Cars and Guitars Tempe Center for the Arts July 10-Oct. 16, 2010 Exhibition Preview

Cars & Guitars About the exhibition Nothing says summer fun like good music and fast cars. This exhibition features Scottsdale-based Fender Musical Instruments-themed guitars, vehicles and memorabilia, Sucker Punch Sally’s motorcycles and a Toyota Tundra truck. During the run of the exhibition, visitors will be able to see concert footage, listen to music, play Wii RockBand® in the Best Buy at Tempe Marketplace Lounge and read books about rock ‘n’ roll history. Exhibition Partners: Friends of Tempe Center for the Arts, Fender Musical Instruments, Sucker Punch Sally’s Diner, Best Buy Musical Instruments at Tempe Marketplace, Cortez Coffee, Ritchie Fliegler of fearless Marketing and Ear Candy Non Profit Music Organization. Organization. Nothing says summer fun like good music and fast cars. This exhibition features Scottsdale-based Fender Musical Instruments-themed guitars, vehicles and memorabilia, Sucker Punch Sally’s motorcycles and a Toyota Tundra ® truck. During the run of the exhibition, visitors will be able to see concert footage, listen to music, play RockBand ® in the Best Buy at Tempe Marketplace Lounge and read books about rock ‘n’ roll history.

A brief history about From modest beginnings in 1946 to its current status as a cultural icon, Fender has touched and transformed music worldwide and in every genre: rock ‘n’ roll, country, jazz, rhythm and blues and everything in between. From beginners and hobbyists to the world’s most acclaimed artists, musicians have used Fender instruments to bring their dreams to life while changing the world along the way. In the 1940s, Southern California inventor Clarence “Leo” Fender, a modest inventor and businessman with a special skill for electronics, founded the company. In 1954, Fender released what would become the most popular, recognizable and influential electric guitar of all time—the Stratocaster ®. With Fender guitars in the hands of artists such as Buddy Holly, Eric Clapton and Jimi Hendrix to name only a few, entirely new genres of music took shape. Indeed, more popular music during the past 50 years has been made and played on the Stratocaster than on any other electric instrument.

Guitar Production Photos courtesy of Fender Musical Instruments Corporation.

The Stratocaster guitar features a comfortably contoured body, three pickups (allowing a multitude of tones never heard before) and a tremolo system that allowed players to mimic popular lap- and pedal-steel tones, all while remaining in tune. The Stratocaster® Photo courtesy of Fender Musical Instruments Corporation.

Limited Edition Crossroads Signature Stratocaster® Guitar and Amp Guitar legend Eric Clapton’s vision of opening a drug-and-alcohol treatment center, The Crossroads Centre, on the island of Antigua became a reality in Fender introduced this matching guitar and amp in The guitar is crafted to the artist's exacting specifications and bears a smiling sun designed by Clapton. On loan from Fender Musical Instruments.

Rolling Stones “Shine a Light” Custom Telecaster ® Shine a Light is a 2008 documentary film directed by Martin Scorsese documenting The Rolling Stones' 2006 Beacon Theatre performance on its A Bigger Bang Tour. The guitar is signed by the members of the famous band and director. On loan from Fender Musical Instruments.

Hot Wheels Stratocaster ® This instrument and matching colorful case was loaned by local collector Ritchie Fliegler. It was designed and signed by Larry Wood who was the head of Hot Wheels at Mattell Inc., and is a legend among model car collectors. The art is vinyl wrap over wood, and the guitar was built at the Fender Custom Shop. This particular guitar was the first edition for what was ultimately a run of just 12 guitars.

OK Go Squier Stratocaster ® Through the years, Fender has built countless instruments, which have been used in music videos. This guitar was modified for the OK Go video for the single “Do What You Want.” The video takes place in a single room in which every surface (and every prop, instrument and performers who enter it) is covered in the same damask wallpaper fabric. There is a matching Telecaster® guitar that currently resides at the Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas. On loan from Fender Musical Instruments.

Fender® Triumph Motorcycle Custom Shop, Sucker Punch Sally’s collaborated with Fender Musical Instruments to create this motorcycle, jacket and guitar trio. The bike is a redesigned 2009 Triumph Thruxton made to look like a vintage racing bike. It includes vintage guitar knobs, tuners and switches. On loan from Sucker Punch Sally’s.

2009 Toyota Tundra® Fender® and Sucker Punch Sally’s, teamed up with Toyota® and customized this 2009 Toyota Tundra® into a 1950’s-style hot rod. The flat black painted truck is equipped with supercharger kit, boosting performance to more than 500 horsepower. It also includes full custom tuck ‘n’ roll interior leather seats, hand-turned brass dashboard controls and a maple wood-lined cargo deck (the same wood used to build some Fender guitar necks). On loan from Toyota.

Thank you to the following: Fender Musical Instruments Corporation FENDER®, STRATOCASTER®, TELECASTER®, TWIN-AMP™, and the distinctive headstock design commonly found on the STRATOCASTER® and TELECASTER® guitars are trademarks of Fender Musical Instruments Corporation and used herein with express written permission. All rights reserved. Sucker Punch Sally’s Toyota Use of images in Gallery at Tempe Center for the Arts online curriculum are strictly for educational purposes.