Instruments used by Hendrix, Zeppelin, Van Halen, ELP & more set for New York exhibition

(Image credit: Ebet Roberts/Redferns - Getty)

A collection of iconic instruments used by artists including Jimi Hendrix, Jimmy Page, Metallica, the Beatles, the Rolling Stones and more are to be displayed at a new exhibition in New York next year.

Play It Loud: Instruments Of Rock And Roll will run at the city’s Metropolitan Museum Of Art between April 8 until October 1, 2019, and has been organised by The Met in conjunction with The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame.

A statement reads: “Through more than 130 instruments that were used by such artists as Chuck Berry, The Beatles, Elvis Presley, Jimi Hendrix, Joni Mitchell, Jimmy Page, Steve Miller, St. Vincent, Metallica, The Rolling Stones, and many others, Play It Loud: Instruments of Rock And Roll will explore one of the most influential artistic movements of the 20th century and the objects that made the music possible.

“Drawn from 70 private and public collections in the US and UK, most of the objects in the exhibition have never been shown outside of their performance contexts.”

Among the exhibits will be Eric Clapton’s Blackie, Eddie Van Halen’s Frankenstein and Jerry Garcia’s Wolf, along with Keith Emerson’s Moog synthesiser and Hammond organ, and Keith Moon’s Pictures Of Lily drum kit.

The statement continues: “By displaying several rigs used in live performances and sound recordings, the exhibition will also demonstrate how artists created their own individual sounds.”

Scattered around the exhibition will be vintage posters and stage costumes, while music videos will also be shown around the museum.

Also on-site will be a sculpture made from the remains of Pete Townshend’s guitars which he destroyed during a photo shoot with Annie Leibovitz for Rolling Stone.

Find out more.

Artists

Scott has spent 37 years in newspapers, magazines and online as an editor, production editor, sub-editor, designer, writer and reviewer. Scott joined our news desk in 2014 before moving into e-commerce in 2020. Scott maintains Louder’s buyer’s guides, highlights deals, and reviews headphones, speakers, earplugs and more. Over the last 12 years, Scott has written more than 11,500 articles across Louder, Classic Rock, Metal Hammer and Prog. He's previously written for publications including IGN, Sunday Mirror, Daily Record and The Herald, covering everything from news and features, to tech reviews, video games, travel and whisky. Scott's favourite bands are Fields Of The Nephilim, The Cure, New Model Army, All About Eve, The Mission, Cocteau Twins, Drab Majesty, Marillion and Rush.