By Steve Purcell on
George Michael has loaned a piano once owned by John Lennon to the Virginia Tech University following the April massacre of 33 students.
The piano, on which Lennon composed the hit song “Imagine”, was bought for £1.45 million ($2.9 million) by George Michael at auction in 2000, where he outbid Robbie Williams and Liam and Noel Gallagher.
After the purchase, Michael had said that he would keep the piano in the UK, but he and partner Kenny Goss are currently touring it around the world promoting peace, according to his representative, Jon Streep.
“George and Kenny have graciously lent the piano to various locations where individuals and communities have suffered great tragedies,” Streep told The Celebrity Truth, following inaccurate reports that the piano had been donated outright.
“This piano, and the legendary musical composition it produced, serve as a beacon of peace to these wonderful communities in an effort to ease the healing and strengthen the hearts of those so deeply hurt by these devastating circumstances.”
The piano has been photographed in locations including the site of President Kennedy’s assassination, the Memphis site of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s death, Oklahoma City and now Virginia Tech. A documentary and book are under development, with proceeds going to charity.
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