Seven microphones used by BTS during the K-pop group’s Love Yourself tours sold for over $83,000 Friday at a Grammy week auction in support of MusiCares.
The microphones, the first-ever BTS-authorized items to be auctioned, well exceeded their pre-auction estimate of between $10,000 and $20,000, Julien’s Auctions said. BTS are scheduled to perform Sunday during the 62nd annual Grammys.
With Aerosmith the honorees of this year’s MusiCares annual Person of the Year tribute, the band also contributed items to the auction, including Steven Tyler’s autographed Shure SM58 microphone and accompanying scarves-covered white microphone stand that fetched $7,680 at auction. An autographed Joe Perry Gibson Les Paul Signature guitar also sold for $7,680.
A limited-edition watch made with the leather from one of Tom Petty’s guitar straps — and engraved with “Made with leather donated by Tom Petty” — sold for over $22,000. Other notable items included the artwork Halsey made live during her Saturday Night Live performance ($7,680), a Stevie Nicks-signed stage-used tambourine ($10,240) and Eddie Vedder’s ukulele brandished with drawings by the singer ($8,960).
All proceeds from the Julien’s Auction benefited the Recording Academy’s MusiCares program, which provides health, financial, and rehabilitation resources to music people in times of need.