This Summer at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC, the acclaimed exhibit Play it Loud: The Instruments of Rock and Roll took center stage at one of the world’s premier art venues. Sharing the same space with ancient Egyptian, Roman and Greek sculpture and Impressionist Masters of the Renaissance was Eddie Van Halen’s ‘Frankenstein’ guitar. For the world’s fans of rock and roll, I’d say we’ve arrived.

Currently on display at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, this exhibit celebrates and focuses on the instruments that made the music. These tools, in the hands of the masters, created the iconic sounds of rock that defined an era and changed the world. Read on to see these modern masterpieces in a never before curated collection that produced the powerful art form.

Walking in is a trip through time. Paying homage to Rock’s pioneers we first see Chuck Berry’s Gibson ES-350T, which cranked out the trail blazing riffs of Johnny B Goode.

From there, the early years collection continues with Jerry Lee Lewis’ baby grand piano. I took a close look to see if his footprints might actually be on the keys.

Bo Diddley’s ‘Twang Machine’ showcases an early custom-made instrument that becomes synonymous with the artist himself, one of the first of many to follow.

Of course, no tribute to Rock would be anywhere near complete without acknowledging the Beatles. With the complete stage set including Paul’s Hofner Violin Bass, John’s custom made Rickenbacker 12-string and Ringo’s 4-pc Ludwig drum set, it was as if the Fab Four were about to mesmerize the audience at the Ed Sullivan Theater.

The Guitar Gods room is hallowed ground for anyone who ever held (or imagined holding) a six-string (like me). Just knowing that these are the actual instruments played on stage and in studio by my heroes gave me chills. Here are just a few highlights:

Eric Clapton’s ‘Blackie’ Stratocaster, an instrument that if it could talk (which it did when played by Slowhand) would tell the countless stories of a virtuoso road warrior.

Jimi Hendrix’s ‘Love Drops’ Flying-V, personally hand-painted with fingernail polish.

Jimmy Page’s ‘Number One’ Les Paul, a backstage gift from Joe Walsh.

Stevie Ray Vaughn’s initials emblazoned on his signature Strat, where he tortured the strings with searing blues licks.

And Eddie Van Halen’s Frankenstein, ripped apart, reassembled, taped and painted in the now iconic pattern. Eddie wanted the best of both worlds, a single coil Strat that could also take on a heavy double-coil Les Paul sound. It didn’t exist, so he made it himself.

Next up, a section dedicated to the Bass players, from Paul McCartney’s Union Jack Violin Bass played for the Queen to Flea’s ‘Punk Bass’…the backbone of every rock band is honored here.

Tribute is paid to the electronic wizards of the keyboards, featuring Keith Emerson’s monstrous synthesizer, looking like something out of a mad scientist’s lab.

And the modified Hammond L-100, his ‘stunt’ instrument. He’d stick knives in it to hold down the keys, jump on it, pull it down on himself…it was finally retired when it burst into flames during a performance.

Electric Pianos became a dominant sound with instruments from Wurlitzer and Fender, played by keyboardists from Stevie Wonder to Billy Joel to Elton John.

Destruction of their instruments was a statement made by artists demonstrating social intolerance against the politics and culture of their time. Play it Loud: The Instruments of Rock and Roll features an actual remaining piece of the guitar that Jimi Hendrix lit on fire at the Monterey Pop Festival in 1967.

And when it comes to destroying instruments onstage, no one could rival The Who.

There is an incredible collection of hand-painted and customized guitars to be seen, including Steve Miller’ Les Paul double cutaway lavishly adorned by surfboard artist Bob Cantrell.

Keith Richards decorated this Les Paul himself in 1968.

Many more artists added signature instruments with designs that expressed their unique personalities including Joan Jett…

Jimmy Page’s double neck that brought the multiple passages ‘Stairway to Heaven’ onstage, accompanied by his famed embroidered ‘Dragon Suit’…

Prince…

Joe Strummer…

and Lady Gaga.

An absolute highlight was a multi-media video room featuring the complete guitar, amplifier and effect pedal stage setups used by Keith Richards, Jimmy Page and Eddie Van Halen, giving interviews that take us behind the music, into the creative process that drove them. Hearing Keith talk about the unique guitar tunings that made his playing such genius, Eddie talking about not inventing, but perfecting the ‘pull-off’, along with a live performance of ‘Eruption’ and Jimmy talking about taking a violin bow to his guitar…this is the creativity and passion that defines Rock n Roll.

And taking the guitar’s flashy modifications to the extreme is Rick Neilson’s outrageous five-neck Hamer.

Play it Loud: The Instruments of Rock and Roll is more than a collection of musical instruments. The exhibit tells an amazing story of the art and evolution that brought to life the music that defines our generation. Long-live Rock and Roll!

Follow my blog with Bloglovin