Hard Rock Cafe London Guitars

The Hard Rock Cafe in London is home to rock'n'roll treasures, and has hosted some truly remarkable objects over the years, from Sid Vicious' jeans, to Jimi Hendrix's guitar

Eric Clapton and Patti Boyd at the Hard Rock Cafe in 1986, at a party held by Bob Geldof ( Image: Alan Davidson/REX/Shutterstock)

It all started because Eric Clapton wanted a permanent spot at the bar. He liked his perch in the groovy Hard Rock Cafe in Mayfair, but found best pal George Harrison often sauntered to his favourite leaning point first.

Inside The Treasure Vaults And Guitar Hotel Of Hard Rock Cafe Florida

The first Hard Rock Cafe, co-founded in the West End of London in 1971 by US businessman Isaac Tigrett, didn’t have bar stools at the time.

In efforts to get one, Clapton bribed him with one of his guitars. He got a stool, and Harrison shifted his pint.

Perhaps a tad harsh, seeing as it was George who, reportedly, after getting rejected from the Ritz for wearing jeans, suggested to Tigrett that Mayfair needed a less conservative booze den.

Hard Rock's Guitar Shaped Hotel Is Latest Themed Project Strip

As the chain celebrates its 50th anniversary, Clapton’s guitar hangs above the modern-day bar doors from the same location. It was the first piece of memorabilia owned by Hard Rock, now a brand boasting 86, 000 items, in 253 locations, in 68 countries.

Giovanni Taliaferro, vice president of memorabilia and design, won’t reveal their worth. But given it ranges from Geri Halliwell’s Union Jack Brits dress (hanging in his office), to Beatles’ handwritten lyrics, to Madonna’s pointy-cup corset, to Little Richard’s boots, insurance must run pretty high.

Former Beatle George Harrison and his wife Olivia attend the 21st birthday party of the Hard Rock Cafe in London on June 15, 1992 ( Image: Getty Images)

Hard Rock Hotel, London

“These are our Mona Lisas, they are priceless, ” is what he will say. So priceless, he has just flown over from the US clutching a guitar belonging to The Who’s Peter Townshend.

“I’ve flown with Michael Jackson’s red leather jacket from Beat It, and his father Joseph Jackson’s guitar – the one Tito learnt to play on, ” he relays.

Incidentally, that Townshend guitar was Hard Rock’s second piece of memorabilia, donated by The Who’s co-founder after he saw Clapton had managed to secure a stool. Apparently, he had it biked over, sort of regretted it, asked for it back, but didn’t get his way.

Hard Rock Cafe Launches In Piccadilly Circus With An Exclusive Performance From Keane

The further you delve into Hard Rock’s history, the further you spiral Alice in Wonderland-style into a maze of stardom, in which names drop and explode like glitter bombs.

We’re chatting amid a pop-up exhibition of newly acquired memorabilia on the site of Hyde Park’s British Summer Time Festival, running until July 10, of which Hard Rock is a partner.

The items croon with ghostly echoes of pop history. A tiny black polka dot dress Amy Winehouse wore in 2007 to the MOBOs conjures up visions of her grooving beehive crown.

Vintage Hard Rock Cafe London Guitar Pin (1990s), Hobbies & Toys, Memorabilia & Collectibles, Vintage Collectibles On Carousell

Battered leather trousers belonging to the Sex Pistols’ Sid Vicious, sliced at the knee, are so moulded to the man it feels like he’s only just slithered out.

Guitars

Then there is a wetsuit and half a surfboard that belonged to Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder, which is a bit random… He scribbled on it, ‘I hope I die before I get old’. (He’s now 57).

A lot of stars have an unbreakable bond with the items, Giovanni confides. Geri knows her minidress, which she auctioned off, is with them – husband Christian Horner revealed.

Eric Clapton's Guitar

Giovanni is, after he leaves me, off to meet Sir Elton John before the star headlines at the British Summer Time Festival to return his LA Dodgers costume, in which he performed in 1975. Hard Rock have agreed to swap it back to Elton in return for a Gucci suit from his Yellow Brick Road tour. “The suit is very important to him, ” explains Giovanni, assuring me I definitely can’t come along. But where I’m heading next is pretty fun anyway.

