The seven-member Korean boy band BTS saw their signed microphones fetch $83,200 at Julie’s Auctions this weekend, well surpassing the initial estimated bid price of at least $10,000. The seven autographed and personalized microphones marked BTS’ debut into the celebrity auction circuit. The microphones were used in the band’s ‘Love Yourself’ tour from 2017 to 2019. The bidding was part of a pre-Grammy Awards auction to raise funds for the Recording Academy’s charitable arm, MusiCares.
Breaking Records as the Most Influential in K-Pop Wave
Just a few years after its 2013 debut, the Korean boy band is now at the frontline of the K-Pop wave expansion in the global stage. With over 40 million followers on various social media platforms, as well as a combined net worth of as much as $60 million, BTS boasts of an unending list of record-breaking acts. In 2019, BTS achieved being the first group since the Beatles to score three No. 1 albums in a year on the Billboard 200 charts. BTS is featured in the Guinness World Record 2020 as its track “Boy with Luv,” featuring Halsey, was hailed:
the most viewed YouTube music video in 24 hours, with a record time of 3 hours 31 minutes.; overall title for most viewed YouTube video in 24 hours; and most viewed YouTube music video in 24 hours by a K-pop group.
BTS will perform with other stars at the Grammy Awards on Jan. 26, 2020, said to be the first Korean act in the Grammys. According to Showbiz CheatSheet:
Memorabilia of Other Stars, also Auctioned
Steven Tyler’s memorabilia set which includes his autographed Shure SM58 microphone and scarves-covered white microphone stand was also up for auction and fetched $7,680. 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).
