Janie and Jimi Hendrix , Seattle Center Arena, February 12, 1968 Photographer: Ulvis Alberts

Jimi Hendrix: West Coast Seattle Boy

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Exhibition Open Now

- MOPOP Permanent Collection

Included in General Admission

Open now through

Included in General Admission

Opens

November 21, 2026

Included in General Admission

Jimi Hendrix: West Coast Seattle Boy

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Al and Jimmy at age three, 1945 Courtesy James "Al" Hendrix Collection / © Authentic Hendrix, LLC / Collection of Experience Hendrix, L.L.C. MOPOP Permanent Collection.

Jimi Hendrix: West Coast Seattle Boy showcases MOPOP’s unparalleled collection of Jimi Hendrix artifacts through an ever-evolving lineup of curated content, including performance footage, photographs, and personal narratives. From his Seattle beginnings to his return as a global icon, the exhibition interweaves Hendrix’s electrifying stage presence with the personal stories that shaped his life and career.

MOPOP is proud to honor the Hendrix family’s legacy and invites guests to explore the intersections of art, identity, and community through the story of this local legend.

Exhibition Highlights

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Close-up of audio mixing console sliders and knobs with volume levels indicated.

Soundproof Rooms

Twelve acoustically isolated rooms known as studio pods, contain interactive devices, gear, and traditional instruments. Take a lesson, jam with others in the room, try out vocals, and learn about the art of mixing. Special reverberation technology lets you adjust the sound so it's as big as an amphitheater, or as intimate as a living room.

Triptych of black and white images showing a guitar headstock, piano keys, and a guitar tuning peg in close-up.

Trios

Each of the tall semi-enclosed structures on Sound Lab's main floor contains three interactive instruments, including guitar, bass, keyboard or drums. These instruments use sophisticated audio, computer graphics and MIDI to guide you through a variety of learning activities, whether it's learning to play "Louie Louie," or discovering what a 12-bar blues is. You can also choose to forego a lesson to play instruments on your own or with friends and family. Acoustically optimized dividers in each trio let you rock your socks off without disturbing anyone else.

Black and white close-up of drumheads and cymbals with textured wear marks.

The Big Drum

The heart of Sound Lab, The Big Drum recalls the early rhythms our ancestors played around the fire. You don't need any special skills to play it, other than the ones you'd bring to a conversation. Just listen and answer back.

Audio Technology Interactives

How do guitar players make such different sounds? Can an audio engineer really fix it in the mix? Technology has played a huge role in the creation of the sounds of rock 'n' roll, both behind the scenes in the recording studio and up on the bandstand. Find out more about the recording process, amps, samplers, effects pedals, and microphones.

Black and white close-up of a vinyl record player’s tonearm and platter.

DJ Hallway

In the hands of a skilled DJ, turntables can produce music that would have been impossible just a few short decades ago. Ever wonder how DJs make that scratching sound or move from one record to the next? Find out in DJ Hallway, situated in the back of Sound Lab.

Two musicians in a dimly lit room, one playing a keyboard and the other playing an electric guitar.

Jam Studios

Check out the state-of-the-art Jam Studio where you can record your own song using drums, guitars, keyboards, and vocals, then download and share with your friends for free.

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