Photos: The Met Celebrates Rock History With Its First Ever Rock & Roll Instruments Exhibit

Chuck Berry's ES-350T guitar greets you as you enter the exhibit.

Chuck Berry's ES-350T guitar greets you as you enter the exhibit.

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Chuck Berry's ES-350T guitar greets you as you enter the exhibit.

courtesy The Metropolitan Museum Of Art

Tom Morello is featured in one of the videos.

Tom Morello is featured in one of the videos.

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Tom Morello is featured in one of the videos.

courtesy The Metropolitan Museum Of Art

Eddie Van Halen is also featured in a video.

Eddie Van Halen is also featured in a video.

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Eddie Van Halen is also featured in a video.

courtesy The Metropolitan Museum Of Art

Prince

Prince

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Prince

courtesy The Metropolitan Museum Of Art

The Who's drum set

The Who's drum set

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The Who's drum set

courtesy The Metropolitan Museum Of Art

Jerry Lee Lewis' Gold Baby Grand Piano, which was Lewis’ home piano from 1957 until 2017.

Jerry Lee Lewis' Gold Baby Grand Piano, which was Lewis’ home piano from 1957 until 2017.

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Jerry Lee Lewis' Gold Baby Grand Piano, which was Lewis’ home piano from 1957 until 2017.

courtesy The Metropolitan Museum Of Art

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courtesy The Metropolitan Museum Of Art

Stevie Ray Vaughn's custom guitar

Stevie Ray Vaughn's custom guitar

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Stevie Ray Vaughn's custom guitar

courtesy The Metropolitan Museum Of Art

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courtesy The Metropolitan Museum Of Art

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courtesy The Metropolitan Museum Of Art

John Lennon's custom-made twelve-string Rickenbacker guitar, used on The Beatles 1964 tour and during sessions for "A Hard Day's Night" and "Beatles For Sale."

John Lennon's custom-made twelve-string Rickenbacker guitar, used on The Beatles 1964 tour and during sessions for "A Hard Day's Night" and "Beatles For Sale."

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John Lennon's custom-made twelve-string Rickenbacker guitar, used on The Beatles 1964 tour and during sessions for "A Hard Day's Night" and "Beatles For Sale."

courtesy The Metropolitan Museum Of Art

Paul Stanley of KISS collaborated with Jeff Hasselberger of Ibanez to create the "Cracked Mirror Iceman."

Paul Stanley of KISS collaborated with Jeff Hasselberger of Ibanez to create the "Cracked Mirror Iceman."

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Paul Stanley of KISS collaborated with Jeff Hasselberger of Ibanez to create the "Cracked Mirror Iceman."

courtesy The Metropolitan Museum Of Art

Don Felder of the Eagles used this white double-neck Gibson guitar in order to play both the six string and twelve string parts of “Hotel California” in live performances.

Don Felder of the Eagles used this white double-neck Gibson guitar in order to play both the six string and twelve string parts of “Hotel California” in live performances.

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Don Felder of the Eagles used this white double-neck Gibson guitar in order to play both the six string and twelve string parts of “Hotel California” in live performances.

courtesy The Metropolitan Museum Of Art

Jimmy Page's Gibson EDS-1275 Double neck, which he used to play the acoustic and electric parts of the song “Stairway to Heaven” without needing to change instruments. It was also used on “The Rain Song,” “Celebration Day,” and “The Song Remains the Same."

Jimmy Page's Gibson EDS-1275 Double neck, which he used to play the acoustic and electric parts of the song “Stairway to Heaven” without needing to change instruments. It was also used on “The Rain Song,” “Celebration Day,” and “The Song Remains the Same."

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Jimmy Page's Gibson EDS-1275 Double neck, which he used to play the acoustic and electric parts of the song “Stairway to Heaven” without needing to change instruments. It was also used on “The Rain Song,” “Celebration Day,” and “The Song Remains the Same."

courtesy The Metropolitan Museum Of Art

Elvis Presley used this acoustic guitar as his main guitar for rhythm playing during his Sun Studios sessions.

Elvis Presley used this acoustic guitar as his main guitar for rhythm playing during his Sun Studios sessions.

