The exhibit, co-organized with the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, presented roughly 130 instruments and advertisement posters and tour costumes. Spectators paid witness to many of rock's most recognized instruments, representing artists from across generations and subgenres.
“It was a great chance to see items that we had only read about in class,” says Dillon. “On display were instruments from The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, and other historic rock bands.”
For the first time, a major museum exhibited rock & roll instruments. One of the most vital artistic movements ever, rock & roll had a seismic influence that defined our modern-day culture.
“It was awesome,” adds Aidan Gonzalez, a resident of Hoboken. “Seeing the guitar that Jimi Hendrix played was awe-inspiring.”
Early rock musicians relied on the wail of the electric guitar and distortion of early amplifiers, a sound that became forever associated with rock music. Fans have long been interested in the instruments.
“It was interesting to see Jerry Lee Lewis’s gold baby grand piano next to Lady Gaga’s piano,” notes Amelia Osborne, a resident of Weehawken.
Many fans, both amateur and professional, have sought and acquired exact models of instruments and equipment used by their rock & roll idols, and have spent countless hours trying to emulate their music and look. These instruments in the exhibit had a profound impact on this art form.
“I liked the Metallica exhibit,” says Nicole Vilca, a resident of West New York. “It looked like [the group] had a lot of fun on stage.”
