• ‘It’s a piece of art’

By Moshood Adebayo

It was an historic  moment at the Federal Palace Hotel, Lagos, last Sunday, when Juju musician, Sunday Adeniyi Adegeye’s guitar was auctioned for N52.1 million.
Adegeye, fondly called King Sunny Ade, also described his guitar as his ‘baby,’ which is very dear to him.
The auction, which was part of his 70th birthday ceremony took place at the Federal Palace Hotel, Lagos and was moderated by the United Auction House.
Daily Sun gathered that the famous guitar, which had received anonymous bids before its eventual auction, was masterfully painted by the award-winning artist Victor Ehikhamenor,
Although the lucky buyer of the guitar, which was said to have been auctioned by Dr. Jogun Onabanjo is yet to be revealed, it was further gathered that the guitar was initially tossed for N9 million before it was closed for N52.1 million.
Sunny Ade, who spoke later said: “My guitar is a piece of art.
“It is a symbol of art for me. I didn’t make it, but, it was made for me and having possessed it, it should be an art piece that will remain for live.
“My guitar is my baby,’’ he declared.
It was also gathered that while the bid was in progress, the asking price for the guitar doubled to N17 million under two minutes before exceeding the N50 million benchmark in 15 minutes.
An artist, Ehikhamenor said: “When you are given the opportunity to add a line to the history of a legend, you better ask God to take your hand and guide your senses.
/”I have loved King Sunny Ade’s music for the longest time and his rhythm is one of the best companion in my studio when working.’’
Sunny Ade, who was born on September 22, 1946 is from Ondo.
He began his musical career with Moses Olaiya’s (Baba Sala) Federal Rhythm Dandies, a highlife band and later left to form his own band – The Green Sports in 1967.