A new exhibit at Washington DC's "Newseum" explores the relationship between music and politics.
"Louder than Words: Rock, Power and Politics" offers visitors the chance to see rare handwritten song lyrics, stage costumes and instruments played by music icons...
And it's opening at a time when dozens of artists have turned down offers to perform at Donald Trump's presidential inauguration, sending a clear political message about their lack of support for America's incoming president.
Our correspondent Priscilla Huff has more.
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Star Spangled Banner
Jimi Hendrix, closing out the massive music festival woodstock in 1969
He's playing America's national anthem on his electric guitar
a song which originated as a British drinking song
Patty Rhule, the director of exihibits development at the Newseum says
his performance literally struck a chord.
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SUPER: Patty Rhule, Director of Exhibit Development Newseum
"Many people heard in the way that he played his guitar machine guns that were ratatatating in Vietnam, they heard the violence in the streets of the United States over civil injustices here, so people put on to that version of the Star Spangled Banner, their own thoughts about what needed to change."
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Louder than Words traces how politics and music have harmonized and clashed over the past 50 years.
The first image in the exhibit is Donald Trump standing with Brett Michaels, of the rock group Poison
And yet, Donald Trump has become poison to many performers,
with few big names performing during the inauguration ceremonies.
The objects and memories on display at the newseum show how musicians express their politics
Patty Rhule of the Newseum
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SUPER: Patty Rhule, Director of Exhibit Development Newseum
"Music today reflects just what it has for the past 50 years, musicians and music have always pushed back against the status quo, have challenged us to think about difficult issues about war and peace, about injustice and equality, about the way we treat each other... "
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It's a path that goes both ways
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Just as LinMiranda Manuel has used rap and hip hop to tell the story of Alexander Hamilton, America's first Treasury Secretary, a project that got it's first boost from Barack Obama.
Louder than words brings the visitor
bruce springsteen's draft card
Dee Sniders of twisted sister jacket he wore during Congressional testimony about banning some music for children
Lady Gaga's meat dress
and even Bill Clinton's saxophone.
Priscilla Huff, Washington
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