FYI: The Hard Rock Cafe totally still exists.
Believe it or not, we actually have one here in Dallas. And, on Saturday, the chain dedicated to rock 'n' roll history, iconic t-shirts and overpriced bar food is celebrating 40 years in the biz.
According to the note we just got from the Hard Rock folks, they're ringing in their 40th birthday with what they're calling "Hard Rock's 40th Anniversary Memorabilia Tour." Basically, starting at noon on Saturday, a bus full of Jimi Hendrix and Michael Jackson's old stuff will park across the street from the Dallas Hard Rock Cafe in Victory Park.
More specifically, the bus will feature a custom Gibson Flying V guitar once played by Hendrix, Michael Jackson's "Beat It" Jacket, and a long list of other historically rocking stuff. The Most notable items include a Freddie Mercury spandex suit, Buddy Holly's glasses and Marvin Gaye's presumably long little black book. Oh, and Justin Bieber and Katy Perry both have items on the list, too.
On top of that, Hard Rock's Historian Jeff Nolan will be available to talk a little about the significance of all the memorabilia. (We'd love to hear his take on Will.I.Am's jacket from the "Hey Mama" video.)
But really, is this stuff all that interesting?
It might be cool to see a Michael Jackson jacket among the cafe's other, permanent collectibles -- especially after the "Thriller" one was just auctioned off for $1.8 million this past week. But, other than that, I don't know if any of that other stuff is a big enough draw to get me out of the house on a Saturday. I'll tell you what be, though -- the chance to complete my Hard Rock Cafe t-shirt collection that went on the back burner in 1992.
Oh, and the chance to pay way too much for a halfway decent hamburger.
