WHO MEMORABILIA GOES ON SHOW

A $750,000 (GBP500,000) collection of guitars, costumes and awards belonging to the late WHO bassist JOHN ENTWISTLE is going on show before being auctioned.

The Who bassist died aged 57 last year (02) in Las Vegas on the eve of the band's transatlantic tour.

A preview of the 13 May (03) sale is being held in SOTHEBY'S auction house in London, and includes Entwistle's collection of more than 150 guitars.

Photographs, awards, drawings and more unusual instruments, like French horns, were also being shown.

Entwistle's favourite guitar - a pink FENDER PRECISION BASS - has been valued at up to $10,500 (GBP7,000).

STEPHEN MAYCOCK, specialist in charge of the sale, says, "We are incredibly lucky to be offering so many pieces from Entwistle's personal collection ranging from music awards through to a ring decorated with a spider.

"The collection of guitars, by a wide variety of makers such as WARWICK, ALEMBIC, GIBSON, GRETSCH and Fender, are all extremely fascinating."