Memorabilia

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Hard Rock is famous around the world as a haven for all things rock ‘n’ roll, and our jaw-dropping memorabilia collection sets the tone. It all started in London, in 1971, when Eric Clapton wanted to reserve his seat at the original Hard Rock Cafe. He gave the restaurant one of his guitars and asked for it to be put up on the wall, and it wasn’t long before The Who guitarist Pete Townshend followed suit. Today, Hard Rock boasts the largest private collection of music memorabilia in the world, with over 80,000 items.

Just like the other famous Hard Rock destinations, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Sacramento at Fire Mountain has a music memorabilia collection that would impress any aficionado. Here you’ll find priceless moments in music history, with one-of-a-kind items from famous local artists and stars known around the world. You can check out the collection for yourself and admire the iconic instruments, outfits, and unique items that helped put them on the map.

Eddie Van Halen

This stunning Harley Davidson Softail was customized for Eddie Van Halen by Carlini Cycle Creations. Eddie only put 811 miles on the odometer before deciding four wheels suited him better than two. He signed the gas tank and auctioned it in 2004.
John Lennon

In the early ‘70s, John Lennon was facing an aggressive deportation campaign by the U.S. government. Richard Nixon feared that John’s influence among young people might cost him the 1972 presidential election, so he attempted to have him kicked out of the country on dubious grounds. If not for the Watergate scandal, Lennon may very well have been deported. This tweed suit was worn by John to one of his immigration hearings.
Lady Gaga

Quite possibly the single most naturally talented pop artist of the 21st century, Lady Gaga has effortlessly moved from genre to genre throughout her career, enjoying massive success in everything she’s done. This neoprene dress was designed by Rebecca Short, exhibited at London Fashion Week and then worn by Lady Gaga in 2011.
Steven Tyler

Quite possibly the greatest American rock ‘n’ roll band of all time, Aerosmith has seen and done it all over a career that has spanned five decades. Legendary frontman Steven Tyler is one of the truly singular voices in rock music and his style has been copied countless times. This outfit is from Steven’s inimitable stage wardrobe. He also personally selected the stage-used scarves and mic stand in this display. A scarf-draped mic stand is one of Steven’s many stylistic innovations that have been copied by thousands of upstart rockers.
Nicki Minaj

Born in Trinidad and raised in New York City, hip hop diva Nicki Minaj is one of the dominant artists of the genre with her unusual flow and unique fashion sense. She wore this outfit on stage while performing at the 2011 iHeartRadio Festival in Las Vegas.
Prince

The word “genius” is overused in relation to pop artists, but in the case of Prince, it’s the only term that applies. Wildly creative and gifted as a singer, songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist, the man was simply a once-in-a-generation artist. This coat was made for Prince in the early ‘80s during the Purple Rain album cycle.
Gene Simmons

When the rock ‘n’ roll superheroes of KISS took the stage in San Antonio, Texas on August 5th, 2012, this “Punisher” bass was Gene Simmons’s weapon of choice. He signed and donated it to the Hard Rock collection personally.
Elton John

The one and only Elton John owned and wore this British palace guard-style jacket. Throughout his long career, Elton has pushed the envelope in rock ‘n’ roll fashion. From his completely over-the-top costumes of the ‘70s to his more subtle approach of the 21st century, he remains a trendsetter and fashion icon.
Elvis

The King was a passionate practitioner of martial arts and even earned an 8th-degree black belt over his years of study. He owned and wore this patriotic karate gi in 1974. Elvis personally paid for the U.S. martial arts team to travel to Europe that year and outfitted the entire team with elaborate uniforms like this one.
Belita Woods

Led by funk pioneer George Clinton, Parliament-Funkadelic is one of the most important and influential groups of all time. Their theatrical, wild performances are the stuff of legend and samples of their music form the backbone of hip hop. Longtime vocalist Belita Woods wore this jacket on stage when the group performed on The Arsenio Hall Show in 1993.
James Brown

Every single artist today – regardless of genre – has been influenced by the genius of James Brown. James’s music formed the basis of contemporary pop, funk and hip hop; while his cultural contributions transcended the music world. This cape and crown were part of his stage wardrobe in the mid ‘60s. A fitting outfit for a true king.
David Cassidy

