Oh Ringo! The Beatle Goes On in an auction for Julien's

Oh Ringo! The Beatle Goes On with His 35 Year Romance with Barbara Bach Apparently as the Beatle song says: Love is all you need to keep the fires down below and above that keep their 35 year old romance still glowing strong. "I love the man, and that's it," one-time Bond girl Bach, 69, says of Starr, 75, adds her husband: "There's no escape ... I think I love Barbara as much as I did when we met – and I'm beyond blessed that she loves me and we're still together." Having been together for three-plus decades of rock 'n roll romance, they've accumulated a lot of "stuff" along the way. And now that the couple has settled in L.A., they're cleaning out their closets for a good cause. They have collected over 1,200 items from their residencies in London, Beverly Hills and Monaco Starr and Bach are putting their iconic Beatles memorabilia and possessions – from a guitar John Lennon gave Starr to an outfit Bach wore in The Spy Who Loved Me – up for bid Dec. 3 - 5 with Julien's Auctions in Beverly Hills. One of the highlights of the sale ’ is the musician’s first 1963 Ludwig Oyster Black Pearl three-piece drum kit. It’s estimated to sell for US$300,000 to US$500,000 (RM1.2 million to RM2.1 million). Another hot ticket is a John Lennon owned guitar: a 1966 325FG Rose-Morris model Rickenbacker with a fire-glo sunburst finish. Lennon gave it to Starr after he played it on stage during The Beatles 1964/65 Christmas shows. It’s estimated to sell for US$600,000 to US$800,000. One of the most interesting items is Starr's 1963 Ludwig Oyster Black Pearl three-piece drum kit, which was used for the Beatles' live performances from May 1963 to February 1964. The drum kit was used in the recording of "Can't Buy Me Love," "I Want to Hold Your Hand," "She Loves You" and other classics from that era, and was later utilized by Paul McCartney during the recording of his 1970 solo LP McCartney. The drum kit – which has not been seen by the public in over 50 years – comes with a $300,000 to $500,000 estimate. John Lennon's 'Love Me Do' Guitar Sells for $2.4 Million » A handful of other Starr kits – including one used in the "Hello Goodbye" video – will hit the auction block as well as guitars given to the Beatle by his bandmates. A Gretsch guitar gifted to Starr from Harrison boasts an $100,000 - $200,000 asking price, while Lennon's 325FG Rose-Morris model Rickenbacker with a fire-glo sunburst finish – which Lennon used during the band's Christmas shows in 1964 and 1965 – has an estimate of $600,000 - $800,000. Many of Starr's own bass, acoustic and electric guitars are all on the block. T. Rex's Marc Bolan also gave his friend Starr a Gibson Les Paul guitar that is expected to sell for roughly $40,000. Starr didn't just receive instruments from his musical friends: An Omega watch that the Who's Keith Moon gifted to Starr will also be offered at auction. Other Starr ephemera include the drummer's shooting script from the Help! production, his copy of the Beatles' Yesterday and Today compilation (with its infamous "Butcher cover"), an original Nikas Safronov portrait of Starr and the Beatle's sapphire pinky ring are also up for the highest bidder. On the more luxurious side of the auction, a 2000 Mercedes Coupe that has only had two owners – Harrison and Starr – is also on the block. Other items include an antique Louis XV wall mirror, a bronze and parcel gilt statue of Ganesh, a Gothic Revival mahogany bookcase and other home items from his estates. "It's time to let go," says Starr of their belongings, the proceeds of which will benefit Bach's charity, the Lotus Foundation. Photos: Scott Ritchie