Deryck Whibley Seeks to Reclaim His Iconic Fender Telecaster from Hard Rock Cafe

Deryck Whibley Appeals to Hard Rock Cafe for Return of His Beloved Fender Telecaster

Sum 41 frontman Deryck Whibley recently recovered his long-lost mid-’70s Gibson Marauder, but now he has set his sights on another cherished instrument from his past: a pewter grey Fender Telecaster that currently resides at a Hard Rock Cafe in Florida.

Taking to Instagram, Whibley shared the sentimental value behind the instrument, which he originally donated during the Does This Look Infected? era.

“I gave this unique color guitar to the Hard Rock Cafe after owning it for only a few short years,” he wrote. “Back in 2003, I had just started playing Fender and only had one black Telecaster, but needed a backup. We were on the road in the U.S. when I asked them if they could send me something quickly. I never specified any particular color or style, I just said I needed something fast. A few weeks later, this pewter grey Telecaster showed up. I fell in love with it immediately.”

A Guitar Steeped in Rock History

This Fender Telecaster wasn’t just any backup guitar—it became an essential part of Whibley’s career. After an initial failed attempt to set it ablaze, a signature move he had previously done with his Les Pauls, he opted for a different form of customization. “The finish just didn’t burn up the same way, so I just threw some stickers on it instead,” he recalled. The result was a unique instrument covered in various decals, including Death to the Pixies and Elvis Presley memorabilia.

The guitar made notable appearances in 2003, including a performance at the MTV Awards in Miami and the music video for Little Know It All, a track from Iggy Pop’s Skull Ring album that featured Sum 41.

A Memorable Collaboration with Iggy Pop

Whibley reflected on the surreal experience of working with Iggy Pop, recounting how they had been up all night shooting the music video before taking the stage at the MTV Awards. “I was so exhausted that whole day of the award show,” he said. “But when it came time to get on stage, I couldn’t help but light up from the electricity of Iggy Pop’s energy and performance.”

Performing Little Know It All alongside Iggy Pop, followed by his classic hit Lust for Life, remains one of the defining moments of Whibley’s career. “Even back then, we recognized the gravity of what we were doing. It was wild to actually be playing as his band at this time,” he shared. “Singing a song that we wrote together and performing Lust for Life was one of the great musical experiences of my life. I am forever grateful it worked out the way it did.”

A Plea to Hard Rock Cafe

Now, over two decades later, nostalgia has prompted Whibley to reach out in an attempt to retrieve the instrument that holds so many memories.

“I do miss this guitar! Hard Rock Cafe, can we work something out?” he asked, making a direct appeal to the restaurant chain known for its collection of rock memorabilia.

This isn’t Whibley’s first interaction with legendary guitars. Last year, he had the opportunity to play Steve Jones’ Sex Pistols Les Paul at Sum 41’s final European show. Additionally, he acquired the ’68 Gibson Les Paul Goldtop used on recordings for Ozzy Osbourne, Hole, Korn, and Social Distortion—adding yet another piece of rock history to his collection.

As he seeks the return of his beloved Fender Telecaster, fans can only wait to see if Hard Rock Cafe will grant Whibley’s request and reunite him with a crucial piece of his musical journey.