‘70s teen heartthrob David Cassidy wore this absolutely amazing jumpsuit on stage while performing at Empire Pool in Wembley, U.K. in May of 1973. These shows were incredibly successful for David. He sold out all six performances and the hysteria these shows generated was documented in a television special entitled David Cassidy: Weekend At Wembley.
Whitney Houston

In 2012, the music world lost one of the greatest voices of all time – Whitney Houston. Much more than just a talented artist, Whitney changed the face of pop music and every contemporary female singer is, to some degree, influenced by her. She set the standard for vocal virtuosity in the pop field and is one of the biggest-selling artists in history. Whitney wore this outfit on stage in the ‘90s.
Felix Pappalardi

Though forever associated with the classic jam “Mississippi Queen”, hard-rocking trio Mountain had an impact that went far beyond one song. Their uncompromising sound was a huge influence on the development of heavy metal and their bassist, Felix Pappalardi, was a brilliant producer and songwriter. Felix owned this unique suit designed by Nudie’s Rodeo Tailors.
Jimi Hendrix

In addition to being the greatest electric guitarist of all time, Jimi Hendrix was a true icon of ‘60s fashion. He frequented the hip London boutiques of the late ‘60s and crafted a style that helped define the hippie era. Jimi picked up this tux shirt on London’s Portobello Road in 1967. He performed at the Cal Expo in Sacramento in April of 1970, just a few months before his untimely passing in September of that same year.
Jerry Garcia

This Hawaiian shirt belonged to the late, great Jerry Garcia. Few artists in history have inspired the level of loyalty and obsession that Jerry and the Grateful Dead instilled in their millions of fans. Being a Deadhead is much more than fandom – it’s an all-encompassing lifestyle. The Dead performed many times in Sacramento over their long career, including multiple appearances at Cal Expo in Sacramento.
Scott Ian

In the 1980s, four groups – Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer and Anthrax – combined the weight of heavy metal with the speed of punk and gave the world thrash metal. This Jackson guitar was used both on stage and in the studio by Scott Ian of Anthrax in the late ‘90s and early ‘00s.
Slash

In the late 1980s, the iconic Gibson Les Paul guitar had fallen out of favor with heavy rockers until Guns N’ Roses hit the scene and Slash reminded everyone what the legendary model is capable of. He’s been associated with the instrument throughout his career and is largely responsible for its resurgence. He signed this example personally.
Richard Patrick

Frontman Richard Patrick wore this outfit on stage when Filter performed in Kuwait on March 7, 2008. During the show, they were joined on stage by former member Frank Cavanaugh – who was serving in Kuwait as a member of the Army Reserve.
Britney Spears

In the crowded field of early ‘00s teen music, Britney Spears’s undeniable charisma set her apart from the pack. She set the stage for a global pop movement with the release of her debut album in 1998 and quickly went on to become one of the most successful artists of the 21st century. Britney owned and signed this velvet corset.
Gwen Stefani

No Doubt front-woman and solo megastar Gwen Stefani wore this leotard on stage while performing with the ska/pop legends. Emerging from Anaheim and the fertile Orange County punk scene in the ‘80s, No Doubt hit the mainstream with their multi-platinum third album, Tragic Kingdom, in 1992.
Tommy Lee

This completely over-the-top jumpsuit was worn by Mötley Crüe drummer Tommy Lee during the band’s 1984 Shout at the Devil tour. The album was the group’s commercial breakthrough and established Mötley Crüe as the preeminent heavy metal act of the 1980s.
Nikki Sixx

This Gibson Thunderbird bass was used on stage by Mötley Crüe bassist Nikki Sixx during the group’s New Tattoo tour in 2000. The wild paint job on this bass mirrors Nikki’s personal tattoos – including an elaborate back piece of a stylized sun.
Chrissy Amphlett

The late, great Chrissy Amphlett of Australian group Divinyls wore this plaid skirt/bustier combo on stage while performing in the 1980s. Though forever associated with their 1991 smash “I Touch Myself”, Divinyls were an Australian institution with dozens of huge hits in the native country.
Rihanna

