LOS ANGELES (MAY 13, 2026) – The Grammy Museum® presents Tower of Song: Iconic Songwriters & Recordings, a new ongoing exhibit that showcases the Grammy Hall of Fame® , which has inducted more than 1,100 historically significant recordings since 1973 that are 25 years or older; and our partners at the Songwriters Hall of Fame®, which since 1969 has inducted songwriters that have a proven legacy of creative work.
On display beginning Thursday, May 28, Tower of Song opens with a public program at the Grammy Museum’s Clive Davis Theater featuring Songwriters Hall of Fame inductees Jimmy Jam and Diane Warren, breaking down Hall of Fame recordings and their own favorite songs to provide insights about the songwriting and recording processes. The program will be followed by a cocktail reception at the exhibition. Additional guests to be announced.
Tower of Song explores the art and craft of songwriting and recording to deepen visitors’ knowledge and appreciation for the songwriters, artists and albums that have shaped the sound of popular music over the past 50 years, from Nile Rodgers, Nirvana and Miles Davis, to Neil Diamond, Janet Jackson and Diane Warren. The exhibit will feature crown jewel artifacts and media connected to legacy songwriters inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, and recordings inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame, as well as commentary about different songs and albums from the songwriters, artists and producers who created them.
Tower of Song includes an original film featuring Songwriters Hall of Fame inductees Alan Menken, Carole King, Diane Warren, and Jimmy Jam, among others, talking about their creative process and approach to songwriting. Complementing the film is a digital interactive experience that poses the question: What makes this Hall of Fame song great? with the goal of creating “a-ha” listening moments for museum visitors.
Tower of Song continues the Grammy Museum’s longstanding partnership with the Songwriters Hall of Fame, which has included exhibits and co-sponsored events, some of which include the acclaimed Legends-In-The-Round and ChartTopper series, each featuring a stellar gathering of Songwriters Hall of Fame inductees and hit songwriters discussing their careers and performing their songs. Other events include special movie screenings combined with panel discussions, and much more.
Exhibit highlights:
- The LinnDrum and Ensoniq Mosaic synthesizer SHOF inductees Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis used to create the signature sounds of Janet Jackson’s album Rhythm Nation 1814, which was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2026.
- SHOF inductee Neil Diamond’s handwritten lyrics for “Song Sung Blues”.
- SHOF inductee and Johnny Mercer Award honoree 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 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 is in the Grammy Hall of Fame.
- Miles Davis’s red lacquer Martin Committee trumpet, mouthpiece and Harmon mute that he played throughout the 1980s, along with monogrammed leather carrying case.
- 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.
- Keith Moon’s gold Premier drum kit that he played in the movie Tommy and on gigs with The Who.
- One of Jim Morrison’s personal notebooks and an EV-676 microphone he used for live performances.
- Two microphones used by Frank Sinatra for recording sessions at Capitol Records, and his personal sheet music for “My Way” written by SHOF inductee Paul Anka.
- SHOF Inductee Allee Willis’s original handwritten lyrics for the Earth, Wind & Fire hit “September”.
- One of SHOF Inductee Bill Withers’ acoustic guitars.
The Tower of Song exhibit follows The Grammy Museum’s third annual Grammy Hall of Fame Gala, held Friday, May 8 at The Beverly Hilton. This special event celebrated the 14 iconic recordings inducted into the 52nd class of the Grammy Hall of Fame and served as a fundraiser to support the Grammy Museum’s national education programs. Performers included Erykah Badu, Fyütch & Aura V, George Clinton, Heart, Josh Groban, Lucinda Williams, Norah Jones, Take 6, Taylor Hanson, and Teddy Swims, with a special appearance by Janet Jackson. Please click here to view the list of Hall of Fame inductees.
