Joe BonamassaS Nerdville at Risk Amidst LA Wildfires
Breaking news: Joe Bonamassa has reassured fans through a video update that his residence in Los Angeles remains safe from the wildfires. Expressing gratitude to the Los Angeles Fire Department, he stated, “My heart goes out to those who have lost everything in the past couple of days.”
The Threat to a Musical Treasure
Joe Bonamassa’s Nerdville, renowned for housing one of the largest collections of vintage electric and acoustic guitars, is currently facing peril due to the raging wildfires sweeping through Los Angeles.
Wildfires ravage Los Angeles
This week, a series of wildfires erupted across the LA region, with at least five major blazes still wreaking havoc in various neighborhoods. As of now, over 130,000 residents have been evacuated, and tragically, five lives have been lost.
Reports indicate that nearly 2,000 structures—including homes, schools, and businesses—have been consumed by the flames, notably affecting areas such as Palisades, eaton, Hurst, Lidia, and Sunset, according to California fire officials.
Nerdville’s Proximity to Danger
The vicinity surrounding Laurel Canyon and Hollywood Hills, where Bonamassa’s Nerdville West is situated, is also under threat from the wildfires. The guitarist took to social media to provide updates on the precarious situation.
“It’s out of my control now,” he expressed. “It’s a challenging position to be in as a curator.This is my life’s work. I anticipated this day would come, just not today.So far, things are stable tonight, but the situation remains unpredictable.”
“A heartfelt thank you to the firefighters and first responders for their relentless efforts over the past few days. Stay safe, Los Angeles. These are uncertain and unprecedented times.”
Visual Updates Amidst the Chaos
Accompanying his post was a photo of the Nerdville sign, seemingly captured during an evacuation. According to the LA Times, an evacuation zone has been established around Laurel Canyon Boulevard, Mulholland Drive, and Hollywood Boulevard.
Bonamassa also shared an image of a notable portion of his guitar collection being secured in a garage.
“This is what it looks like when your city is on fire,” Bonamassa remarked in a previous post, alongside a photo of the smoke-filled skyline of Los Angeles. “It feels as if the sky is bruised and battered. My heart aches for all the Angelenos who lost their homes overnight.”
A Collection of Ancient Importance
Bonamassa’s collection is arguably the most esteemed assembly of vintage guitar gear in existence, featuring numerous iconic guitars, amplifiers, and other culturally and historically significant items.
Among the treasures in Nerdville are Lowell George’s Dumble, the legendary Bolin ’Burst owned by Tommy Bolin, and a pristine ’58 Gibson Flying V.
while it’s unclear if these specific pieces are housed at Nerdville West, it’s important to note that not all of Bonamassa’s gear is located at the LA site; some resides at Nerdville East in Nashville, which boasts its own remarkable array of vintage instruments.
A History of Fire Threats
This isn’t the first time Nerdville West has faced the threat of fire.Last year, Bonamassa’s collection narrowly escaped disaster when a fire broke out in the nearby area.
as officials continue to combat the ongoing wildfires, the safety and well-being of human life remain the top priority.
For the latest updates, follow Joe Bonamassa on Instagram.
In 2023, Bonamassa also welcomed Guitarist into Nerdville, showcasing some of his most cherished guitars and sharing the stories behind his favorite pieces.
