Guitars signed by ZZ Top and Whitesnake – rock bands entrenched in music history – are set for auction thanks to a Midlands nightclub legend.
The instruments were gifted to the late Eddie Fewtrell, known as the ‘King of Clubs’. He owned more than 20 nightclubs in and around Birmingham, dominating the leisure scene for decades. Both instruments were displayed at his venues.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE MUSIC AUCTION CATALOGUE
The guitars will go under the hammer at Hansons Auctioneers in September and the firm’s music expert Claire Howell hopes a wave of nostalgia will spark strong bidding.
She said: “As well as being important pieces of rock memorabilia they remind us of one of the Midlands most charismatic characters. Eddie, who died at the age of 90 in 2022, is famously known for kicking London’s notorious Kray brothers out of Birmingham. He will never be forgotten and the memories live on, helped a little by these guitars.”
The ZZ top guitar is particularly rare. It was released by the American rock band’s label BMG Records in 1994 to promote the Antenna LP. It is a Fernandes telecaster with ZZ Top’s Antenna logo printed beneath the lacquer.
Strictly limited edition, it was used for promotional purposely only. It has been signed in silver pen by all three band members – vocalist-guitarist Billy Gibbons, drummer Frank Beard and bassist-vocalist Dusty Hill. Consigned by the family, it has an estimate of £600-£800.
Bidders will also be tempted by the Whitesnake guitar, £600-£800. The Washburn N2 Nuno Bettencourt model has been autographed by David Coverdale, Adrian Vandenberg and Denny Carmassi.
Eddie, one of eight brothers and 10 children, launched a string of nightclubs and wine bars which dominated Birmingham’s night scene from the late 1950s through to the 80s.
According to his biography, Eddie’s entrepreneurial drive was sparked by a childhood experience. At the age of seven, during the Second World War, he was evacuated from Birmingham to a Gloucestershire village. It made him realise a better life was possible. He opened Bermuda, Cedar, Boogies, Abigails, Edwards No. 7 and No. 8, Goldwyns and the Paramount Club.
Eddie sold his empire to Ansell’s brewery for £10 million in 1989 but missed being in the industry. So in 1994 he took over the former Queen’s pub in Level Street, Brierley Hill, to create the Xposure Rock Cafe, later renamed Club Millennium.
A boxer in his youth, he said taking no nonsense from troublemakers was key to his success in business. He said he had never heard of the Kray twins, Ronnie and Reggie, when they, along with their henchmen Chris and Tony Lambrianou, arrived at one of his clubs demanding protection money.
Legend has it that when the Krays came calling they said, ‘We’re two brothers, we can give you protection’. Eddie responded: “What do I need two brothers for? I’ve got seven of my own.”
The guitars will be offered in Hansons’ September 13 Music Memorabilia Auction.
To find out more, or to discuss a potential consignment, email Claire Howell: [email protected]
