Museum of Broadcast Communications Brings ‘Stay Tuned: Rock on TV’ from Rock & Roll Hall of Fame MBC is first stop on national tour
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contact: Betsy Shepherd 312-307-3958
CHICAGO (August 13, 2019) – After the successful run of the Saturday Night Live exhibit, the Museum of Broadcast Communications (MBC) is continuing its nod to pop culture and television by welcoming the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’s iconic exhibit, Stay Tuned: Rock on TV opening on Friday, October 18, 2019. Chicago is the first stop on a nationwide tour. This is following Louder Than Words: Rock, Power & Politics exhibit also from the Rock Hall currently on display until August 25, 2019. “TV has done more for entertainers than any other medium,” said 2011 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Inductee Darlene Love in exclusive interview footage for the exhibit. From The Ed Sullivan Show to The Voice, rock and roll has shaped television (and vice versa). This special exhibit tells the story of how TV launched rock’s iconic stars, brought them into our homes, kept them in the spotlight and connected them to us with music and visual imagery. The multimedia exhibit provides viewers with an experience that’s narrated with exclusive footage from Mike Meyers, Martha Quinn, Kelly Clarkson, Micky Dolenz, Kevin Eubanks, Cyndi Lauper, Paul Shaffer and Darlene Love. “When four young British musicians made their debut on CBS’ ‘Ed Sullivan Show’ in February 1964, it detonated a pop-culture explosion on television that continues to reverberate to this day.” said David Plier, Chairman of the Museum of Broadcast Communications. “From the Rockabilly era, to the British Invasion, all the way to the formation of MTV; you cannot overestimate the impact television has had on the evolution of rock and roll. This phenomenal exhibit tells that story and brings it all together.”
Rock and television exploded on to the scene in the 1940s, with TV going to for the safe, commercial audience and rock and roll offering a loud, anti-establishment alternative. By the 1960s, the growing teen market and youth culture became too big for TV to ignore. The exhibit brings archival footage, original artifacts and new interviews together to create a fun, intergenerational experience that connects the early days of rock and TV to their ongoing evolution. “TV gave rock and roll a visual component,” said The Late Show with David Letterman’s Musical Director Paul Shaffer in his exclusive interview for the exhibit. “It gave us a visual template to watch and see what a rock and roll performance looks like on stage.” Variety shows like The Smothers Brothers, The Johnny Cash Show, Sonny & Cher, and Donny & Marie made music a weekly ritual. Performance shows like Soul Train, Don Kirshner’s Rock Concert, Solid Gold, and Austin City Limits introduced us to our future heroes. Competition shows like Star Search, American Idol, and The Voice changed the music business. Pop culture institutions like MTV and Saturday Night Live shaped our culture. “As we continue to transform the MBC, we welcome Stay Tuned: Rock on TV, another world-class exhibit from our partners at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame,” said Justin Kulovsek, Vice President of Innovation and ‘Stay Tuned: Rock on TV’ Project Lead at Museum of Broadcast Communications.
Artifacts included in Rock On TV include: Ø Outfits worn by the Jackson Five during Ø Contracts between artists and American their first live performance of “I Want Bandstand You Back” on Hollywood Palace Ø A suit worn by Johnny Cash on his ABC Ø A beige suit worn by Soul Train host and variety show producer Don Cornelius and Soul Train Ø sign Davy Jones jacket worn on The Brady Bunch Ø Paul Shaffer’s Kurzweil 250 keyboard Ø Dick Clark’s original microphone from from the Late Show with David Letterman American Bandstand Ø Ø Clothing worn by Sonny and Cher Lady Gaga’s metal costume worn in “Bad Romance” Ø The acoustic guitar played by Eric Ø Clapton on MTV Unplugged Cyndi Lauper’s dress worn in “Girls Just Want to Have Fun Ø Numerous items related to Saturday Night Live
See archival footage and hundreds of original artifacts on display, such as original stage designs from the Beatles’ history Ed Sullivan Show appearance, outfits worn by Sonny and Cher on their hit series, CeeLo Green’s jacket worn on The Voice and the original animation cels from A-ha’s “Take on Me” music video. The Who’s Keith Moon blowing up his drum set on The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour in the late ‘60s was inspiring to artists like Dave Grohl. Original MTV VJ Martha Quinn was impacted by Dick Clark’s interview techniques on American Bandstand. Michael Jackson’s videos and the Beatles appearances on the Ed Sullivan Show inspired countless Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Inductees. Stay Tuned: Rock on TV tells these stories and more. Stay Tuned: Rock on TV will be open through April 2020. For more information about the MBC visit www.museum.tv. For sponsorship information please contact Justin Kulovsek at [email protected]. Join in the Rock on TV conversation on Facebook, Twitter (@MuseumTV) Instagram (@MuseumTV) using #TVRocks.
ABOUT THE MUSEUM OF BROADCAST COMMUNICATIONS:
The Museum of Broadcast Communications (MBC) collects, preserves, and presents historic and contemporary radio and television content as well as educate, inform, and entertain the public through its archives, public programs, screenings, exhibits, publications and online access to its resources.
ABOUT THE ROCK & ROLL HALL OF FAME:
Rock Connects Us. Our mission is clear: To engage, teach and inspire through the power of rock and roll. We share stories of the people, events and songs that shape our world through exhibits, innovative programs and concerts. Join the millions who love it as much as you do. Experience us live or online – Visit rockhall.com or Facebook, Twitter and Instagram (@rockhall). Long Live Rock!
###