Alright butt… stop whatever you’re doing, put the kettle down, and listen up — because London has just been hijacked by one of the most outrageous collections of rock memorabilia ever unleashed on UK soil 🤯🤘
We’re talking legendary guitars, stage-worn madness, and enough history to make your Spotify cry.
🏙️ PICCADILLY CIRCUS JUST GOT LOUDER
From March 24 to April 13, the iconic Hard Rock Cafe Piccadilly Circus has transformed into a full-blown temple of riffs, hosting Julien’s Auctions’ “MUSIC ICONS” exhibition.
And yes…
👉 It’s completely FREE
👉 It’s open daily
👉 And it’s basically Disneyland for rock fans
You’re not just looking at instruments here…
You’re staring into the soul of rock ‘n’ roll itself.
💥 50 YEARS OF KISS – AND THE SPACEMAN HAS LANDED
This whole thing is celebrating 50 years of KISS tearing up London, and leading the charge is none other than Ace Frehley — the Spaceman, the riff wizard, the man who made Les Pauls scream.
⚡ THE MAIN EVENT ⚡
- 🎸 Ace Frehley’s 1974 Gibson Les Paul “Ace #1”
This isn’t just a guitar…
This is THE guitar — the one that followed him through the rise of KISS, from smoky clubs to world domination.
It’s battered, it’s legendary, and it’s probably responsible for about 90% of air guitar injuries worldwide.
🧥 ALSO IN THE KISS CHAOS COLLECTION:
- 1977 Rock & Roll Over tour jacket
- A full-length dragon-embroidered kimono (because rock stars don’t do subtle, mun)
- A purple velour jumpsuit with a wild history involving New York Dolls legend Arthur Kane
Honestly… it’s like someone opened a wardrobe and rock history fell out in slow motion.
🤘 RIFF ROYALTY – THIS LINE-UP IS ABSOLUTELY STACKED
This isn’t just about KISS though — oh no. This is a who’s who of absolute riff monsters:
- 🎸 Kirk Hammett (Metallica) – His FIRST EVER Ouija ESP guitar 😱
- 🎸 Billy Duffy (The Cult) – 1976 Les Paul from Sonic Temple
- 🎸 Izzy Stradlin (Guns N’ Roses) – Used during Appetite For Destruction era
- 🎸 Mick Mars (Mötley Crüe) – A savage Gibson Explorer
- 🎸 Stevie Ray Vaughan – 12-string used on MTV Unplugged
PLUS:
- 🔔 A thunderous gong from Black Sabbath
- 🏆 Platinum records shining like medals from the gods
This is the kind of display that makes you go quiet for a second…
Then immediately want to start a band.
🌍 FROM LONDON TO THE WORLD
Once London’s had its moment in the spotlight, the exhibition is heading out on tour:
- 🇯🇵 Japan (April 28–29)
- 🇺🇸 New York City (May 13 onwards)
Before everything goes under the hammer at the “Music Icons” auction this May — where these beauties will sell for absolutely ridiculous money 💸
🍔 BONUS: FULL HARD ROCK EXPERIENCE
Because it’s Hard Rock, they’ve gone full rockstar mode:
- 👕 Brand-new KISS x Hard Rock merch
- 🍔 Big, bold, messy food (napkins required, trust us)
- 🎶 Wall-to-wall rock anthems while you soak it all in
It’s basically a gig without the crowd crush and warm beer… although let’s be honest, we’d still take both.
🎤 FINAL RIFF – DON’T MISS THIS, BUTT
This isn’t just an exhibition…
It’s a time capsule of riffs, sweat, chaos, and absolute legends.
If you’re anywhere near London:
👉 Get yourself down there
👉 Take it all in
👉 Have a moment with the guitars that built the soundtrack of our lives
Because one day, you’ll be telling someone:
“I saw that guitar before it went for millions…”
And they’ll look at you like you’re chatting nonsense.
But you’ll just grin and say:
“Nah mate… I was there. Proper job.” 🤘🔥
Michael is the founder, editor, and chief riff wrangler behind The Riff Report, an independent Welsh rock and metal publication built by fans, for fans. With a lifelong passion for loud guitars, unforgettable live shows, and the incredible community that surrounds rock and metal, he created The Riff Report to celebrate everything that makes the scene special—from legendary headline acts and grassroots venues to rising bands that deserve to be heard.
A familiar face at festivals across the UK, Michael spends much of the year covering events including Download Festival, Bloodstock Open Air, Steelhouse Festival, Firevolt, Plumpton Revival, and many more. Whether he’s battling the Welsh weather on a mountainside, surviving a weekend in a muddy campsite, or squeezed against the front barrier with thousands of fellow fans, he’s always searching for the next great story to share.
As editor of The Riff Report, Michael writes festival guides, breaking news, album reviews, gig reviews, interviews, opinion pieces, nostalgia features, and behind-the-scenes stories from across the rock and metal world. His writing combines honest opinions, humour, and a genuine love for live music, bringing readers closer to the bands, festivals, venues, and people that keep the scene alive.
Michael is particularly passionate about supporting independent artists, local venues, charities, and the wider UK rock and metal community. He believes every band deserves a chance to be discovered and every festival has a story worth telling. Through The Riff Report, he aims to shine a spotlight on both the biggest names in rock and the future stars waiting to break through.
When he’s not writing or interviewing artists, you’ll probably find him exploring festival campsites, photographing live shows, chatting with fellow fans over a pint, or planning the next road trip in search of more riffs, bigger crowds, and unforgettable moments.
Above all, Michael believes rock and metal are about more than music—they’re about community, friendship, and creating memories that last a lifetime. That’s exactly what The Riff Report exists to celebrate.
Proudly Welsh. Proudly Loud. Always chasing the next great riff. 🤘
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