Amped at IU Wraps Up Year-Long Celebration September 13

After a successful year-long run at Indiana University Bloomington, Amped at IU will take its final bow on Friday, September 13, with an event that promises to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for music lovers. The collaborative exhibition between The Jim Irsay Collection and IU Collections has spotlighted the history of the modern guitar, blending world-class instruments from Irsay’s renowned holdings with treasures from IU’s own archives.

The closing celebration will feature a special, one-day-only display of legendary guitars owned and played by some of the biggest names in music history, including Jerry Garcia, Bob Dylan, David Gilmour, Eric Clapton, Prince, Kurt Cobain, John Lennon, George Harrison, Paul McCartney, Jimi Hendrix, Nancy Wilson, Lou Reed, and Eddie Van Halen. Visitors can also enjoy lectures from IU faculty on music, culture, and collections, take one last walk through the acclaimed exhibit, and hear performances by students from the IU Jacobs School of Music.

Throughout the past year, Amped at IU showcased rarely exhibited guitars from across the centuries, from an 1840s CF Martin guitar to iconic electric models like the 1959 Fender Stratocaster Sunburst, 1964 Firebird V, and 1971 Fender Telecaster Rosewood. The exhibition also included historic artifacts tied to The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, Brian Epstein, George Benson, Steve Earle, Janis Joplin, Johnny Cash, Buddy Holly, Bo Diddley, and Paul Stanley.

The Jim Irsay Collection, assembled over decades by the late Colts owner Jim Irsay, reflects his deep passion for rock music, American history, and pop culture. Recognized by Guitar Magazine in 2022 as home to “The Greatest Guitars on Earth,” the collection has traveled to cities including Nashville, Washington D.C., Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Las Vegas, and Boston—always free to the public.

In addition to its touring schedule, Irsay’s collection has been shared with museums, nonprofits, and cultural institutions worldwide for display and research, embodying his philanthropic mission to make art and history accessible.

University Collections at McCalla, which hosted the exhibition, remains committed to offering innovative, educational, and engaging experiences that connect students, faculty, and the broader community with extraordinary collections and creative projects.

For fans of music history and guitar artistry, the September 13 event will be the final opportunity to experience Amped at IU.