In some ways, Barbadian megastar Rihanna is the archetype of the 21st century pop artist. She conquered the world of music with a string of unforgettable hits and sold-out global concert tours, but quickly reinvented herself as a savvy entrepreneur and business woman in the hyper-competitive fashion industry. She wore this Stella Jean dress when she visited the White House in 2014.
P!nk

Since the early ‘00s, Alecia Moore – known to the world as P!nk – has been at the vanguard of contemporary pop. Hits like “Get the Party Started” and “Just Give Me a Reason” were inescapable on commercial radio and her powerhouse voice is one of the touchstones of 21st century pop culture. This hand-painted coat is from her stage wardrobe and was donated to the Hard Rock by P!nk personally.
Apl.De.Ap

Rapper apl.de.ap teamed up with will.i.am in 1988 to form a group that would become the Black Eyed Peas and was a major part of the hip hop crew’s global success. He wore this military-style outfit on stage while touring Japan in 2010.
MC Hammer

Though his popularity has waxed and waned over the years, Oakland native MC Hammer is finally getting his due as a true pioneer of hip hop. A gifted rapper and dancer, Hammer’s success was hard-earned and well-deserved with massive hits like “U Can’t Touch This” and “2 Legit 2 Quit”. He wore this stylish outfit in the video for his 1990 hit “Dancin’ Machine”.
Victoria Justice

Teen pop sensation Victoria Justice began her career as a child actress and quickly found a unique niche in the music industry through the soundtrack albums of her wildly popular television program, Victorious. She wore this outfit on stage in 2013 during her Spring Break Tour.
Taylor Swift

Few artists in history have impacted a generation quite like singer/songwriter Taylor Swift. Her deeply personal, narrative songs made her a global megastar and inspired a generation of kids to pick up an instrument to try their hand at songwriting. That’s no mean feat in the 21st century. This simple dress is from Taylor’s personal wardrobe.
Diana Ross

Motown icon Diana Ross wore this dress during her tour in support of the soundtrack from the 1975 film Mahogany. Intended as a star vehicle for Diana, Mahogany was a troubled production, but has since become a cult classic.
Bette Midler

She started out in the ‘60s as a theater performer and nightclub singer (with a pre-fame Barry Manilow as her accompanist), but Bette Midler quickly rose to superstardom as one of the most unique and exciting song interpreters of the 20th century. This stylish dress was custom-tailored for Bette by legendary designer Bob Mackie. Her daughter used the pumpkin purse as a candy bag on Halloween nights.
Fergie

When pop singer Fergie joined the Black Eyed Peas in 2003, she helped catapult the rap crew to global megastardom. She parlayed that success into a huge solo career with the release of The Dutchess in 2008. Fergie wore this trench coat in the video for the album’s smash single “Glamorous”.
Shakira

Colombian pop superstar Shakira wore this dress in the video for her 2010 hit, “Addicted to You”. Shakira donated a large portion of her stage wardrobe to the Hard Rock collection in exchange for a contribution to her philanthropic organization, Fundación Pies Descalzos.
Nicki Minaj

Hip hop superstar Nicki Minaj wore these Casadei boots on stage during her Pink Friday tour in 2012. This was Nicki’s first global concert tour.
Frank Zappa

A truly uncategorizable artist, Frank Zappa was a consummate musician and composer whose body of work is still studied by discerning music aficionados nearly thirty years after his death at age 52. The Alain Mikli sunglasses on display were owned and worn by Frank.
Huey Lewis

With their infectious blend of rock and soul styles, Huey Lewis and the News were one of the dominant acts of the 1980s and are among the most successful groups to ever emerge from the legendary San Francisco music scene. These classic Ray Ban sunglasses were worn on stage by Huey himself.
Kesha

These stylish Puma sneakers belonged to pop provocateur Kesha. First emerging on the scene in 2009, Kesha immediately scored massive hits with songs like “Tik Tok” and “We R Who We R”. She auctioned these Pumas to raise money for the LaGuardia High School of Music & Art in New York City.
Todd Rundgren

