Guitar signed by McCartney, Clapton, Page, Townshend & more being auctioned to help ailing musician Jerry Donahue

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Courtesy of Gardiner HoulgateA jaw-dropping list of rock legends, including Paul McCartney, Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page and Pete Townshend, have signed an electric guitar that will be auctioned next month to raise money to help veteran folk-rock guitarist Jerry Donahue, who suffered a debilitating stroke in 2016.

The instrument, a trademark Jerry Donahue model Telecaster, also has been autographed by Robert Plant, David Gilmour, Brian Wilson, Mark Knopfler, Jeff Beck, Jeff Lynne, John Paul Jones, Tony Iommi, Al Jardine, Steve Winwood, Al Stewart, Martin Barre and others.

The sale, hosted by the Gardiner Houlgate auction house, will be held December 11 in Wiltshire, U.K. The guitar is estimated to bring in between 10,000 and 20,000 pounds, or between about $12,800 and $25,700 USD.

Donahue, a U.S. native, played with British folk-rock bands Fairport Convention and Fotheringay during the 1970s, and later recorded and/or toured with such artists as Plant, Elton John, The Beach Boys, Gerry Rafferty, Gary Wright, Warren Zevon, Bonnie Raitt, Roy Orbison and The Yardbirds.

The BBC reports that the stroke left Donahue unable to use the right side of his body. He also has difficulty speaking and with his mobility. The funds raised by the auction will be used to help with the guitarist’s rehabilitation.

Longtime Fairport Convention bassist Dave Pegg, who’s helping to lead the fundraising drive for Donahue, tells the BBC that so many stars have signed the guitar out of “respect for Jerry.”

Pegg notes, “They recognize he’s one of the greatest guitarists in the world with a unique style.”

If you don’t plan to bid on the guitar, you can still help Donahue by donating to a Sweet Relief Fund set up in his name. Visit SweetRelief.org for more information.

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