Left to right, Martin Nolan, Executive Director of Julien’s Auctions, ‘American Pie’ singer Don McLean and William Doyle from Newbridge Silverware, pictured following the opening of the Don McLean exhibition at the Museum of Style Icons in Newbridge on Thursday, October 6 last.

Athlone's auctioneer to the stars celebrates ‘true American icon’

Deirdre Verney

Published: Tue 18 Oct 2022, 9:28 AM

Athlone's auctioneer to the stars Martin Nolan says people are leaving the stock market to buy tangible music memorabilia like Don McLean's guitar or Rolex watch, or the shirt he wore on the cover of 'American Pie'.

Amid a really strong market, one he believes is getting even stronger with a growing nostalgia factor, Martin explains that people are buying items that are great conversation pieces and in years to come selling them on for a lot more than they paid for them.

The Hodson Bay native, who heads up Julien's Auctions in Beverly Hills, was speaking recently on a whistlestop trip to Ireland for the launch of the 'Don McLean – Starry Starry Night' exhibition in Newbridge.

Featuring some of the 'American Pie' legend's most famous and iconic costumes, jewellery, instruments and music memorabilia, the free exhibition in The Museum of Style Icons in Newbridge, runs until November 3, prior to 300 items going up for auction on November 11 in New York and online at www.juliens.com.

“People are more nostalgic than ever, and they want to own something from their icon, whoever that is, whether it's sports or rock n' roll or Hollywood. With Don McLean, he's a true American icon, a true ambassador for America, Betty White the very same,” he comments, adding that the auction of memorabilia related to 'The Golden Girls' actress recently was “unbelievably successful” realising over $4.5 million.

Having travelled over for the exhibition in Newbridge and the reaction Don received, he expects interest in his auction to be almost as strong.

“It's a lovely exhibition Don and his girlfriend Paris were there at the opening (in Newbridge), it was a great day,” Executive Director of Julien's Martin Nolan told the Westmeath Independent prior to seeing the music legend, who has sold over 50 million records, in concert in Dublin the following night.

“It's really iconic because he's never actually sold anything, and it seems like he has kept everything. He has an incredible amount of stuff and what's interesting about his stuff is that it's intrinsically valuable.

“There are good quality guitars, jewellery, Rolex watches so the items themselves have value and of course you weave in Don McLean himself. There's the sweatshirt he wore on the cover of American Pie like 50 years ago, he has that and it's on display in Newbridge,” remarks Martin.

The exhibition and auction coincide with Don McLean's world tour.

Martin Nolan with his brother Shane and his wife Catherine from Kiltoom who met singer Don McLean and his girlfriend Paris backstage following his concert at the 3Arena, Dublin.

“It's also his last tour and it's really nice to have him in Newbridge, in Ireland and that Julien's Auctions are part of this nostalgic tour, but also, he's amazing for 76. He's in great shape, he had a great Q&A session in Newbridge with Tom Dunne from Newstalk. It was a really frank chat.

“Everyone was really engaged in him talking about his journey, his music. He said he didn't write music to make hits, he did it because what he was feeling or what was happening in the world around him.

“We're selling the lyrics for Vincent (Starry, Starry Night), it's definitely one of the higher priced estimates.

“ I think he sold the handwritten American Pie lyrics a couple of years ago for like 2 million dollars. I think the estimate on the Vincent lyrics is one million dollars,” Nolan said.

“There are a lot of great memories (in the auction) it's like a sentimental journey for him. He was blown away by the exhibition in Newbridge and how well it was done.”

Martin Nolan expects the auction to be very “strong” given his fanbase and they are hoping to raise between $1 and $2 million dollars, a portion of which will go to the Don McLean Foundation, which contributes funds to underserved college students, homeless shelters and food banks and 'Kicking The Stigma', the Indianapolis Colts and the Jim Irsay family’s national initiative to raise awareness about mental health disorders.

“He is collectible, he is liked, and people will want to own something celebrating his life and career,” sums up the celebrity auctioneer, ahead of the 'Icons & Idols: Rock ‘N’ Roll' three-day action in the Hard Rock Cafe in Time Square from November 11-13, with Don McLean's auction headlining the first day.