United Way's GuitarManiaŽ II, Encore in 2004 guitars gather at the Rock Hall until the November 6 auction

(Cleveland, Ohio) September 3, 2004
Most of the 93 guitars of United Way's GuitarManiaŽ II, Encore in 2004 return to Key Plaza at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum Hall from Labor Day weekend until they go up for auction on Saturday, November 6. The guitars will be available for viewing, including several created by 19 celebrity artists, both inside and outside of the Rock Hall. The guitars were displayed throughout Greater Cleveland since Memorial Day weekend.

GuitarMania II is the community art project sponsored by United Way Services of Greater Cleveland in conjunction with the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum. The project consists of 10-foot-tall replicas of the Fender StratocasterŽ guitars painted and sculpted by the celebrities and more than 75 local artists. Proceeds benefit United Way Services of Greater Cleveland and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum's education fund.

Headlining the project are guitars by Jim Belushi, Blondie (including Deborah Harry), Bon Jovi, Michael "Flea" Balzary (Red Hot Chili Peppers), Jackson Browne, David Carradine, the Chapman brothers (www.homestarrunner.com), Richie Havens, Maria Elena Holly (Buddy Holly's widow), Graham Nash (Crosby, Stills and Nash), Kristin Nelson (Ricky Nelson's widow), Joe Perry (Aerosmith), Marky Ramone (Ramones), World's Greatest Beatles artist Shannon (2 guitars), Lamar Sorrento, Eddie Vedder (Pearl Jam) and Ronnie Wood (Rolling Stones).

Rock and Roll enthusiasts around the world may bid by proxy on most of the guitars online beginning mid-October at www.cleveland.com/guitarmania. Final online bids will become the opening bids for the live auction and/or become the final bid should attendees not best the online bid at the live auction. A few guitars retained by option of the sponsors will not be auctioned.

Each 10-foot-tall guitar is 40 inches wide, 5.5 inches thick and weighs 100 pounds with a stand weighing 60 pounds. Companies and organizations throughout Greater Cleveland sponsor individual guitars to fund the public art project. Artists submit proposed designs for selection by sponsors. A jury approves the designs.

GuitarManiaŽ, initiated in 2002 by United Way Services of Greater Cleveland in partnership with the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, generated more than $1 million net for the charities. The initial project celebrated the artistic excellence of Greater Cleveland and the city's musical heritage. The launch of GuitarManiaŽ II, Encore in 2004 continues that celebration, as well as pays tribute to the 50th anniversary of the Fender StratocasterŽ guitar.

In addition the United Way Services of Greater Cleveland and The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, partners for GuitarMania II are Clear Channel Radio, cleveland.com, Continental Airlines, Convention and Visitors Bureau of Greater Cleveland, Fender Musical Instruments Corp., The Plain Dealer, Sherwin-Williams and Turner Construction.

Complete information on the GuitarMania project, including history, photos of the guitars, artists' biographies and a sponsor list, is available at www.cleveland.com/guitarmania. For further information, contact Michelle A. Battle at (216) 436-2121 or mbattle@uws.org.