At the Hard Rock Cafe’s original site on Old Park Lane, Ashraf Mayat, 53, is set to show me The Vault in the basement where a treasure trove lies.

It used to be a vault belonging to Coutts bank. Princess Diana’s wedding dress was kept here before the big day. She once came to try it on.

File:eric Clapton Guitar @ Hrc, London (1).jpg

A guide for 22 years, Ash confides stars also take a peek. He was there when Matlock picked up his guitar seven years ago. “He had a tear in his eye. It was his first ever guitar, his parents bought it for Christmas.”

It is the one he played at the Isle of Wight festival in 1970. Around 700, 000 watched, including most of The Beatles. Bob Geldof, who popped down recently with his grandchildren, told Ash he was there, too.

Across the way is a Madonna corset designed by Jean Paul Gaultier for her 1990 Blond Ambition tour. Opposite, hang hand-scrawled lyrics by John Lennon for Instant Karma!.

Vintage Guitars In The Vault Of London's Hard Rock Cafe; Duane... News Photo

“This is a church pew that was in the home of George Fridiric Handel in the 1700s, which Hendrix lived in, ” he says.

I jump up pretty quickly. But it’s OK, apparently all the stars like to have their picture taken here. Ringo’s even done the peace sign where I sit.

'IT WAS GETTING HARDER TO BREATHE...' Corfu becomes second island to be evacuated amid chaotic scenes as up to 10, 000 British holidaymakers try to escape Rhodes - as officials warn fires may get worse in 45C heat todayGreece wildfires

David Bowie's Guitar At The Hard Rock Cafe London England

Molly Mae Hague and Tommy Fury engaged! Couple who met on Love Island set to marry after boxer's lavish proposal - watch the moment he pops the questionMolly Mae HagueWhen you think of the Hard Rock Cafe you are likely to think of the rock memorabilia but did you know you can see some real treasures without sitting down for a burger and fries? The Vault is the ‘museum’ at the Hard Rock Cafe in London and it’s free to visit seven days a week.

Did you know the Hard Rock Cafe in London was the first of the iconic restaurants? Two Americans, Isaac Tigrett and Peter Morton, wanted a decent American burger while living in London so opened the restaurant on Old Park Lane/Piccadilly in 1971. There are now nearly 200 Hard Rock locations across the world including cafes, hotels and casinos.

In 1979, Eric Clapton asked Isaac to hang his guitar over his favourite bar stool to ‘mark his spot’. Not to be outdone, a week later, Pete Townshend of The Who sent the restaurant a guitar and the collection started. Both guitars are still on display and the memorabilia collection now has over 80, 000 pieces and continues to grow.

Explore London's Historic Music Scene With Hard Rock Tour

London’s only rock ‘n’ roll museum is the basement under the Hard Rock Cafe shop, next to the restaurant. The building was a branch of Coutts Bank and the vault used for the museum has royal connections. It’s said The Queen had personal valuables stored there and it was also where Princess Diana tried on her wedding dress.

Enter the Hard Rock Cafe shop and ask any member of staff about visiting The Vault. You can’t go in without a guide so there are regular tours throughout the day to head down in a small group. You may have a short wait but it’s never too long as they run so many tours each day (about every 15-20 minutes).

When the guide takes you down they will explain a bit about the building (an old bank) and some of what you can see inside before unlocking the cage door and letting you in to explore.

Noel Gallagher's Guitar

Remember the room’s previous purpose so don’t be surprised how small the room is. Yet is it crammed with some incredible pieces of rock memorabilia. You don’t have to wait to have pieces pointed out to you as you can look around for yourself and are free to take photos of everything. Be aware it is dark in the room so it’s hard to take great photos so do spend more time enjoying being there than snapping for later.

The guides all know the collection well so do ask if you would like them to explain how a piece came in to the collection or its relevance.

And plenty more too. You won’t need a long time to visit, as the room is so small, but whenever I stop by I’m always surprised at how much is in there and always spot something I missed before.