Hard Rock’s 40th Anniversary Memorabilia Tour Heads To Miami & Hollywood

Michael Jackson's "Thriller" Jacket

On Sunday, Aug. 14, Hard Rock’s 40th Anniversary Memorabilia Tour, featuring memorabilia from the world’s greatest rock legends and icons, will head to Hard Rock Cafe Miami, and then roll on to its next tour stop at the Hard Rock Cafe in the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood on August 15-17. 


Fans will have the chance to experience rock history with Hard Rock’s 40th Anniversary Memorabilia Tour, honoring the lives and legends of rock’s greatest, like Jimi Hendrix, Michael Jackson, Elvis Presley and John Lennon, as well as today’s hottest artists, including Justin Bieber, Snoop Dogg and Katy Perry, and many more.  From unique clothes and lyrics, to historic instruments and rare personal items, Hard Rock has chosen the top 40 most iconic pieces of music memorabilia from its collection and will take guests through some of the most memorable years in rock history. 

Madonna's "Like A Virgin" Dress

Hard Rock’s memorabilia team scoured its vault and searched Hard Rock Cafes and Hotels worldwide to find the best pieces, and with more than 73,000 items in the collection, it was an extremely difficult task.  With so many unique items to choose from, Hard Rock took to its Facebook page and asked fans to vote on the final items included on the tour.  Pieces from AC/DC, KISS, Slash and Kurt Cobain are just a few of the items that won over the hearts of Hard Rock fans worldwide and found a place on this historic tour.


For more information, please visit www.hardrock.com. 

Hard Rock International 40th Anniversary Memorabilia Tour Includes:

• Freddie Mercury of Queen:  Striped spandex outfit worn onstage by Freddie during Queen’s Jazz tour in 1979
• Jimi Hendrix:  Custom Gibson Flying V played by Jimi at the Isle of Wight festival and in the film Rainbow Bridge and handwritten lyrics to “Midnight Lightning”
• Steven Tyler of Aerosmith:  Striped outfit and scarf-covered microphone stand used by Steven during Aerosmith’s Back in the Saddle tour in 1984 
• Buddy Holly:  Glasses
• Pete Townshend of The Who:  Gibson SG Special played at Woodstock
• Johnny Cash:  Handmade Grammer guitar and assorted lyric sheets
• Marc Bolan of T Rex:  Extremely rare Veleno aluminum guitar built for Marc Bolan in 1971
• Michael Jackson:  Jacket worn in the video “Beat It”
• Madonna:   Wedding dress worn on the cover of her “Like a Virgin” album and during her performance at the 1st  MTV Video Music Awards in 1984
• John Bonham of Led Zeppelin:  White suit from the London boutique  Granny Takes a Trip
• Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath:  Red Gibson SG “Monkey Guitar” used to record the first five Black Sabbath albums
• Peter Frampton:  Outfit and talkbox  from Frampton Comes Alive
• Katy Perry:  Dress worn when she dove on a birthday cake at the 2008 MTV Latin American Awards
• John Lennon:  Jacket worn on the cover of Rubber Soul and handwritten lyrics to “Imagine”
• Brian Jones of The Rolling Stones:  Vox “Teardrop” guitar
• Jim Morrison of The Doors:  Leather coat and handwritten lyrics to “Crawling King Snake”
• Brandon Flowers of The Killers:  Feathered jacket
• Snoop Dogg:  Coat worn in the movie Starsky & Hutch
• Justin Bieber:   Skateboard used in the video for “One Time”
• Prince:  Stage-used “Cloud Guitar”
• Bob Marley:  Guild 12-string used to record the Kaya album
• Will.I.Am of Black Eyed Peas:  Jacket worn in the video for “Hey Mama”
• Janis Joplin:  Poncho from the cover of Pearl and handwritten letter
• Jay Chou:  Elaborate stage outfit
• Ray Charles:  Braille Playboy Magazine
• John Lee Hooker:  Handwritten letter
• Stuart Sutcliffe of The Beatles:   Love letter to Astrid Kircherr
• Sex Pistols:  Telegram from Malcolm McClaren announcing the departure of Glen Matlock and the addition of Sid Vicious
• Marvin Gaye:  Address book
• Elvis Presley:  Scotty Moore's Gibson Super 400 used by Elvis on the '68 Comeback Special
• Bono of U2:  Comical letter written by Bono to Sting
• Bob Dylan:  Handwritten lyrics to "I Want You" and "Stuck Inside of Mobile With the Memphis Blues Again"
• Sid Vicious:  White tux jacket from the "My Way" video
• Ace Frehley of KISS:  Outfit from the 1975 Alive! tour
• Malcolm Young of AC/DC:  1959 Gretsch White Falcon guitar
• George Harrison of The Beatles:  Letter written in 1962 and handwritten lyrics to "While My Guitar Gently Weeps”
• Neil Young:  Buckskin poncho from his days in Buffalo Springfield
• Slash:  Custom Les Paul from Guns N’ Roses’ Use Your Illusion tour
• Kurt Cobain:  Handwritten lyrics
• Morrisey:  Handwritten Letter

