Level 5

Play it
Loud

Co-organized with The Met, the exhibit offers a rare, in-depth look at the instruments that inspired the musicians and made possible the songs we know and love.

Eddie Van Halen: Rig Room Interview

Listen to the Interview

Eddie Van Halen: Rig Room Interview

Listen to the Interview

Now On Display

Play It Loud: The Instruments of Rock & Roll is the largest single exhibit the Rock Hall has ever displayed. Fans can expect spectacular new acquisitions and adaptations that make the show unique to its venue. Instruments showcased span from 1939 to today and many have never been displayed outside of their original concert performance settings. This is the only time these iconic instruments will be seen together in one massive collection. 

Open: November 22, 2019 — Closes: December 31, 2020

It chose me - I have no say in this.
Keith Richards

Our much-anticipated exhibit celebrates the iconic musical instruments that gave rock & roll its signature sound.

Instruments showcased span from 1939 to today and many have never been displayed outside of their original concert performance settings. This is the only time these iconic instruments will be seen together in one massive collection. 

From Bruce Springsteen's guitar to a flamboyant costume worn by Prince, fans can examine personal items up close, including:

  • The Edge’s Fender Stratocaster, played on The Joshua Tree album, tour and 2017 30th anniversary tour
  • Chuck Berry’s early hollow-body Gibson guitar
  • Eric Clapton’s Martin acoustic guitar model 000-42 used during his famous MTV Unplugged concert
  • Jerry Garcia’s “Wolf” guitar
  • Rory Gallagher’s iconic 1961 Fender Stratocaster
  • Jimi Hendrix’s hand-decorated electric guitar, dubbed “Love Drops,” made in 1967
  • James Jamerson's upright bass used on many early Motown hits
  • Keyboard John Paul Jones used to record “Stairway to Heaven”
  • Eddie Van Halen’s performance rig from 2013
  • Steve Miller's electric guitar painted with psychedelic designs ca. 1972
  • Keith Richards's hand-painted Gibson Les Paul Guitar used to record Beggars Banquet
  • A sculpture made from what was left of one of Pete Townshend's electric guitars after he smashed the instrument during a photo shoot
  • St. Vincent's electric guitar, which Annie "St. Vincent" Clark designed in collaboration with Ernie Ball Music Man in 2015
  • Tina Weymouth's "headless" Steinberger bass guitar that she used extensively with Talking Heads and Tom Tom Club through the late 1990s
  • A selection of vintage posters from historic concert performances

Other stories shared and instruments on display include ones played and beloved by the Beatles, Eric Clapton, Kurt Cobain, Sheryl Crow, Bo Diddley, The Eagles, The Edge, Kim Gordon, Wanda Jackson, Joan Jett, Metallica, Joni Mitchell, Kate Pierson, Elvis Presley, the Rolling Stones, the Roots, Patti Smith, Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Nancy Wilson and other rock & roll greats.

Play It Loud: Tom Morello

Inside the Rig Room

Play It Loud: Tom Morello

Inside the Rig Room

Play It Loud: Sister Rosetta Tharpe

Series Presented by Pepsi

Play It Loud: Sister Rosetta Tharpe

Series Presented by Pepsi

LET'S GET STARTED