Since the mid ‘60s, Todd Rundgren has been at the vanguard of modern music. As a singer, songwriter and producer, he’s enjoyed massive solo hits and helped acts like Badfinger, The New York Dolls and XTC craft some of their most impactful work. These Italian-made, zippered boots are from Todd’s personal wardrobe.
Roy Orbison

With his operatic voice and mysterious charisma, rock ‘n’ roll pioneer Roy Orbison was the very definition of cool. Roy dominated the pop charts in the early ‘60s with hits like “Only the Lonely” and “Oh, Pretty Woman” and he even had a late-career resurgence in the 1990s with the Traveling Wilburys. These glasses – a trademark part of Roy’s image – are from his personal wardrobe.
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino At Fire Mountain Grand Opening 2019

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Sacramento at Fire Mountain celebrated its grand opening on Oct. 30, 2019 with a traditional guitar smash and followed by live entertainment, special promotions and giveaways through November 3. Headliner Def Leppard was joined by former Eagles lead guitarist, Don Felder, and heavy metal band Last in Line for a legendary performance at the nearby Toyota Amphitheatre on November 2, 2019. These items on display were donated by Def Leppard and Don Felder to commemorate the event.

Eddie Van Halen

This stunning Harley Davidson Softail was customized for Eddie Van Halen by Carlini Cycle Creations. Eddie only put 811 miles on the odometer before deciding four wheels suited him better than two. He signed the gas tank and auctioned it in 2004.
John Lennon

In the early ‘70s, John Lennon was facing an aggressive deportation campaign by the U.S. government. Richard Nixon feared that John’s influence among young people might cost him the 1972 presidential election, so he attempted to have him kicked out of the country on dubious grounds. If not for the Watergate scandal, Lennon may very well have been deported. This tweed suit was worn by John to one of his immigration hearings.
Lady Gaga

Quite possibly the single most naturally talented pop artist of the 21st century, Lady Gaga has effortlessly moved from genre to genre throughout her career, enjoying massive success in everything she’s done. This neoprene dress was designed by Rebecca Short, exhibited at London Fashion Week and then worn by Lady Gaga in 2011.
Steven Tyler

Quite possibly the greatest American rock ‘n’ roll band of all time, Aerosmith has seen and done it all over a career that has spanned five decades. Legendary frontman Steven Tyler is one of the truly singular voices in rock music and his style has been copied countless times. This outfit is from Steven’s inimitable stage wardrobe. He also personally selected the stage-used scarves and mic stand in this display. A scarf-draped mic stand is one of Steven’s many stylistic innovations that have been copied by thousands of upstart rockers.
Nicki Minaj

Born in Trinidad and raised in New York City, hip hop diva Nicki Minaj is one of the dominant artists of the genre with her unusual flow and unique fashion sense. She wore this outfit on stage while performing at the 2011 iHeartRadio Festival in Las Vegas.
Prince

The word “genius” is overused in relation to pop artists, but in the case of Prince, it’s the only term that applies. Wildly creative and gifted as a singer, songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist, the man was simply a once-in-a-generation artist. This coat was made for Prince in the early ‘80s during the Purple Rain album cycle.
Gene Simmons

When the rock ‘n’ roll superheroes of KISS took the stage in San Antonio, Texas on August 5th, 2012, this “Punisher” bass was Gene Simmons’s weapon of choice. He signed and donated it to the Hard Rock collection personally.
Elton John

The one and only Elton John owned and wore this British palace guard-style jacket. Throughout his long career, Elton has pushed the envelope in rock ‘n’ roll fashion. From his completely over-the-top costumes of the ‘70s to his more subtle approach of the 21st century, he remains a trendsetter and fashion icon.
Elvis

The King was a passionate practitioner of martial arts and even earned an 8th-degree black belt over his years of study. He owned and wore this patriotic karate gi in 1974. Elvis personally paid for the U.S. martial arts team to travel to Europe that year and outfitted the entire team with elaborate uniforms like this one.
Belita Woods

Led by funk pioneer George Clinton, Parliament-Funkadelic is one of the most important and influential groups of all time. Their theatrical, wild performances are the stuff of legend and samples of their music form the backbone of hip hop. Longtime vocalist Belita Woods wore this jacket on stage when the group performed on The Arsenio Hall Show in 1993.