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Hard Rock Cafe Miami Partners with Zoo Miami and Zoological Society of Florida Through Limited-Edition Pin Series to Benefit the Association Of Zoos and Aquariums and Zoo Miami

The Jaguar Pin

Lions, tigers and bears have made their way to Hard Rock Cafes across the U.S. and locally at Hard Rock Cafe Miami in partnership with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).  Hard Rock Cafe Miami has launched a special Jaguar pin with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the AZA and Zoo Miami.  This limited-edition design features a jaguar from the Amazon & Beyond exhibit and is now available for purchase at Hard Rock Cafe Miami for $14, while supplies last. Hard Rock Cafe Miami is one of 24 Hard Rock locations nationwide offering city-specific, endangered species guitar pins. Please visit www.hardrock.com/miami or call 305-377-3110 for additional details.

In celebration of this pin, Hard Rock Cafe Miami will be hosting a Happy Hour fundraiser for the Zoological Society of Florida on June 9, beginning at 6:30 p.m. at its Bayside location (401 Biscayne Blvd., R-200).  There will be a live band, hors d’oeuvres, cash bar and a raffle to win rockin’ prizes, including the entire 24 Hard Rock Cafe Endangered Species Pin Collection, tickets to Feast With The Beasts, an Annual Pass to Zoo Miami and more!  A $10 donation benefits the Zoological Society of Florida’s wildlife education and conservation programs. Visit www.zoomiami.org to RSVP.

Founded in 1924, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement of zoos and aquariums in the areas of conservation, education, science, and recreation. Look for the AZA logo whenever you visit a zoo or aquarium as your assurance that you are supporting an institution dedicated to providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for you, and a better future for all living things. AZA is a leader in global wildlife conservation, and your link to helping animals in their native habitats. For more information, please visit www.aza.org.

Rated one of the top ten zoos in the U.S. by Tripadvisor.com, Zoo Miami houses more than 2,000 animals in natural habitats and provides visitors the feel of a safari. Enjoy animals like okapis, giant river otters, elephants and rhinos in large open air exhibits; a giraffe feeding station; camel rides; an Indian rhino encounter; meet and greets with Nickelodeon’s favorite animal rescuer, Diego; tram tours; family cycles; water play areas; a monorail and state-of-the-art exhibits like Amazon & Beyond.  Zoo Miami is located at 12400 SW 152 Street. General Zoo Admission is: $15.95 plus tax, per adult and $11.95 plus tax, per child (3-12). Hours are 9:30 am–5:30 pm; ticket booths close at 4 pm.  Parking is free. Annual pass holders and children under 2 are also free. For more information, please visit www.zoomiami.org or call 305-251-0400.

The Zoological Society of Florida, founded in 1956, is the non-profit support organization for Zoo Miami. Today it is one of the largest membership organizations in South Florida, with approximately 50,000 members. Its activities and programs include fundraising, marketing, volunteer services, educational programs, special events and member programming. Its mission is to encourage an appreciation for the world’s wildlife and to help conserve it for future generations. For more information, please visit www.zsf.org or call 305-255-5551.

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United Cerebral Palsy Students Visit Bayside Marketplace, Hard Rock Café & Ride the Thriller Speed Boat

The group at Bayside Marketplace in
downtown Miami, where they ate at
the Hard Rock Café and went on a
Thriller Miami speed boat ride.

Students from United Cerebral Palsy of Miami's (UCP) Transitional Learning Academy and adults from the Adult Day Training Program recently had the opportunity to go to Bayside Marketplace to take a fast paced cruise on Thriller Miami's speed boat. This power catamaran boat takes attendees on a 45 minute off-shore adventure for the ultimate sightseeing experience on the waters of Biscayne Bay, South Beach, Fisher Island, the Miami Gold Coast & Key Biscayne. These tours cover three times the area as compared to other tour vessels, so the group could see Miami from a whole new perspective. 

The event was made possible by the coordination and generosity of Ira Strickman, with the owners of Thriller Miami Speedboat Adventures, George Hall and Charles Keith. Ira also contacted his friend Gonzalo Del Rio, manager of the Hard Rock Café in Bayside Marketplace, who donated a scrumptious lunch to the group following the thrilling boat ride.   

Some of the student's parents were able to take the day off and accompany UCP on this fun adventure.  Denise Hirshon, a mother who attended the field trip said: "Please let all involved know how grateful I am for their kindness and generosity. Everyone had a good time! I could see it on so many faces." 

