Tower of Song: Iconic Songwriters & Recordings

Exhibit Info

On View - May 28, 2026 - ONGOING

Fourth Floor Gallery

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Tower of Song: Iconic Songwriters & Recordings is an ongoing exhibit exploring the art and craft of songwriting and recording, asking the central question: what makes a song great? It highlights works honored by the Grammy Hall Of Fame — with more than 1,100 historically significant recordings inducted since 1973 — and the Songwriters Hall of Fame, which has recognized influential songwriters since 1969.

Through a dynamic mix of crown jewel artifacts and immersive media, the exhibit traces the creative impact of artists and songwriters who have shaped popular music over the past 50 years, from Nile Rodgers, Nirvana, and Miles Davis to Neil Diamond, Janet Jackson, Frank Sinatra, and Diane Warren. On view are rare items connected to Songwriters Hall of Fame inductees and Grammy Hall Of Fame recordings, alongside commentary from the songwriters, artists, and producers behind them.

The experience includes an original film featuring renowned songwriters discussing their creative processes, as well as a digital interactive that invites visitors to consider what makes a Hall Of Fame song truly great — encouraging deeper listening and new perspectives on iconic music.

Exhibit highlights include:

• The LinnDrum and Ensoniq Mosaic synthesizer SHOF inductees Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis used to create the signature sounds of Janet Jackson’s album Rhythm Nation 1814, which was inducted into the Grammy Hall Of Fame in 2026.
• SHOF inductee Neil Diamond’s handwritten lyrics for “Song Sung Blues”.
• SHOF inductee and Johnny Mercer Award honoree Diane Warren’s Yamaha DX 7 keyboard used to write many hit songs over the years.
• One of Herb Alpert’s trumpets and tape boxes from A&M Records for his Grammy Hall of Fame recordings “The Lonely Bull” and “A Taste of Honey”.
• Kurt Cobain’s Mosrite Gospel electric guitar that he used to write most of the songs on Nirvana’s breakthrough album Nevermind, which is in the Grammy Hall of Fame.
• Miles Davis’ red lacquer Martin Committee trumpet, mouthpiece and Harmon mute that he played throughout the 1980s, along with monogrammed leather carrying case.
• SHOF inductee Prince’s gold-rimmed glasses, worn in the movie Purple Rain, and a lace shirt with large blue cufflinks, worn on his Purple Rain tour.
• Keith Moon’s gold Premier drum kit that he played in the movie Tommy and on gigs with The Who.
• One of Jim Morrison’s personal notebooks and an EV-676 microphone he used for live performances.
• Two microphones used by Frank Sinatra for recording sessions at Capitol Records, and his personal sheet music for “My Way” written by SHOF inductee Paul Anka.
• SHOF Inductee Allee Willis’ original handwritten lyrics for the Earth, Wind & Fire hit “September”.
• One of SHOF Inductee Bill Withers’ acoustic guitars.

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