In times of political and social turmoil, music often offers hope. The Newseum is displaying artifacts belonging to some of music's most influential stars.
John Lennon’s acoustic guitar from his 1969 Montreal and Amsterdam “Bed-Ins for Peace” is on display at the Newseum.
(WTOP/Neal Augenstein)
WTOP/Neal Augenstein
Bob Dylan’s handwritten lyrics to “The Times They Are a-Changin,'” one of Dylan’s most influential observations of society in the early 1960s, is on display.
(WTOP/Neal Augenstein)
WTOP/Neal Augenstein
Bob Dylan’s harmonica is on display. His music was a powerful tool in influencing political and social change.
(WTOP/Neal Augenstein)
WTOP/Neal Augenstein
Music by reggae legend Bob Marley and punk icon Sid Vicious influenced social reflection and change.
(WTOP/Neal Augenstein)
WTOP/Neal Augenstein
Such women as Cyndi Lauper and Madonna “found a new way to express themselves through rock,” said Carrie Christoffersen of the Newseum.
(WTOP/Neal Augenstein)
WTOP/Neal Augenstein
“Hail, hail rock and roll” — Chuck Berry’s ‘School Days’ 45 rpm record — is on display. From the 1950s through the 1970s, singles offered an inexpensive way for young people to own music.
(WTOP/Neal Augenstein)
WTOP/Neal Augenstein
The Fender Stratocaster guitar Jimi Hendrix used to play “The Star-Spangled Banner” at Woodstock is on display at the Newseum.
(WTOP/Neal Augenstein)
WTOP/Neal Augenstein
The Village People gave a voice to the gay community. The band’s name referred to Greenwich Village in New York. At the time, it was known for its large gay population.
(WTOP/Neal Augenstein)
WTOP/Neal Augenstein
“Rock, Power, and Politics” opens Jan. 13 at the Newseum, one week before the inauguration of President-Elect Donald Trump.
(WTOP/Neal Augenstein)
WTOP/Neal Augenstein
Bruce Springsteen’s notebook, including the lyrics to “Born in the USA,” is on display. The lyrics reflect the challenges of veterans returning from war.
(WTOP/Neal Augenstein)
WTOP/Neal Augenstein
The lawyer for Ice-T wrote an email to the president of Warner Bros. Records, thanking the company for its support during the “Cop Killer” controversy. Eventually the song was removed from the album, but given away as a bonus single.
(WTOP/Neal Augenstein)
WTOP/Neal Augenstein
Dee Snider of Twisted Sister wore this T-shirt and vest when he testified on Capitol Hill in 1985 against a proposed rating system for lyrics.
(WTOP/Neal Augenstein)
WTOP/Neal Augenstein
“Louder than Words: Rock, Power and Politics” will be on display at the Newseum through July 31, 2017.
(WTOP/Neal Augenstein)
WTOP/Neal Augenstein
U2’s Bono wore this jacket while performing at the 2002 Super Bowl, when he paid tribute to victims of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
(WTOP/Neal Augenstein)
WASHINGTON — Looking at the original handwritten words of “The Times They Are A-Changin'” scrawled on a five-hole piece of notebook paper, it’s clear Bob Dylan knew what he wanted to say.
With only three or four words crossed out and substituted, Dylan’s manuscript is one powerful example of what can happen when music intersects with politics and social movements.
“It was one of those earliest anthems of, ‘Wow, social change is happening,'” said Carrie Christoffersen, curator of collections at The Newseum.
“Louder Than Words: Rock, Power and Politics” opens Friday in the museum about news, and runs through July 31, 2017.
In a tour during final preparations for the exhibition, instruments and clothes owned by influential musicians stand as reminders of how during times of political and social discord, music can both soothe or stoke tensions.
The Fender Stratocaster used by Jimi Hendrix at Woodstock during his rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner” is on display.
“The searing wild rendition of the national anthem drew some criticism at the time, but Hendrix always viewed it as his emotional outpouring about America and the times,” said Christoffersen.
The white T-shirt and jeans worn by Bruce Springsteen on the cover of the “Born In The U.S.A.” album is displayed next to Springsteen’s handwritten lyrics in a notebook.
A few steps away are the handwritten lyrics to Green Day’s “American Idiot.”
“We were able to partner with the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, in Cleveland, so there are pieces in the exhibit from their collection, from our collection and a wide variety of third-party lenders,” said Christoffersen.
Neal Augenstein has been a general assignment reporter with WTOP since 1997. He says he looks forward to coming to work every day, even though that means waking up at 3:30 a.m.