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Jimi Hendrix's Guitar at the Hard Rock Cafe in Bayside

Hard Rock Cafe Miami has earned the privilege to display a special piece of memorabilia from Hard Rock’s prized collection!  


For the next two months, Jimi Hendrix’s white Gibson SG, played during his 1969 appearance on the Dick Cavett Show, will adorn the walls of the Miami cafe.  The memorabilia will be accompanied by a plaque documenting its recipients and its travels.  

Imagine There's No Hunger with the Hard Rock Cafe

"This is a beautiful step towards world peace. By imagining there's no hunger, like what John sang in his song, we express our strong desire to bring a world in which children will never again suffer from hunger or poverty. Let's come together and help spread this message around the world." -Yoko Ono Lennon

In 1971, John Lennon released his song "Imagine," and empowered every individual of the world by inviting them to envision a world of peace, a world free of poverty. Decades later, as the world celebrates what would have been his 70th birthday, Lennon's lyrics continue to influence and inspire. Lennon's vision of a better world lives on as his wife, artist and musician Yoko Ono Lennon joins Hard Rock International for IMAGINE THERE'S NO HUNGER, a global campaign to benefit WhyHunger in its fight against childhood hunger and poverty around the world. Dedicated to its LOVE ALL – SERVE ALL motto, proceeds from Hard Rock's campaign will directly benefit WhyHunger and its grassroots partners around the globe in hopes of finding a long-term solution through sustainable agriculture.

"John Lennon, my husband, had a vision of a world free of hunger and at peace forever," said Yoko Ono Lennon. "Together let's imagine there's no hunger. Imagine a world where all kids have enough food to eat. Imagine a world where the food that children eat is healthy and nutritious. Imagine a world where our youth take pride in growing, harvesting and selling good food. We can make such a world come true together, with hard work, love and conviction. IMAGINE!"

Setting the foundation for Hard Rocks' IMAGINE THERE'S NO HUNGER campaign will be the new John Lennon Artist Spotlight T-shirt, as well as a limited-edition pin and charity bracelet, featuring the powerful message "IMAGINE THERE'S NO HUNGER." Proceeds from the campaign will be donated directly to WhyHunger to benefit local grassroots partners, including the Pathfinder Academy in Kenya; the Pattanarak Foundation in Thailand; City of Joy in India; and MPP in Haiti. Each grassroots partner focuses on victims of poverty and helps teach sustainable farming and entrepreneurial skills for the future.

"I've seen firsthand how a campaign like IMAGINE can make a difference, and there is no greater feeling than being able to witness the impact that it's had on children and their families around the world," said Hamish Dodds, President and CEO, Hard Rock International, and Global Ambassador for WhyHunger. "Through this partnership between Hard Rock, Yoko Ono Lennon and WhyHunger, we're confident that every day we are getting closer and closer to a world without hunger and poverty."

Hard Rock locations around the globe are offering IMAGINE THERE'S NO HUNGER items in support of WhyHunger and its grassroots partners. IMAGINE merchandise will be available for a limited time only, and exclusively at Hard Rock's Rock Shops and www.hardrock.com, including

• John Lennon Artist Spotlight T-Shirt – The front of Hard Rock's new Artist Spotlight T-shirt features the globe within a peace sign, set atop a scroll-patterned background. Ribbons, bearing Hard Rock's mantra "Love All – Serve All" and the countries where WhyHunger's grassroots partners are located, complete the design. The back of the shirt features the influential message "IMAGINE THERE'S NO HUNGER" and John Lennon's self-portrait. Truly a symbol of world peace, this new 100% ringspun cotton t-shirt is available in charcoal grey in men's sizes (S – XXL). 15% of the net proceeds benefit WhyHunger and grassroots partners around the globe.
• IMAGINE THERE'S NO HUNGER Pin – This limited-edition benefit pin features John Lennon's portrait and Hard Rock's logo inside of a peace sign. This intricate design sits atop the statement "IMAGINE THERE'S NO HUNGER" and John Lennon's famous signature. 100% of the net proceeds benefit WhyHunger. ($12, available in Rock Shop)
• IMAGINE THERE'S NO HUNGER Charity Bracelet – Accessorize fashionably and charitably. This wristband is adorned with the influential message "IMAGINE THERE'S NO HUNGER" and John Lennon's self-portrait. Available in red, this must-have item also features the WhyHunger and Hard Rock International logos. 100% of the net proceeds benefit WHY and grassroots partners around the globe. ($1 or more donation in cafe)

"Having experienced hunger at a point in her young life, Yoko Ono Lennon understands the importance of teaching young people how to grow food in order to support themselves and feed their neighbors," said Bill Ayres, Founder, WhyHunger. "We are equally proud of our ongoing partnership with Hard Rock International, which has helped us raise millions of dollars to help fight hunger and poverty at home and abroad." For more information, please visit www.hardrock.com.