We loved Jim Irsay. It was an honor and a privilege to serve as Chief Guitar Curator for the Jim Irsay Collection alongside my twin brother, Eric Klee Johnson. Jim was truly one of a kind— a larger-than-life figure who was far more Hunter S. Thompson and John Lennon than Jerry Jones.
JIM IRSAY COLLECTION
Curating a Rock’ n’ Roll Legacy
My Years with the Jim Irsay Collection
By Marc Johnson
We loved Jim Irsay. It was an honor and a privilege to serve as Chief Guitar Curator for the Jim Irsay Collection alongside my twin brother, Eric Klee Johnson. Jim was truly one of a kind— a larger-than-life figure who was far more Hunter S. Thompson and John Lennon than Jerry Jones.
He had an artist’ s mind and exquisite taste in music. Our conversations often revolved around John Lennon, Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, and Pete Townshend. One time Jim texted me photos of himself backstage with Pete Townshend. I replied simply,“ Two
above: Marc Johnson playing David Gilmour’ s Martin D-35 in the Christie’ s warehouse. right: David Gilmour with the black Strat, live at Madison Square Garden, April 2016).
42 | SPRING 2026