Julien’s Auctions, the world’s leading celebrity auction house, announced today from Hard Rock Cafe Piccadilly Circus the full details of its “Music Icons” sale. This year’s collection celebrates the enduring power of heavy metal and commemorates the 50th anniversary of KISS in London with a touring exhibition of highlights from the sale. Bidding on the full collection with over 800 items opens April 27.

“Interest in music memorabilia is reaching unprecedented levels, fueled by collectors who appreciate both the cultural significance of these instruments and the legacy of the artists behind them—often resulting in record-breaking sales,” said Martin Nolan, co-founder and executive director of Julien’s Auctions. “Our annual ‘Music Icons’ auction, featuring extraordinary guitars from Ace Frehley, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Kirk Hammett, underscores Julien’s ongoing commitment to bringing museum-quality pieces to market while shaping the global conversation around music collecting.”

The highlights and registration are now available to view at juliensauctions.com. The two-day auction will be held May 29-30, live from Hard Rock Cafe Times Square in New York City.

The travelling “Music Icons” experience includes an extraordinary collection of some of the most powerful and influential guitars ever to hit the auction stage — instruments played by rock legends including Ace Frehley (KISS), Billy Duffy (THE CULT), Izzy Stradlin (GUNS N’ ROSES), Kirk Hammett (METALLICA), Mick Mars (MÖTLEY CRÜE) and Stevie Ray Vaughan and also includes a Zildjian gong played by BLACK SABBATH‘s Bill Ward.

The highlight exhibition unveiled today at Hard Rock Cafe Piccadilly Circus will remain on view through April 13 before traveling to Japan at Hard Rock Cafe Tokyo where it will be displayed on April 27 the day the sale goes live. Additional items will make a stop on May 13 at Hard Rock Cafe Times Square, remaining open to the public until the live auction takes place May 29-30.

At the centerpiece of the collection is Ace Frehley‘s 1975 Gibson Les Paul, one of the most historically significant guitars in rock and roll. From the very beginning of his career, this instrument, which is expected to fetch between $400,000 and $600,000, was Frehley‘s constant companion, accompanying him on stage and in the studio with KISS more than any other guitar in his arsenal. His longtime use of this Gibson Les Paul has earned Frehley a place on nearly every “Top 10 Les Paul Players Of All Time” list ever published.

Hosted in partnership with the world-renowned Hard Rock Cafe, Julien‘s “Music Icons” auction brings together an extraordinary collection of genre-defining memorabilia from the most influential artists in rock and roll history, including instruments played on stage and in studio by revered musicians. This landmark event offers collectors and fans a rare opportunity to acquire pieces from the music legends who shaped generations.

Registration is required to bid in this auction and can be done in person on the day of the auction, or online before the sale at the Julien’s Auctions.

Last november it was revealed that Ace Frehley died of blunt trauma injuries to his head due to a fall.

The Morris County Medical Examiner confirmed the cause of death in a report obtained by TMZ.com on Monday, November. Ace‘s manner of death was ruled an accident. He was 74 years old.

According to the report, a CT scan of Frehley‘s head revealed multiple contusions, bone fractures to the back of his skull, hemorrhages, and a subdural hematoma (the type of bleeding that occurs in a person’s brain after a head injury). Additional bruises were found on the musician’s hip, thigh, and abdomen. The report also noted that Frehley had suffered a stroke.

Late last month, Frehley‘s longtime manager John Ostrosky confirmed to the New York Post that the late KISS icon was laid to rest at Woodlawn Cemetery in Bronx, New York.

The legendary musician was buried on October 22 following a private memorial on October 21 at Sinatra Memorial Home in Yonkers, New York.

A memorial service for original KISS guitarist Ace Frehley were reportedly held on Tuesday, October 21 at the Sinatra Memorial Home in Yonkers, New York. A funeral followed on Wednesday, October 22 at a cemetery in Bronx, New York, in the same neighborhood “ where he grew up” and “very close to where his parents were buried, which were his wishes,” according to SiriusXM radio personality and Ace‘s longtime friend Eddie Trunk, who attended both the memorial service and the funeral.

According to Tampa Bay Music News, the memorial service “was private, by invitation only, and not open to the public.” It was attended by “about 75 people, mostly musicians who had played with Ace, recorded with him, or simply hung out with him over the years. Family, close friends, and all the members of the original lineup of KISS were present: Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley and Peter Criss.”