Ringo Starr-Barbara Bach charity auction items

John Lennon gave Ringo Starr this 1964 Rickenbacker electric guitar in 1968 to encourage the Beatles drummer to write more songs. It will be among more than 1,300 items being auctioned by Starr and his wife, actress Barbara Bach, from Thursday though Saturday at Julien’s Auctions in Beverly Hills to benefit their charity, the Lotus Foundation. Lennon’s iconic guitar is estimated to sell for $600,000 to $800,000, but some aficionados think it may bring even more.

(Randy Lewis / Los Angeles Times)

By Randy Lewis

Dec. 2, 2015 2:44 PM PT

A sampling of items among more than 1,300 pieces being auctioned by Beatles drummer Ringo Starr and his wife, actress Barbara Bach, from Thursday through Saturday at Julien’s Auctions in Beverly Hills to raise money for their Lotus Foundation charity.

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George Harrison's 1962 Gretsch 'Chet Atkins' Tennessean guitar

George Harrison’s 1962 Gretsch “Chet Atkins” model Tennessean guitar was given to Ringo Starr in 2002 by Harrison’s widow, Olivia, and son, Dhani. Starr has put the guitar up for auction along with more than 1,300 other items he and his wife, Barbara Bach, are parting with to raise money for their Lotus Foundation. The guitar has a pre-auction estimated value of $100,000 to $200,000.

(Randy Lewis / Los Angeles Times)

Ringo Starr's personal copy of the Beatles' 1968 'White Album'

Ringo Starr’s copy of the Beatles’ 1968 album “The Beatles,” a.k.a. “The White Album,” is numbered 0000001. It is among more than 1,300 items being auctioned by Starr and his wife, actress Barbara Bach at Julien’s Auctions in Beverly Hills to benefit their charity, the Lotus Foundation. It is estimated to bring $40,000 to $60,000, although at least one authority on Beatles recordings says it could sell for $100,000.

(Randy Lewis / Los Angeles Times)

A selection of Ringo Starr’s stringed instruments to be auctioned Dec. 3-5 at Julien’s Auctions in Beverly Hills. They are among more than 1,300 items donated by Starr and his wife, actress Barbara Bach, to benefit their charity, the Lotus Foundation. The auction is estimated to generate $4 million to $6 million for the foundation.

(Randy Lewis / Los Angeles Times)

Ringo Starr's 'Yellow Submarine' jukebox

This Rock-Ola jukebox salutes the Beatles’ 1968 animated film “Yellow Submarine.” It is one of only 100 ever made, and is expected to bring $15,000 to $20,000. It is one of more than 1,300 items being auctioned by Starr and his wife, actress Barbara Bach at Julien’s Auctions in Beverly Hills to benefit their charity, the Lotus Foundation.

(Randy Lewis / Los Angeles Times)

Four “Yellow Submarine”-themed dining room chairs given to Beatles drummer Ringo Starr by his brother-in-law, Eagles guitarist Joe Walsh. They are among more than 1,300 items being auctioned by Starr and his wife, actress Barbara Bach.

(Randy Lewis / Los Angeles Times)

Two Beatles-themed lunchboxes owned by Ringo Starr to be auctioned for charity.

(Randy Lewis / Los Angeles Times)

Randy Lewis

Randy Lewis covered pop music for the Los Angeles Times from 1981 to 2020, working in that time as a reporter, music critic and editor for the Calendar section. He has interviewed most of the members of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He’s also written first-person accounts of performing the music of Shostakovich and Prokofiev on clarinet and singing Mozart’s Requiem with world-class professionals. In addition, he enjoys belting out “Wooly Bully” in dive bars with his band, the Rounders.