Experience Music Project, Shrine to Seattle Rock

3 Visionaries – Paul Allen, Frank Gehry, & Jimi Hendrix = EMP

Jun 14, 2009

EMP is not a tourist trap. Experience Music Project is a true shrine to Seattle Rock. Take 3 visionaries: Paul Allen, Frank Gehry, and Jimi Hendrix, then shake.

EMP is dedicated to great minds. Frank Gehry is a visual genius. Jimi Hendrix was a musical genius. And, Paul Allen is a genius for his tribute to Seattle Rock (Experience Music Project) and its little brother, the Science Fiction Museum.

Small town Seattle has always been off in the corner of the United States, doing its own thing. So, it's natural that creativity, in excess, comes bundled with the EMP experience.

EMP: Address and Prices

Now that the entrance fees are reasonable, even starving hippies can afford the trip.

Frank Gehry, the Experience Music Project Architect

Love it or hate it, no one drives by the EMP without noticing it. In actuality, the building is a fabulous example of architecture as art. The anodized aluminum exterior flows and undulates like a Chihuly glass bowl. The curves fling in and out, just like Hendrix flashing his guitar around.

It's true. Experience Music Project's joyful exterior will blow the mind of anyone who takes a clear-eyed look at it, as each entering visitor is swallowed whole by the cavernous interior. Gehry's building becomes the experience.

Seattle Rock at Seattle Center

Once inside, there are screens of musicians playing, and Kurt Cobain singing Nevermind from beyond the grave. It's not loud music, but it should be. It is, however, loud enough to penetrate the echoes of this huge space.

Baby Boomers from Seattle will recognize art deco posters from Sky River and Eagles Auditorium concerts (1960s). Wow. This silk-screened artwork is displayed in a fabulous way which gives the paper a slightly psychedelic glow. Small video screens pulse with light-shows once found at Eagles (Seattle's version of the Avalon or Fillmore in Frisco).

To follow the time line of Seattle Rock, one is lead past The Wailers, and Paul Revere and the Raiders, to Jimi Hendrix's Mod Rocker English-style clothing. And, the place feels like a shrine.

There is, also, memorabilia from early Seattle rhythm and blues, punk rockers, and rappers. Smashed guitars have been put together, displayed like artwork, next to the guitars of the famous. Beautiful velvet costumes from Heart, another Seattle group, are on display. And, the whole thing is subliminally nostalgic for Baby Boomers.

Paul Allen and the Shrine to Seattle Rocker Jimi Hendrix

Yes, there are references to Pearl Jam and Sir Mix-a-Lot, but the spark came from Paul Allen's Jimi Hendrix experience. Another cool aspect of the museum is the interactive drums (and other instruments) which can be pounded or strummed or played for fun. And, EMP has a way to build one's own demo CD in a tiny studio, for a fee.

Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame

Follow the lines to get up close with ET and movie props from Star Wars, Star Trek, and other sci fi movies. Check out the police spinner (flying car) used in Blade Runner, then gaze at the Homeworld Globe, which glows like a crystal ball. The Science Fiction Museum's memorabilia includes both permanent and traveling exhibits.

Paul Allen has given life to several neighborhoods in Seattle (including the University of Washington campus), but the Experience Music Project is the crown. Get in the groove and get swallowed up by the music. Seattleites, as well as tourists, should give a nod of thanks to Paul Allen (and Frank Gehry) for creating a seriously cool experience for anyone who loves music. And, Mr. Allen, please crank it up! Hendrix was made to be loud.

The copyright of the article Experience Music Project, Shrine to Seattle Rock in Washington State Travel is owned by Christina Gregoire. Permission to republish Experience Music Project, Shrine to Seattle Rock in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.