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Oasis' Bonehead's piano goes up for auction

Getty Images Five members of Oasis pictured in the 1990s.Getty Images
Bonehead (second from left) was one of the founding members of Oasis

One of four pianos given as Christmas presents to members of Oasis by the man who first signed them is being sold at auction.

The upright Yamaha was gifted to keyboard player and guitarist Paul Arthurs, known as Bonehead, by Alan McGee in 1996.

McGee is widely credited with discovering the Manchester band after seeing them perform in 1993.

The piano is estimated at £8,000-10,000 and will be sold at an auction in Watford on Tuesday, along with a letter of authenticity signed by Arthurs.

Arthurs co-founded Oasis and played on several of the band's biggest albums, including debut Definitely Maybe.

He played rhythm guitar and keyboards for the band and also appeared on What's The Story (Morning Glory) and Be Here Now.

Supplied A brown and white sepier style photo of 'Bonehead' aka Paul Arthurs playing the piano in the 1990s when he was part of Oasis. There are plants on top of the piano and he is looking down at the keys. It is the piano going on sale - wooden upright.Supplied
Paul Arthurs, aka Bonehead, played piano and rhythm guitar with Oasis in the 1990s

Arthurs left the band in 1999, but he is rumoured to be returning for the Oasis comeback tour next year.

The E108 walnut Yamaha was specifically chosen for Bonehead, gifted by McGee's Creation Records.

McGee famously signed the band on the spot in 1993, following a performance at King Tut's in Glasgow.

McGee said working with Oasis was "always genius, wild and unpredictable. You never knew where you were with them. They were so volatile, but I loved it".

Piano Auctions Ltd A brown wooden Yamaha upright piano with the lid open. There is a red velvet covered piano stool next to it and it sits in a dark room with a silvery coloured carpet.Piano Auctions Ltd
Piano Auctions Ltd is selling the Yamaha from an auction house in Watford

Sean McIlroy, director of Piano Auctions Ltd, said: "As far as we are aware this is the first one of the four pianos gifted by Alan McGee to Oasis to come up at auction.

"What makes it exciting is that Bonehead and possibly other band members will have played out elements of their songs on this piano, and now Oasis fans and collectors can try their hands on the same keys."

The piano will be sold online at 12:00 GMT on Tuesday.

Mr McIlroy added: "I can imagine that there will be a few Oasis and music fans who would love this piano as a Christmas present, but they will need quite deep pockets."

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