Photos: Inside the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s Beatles Exhibit
This drum head was painted by Eddie Stokes, a sign painter who made custom drum heads for Drum City, the London percussion shop where Ringo Starr purchased his gear.
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Ringo Starr Bass Drum Head, 1964
It was part of Starr’s drum kit when the Beatles performed on the Ed Sullivan Show in February 1964.
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John Lennon Coat, 1965
John Lennon wore this coat in the outdoor scenes from Help! that the Beatles filmed in Obertauern, Austria.
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‘Help!’
The Beatles filming Help! in Obertauern, Austria in March of 1965.
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Paul McCartney Jacket, 1965
McCartney wore this Nehru-style jacket at numerous performances on the Beatles’ 1965 U.S. tour.
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Paul McCartney Jacket, 1965
Most notably, it was worn at the Beatles’ first concert at Shea Stadium, August 15, 1965.
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George Harrison’s 1962 Rickenbacker 425
George Harrison bought this guitar at Red Fenton’s Music Store in Mount Vernon, Illinois, in 1963, while visiting his sister Louise, who had moved to the United States. He wanted one to match John Lennon’s Rickenbacker 325, but this was the only Rickenbacker the store had in stock. It originally had a red sunburst finish, but the store owner agreed to refinish it black. Harrison came back from his trip and told his band, “America has everything, why should they want us?”
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The Silver Beetles Performance Contract, 1960
Prior to becoming the Beatles in 1961, the group called itself the Silver Beetles.
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Valentine’s Night Rock Ball Poster, 1961
This is the first poster advertising a show by the Beatles.
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Meet the Beatles Booklet, 1963
This promotional brochure was written by Tony Barrow, the Beatles’ first PR manager.
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Beatles Yellow Submarine Toy, 1968
Manufactured by Corgi Toys. The song “Yellow Submarine” was originally released on the Beatles’ 1966 album Revolver. The song became the theme song for the 1968 animated film based on the music of the Beatles. It is also the title for the soundtrack album to the film, released in 1969.
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Paul McCartney’s handwritten arrangement for “Birthday”
A handwritten arrangement for the song "Birthday" from the Beatles' 1968 White Album.
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These artifacts and more are on view now at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum's newly redesigned exhibit spaces.