Jim Irsay believes he is a lucky man who made the grade. That's because the Indianapolis Colts owner is now the owner of the piano John Lennon used to compose songs from the Beatles' 1967 classic album, "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band," the Indianapolis Star reported.
Irsay tweeted Saturday that he won the piano in an auction hosted by GottaHaveRockandRoll.com.
"I'm elated to now be the steward of John's "Sgt. Pepper" upright piano," Irsay tweeted. "It's a responsibility I take seriously, with future generations in mind. #GettingThemBackTogether #Beatles"
According to the auction's website, there was only one bid on the elaborately painted upright piano, and the winning price was $575,000. According to TMZ Sports, however, the price was $718,750. It is not clear whether either price includes the buyer's premium.
The piano also features a plaque that says, "On this piano was written: A Day in the Life, Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds, Good Morning, Good Morning, Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite and Many others. John Lennon. 1971."
“A Day in the Life,” which was partially about “a lucky man who made the grade,” was a piano-inspired song that was the final cut on the Beatles’ 1967 album. It ends with a slammed piano chord that ominously lingered for more than 30 seconds.
The piano was made by John Broadwood & Sons and dates to around 1872, The Washington Post reported. The auction site said Lennon acquired the piano in 1966, just as the "Sgt. Pepper" sessions were beginning.
Lennon, the founding member of the Beatles, was shot to death Dec. 9, 1980, outside his New York City apartment. He was 40.
Irsay's musical collection also includes an electric guitar used by Prince, Grateful Dead guitarist Jerry Garcia's "Tiger" guitar, and the Fender Stratocaster guitar used by Bob Dylan at the 1965 Newport Folk Festival, the Star reported.
