The Steinway piano that John Lennon used to write the song "Imagine" is on display at the world's first global Musical Instrument Museum (MIM) which officially opened its doors on Saturday, April 24 in Phoenix, Arizona. The piano is on loan to the museum for one year from its current owner, pop singer George Michael.
"This instrument really represents the launch of his solo career, his emergence as a spokesperson for peace and world harmony," a museum representative told ABC News. The piano, which Lennon bought in 1970, has been recently touring the world as a symbol of peace.
The $250 million museum has more than 12,000 instruments and objects in its collection, with 3,000 on display. It was founded by former Target stores chairman Bob Ulrich.
See more photos of items on display at the museum below
The two-story, 190,000 square-foot museum features over 280 exhibits relating to practically every country in the world. All types of guitars are on display including Spanish Flamenco guitars, Martin Guitars, Gibson guitars and Fender guitars.
Two guitars on loan from Eric Clapton's personal collection include Clapton's "Brownie", the Fender Stratocaster that he used to record "Layla", and a Gibson guitar that Clapton played as a member of Cream.
"In addition to the thousands of heirloom and hand-crafted instruments on display, MIM will also present instruments that guests can touch and play, insider’s views of how instruments work, and workshops that detail the instrument-building process," according to a museum press release.
MIM’s collection will be highlighted in different galleries that focus on five global regions, as well as in a special Artist Gallery that features noteworthy instruments played by many of the world’s leading musicians.
The museum is located at 4725 East Mayo Boulevard in Phoenix, Arizona just a few hours from the Grand Canyon. Admission for adults is $15 and $13 for seniors. For more information, visit the Musical Instrument Museum's official website at http://www.themim.org/
Twitter: Follow the Celebrity Travel Examiner on Twitter
Subscribe: Have the Celebrity Travel Examiner column sent to your inbox
Comments