Like Teen Sprit" in 1991, is on display during the The Jim Irsay Collection exhibition, featuring a performance by The Jim Irsay Band, on Friday, Sept. 9, 2022, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
Michelle Pemberton/IndyStar
John Lennon's 1964 Rickenbacker, AKA "the Beatle Backer" after it appeared in a Rose Morris advertising campaign, is on display during the The Jim Irsay Collection exhibition, featuring a performance by The Jim Irsay Band, on Friday, Sept. 9, 2022, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
Michelle Pemberton/IndyStar
Michelle Pemberton/IndyStar
James Brown's 1970's custom made boots are on display during the The Jim Irsay Collection exhibition, featuring a performance by The Jim Irsay Band, on Friday, Sept. 9, 2022, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
Michelle Pemberton/IndyStar
The Jim Irsay Collection exhibition, featuring a performance by The Jim Irsay Band, on Friday, Sept. 9, 2022, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
Michelle Pemberton/IndyStar
Pictured here, Jim Irsay playing the Martin guitar that was a gift from freind, Singer songwrighter Stephen Stills. For a Cathy Kightlinger story on The Irsay Collection exhibit at the Indiana State Museum (Winter 2011-2012). Frank Espich/The Star
Frank Espich Indianapolis Star
David Gilmour's 1969 C.F. Martin & Co. D-35, best known from the opening of "Wish You Were Here" is on display during the The Jim Irsay Collection exhibition, featuring a performance by The Jim Irsay Band, on Friday, Sept. 9, 2022, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
Michelle Pemberton/IndyStar
Michelle Pemberton/IndyStar
The Super Bowl XLI Trophy is on display during the The Jim Irsay Collection exhibition, featuring a performance by The Jim Irsay Band, on Friday, Sept. 9, 2022, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
Michelle Pemberton/IndyStar
Muhammad Ali's WBC Heavyweight Championship Belt from the 1970s on display with the Jim Irsay Collection.
Courtesy Of The Jim Irsay Collection
The Jim Irsay Collection exhibition, featuring a performance by The Jim Irsay Band, on Friday, Sept. 9, 2022, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
Michelle Pemberton/IndyStar
George Harrison's 1963 Maton Mastersound MS-500 guitar guitar used during Aug. 3, 1963 Cavern Club appearance is on display during the The Jim Irsay Collection exhibition, featuring a performance by The Jim Irsay Band, on Friday, Sept. 9, 2022, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
Michelle Pemberton/IndyStar
Jim Morrison's 1968 gold microphone on display during The Jim Irsay Collection exhibition, featuring a performance by The Jim Irsay Band, on Friday, Sept. 9, 2022, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
Michelle Pemberton/IndyStar
The original first draft 1951 typescript scroll of "On the Road" by Jack Kerouac, on display during the The Jim Irsay Collection exhibition, featuring a performance by The Jim Irsay Band, on Friday, Sept. 9, 2022, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
Michelle Pemberton/IndyStar
Bob Dylan's 1964 Fender Stratocaster, known as the "Dylan Goes Electric" guitar from the 1965 Newport Folk Festival where he controversially "went electric" for the first time, on display during the The Jim Irsay Collection exhibition, featuring a performance by The Jim Irsay Band, on Friday, Sept. 9, 2022, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
Michelle Pemberton/IndyStar
Muhammad Ali's robe and 1975 boxing shoes are on display during the The Jim Irsay Collection exhibition, featuring a performance by The Jim Irsay Band, on Friday, Sept. 9, 2022, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. The robe was worn the for the fighters first appearance under the name Muhammad Ali'.
Michelle Pemberton/IndyStar
Guitars from the who's who of music are on display during the The Jim Irsay Collection exhibition, featuring a performance by The Jim Irsay Band, on Friday, Sept. 9, 2022, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
Michelle Pemberton/IndyStar
Jerry Garcia's 1979 Doug Irwin "Tiger" commissioned in 1963 and used on their hit "Touch of Gray" is on display during The Jim Irsay Collection exhibition, featuring a performance by The Jim Irsay Band, on Friday, Sept. 9, 2022, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. The guitar took 6yrs to build.
Michelle Pemberton/IndyStar
Gonzo Journalist Hunter S. Thompson's "Red Shark" 1973 Chevrolet Caprice Convertible is on display during the The Jim Irsay Collection exhibition, featuring a performance by The Jim Irsay Band, on Friday, Sept. 9, 2022, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
Michelle Pemberton/IndyStar
John Lennon's Sunglasses by Oliver Goldsmith, 1966, are on display during the The Jim Irsay Collection exhibition, featuring a performance by The Jim Irsay Band, on Friday, Sept. 9, 2022, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
Michelle Pemberton/IndyStar
When he's not busy with his 'day job' as the owner and CEO of the NFL's Indianapolis Colts, Jim Irsay is pursuing his passion for rock music history, American history, and pop culture by adding to the Jim Irsay Collection.
Courtesy Of The Jim Irsay Collection
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