`Play It Loud; Instruments of Rock & Roll’ is the theme of a new exhibition at the MET in New York City, which opens to the public on April 8, and runs through October 1, 2019. 130 musical instruments, from 1937 – 2017, mostly from the world’s famous musicians and some from the MET archives are displayed in several themed galleries. There are also 40 vintage posters, plus costumes worn by the stars as they played their guitars on show, and performance videos – all of these components illustrate key elements of the musical movements, visual style, and impact. This is the first exhibition at the MET that is totally dedicated to music. More than 80 renowned musicians are celebrated in this unique role of rarely seen instruments in Rock.
THE LAUNCH
At a private media preview last Monday, we were treated to words by legendary musicians like Jimmy Page from Led Zeppelin, and Don Felder, an original member of The Eagles who even entertained the gathering with a rendition of his guitar solo from “Hotel California” that closed out the official media briefing, marking the launch of “Play It Loud: Instruments of Rock & Roll.” Max Hollein, the new Director of the MET welcomed special guests and media representatives, by saluting the musical instruments as unique tools – “The MET is in partnership with the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, as a way we come to understand Rock & Roll in a very special way.”
JIMMY PAGE
The legendary Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin took to the podium revealing he was asked to loan some of his instruments for the exhibition. “Jason came to my house and explained how they were going to be showcased. I was keen to loan what I could add to the phenomena of electric guitar music.” Jimmy emphasized, that The Beatles and everybody in that era was inspired and shaped by it. “The whole thing was a magical tapestry of my life. This day at the MET is something I never dreamt of.”
STEVE MILLER
Steve Miller of the Mets Music Department, who happens to be an accomplished musician himself and, have his instruments displayed in the exhibition, reflected on the joy and enthusiasm of everyone present. “It’s really hard to get musicians to part with their instruments. I was stunned by the power and the elegance of this exhibit when I first walked in. The knowledge and power that Jason brought to this powerful exhibition is a very moving thing.” Steve also paid homage to the MET for including several women as part of “Play It Loud” like Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Joni Mitchell, Lady Gaga, Tina Weymouth, Nancy Wilson, and Patti Smith.
Steve Miller of the Mets Music Department, who happens to be an accomplished musician himself and, have his instruments displayed in the exhibition, reflected on the joy and enthusiasm of everyone present. “It’s really hard to get musicians to part with their instruments. I was stunned by the power and the elegance of this exhibit when I first walked in. The knowledge and power that Jason brought to this powerful exhibition is a very moving thing.” Steve also paid homage to the MET for including several women as part of “Play It Loud” like Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Joni Mitchell, Lady Gaga, Tina Weymouth, Nancy Wilson, and Patti Smith.
ROCK & ROLL HALL OF FAME
Greg Harris, Chairman of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame noted: “Today we’re really seeing a dream come true. It really raised the bar for us. Congratulations to all involved.” Tina Weymouth of the rock group `Talking Heads,’ a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee talked about `The Sound of Genuine.’ She appealed to the audience to try to experience this awakening. “If you don’t have that, you have nothing, you are not living. The world that separate us will become one if you see the genuine in me, you’ll see it in yourself.” So, what did her speech had to do with the exhibition was beyond me, but it was good to see this musical legend participate in this iconic celebration.
NOTEWORTHY
Among some of the dramatic highlights of `Play It Loud: Instruments of Rock & Roll’ are the state of the art, custom-design piano used by Lady GaGa; a 1977 Gibson Guitar from the collection of Joan Jett; The Beatles drum set and Guitar set up; Bo Diddley’s rectangular guitar; the famous `Symbol’ guitar from Prince is presented, courtesy of Paisley Park Enterprises Inc. and the estate of Prince Rogers Nelson; Jimi Hendrix triangular shaped, lipstick scribbled guitar; Jimmy Page’s `Dragon Suit’ and guitar worn during a Led Zeppelin tour (1975-1977) and Chuck Berry’s Gibson Guitar. Completing the ensemble of instruments on display, were items from musicians – Ringo Starr, Eric Clapton, Elvis Presley, The Who, Muddy Waters, Keith Richards, Eddie Van Halen, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and Jerry Garcia, among them.
