New and redesigned exhibits build connections between musical stories
New and redesigned exhibits in the United States / Canada Gallery invite guests to discover and appreciate connections between important musical stories. These exciting updates highlight new acquisitions, and the revised gallery layout helps reveal the lines of influence between gospel hymns and rock and roll, Hawaiian instruments and country music, and many more celebrated genres and traditions.
Rock and Roll
Showcasing pivotal developments—including the sensational innovations of Chuck Berry and Buddy Holly in the 1950s, the synthesizer-driven music of the 1970s, the music videos of MTV in the 1980s and ’90s, and the wide-ranging rock music of today—the relocated and expanded Rock and Roll exhibit shows how the genre has rocked the world for decades.
In memory of David E. Ballard by the Ballard Family
MIM’s redesigned Rock and Roll exhibit features instruments owned and played by world-famous artists from the Allman Brothers to ZZ Top—including a drum set played by Dennis Wilson of the Beach Boys.
This 1950s Fender Stratocaster was owned by Waylon Jennings. Jennings played in Buddy Holly’s band in the late 1950s, and this guitar is virtually identical to Holly’s sunburst Stratocaster.
Gift of Sarah James, Scottsdale, Arizona
Woodstock
A new exhibit on a platform adjacent to Rock and Roll is dedicated to the famous 1969 Woodstock festival, the definitive moment of America’s youthful counterculture. Among its instruments is the drum set that Creedence Clearwater Revival’s Doug Clifford played during the band’s headlining performance at Woodstock.
Session Artists
Session artists are often unknown to the public but are essential to the music industry. This relocated and expanded exhibit displays instruments played by prolific and talented musicians on hit records, on well-known movie scores and soundtracks, and during world tours. Included are instruments played by two of the most recorded musicians in history: Hal Blaine and Tommy Tedesco of the Wrecking Crew.
Hawaiian Music
The relocated and redesigned Hawaiian Music exhibit shows how the evocative sounds of Hawaiian music—symbolized by ukuleles, Hawaiian steel guitars, and hula songs—have left a profound impact on American popular culture.
This 5K soprano ukulele was the fanciest model offered by C. F. Martin & Co. in the 1920s, and instruments like it remain sought-after by players and collectors.
Gospel | Soul
The new Gospel | Soul exhibit shows how the praise and worship music of church communities has impacted popular music. Instruments and sounds characteristic of gospel music have influenced the development of contemporary soul, R&B, and rock and roll, among other genres. The exhibit features the acoustic archtop guitar played by legendary gospel musician Sister Rosetta Tharpe during the 1940s and ’50s, when she personally established the formula for rock and roll.
Generously supported by Jay Dudley & Ron Dobry
Steel Guitars
This new exhibit spotlights the steel guitar, a Hawaiian instrument that became a primary instrumental voice in many styles of country music, including Western swing and honky-tonk. MIM’s collection of special steel guitars includes rare models from the Gibson and Fender companies and a pedal steel guitar built by legendary maker Paul Bigsby.
This one-of-a-kind Gibson double-neck steel guitar was custom-made around 1938.
Appalachia
The new Appalachia exhibit showcases the storied folk music traditions of the region. Appalachian musicians play sophisticated music with rustic handmade instruments and professional-quality instruments. Examples of both are on display, including a handcrafted fiddle and a top-grade Martin dreadnought guitar.
This dulcimer was made by folk musician Jean Ritchie, who grew up in southeastern Kentucky and initiated a dulcimer revival in the 1940s.
Gift in memory of Thomas Arthur Manhart by Hilary Stewart
Vaudeville
The new Vaudeville exhibit represents an era of entertainment before radio and television were widely available. Multitalented artists sang, danced, and told jokes during live performances, and the best of these performers became some of the earliest musical celebrities. Vaudeville drummers provided theatrical accompaniment; the exhibit’s 1920s trap set is an early example of a setup that allowed a single drummer to accompany a stage show.
