From the moment rock and roll hit the airwaves, it has played a crucial role in politics and social movements around the world. Now, two iconic museums – the Newseum and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio – are partnering on a one-of-a-kind exhibit that explores the power of rock to change attitudes about patriotism, peace, equality and freedom.
“Louder Than Words: Rock, Power and Politics” will be on display in the cities hosting two major political events in the upcoming presidential election cycle: the Republican National Convention in Cleveland and the 2017 presidential inauguration celebrations in the nation’s capital.
Using video, multimedia, photographs, periodicals and artifacts, such as the guitar John Lennon debuted at the bed-in where he and Yoko Ono introduced the anti-war song “Give Peace a Chance,” “Louder Than Words” will showcase the intersection between rock and politics and examine how artists exercise their First Amendment rights, challenge assumptions and beliefs, stimulate thought and effect change. The exhibit will explore music’s influence on civil rights, the Vietnam War and gender equality, and will include such artists as Bob Dylan, U2 and Rage Against the Machine.
“Louder Than Words,” presented by the Hilton, Sound Exchange, AT&T and Altria Group, premieres on May 20, 2016, at the Rock Hall in Cleveland, and moves to the Newseum on Jan. 13, 2017, where it will be on display through July 31, 2017.
John Lennon originally acquired this guitar in 1964 to replace an identical one that was stolen. He used it extensively throughout his career. It was prominently seen in the film Help! In 1967, the guitar was painted psychedelic blue and red by the Fool, the Dutch art cooperative that also painted Lennon’s Rolls-Royce. In 1968, Lennon had the guitar’s finish stripped to the natural wood finish. Lennon and Yoko Ono held two “bed-ins” for peace in March and May of 1969, which Lennon commemorated by drawing caricatures of Yoko and himself on the guitar. It was during the second bed-in, held at the Queen Elizabeth Hotel in Montreal, that the single “Give Peace a Chance” was recorded, using this guitar.N.W.A was a Compton, California-based hip-hop group widely considered one of the seminal acts of gangsta rap. Rappers Eazy-E, Ice Cube, Dr. Dre, and MC Ren would all go on to be stars in their own right. N.W.A. released the groundbreaking album, Straight Outta Compton, in 1988. The album reflected the rising anger of urban youth and addressed themes such as police brutality and racial profiling, especially on the tracks “Straight Outta Compton” and “Fuck tha Police.” The explicit and anti-establishment nature of their lyrics banned them from many mainstream U.S. radio stations and drew the attention of high-level law enforcement.Bruce Springsteen wore this outfit on the cover of “Born in the U.S.A.”By 1965, James Brown had moved beyond his basic rhythm & blues roots to pioneer what would become known as funk. Deep and infectious grooves were paired with politically aware lyrics. This musical revolution was mirrored in the ascending Black Power movement. “I Don’t Want Nobody to Give Me Nothing (Open Up the Door, I’ll Get It Myself)” only reached Number 20 on the pop chart, but it made it to Number Three on the R&B chart.This guitar was Joe Strummer’s principal instrument. He played it in the studio while with the Clash and throughout his solo career. After he acquired the guitar in the early 1970s, Strummer took the guitar to an auto-body shop, where he had it spray painted with gray primer.
