Saturday Aug 4 6:30 PM
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - This should be music to any Deadhead's ears. A California man is auctioning items from the former home of Grateful Dead guitarist Jerry Garcia, including his stereo speakers.
Henry Koltys, 55, of Marin County, California, purchased the home of the deceased singer and songwriter 10 years ago, and early next month, Koltys is holding an online auction of items that were removed during renovations.
At the top of the list are the stereo speakers and cabinets, a two-person Jacuzzi, bidet and even the kitchen sink once owned by the member of the rock band whose hits include "Truckin.'"
"I'm hoping that someone will come along and say, 'His Jacuzzi, wouldn't that be great," Koltys told Reuters. "People are just kind of fanatics when it comes to that."
Koltys described himself as a fan of the Grateful Dead, but not a "Deadhead," a nickname given to loyal followers.
Garcia sang and played guitar for the band, which performed from 1965 until his death from a heart attack in 1995 at age 53.
Koltys said he bought the house from Garcia's estate because he liked it, not because it was owned by the rock star. When he began renovations, he stored many of items removed by construction crews because he believed they might be valuable some day.
Altogether, the items are appraised at $75,000, Koltys said.
The auction is planned from Aug. 12 to 19 on eBay. Proceeds will benefit the nonprofit Sophia Foundation, which supports family law and kids and families dealing with separation or divorce.