When the song Rocket ’88 (yes, it was about a car) first hit the airwaves in 1951, it marked the beginning of American Rock ‘n’ Roll and forever changed the face of history. To help commemorate the 50th anniversary of Rock ‘n’ Roll, the Petersen Automotive Museum has mounted one of its largest exhibits, Cars & Guitars of Rock ‘n’ Roll. The raucous and rowdy exhibit showcases 35 cars, over 40 classic and custom guitars, historical juke boxes, and Rock ‘n’ Roll memorabilia. Automobiles on exhibit also include Billy Gibbon’s CadZZilla custom Cadillac, Janis Joplin’s Psychedelic Porsche, Rod Stewart’s 1983 Ferrari 400i convertible, a bright red 1932 hot rod belonging to Jeff Beck, the “Monkee Mobile” made famous by the TV teen idols, a 1963 Cadillac from Jimmy Vaughn’s collection, Eric Clapton’s 1940 Ford, and an Oldsmobile Rocket 88, among others.
