First major Rolling Stones exhibit opening May 24 at Rock Hall

By Randy Lewis

Feb. 27, 2013 12 AM PT

“Rolling Stones: 50 Years of Satisfaction,” billed as “the first ever major exhibition” on the group long-ago dubbed “the world’s greatest rock ‘n’ roll band,” will open May 24 for what is slated to be a 10-month run at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland, officials announced Feb. 27.

The show will span the group’s half-century career and include “personal items and extraordinary collections that have never before been seen by the public,” the hall’s announcement stated.

Among the items to be included: the black leather bomber jacket Keith Richards is wearing on the cover of the 1966 “Big Hits (High Tide and Green Grass)” compilation album; a 1970 letter from the Stones requesting Santana’s permission to include their performance in the concert film from Altamont that became “Gimme Shelter” (Santana declined); Mick Jagger’s 1981 stage costume made from British and American flags; and a 1963 publishing agreement for “Stoned,” one of the first songs the band members ever wrote.

“The Rolling Stones are the epitome of rock and roll,” said Rock Hall President and Chief Executive Greg Harris, who recently took over from Terry Stewart, who stepped down at the end of 2012 after 13 years at the helm. “This first-ever exhibit gives us an opportunity to tell the story of one of the definitive rock and roll bands.”

The exhibit will take up 2½ floors of exhibition space at the Rock Hall. Ticket information is available at the museum’s website.

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