Eurovision winners guitars go to auction for charity in Wiltshire

Guitars belonging to the late Martin Lee, who was part of the Eurovision-winning group Brotherhood of Man, are being auctioned off for charity.

The group won the song contest in 1976 with Save your Kisses for Me, which sold six million copies and hit the number one spot in lots of countries.

Lee’s widow Sandra Stevens – also part of the group – decided on the sale for The British Heart Foundation as it was his “heart that gave in at the end”.

The guitars are going under the hammer on 9 September at Gardiner Houlgate Auctioneers in Corsham, Wiltshire.

“It just came to me – his guitars were still in the cupboard in his office. I thought well I’m never going to play them myself” said Ms Stevens.

Lee died last year at the age of 77.

“I miss him everyday. He was absolutely the best. He loved the stage, loved Brotherhood of Man.”

Ms Stevens remembers their Eurovision winning performance well: “It’s the best thing that can happen in your life – except me marrying Martin, that is. It was a wonderful thing to represent our country.”

She told BBC Radio Wiltshire they were warned that the judges would watch a rehearsal too – however, they did not know which one, so they made sure they had the proper costumes on each time.

Ms Stevens explained the guitars for sale all have their original cases with – one, the Gibson, covered in travel stickers.

All are listed as having been used by Lee on stage at some point – the earliest made ones are in the 1970s, going up to 2015.

Brotherhood of Man had more hits after Eurovision – such as Angelo and Figaro. They continued to tour the UK for many years afterwards.

At the same auction, a guitar given away by Led Zeppelin’s Jimmy Page as a competition prize over 50 years ago is also listed.

The 1957 Gretsch Chet Atkins 6120 electric guitar, was the prize in a competition run by New Musical Express magazine – today, the NME.

In an interview for the magazine, Page said he had bought it in Nashville, USA for £200 in 1972. The guitar is being sold with original copies of New Musical Express, receipts and correspondence.

It is expected to sell for £30,000 to £50,000.