Top EMI acts auction items for Japan relief efforts

Katy Perry, David Bowie, The Beatles, Coldplay, Iron Maiden and Lady Antebellum are among the members of EMI Records Group that are donating exclusive items for a charity auction to raise money for the Japanese Red Cross.

The auction, which will be managed by eBay, features personal items and memorabilia alongside meet-and-greet opportunities with the artists and other rarities.

The first phase of the charity auction started Tuesday (4/5) and will run until April 15. The first phase includes contributions from Alice In Chains, Beastie Boys, Darius Rucker, Depeche Mode, Dierks Bentley, Good Charlotte and Keith Urban, among others.

Highlights include Chris Martin's jacket from Coldplay's Viva la Vida 2010 world tour; five nights at Michael Franti's Bali yoga retreat; a day on tour with Simple Minds; and a pair of guest tickets for Coachella, complete with a meet-and-greet with The Chemical Brothers and a signed set list.

The second phase of the auction, which runs from April 11-21 includes items donated on behalf of The Beatles, David Gilmour, Billy Corgan, Beach Boys, Gorillaz, Norah Jones, Megadeth, Iron Maiden, Jonas Brothers, Willie Nelson and Rosanne Cash.

Standouts from the second phase include Deadmau5's famous diamante mau5 head stage costume; the last of an extremely limited-edition Schwinn bicycle featuring the Yellow Submarine artwork; a cupcake trampoline featured on the stage of Katy Perry's California Dreams tour; and a 1987 Ferrari 412 that was used in the Daft Punk film Electroma.

The auction also will include three items donated by Abbey Road Studios, including a rare, in-depth tour of the private studio; a pair of Quested Q412 loudspeakers, system, amps and crossovers (circa 1987) from Abbey Road Studio 3; and a 1921 Steinway grand piano from the now-closed Olympic Studios that comes with a photograph of it being played by Bono.

The auction also will feature CDs, box sets and posters from a variety of EMI acts, including Jane's Addiction, John Lennon, Robbie Williams, Radiohead, Pink Floyd and The Band.

A complete list of auction items can be found at eBay's EMI Family for Japan page.