Strawberry Fields Forever - Tribute to John Lennon

Fans and visitors all over that world will pay homage to late Beatle, John Lennon, at Strawberry Fields on his birthday on 09 October and death anniversary on this date.

Strawberry Fields, named after the Beatles song "Strawberry Fields Forever", is located near Central Park West New York between 71st and 74th Streets.  The teardrop shaped region was re-landscaped by the Central Park Conservancy with the help of landscape architect Bruce Kelley and a generous $1 million donation from Yoko Ono as a memorial to her husband, the late John Lennon, after his murder in front of the Dakota apartment house on Central Park West in 1980.

The iconic black and white Imagine mosaic, designed by a team of artists from the Italian city of Naples,  lies in the center of Strawberry Fields.  Named after another famous song by John Lennon, "Imagine" evokes a vision and hope for a world without strife, war and conflict. Additionally, there is a bronze plaque that lists the more than 120 countries that planted flowers and donated money for the maintenance of the area; they have also endorsed Strawberry Fields as a Garden of Peace.

You can now own a reprint of John Lennon's Death Certificate at ebay from US $3.25.

SNSD Girl's Generation, The Boys, Autograph

The concert tickets for 9 December and 10 December might be sold out in Singapore, fans can still own their autographed "The Boys" at ebay from US $19 onwards.

Only 5 left so hurry up before they are all sold out again!

Justin Bieber Autographed 2011 Christmas Album Under The Mistletoe CD

Under the Mistletoe, Bieber's second studio album, which released in November 2011.  It debuted at number 1 on the Billboard 200.

Now you can own one of his autographed album at ebay from USD79.

We Can Be Anything - Apl.De.Ap

This song, "We Can Be Anything" performed by Black Eyed Peas' Apl.De.Ap, caught my attention during the 2011 MAMA in Singapore.  The song had a message that with education, you can achieve and be in a better life.

We Can Be Anything is an education advocacy campaign, born of a partnership between the Apl.de.Ap Foundation (AdAF) and the Ninoy and Cory Aquino Foundation (NCAF).

You can now help by donating generously in this initiative at "We Can Be Anything" official website.

Black Eyed Peas Autograph PSA/DNA

They won Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group from 2004 - 2006 and 2009 for Let's Get it Started, Don't Phunk with My Heart, My Humps and I Gotta Feeling.  They also won Best Pop Vocal Album (The E.N.D.) and Best Short Form Music Video (Boom Boom Pow) in 2009.

My personal favorite is "Where is the Love?"  This song is written in late 2001 about the state of post 9/11 which all but calls for US withdrawal from Iraq.  This song was co-written by Justin Timberlake who also sang on the track.  He came up the chorus after hearing the song on the phone.

In July 2011, the group announced that they are taking a break and denied rumors that the group has broken up.

Now you can own their signed autograph from US $350 at ebay.

 The photo will come with a Certificate of Authenticity from PSA/DNA.

My 1st Collection and Xmas Gift from colleague

"Hello...Postman.  Please sign here."

I rushed to the door like a kid running to the candy store.  I knew what's in the parcel.  It's my long awaited "1996 Sportstime Beatles Abbey Road Album Cover - 23 Karat Gold Foil Finish Limited Edition Trading Card" (Graded 10 - Gem Mint by worldclassgrading.com).

One side showing BEATLES ~ BEATLES ABBEY ROAD

Then the other side lists out the individual songs on their album:
Column #1: Come Together, Something, Maxwell's Silver Hammer, Oh! Darling, Octopus's Garden, I Want You (She's So Heavy), Here Comes the Sun, You Never Give Me Your Money
Column#2: Sun King, Mean Mr. Mustard, Polythene Pam, She Came In Through The Bathroom Window, Golden Slumbers, Carry That Weight, The End, Her Majesty


This is my 1st collection (Many more to come) and a Christmas present from my colleague (Maria) as part of Christmas gift exchange.  Thanks Maria.

8 Rules on Alternate Investing in Memorabilia

Based on an article from CNBC’s Special Report (for more details, please go to http://www.cnbc.com/id/39444167), it mentioned 8 rules to remember before you invest. 

 

Below is a summary of the article and I will comment on how it will apply if you are collecting music memorabilia:

1. Don’t fall in love with your investments.

Yes, if you buy something from your heart and love it, don’t assume that it will go up in value. Otherwise, it will painful to part your memorabilia.  But for an investor, you will have to buy something you believed that it will go up in value.

2.  Go with the tried and true.

Besides Frank Sinatra, others like the Beatles, Elvis, Michael Jackson, — will increase in value over time.

3. The law of supply and demand is in effect.
Especially when the artist had passed away and no longer signs autographs, the demand would remain, but supply would decrease over time.

4. To get top dollar on an item, it has to be “pristine” or museum quality.
Like the rule said, a memorabilia has to be in top condition in order to generate top dollar value.  So before buying please check the quality and maintain the “pristine” after owning it.

5. The market is fragmented.

Besides Sotheby’s, Christie’s and Julien’s, there are also specialty dealers and auction houses. You can also buy and sell on eBay.

6. No matter whom you deal with, make sure they are reputable.

Besides they are reputable, you have to also make sure that it’s authentic.

7. Prices fluctuate.

The value of memorabilia will not always appreciate linearly.  Prices do fluctuate when economy is in recession.  Other factors like death of the artist would increase in value.

8. There's no explaining taste.

My wife and my kids probably will think that my collections are junks to them.  If you going to pass down your collections to them, make sure you do explain to them what to do with it.

“The memorabilia market is not only vast, it is also dynamic and sometimes unpredictable. Diamonds are forever, but the same can't be said of cultural icons.”

Phil Colins' Handwritten and Signed Lyrics - Another Day in Paradise

Phil Collins is best known as a drummer and vocalist for British group Genesis.  People are more familiar with "Another Day in Paradise" from his number-one album But Seriously (1989) which won a Grammy Award for Record of the Year in 1991.  This song also won the Best Best Single at the 1990 Brit Awards.

In "Another Day in Paradise" lyrics clearly highlights the problem of ignoring the needy and homeless.  Collins told The Mail on Sunday that, "I wrote this after being in Washington DC where I was amazed by how many people I saw living in boxes."  It's still sadden me that the problem is still not resolved world wide as there are still plenty of homeless people and freezing in the cold.

Below is an A4 sheet of handwritten lyrics to Another Day in Paradise by dated 25/7/96 with his signature at the top right corner.

Handwritten and signed lyrics by artist are considered rare and extremely popular with collectors.  The sheet of lyrics is framed with a photograph of Phil Collins to a total size of 22.5" x 18.5".

The lyrics are currently offered for sale at £6,000 by Paul Fraser Collectibles, a company specializing in unique and historic pieces of memorabilia.

Xmas Gifts Ideas

Looking for Christmas gifts?


If you know what's his/her favorite band or artist, why not give an unique gifts to bring joy to those around you?

At Rock.com, you will find men’s and women’s t-shirts and hoodies, posters and fabric posters, infant and toddler apparel, hats and caps, backpacks and wallets, patches and magnets, stickers and buttons, wristbands and belts, jewelry and key chains, towels and blankets, guitar picks, and even shoelaces and neckties.

Famous Birthdays on this Day in History

This week, we will pay tribute to James Marshall "Jimi" Hendrix (born Johnny Allen Hendrix; November 27, 1942 – September 18, 1970).  An American guitarist, singer-songwriter, is widely considered to be the greatest guitarist and influential musicians in musical history.

He once quotes, “When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace.”