OASIS played it on Definitely Maybe, the Manic Street Preachers played it on This is My Truth Tell Me Yours, and it has featured on a host of other albums and singles, but now the piano from Monnow Valley Studios, near Monmouth, has been put up for sale.
The instrument, a Yamaha C3 grand piano, was bought originally by Rockfield Studios in 1973, and transferred to Monnow Valley in 1986, but is now said to be past its best. It is now scuffed, and it is said to be stained from wine glasses being placed on it.
In the listing on auction website eBay, the studio wrote: “This is a rare chance to own a true piece of British rock history. We are reluctantly selling our grand piano as it has come to the end of its life as a recording instrument. It is currently in our recording studio – Monnow Valley Studio – in South Wales.
“It has been well used over the years, but is still very much a playable beginner’s instrument. With two or three tunings a year, it will be stable enough for home use. For anything more, it would need a full refurb – however, the price fully reflects this. We anticipate that it would be of interest to either an Oasis super fan or someone looking for an entry level grand piano with the most interesting legacy in the country.
“We have tried to photograph it as accurately as possible. It is still a stunning instrument, even with the bumps and scrapes (and red wine stains!). Each one telling the story of a moment in rock ‘n’ roll.
“The piano was bought new in the late 1980s from Cranes Music in Cardiff and has featured on some of the best known records in the world.
They later added: “The piano was actually bought brand new in 1973. It actually resided in our then sister studio, Rockfield Studios, in the Quadrangle until 1986 when it moved to Monnow Valley Studio.
“We don’t have an exact client list from Rockfield Studios, but a search of their clients from 1973 to 1986 would throw up some names. Sadly, it is not the one Queen used for Bohemian Rhapsody – that was Freddie’s own piano which he brought in for the session.”
The piano, which appeared on the cover of the very first Oasis single, Supersonic, is being auctioned, and all bids must be placed by today (Thursday).
At the time the Review went to press, it had attracted 48 bids, and had reached £8,000.