Ever since Eric Clapton donated a red Fender guitar in 1979 to the original Hard Rock Cafe in London, Hard Rock International has assembled what is billed as the world’s largest collection of rock memorabilia (Must vide web site), estimated to include at 73,000 pieces.
Much of the collection decorates the company’s 171 restaurants, casinos and hotels in revolving displays. The rest is housed in what looks like a thrift shop. The company will not discuss prices paid for items or estimate the value of the collection, other than to describe it as “priceless.”
Hard Rock typically acquires items through donations from artists and purchases at auction.
One of the newest acquisitions is the dress Katy Perry wore for her 2008 MTV Latin American awards performance when she leapt into the show’s four-tier pink anniversary cake and then skidded around the stage.
The touring memorabilia will be displayed in a big rig truck at Hard Rock locations, beginning in New York City and ending August 17 in Hollywood, Florida.
