Rick Nielsen’s Multi-Neck Marvel
Rick Nielsen's Five-Neck Guitar
Known for his flamboyant stage presence and love for multiple guitars, Cheap Trick’s Rick Nielsen collaborated with Hamer Guitars to create the ultimate statement piece. In 1981, Hamer crafted this unique guitar by laminating five Hamer Special bodies together. This Frankensteinian instrument became a symbol of Nielsen’s over-the-top rock and roll persona.
Prince’s Symbolic Statement
Prince's Love Symbol Guitar
Prince, a true iconoclast, was never one to shy away from making a statement. During his contract dispute in the 90s, he famously changed his name to a symbol. This “Love Symbol” guitar, created in 1993, became another extension of his artistic rebellion. Prince used variations of this striking instrument in numerous live performances, including his unforgettable 2007 Super Bowl halftime show.
Prince’s Humble Beginnings: The Leopard Guitar
Prince's Leopard Print Guitar
Contrary to his image of extravagance, Prince’s primary guitar throughout his career had surprisingly humble origins. Legend has it he purchased this leopard-patterned guitar from a Minneapolis gas station for a mere thirty dollars in the early 1970s. The reason? The pickguard matched his strap and stage outfits. This unassuming guitar accompanied him throughout his legendary career, including his Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction in 2004 where he played a mesmerizing rendition of The Beatles’ “While My Guitar Gently Weeps.”
Flea’s Funky Basslines
Flea's Punk Bass Guitar
Flea’s energetic and distinctive bass playing is a cornerstone of the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ sound. This “Punk Bass” was his weapon of choice during the band’s By the Way album era and the subsequent tours in 2002-2003. It embodies the raw energy and funk-infused rock that defines Flea’s style.
Emerson’s Prog Rock Keys
Keith Emerson's Hammond Organ and Synthesizer
Keith Emerson of Emerson, Lake and Palmer was a pioneer of progressive rock keyboard playing. This Hammond electric tone wheel organ was crucial to ELP’s sound on their 1971 album Tarkus and during their tours. Emerson was known for pushing boundaries, adapting and utilizing this analog synthesizer to create groundbreaking sounds.
Innovative Bass Design
Born to Rock’s patented aluminum tube frame electric bass represented a bold step in instrument design. This bass showcased innovation in materials and construction, highlighting the constant evolution within rock instrument technology.
Hotel California’s Double Neck
Don Felder's Double-Neck Guitar
The Eagles’ “Hotel California” is instantly recognizable, in part due to its iconic double-neck guitar performance. Don Felder used this white, double-neck guitar to seamlessly transition between the six-string and twelve-string parts during live renditions of the classic song.
Shankar’s Sitar: East Meets West
Ravi Shankar's Sitar
Ravi Shankar, a master of Hindustani classical sitar music, had a profound impact on Western music. His performances and collaborations influenced musicians like George Harrison and The Beatles, bridging Eastern and Western musical traditions and enriching the tapestry of rock and roll.
Horns of Rock: Chicago & The E Street Band
Lee Loughnane's Trumpet and Clarence Clemons' Saxophone
Rock and roll isn’t just about guitars. Lee Loughnane’s trumpet from Chicago and Clarence Clemons’ saxophone from Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band represent the vital role of horns in shaping the genre. Clemons’ saxophone, in particular, delivered iconic solos on tracks like “Jungleland” and “Thunder Road.”
Strummer’s Punk Rock Telecaster
Joe Strummer's Telecaster Guitar
Joe Strummer of The Clash embodied the raw energy of punk rock. His “Telecaster” electric guitar was a symbol of the genre’s rebellious spirit, stripped-down aesthetic, and powerful, direct sound.
Tull’s Rock Flute
Ian Anderson's Flute
Jethro Tull, led by Ian Anderson, uniquely incorporated the flute into rock music. Anderson’s flute playing became a signature element of Jethro Tull’s sound, blending folk, rock, and progressive elements in a distinctive way.
Joan Jett’s Rock and Roll Machine
Joan Jett's Gibson Melody Maker Guitar
Joan Jett, a rock and roll icon for generations, has wielded her Gibson “Melody Maker” electric touring guitar since the 1980s. This guitar is a testament to her enduring career and her status as a powerful female force in rock music.
McCartney’s Jubilee Bass
Paul McCartney's Union Jack Violin Bass Guitar
Built for Paul McCartney to commemorate Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012, this left-handed ‘violin’ bass with a Union Jack design is more than just an instrument. It pays tribute to the British Invasion of the 1960s and the enduring legacy of The Beatles. McCartney used this symbolic bass to close the Jubilee concert with “Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da,” joined by fellow performers.
The “Play It Loud” exhibition offered a tangible connection to the history of rock and roll. These instruments are not just objects; they are storytellers, each strum, pluck, and blow resonating with the energy of rock history. Exploring these artifacts is like experiencing “Rock and Roll Part 2,” continuing to learn and appreciate the incredible journey of this genre.
