Hard Rock Café HCM City on December 10 introduced a collection of 174 souvenirs formerly owned by the world’s most famous rock stars.

The coat and pohtos of Rod Stewart.

The collection at the Kumho Plaza building, 39 Le Duan, District 1 includes the costume wore by John Lennon when he performed the “Give Peace a Chance” on October 15, 1969 in Washington D.C.

It stands alongside a baseball jersey owned by Elvis Presley and a scarf of which was once owned by Jimi Hendrix.

The costume and photos of Lenny Kravitz besides the guitar of The Underneath (Japan).

Elsewhere there is a guitar signed by the Eagles, and another once owned by Eddie van Halen. Rod Stewart and Jon Bon Jovi both have jackets on display and there’s also a waistcoat once worn by Madonna.

There are also many photos and album covers of world famous musicians which fans can admire from December 15 before it opens on January 23, 2010.

The guitar of the Scorpions.

Tuoi Tre spoke with Stephane Grenie, managing director of Hard Rock Café HCM City, about these unique items.

Q. Could you tell our readers about the origin of this collection?

A. The origin of this collection of rock ‘n’ roll memorabilia is itself part of musical history. The story began when Eric Clapton, a customer of the Hard Rock Café in London, suggested hanging his guitar on the wall.

One week later, Pete Townshend of The Who sent a parcel to the Hard Rock café, with a guitar inside and the message: “Mine’s as good as his! Love, Pete”. Since then, the Hard Rock Café has often received items sent from famous singers.

The guitar of The Allman Brothers Band.

Q. Hard Rock has over 70,000 souvenirs of world famous rockers. Some people doubt if they are all real.

Some 30 percent are presents from singers. For example, Shakira recently sent us 20 costumes she used in her latest tour and we chose one of them to display at the Hard Rock HCM City.

Around 25 percent of items came from rock fans who collect items from their favorite artists. 15 percent of them we bought from charity auctions and the remaining are from other charity activities.

Whatever way we source of them, we have the signatures of singers and the picture of each even on each keepsake to prove that they are the ‘true” items.

How will they be displayed in Hard Rock Cafes?

They will be exhibited in shifts. However, we will choose the most suitable items for each area. This time there are many pictures and keepsakes of singers who sung anti-war songs like John Lennon, Martha Reeves, Jimi Hendrix… at Hard Rock HCM City.

The guitar with the signatures of all members of The Eagles

What are the most special things in this collection?

The guitar made by Eddie Vedder, a member of Pearl Jam. The front door of the Abbey Road Studio with paintings by fans; the snow globe with the picture of the groom and bride from the wedding cake of Kurt Cobain and Courtney Love; a diploma from Xavier University given to Stevie Wonder printed in Braille; hair from Boy George and George Clinton, the manuscript of John Lennon’s A Spaniard in the works, which was written on an airplane sick bag.

The skirt wore by Martha Reeves when she performed I should be proud - the first song against the Vietnam War.

Also, valuable items like Elvis Presley’s Harley Davidson, the famous cowhide trousers wore by Jim Morrison in The Doors tour, the painting “Give Peace a Chance” which was hung behind the bed of John Lennon and Yoko Ono.

Besides introducing invaluable keepsakes of world famous singers, will Hard Rock HCM City organize live shows?

Yes, of course. Our stage will welcome talented Vietnamese artists and leading international musicians.

The T-shirt of Elvis Presley.

The photos and disk covers of famous singers.

The waistcoat of Madona.

Jon Bon Jovi’s Jean coat

The scarf of Jimi Hendrix.

VietNamNet/Tuoi Tre