The Grammy Museum and the Songwriters Hall of Fame will debut a new exhibit Thursday exploring the history of songwriting and iconic recordings.
The exhibit, “Tower of Song: Iconic Songwriters & Recordings,” will open Thursday at the museum in downtown Los Angeles. A public program featuring Songwriters Hall of Fame inductees Jimmy Jam and Diane Warren will coincide with the opening, according to organizers.
The exhibit will showcase artifacts, recordings and interactive displays tied to songwriters and artists inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame and recordings recognized by the Grammy Hall of Fame, including instruments, handwritten lyrics, stage-worn clothing and recording memorabilia spanning multiple generations of music history.
Items featured in the exhibit include Kurt Cobain’s Mosrite Gospel electric guitar used while writing songs for Nirvana’s “Nevermind,” Neil Diamond’s handwritten lyrics for “Song Sung Blues,” Diane Warren’s Yamaha DX 7 keyboard and Allee Willis’ handwritten lyrics for Earth, Wind & Fire’s “September.”
Additional artifacts include the LinnDrum and Ensoniq Mosaic synthesizer used by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis during the creation of Janet Jackson’s “Rhythm Nation 1814,” one of Herb Alpert’s trumpets and A&M Records tape boxes tied to “The Lonely Bull” and “A Taste of Honey,” Miles Davis’ red lacquer Martin Committee trumpet and carrying case, and Prince’s gold-rimmed glasses and clothing worn during the “Purple Rain” era.
The exhibit also features Keith Moon’s gold Premier drum kit used in “Tommy,” one of Jim Morrison’s personal notebooks, microphones used by Frank Sinatra during Capitol Records sessions, and one of Bill Withers’ acoustic guitars, according to organizers.
“The Grammy Museum is where people can engage more deeply with the music of yesterday and today, discovering influences, uncovering context, and connecting with artists and songs in a meaningful way,” Jasen Emmons, chief curator and vice president of curatorial affairs, said in a statement. “By exploring songwriters and recordings that have shaped music history, the Tower of Song exhibit invites music fans to hear and think about iconic songwriters and recordings in new ways.”
The exhibit will also include an original film featuring interviews with songwriters discussing their creative process and songwriting approaches.
More information about the exhibit can be found at grammymuseum.org/exhibit/tower-of-song-iconic-songwriters-and-recordings/.