Played, Worn, & Torn is open for bidding drawing the gaze of music aficionados, historians, and collectors worldwide. On November 20-21, 2025, the Musicians Hall of Fame & Museum at The Municipal Auditorium will host an extraordinary two-day showcase of rock and roll's most sacred artifacts—a collection of over 800 items, each bearing the undeniable imprint of musical genius, sweat, and stage glory. This is not merely an exhibition; it's a deep dive into the tangible soul of the soundtrack that defined generations, featuring pieces acquired directly from the hands of the icons themselves.

The Pillars of Rock: Headlining Collections

The core of this monumental presentation is anchored by three remarkable private collections, offering an unprecedented look into the working lives of rock titans.

Kirk Hammett (Metallica): The master of metal is parting with over 150 pieces from his personal collection. These are the tools that forged a genre, including awards and stage-played instruments like the 1985 Gibson Custom Shop Michael Schenker Flying V, still carrying the remnants of a backstage birthday celebration. The collection also features the "Lux Aeterna" Black Metal electric guitar, hand-carved by Hammett and used in the official music video, and the fantastical clear Lucite 1996 ESP Wavecaster electric guitar, filled with colored liquid and famously used during the Load and Reload tours. These instruments represent a definitive chapter in metal history.

Adam Clayton (U2): Nearly two dozen items from the 22-time Grammy winner will be presented for the first time. The focus is on the fundamental groove: 18 basses used on U2’s legendary world tours. Highlights include a 2014 Sherwood Green Fender Adam Clayton signature Jazz Bass played on the Innocence + Experience tour, and a 2010 Gold Sparkle Fender Precision Bass affectionately deemed a “mistake” by his technician due to a Jazz Bass headstock decal. This collection chronicles the evolution of U2’s iconic rhythm section.

Tommy Lee (Mötley Crüe): The collection from the legendary drummer provides a glimpse into a life of rock and roll excess and celebrity culture. Items range from stage-worn fashion and milestone music awards—like the Multi-Platinum Dr. Feelgood Sales Award—to the truly unique, such as an Infamous Signed Black Safe, personally inscribed by Lee as "the unsafe that ruined my life!" These artifacts are touchstones of both musical and pop culture history.

The Spark and The Stage: Artifacts of Legend

Adding an explosive dimension to the event is a recently revealed piece of theatrical rock perfection: Ace Frehley’s stage-played Gibson Ace Frehley Les Paul Custom. Used during KISS’ Psycho Circus and Farewell Tours, this sunburst guitar features a highly specialized modification: a custom-wired system utilizing a push button and battery-operated switch to activate a headstock-mounted rocket launcher for his famous stage solos. The “Spaceman” has also signed the back of this historically modified instrument, which embodies the pioneering spirit of rock stagecraft, a tradition Frehley helped define by integrating pyrotechnics and special effects into his performances.

Beyond these headliners, the collection features rarities that span the genres and decades, from Keith Richards’ played and photo-matched 1960 Gibson Les Paul Standard to a framed display signed by all four Beatles and Muhammad Ali—a memento from their iconic 1964 meeting. Other iconic names well-represented include Elvis Presley, B.B. King, John Coltrane, David Bowie, and contemporary artists like Sabrina Carpenter and Chappell Roan.

Music That Gives Back

This unparalleled gathering of instruments and memorabilia, which follows exhibition stops including the Hard Rock® Cafe in Times Square and the Museum of Style Icons in Ireland, represents an opportunity to connect directly with the moments that shaped music.

Additionally, the commitment to philanthropy is central, with a portion of proceeds from the Hammett, Clayton, and Lee collections benefiting MusiCares®, alongside other pieces supporting causes like Gibson Gives, All Within My Hands, Teen Cancer America, and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. This event ensures that the legacy of rock and roll continues to support the community that built it.