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Elvis Presley used this acoustic guitar as his main guitar for rhythm playing during his Sun Studios sessions.

courtesy The Metropolitan Museum Of Art

Born To Rock's unique F4B (serial no. 23)

Born To Rock's unique F4B (serial no. 23)

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Born To Rock's unique F4B (serial no. 23)

courtesy The Metropolitan Museum Of Art

Jimi Hendrix's "Love Drops" Gibson Flying V electric guitar (which he painted), and may have been used on the album "Electric Ladyland"

Jimi Hendrix's "Love Drops" Gibson Flying V electric guitar (which he painted), and may have been used on the album "Electric Ladyland"

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Jimi Hendrix's "Love Drops" Gibson Flying V electric guitar (which he painted), and may have been used on the album "Electric Ladyland"

courtesy The Metropolitan Museum Of Art

Jack Bruce's Fender Bass

Jack Bruce's Fender Bass

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Jack Bruce's Fender Bass

courtesy The Metropolitan Museum Of Art

Keith Richards played and painted this Les Paul Custom electric guitar during the Rolling Stones’ "Beggar’s Banquet" sessions in 1968.

Keith Richards played and painted this Les Paul Custom electric guitar during the Rolling Stones’ "Beggar’s Banquet" sessions in 1968.

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Keith Richards played and painted this Les Paul Custom electric guitar during the Rolling Stones’ "Beggar’s Banquet" sessions in 1968.

courtesy The Metropolitan Museum Of Art

George Harrison's commissioned this “Lotus” acoustic, which features a Jumbo-size body with flower petal-shaped wooden inlays around the soundhole. Harrison ordered this six-string model as well as a twelve string version and used them extensively for his solo work in the latter half of the 1970s.

George Harrison's commissioned this “Lotus” acoustic, which features a Jumbo-size body with flower petal-shaped wooden inlays around the soundhole. Harrison ordered this six-string model as well as a twelve string version and used them extensively for his solo work in the latter half of the 1970s.

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George Harrison's commissioned this “Lotus” acoustic, which features a Jumbo-size body with flower petal-shaped wooden inlays around the soundhole. Harrison ordered this six-string model as well as a twelve string version and used them extensively for his solo work in the latter half of the 1970s.

courtesy The Metropolitan Museum Of Art

Steve Vai's Performance Guitar, nicknamed "Bones."

Steve Vai's Performance Guitar, nicknamed "Bones."

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Steve Vai's Performance Guitar, nicknamed "Bones."

courtesy The Metropolitan Museum Of Art

Ravi Shankar owned and played this sitar, and gave it to Mercury Records executive Shelby Singleton as a gift on a trip to America in the early 60s.

Ravi Shankar owned and played this sitar, and gave it to Mercury Records executive Shelby Singleton as a gift on a trip to America in the early 60s.

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Ravi Shankar owned and played this sitar, and gave it to Mercury Records executive Shelby Singleton as a gift on a trip to America in the early 60s.

courtesy The Metropolitan Museum Of Art

Pete Townshend smashed this Gibson guitar in a photo shoot by Annie Liebovitz, titled “How to Launch Your Guitar in 17 Steps,” for Rolling Stone. This sculpture made from its remains has been on display in the Rolling Stone office building for decades.

Pete Townshend smashed this Gibson guitar in a photo shoot by Annie Liebovitz, titled “How to Launch Your Guitar in 17 Steps,” for Rolling Stone. This sculpture made from its remains has been on display in the Rolling Stone office building for decades.

