Songwriters Hall Of Fame Teams With Grammy Museum For Exhibit Honoring Music Legends

May 15,2026
Paul Grein

Artifacts connected to legendary recordings like Purple Rain, Nevermind, Rhythm Nation 1814, A Taste of Honey, and September are set to take center stage when The Grammy Museum launches its new exhibit “Tower of Song: Iconic Songwriters & Recordings” on Thursday, May 28. The exhibition highlights the legacies of both the Grammy Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

The opening night celebration will feature a public program inside the Grammy Museum’s Clive Davis Theater with Songwriters Hall of Fame inductees Jimmy Jam and Diane Warren. During the event, both songwriters will discuss legendary Hall of Fame recordings while also sharing personal stories about some of their favorite songs and the creative process behind them. A cocktail reception will follow the discussion, with additional guests expected to be announced later.

The exhibit itself will showcase memorabilia, archival material, and multimedia pieces connected to influential songwriters honored by the Songwriters Hall of Fame, alongside recordings inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. Visitors will also find commentary and reflections from the artists, producers, and writers behind many of the featured songs and albums.

One of the major attractions inside “Tower of Song” is an original film featuring Hall of Fame inductees including Alan Menken, Carole King, Diane Warren, and Jimmy Jam discussing their songwriting methods and creative inspirations. The exhibition will also feature an interactive digital experience asking guests, “What makes this Hall of Fame song great?”

In an official statement, Grammy Museum chief curator and vice president of curatorial affairs Jasen Emmons explained that the exhibit is designed to help audiences connect more deeply with music history. “By exploring songwriters and recordings that have shaped music history, the ‘Tower of Song’ exhibit invites music fans to hear and think about iconic songwriters and recordings in new ways,” he said.

The new exhibition also continues the Grammy Museum’s longtime partnership with the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Over the years, the two organizations have collaborated on events such as the Legends In The Round and ChartTopper series, which bring together celebrated songwriters to discuss their careers and perform their music. Their partnership has also included film screenings paired with panel conversations.

“Tower of Song” arrives shortly after the Grammy Museum hosted its third annual Grammy Hall of Fame Gala on May 8 at The Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills. The event honored the 14 recordings inducted into the 52nd Grammy Hall of Fame class while also raising funds for the museum’s national music education programs.

Here are some highlights of the upcoming exhibit, “Tower of Song: Iconic Songwriters & Recordings.”

The LinnDrum and Ensoniq Mosaic synthesizer that SHOF inductees Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis used to create the signature sounds of Janet Jackson’s Rhythm Nation 1814, which was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2026.
SHOF inductee Neil Diamond’s handwritten lyrics for “Song Sung Blue.” The Grammy-nominated 1972 smash was also the title of a 2025 film for which Kate Hudson received an Oscar nomination.
SHOF inductee Diane Warren’s Yamaha DX 7 keyboard used to write many hit songs over the years.
One of Herb Alpert’s trumpets and tape boxes from A&M Records for his and the Tijuana Brass’ Grammy Hall of Fame recordings “The Lonely Bull” and “A Taste of Honey.”
Kurt Cobain’s Mosrite Gospel electric guitar that he used to write most of the songs on Nirvana’s breakthrough album Nevermind, which was voted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2018.
Miles Davis’s red lacquer Martin Committee trumpet, mouthpiece and Harmon mute that he played throughout the 1980s, along with monogrammed leather carrying case. The jazz legend has 11 recordings in the Grammy Hall of Fame.
SHOF inductee Prince’s gold-rimmed glasses worn in the movie Purple Rain, and a lace shirt with large blue cufflinks worn on his Purple Rain tour. Purple Rain was voted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2011.
Keith Moon’s gold Premier drum kit that he played in the movie Tommy and on gigs with The Who. The Who’s Tommy was voted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1998.
One of Jim Morrison’s personal notebooks and an EV-676 microphone he used for live performances. The Doors have three recordings in the Grammy Hall of Fame: “Light My Fire,” The Doors and “Riders on the Storm.”
Two microphones used by Frank Sinatra for recording sessions at Capitol Records, and his personal sheet music for “My Way,” which was co-written by SHOF inductee Paul Anka. Sinatra’s recording of “My Way” was voted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2000.
SHOF Inductee Allee Willis’s original handwritten lyrics for the Earth, Wind & Fire classic “September.”
One of SHOF inductee Bill Withers’ acoustic guitars. The R&B great has two recordings in the Grammy Hall of Fame: “Ain’t No Sunshine” and “Lean on Me.”
Ann Wilson’s red tour jacket from a 1977 Heart tour. Heart’s 1976 debut album Dreamboat Annie was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2026.