This May, Nashville becomes the temporary home to some of the most iconic guitars in rock ‘n’ roll history, thanks to an awe-inspiring exhibition at the Musicians Hall of Fame & Museum. The exhibition, which runs from May 15-18, 2024, is a prelude to the much-anticipated “Music Icons” auction organized by Julien’s Auctions.

John Lennon’s Lost Treasure

At the heart of the exhibit is John Lennon’s legendary Framus 12-string Hootenanny acoustic guitar, famously played during the Beatles’ 1965 album “Help!” This guitar, thought to have been lost, represents a monumental piece of Beatles history. Its discovery has been likened to finding a lost masterpiece by Rembrandt or Picasso. Beautifully preserved, it has spent over 50 years hidden away in an attic, yet it still plays like a dream.

Rock Guitars that will be on display:

Joining Lennon’s guitar are instruments from other music legends, each with its own story and legacy:

• Bob Dylan and Robbie Robertson’s historic 1965 Fender Telecaster.

• Randy Bachman’s 1959 Gibson Les Paul Standard, known from the hit “American Woman”.

• Steve Jones of the Sex Pistols’ 1974 Gibson Les Paul Custom.

• Mark Knopfler’s 1987 Gibson Chet Atkins Country Gentleman Guitar, autographed by Atkins to benefit The King’s Trust.

Nashville’s Cultural Contribution

The exhibition highlights Nashville’s pivotal role in preserving the cultural legacy of rock music. Linda Chambers said she has appreciated the “great relationship” the two organizations have shared over the years, allowing the “greatest artifacts in music history” to be shared with museum guests.