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Pete Townshend smashed this Gibson guitar in a photo shoot by Annie Liebovitz, titled “How to Launch Your Guitar in 17 Steps,” for Rolling Stone. This sculpture made from its remains has been on display in the Rolling Stone office building for decades.

courtesy The Metropolitan Museum Of Art

St. Vincent MASSEDUCTION edition electric guitar, used it on her 2017 MASSEDUCTION Tour

St. Vincent MASSEDUCTION edition electric guitar, used it on her 2017 MASSEDUCTION Tour

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St. Vincent MASSEDUCTION edition electric guitar, used it on her 2017 MASSEDUCTION Tour

courtesy The Metropolitan Museum Of Art

Steve Miller's Les Paul Special electric guitar; painted by surfboard artist Bob Cantrell and used by Miller in live performances throughout the 1970s

Steve Miller's Les Paul Special electric guitar; painted by surfboard artist Bob Cantrell and used by Miller in live performances throughout the 1970s

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Steve Miller's Les Paul Special electric guitar; painted by surfboard artist Bob Cantrell and used by Miller in live performances throughout the 1970s

courtesy The Metropolitan Museum Of Art

Jeff Beck's Fender Esquire, called "The Ugliest Guitar." He used it while playing with The Yardbirds on songs such as "Heart Full Of Soul" and "Shape Of Things."

Jeff Beck's Fender Esquire, called "The Ugliest Guitar." He used it while playing with The Yardbirds on songs such as "Heart Full Of Soul" and "Shape Of Things."

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Jeff Beck's Fender Esquire, called "The Ugliest Guitar." He used it while playing with The Yardbirds on songs such as "Heart Full Of Soul" and "Shape Of Things."

courtesy The Metropolitan Museum Of Art

B.C. Rich's metallic red Warlock was played by Max Cavalera of the Brazilian thrash metal band Sepultura.

B.C. Rich's metallic red Warlock was played by Max Cavalera of the Brazilian thrash metal band Sepultura.

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B.C. Rich's metallic red Warlock was played by Max Cavalera of the Brazilian thrash metal band Sepultura.

courtesy The Metropolitan Museum Of Art

X-100 Blade Runner, of which only around 100 were made (one was used by Joe Perry, who used it in the music video for Run-DMC's remix of "Walk This Way")

X-100 Blade Runner, of which only around 100 were made (one was used by Joe Perry, who used it in the music video for Run-DMC's remix of "Walk This Way")

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X-100 Blade Runner, of which only around 100 were made (one was used by Joe Perry, who used it in the music video for Run-DMC's remix of "Walk This Way")

courtesy The Metropolitan Museum Of Art

Jimmy Page acquired this Gibson Les Paul Custom in 1960 while working as a session guitarist in London, and used it in the studio from 1962 to 1967.

Jimmy Page acquired this Gibson Les Paul Custom in 1960 while working as a session guitarist in London, and used it in the studio from 1962 to 1967.

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Jimmy Page acquired this Gibson Les Paul Custom in 1960 while working as a session guitarist in London, and used it in the studio from 1962 to 1967.

courtesy The Metropolitan Museum Of Art

Pete Townsend's "No. 6" Les Paul Deluxe, which he used throughout the 1970s until destroyed after it fell from a second-story window in London’s Hammersmith Odeon in December 1975 (it was restored in 2002).

Pete Townsend's "No. 6" Les Paul Deluxe, which he used throughout the 1970s until destroyed after it fell from a second-story window in London’s Hammersmith Odeon in December 1975 (it was restored in 2002).

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Pete Townsend's "No. 6" Les Paul Deluxe, which he used throughout the 1970s until destroyed after it fell from a second-story window in London’s Hammersmith Odeon in December 1975 (it was restored in 2002).

courtesy The Metropolitan Museum Of Art

Faces member Ian McLagan used this Wurlitzer 200 on tons of recordings, including as a session man on The Rolling Stones album "Some Girls."

Faces member Ian McLagan used this Wurlitzer 200 on tons of recordings, including as a session man on The Rolling Stones album "Some Girls."

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Faces member Ian McLagan used this Wurlitzer 200 on tons of recordings, including as a session man on The Rolling Stones album "Some Girls."

courtesy The Metropolitan Museum Of Art

Joni Mitchell used this Ibanez archtop on the 1979 live album "Shadows and Light" and also on the 1983 Refuge World Tour.

Joni Mitchell used this Ibanez archtop on the 1979 live album "Shadows and Light" and also on the 1983 Refuge World Tour.

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Joni Mitchell used this Ibanez archtop on the 1979 live album "Shadows and Light" and also on the 1983 Refuge World Tour.

courtesy The Metropolitan Museum Of Art