Music Thing: Tony Blair and his guitars

27.6.07

The Times reports on all the guitars that have been given to Tony Blair during his time in office. The list of ministerial gifts (worth £140+) shows that Tony has received - and rejected - many guitars (official gifts are kept by the Prime Minister's Office, unless he chooses to buy them himself). He's been given guitars by Fender Musical Instruments, Bryan Adams, Bono, and the Governments of Romania and Mexico. More interestingly...
The '57 Eric Clapton Strat: In 2000, Tony was given a 1957 Strat. It was originally purchased by Eric Clapton, played by Pete Townshend on Quadrophenia and then bought at a charity auction by David Bowie, Pete Townshend and Mick Jagger. Tony returned the gift, and it eventually sold at another charity auction for £75k.
Arnie's Guitar: Last week, Arnie gave Tony "a solid body electric single cutaway guitar made by a disabled California native, Gary Garcia. The custom-made strap on the guitar is a four inch black belt leather with “California” in gold lettering and a hand sewn leather California state flag."

Posted by Tom Whitwell.

Comments:

Is it me, or does he look stoned out of his mind?

# posted by

David : 3:34 AM

Definitely stoned.

# posted by

Pixoshiru : 4:28 AM

Nice Mullet too

# posted by

Anonymous : 11:55 AM

Hey musicthing,
Please take it easy on the ugly photos!

# posted by

weatherall : 8:35 PM

It seems to be unbelievable!

# posted by

Allison : 12:04 AM

What, me worry?

# posted by

Anonymous : 9:04 PM

That picture...damn will I look back on my photos and feel the same one day?

How is it fair he gets all those guitars whilst Im stuck with my trusty old fender squire?

# posted by

Victoria : 11:59 AM