Opening tomorrow (April 30) at Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan, The Magical History Tour: A Beatles Memorabilia Exhibition takes visitors on an unprecedented journey of the Fab Four’s ground-breaking career, retrace the steps of the Beatles and the way in which they changed the music industry and influenced American pop culture with the best private collection ever assembled, that highlights their formative years in Liverpool and Hamburg, the screaming fans across the world and goes into the studio for the creation of some of the most innovative music in history.
Fans and visitors will experience the exhibition in a fast-forward journey from birth to fame to breakup and beyond. The robust multi-sensory galleries include:
Beginnings, Influence and Life in Liverpool: Guests will be immersed in the atmosphere of late 50s/early 60s Liverpool. Part of the very stage that supported some of the band’s early shows is on display, as well as instruments, personal letters and photographs, and various documents detailing the growing fame of the Fab Four. These artifacts are incredibly rare, as they come from a part of the band’s history before it was illuminated by the international spotlight.
Life on the Road: Next, guests are swept up in the hysteria as the Beatles take America, and the world, by storm. See and hear what it was like to experience one of their concerts from their perspective, and immerse yourself in the amazing volume of Beatles merchandise produced, from replica instruments to clothing, costumes, board games and trading cards. Become your favorite Beatle as you interact with the fashion that set the lads from Liverpool apart.
Innovation in the Studio: You’ve already heard the music. Now is your chance to discover how the Beatles’ music was created: by mixing it yourself. Explore the cutting-edge techniques used in the studio to craft some of the most enduring music in history. This gallery places guests right in the studio, up close and personal with the tools that built some of the greatest rock and roll albums of all time.
The Decade of the Break-up: The dissolution of arguably the greatest rock band of all time left the world in disbelief, however it was not just an end, but also a beginning. This gallery is an exploration of the lives and careers of the individual members post-Beatles. It explores the different paths each Beatle has taken, both musically and personally, and presents an astounding collection of artifacts from this period, including the last autograph John Lennon would ever sign.
The Magical History Tour: A Beatles Memorabilia Exhibition runs from April 30 through September 18. Tickets for members are $5. Non-member ticket prices include admission to the museum and are $26 for adults (13-61), $20.75 for youth (5-12), $24 for seniors (62+) and children 4 and under are free. To purchase tickets, visit http://www.thehenryford.org/beatles.