George Michael Faith guitar sells at auction despite family row

The guitar used by George Michael in his 1987 Faith music video has sold at auction following a family row over the sale of the singer's memorabilia. The BBC reported that the instrument fetched £180,000 in an auction held by Sworders. The Daily Mail reported that the guitar sold for £234,000. [1][2][5][6]

The guitar was part of a collection of more than 30 items belonging to Michael's long-time personal assistant Siobhan Bailey, who began working with the singer in 1984. BBC News and NME both reported that the items included gold and platinum records, tour programmes, and letters. The BBC stated that the entire sale raised £238,000 excluding buyers' premium. [1][2]

The auction caused a row among Bailey's family members. Siobhan Bailey died in 2014, and her estranged husband Ian Belcher put the collection up for auction after inheriting the items. According to BBC News, her brother Gerard Bailey said she would be horrified at the prospect of the auction. NME reported that her brother called the sale egregiously shameful and a breach of her privacy. [1][2][6]

Faith was the first solo studio album by English singer-songwriter George Michael, released in late 1987. Michael wrote and produced nearly every track on the pop album, which incorporated influences of R&B, funk, and soul music. [7]