GRAMMY MUSEUM DOWNTOWN LA

- Exploring the Exhibits including MARLEY: A FAMILY LEGACY -

The Grammy Museum is located in the heart of downtown Los Angeles, LA Live.

This entertainment complex comprises several restaurants, event venues, hotels, a movie theater and it’s adjacent to the Crypto.com arena (former Staples Center) where the Lakers and Clippers play as well as the LA Convention Center.

The Grammy Museum opened its doors in Dec. 2008, the same year the Grammy Awards celebrated their 50th anniversary.

The Museum spans over four floors devoted to the history and winners of the Grammy Awards. There are interactive touch screens, videos, recording booths as well as many historical music artifacts such as costumes and instruments, hand-written lyrics, records and audio/video recordings.

The Grammy Museum houses several permanent exhibits as well as special exhibits such as “Marley: A Family Legacy” which runs until Oct. 16, 2022.

General admission to the museum is $18.00 for adults, $15 for seniors & military and $12 for college students and youth with free admission for children ages 4 or younger.

The museum is open daily except for Tuesdays. Most days it opens at 11:00 am and closes at 5:00pm with extended hours on Saturday from 10am to 6pm.

As you enter on the first floor you’ll walk into their gift shop. You’ll head to the elevator, take it up to the fourth floor to start this musical journey.

The fourth floor is called Mike Curb Gallery, named after the award-winning producer and record company executive. 

This floor is home to many of the permanent exhibits such as the Grammy Hall, Michael Jackson: A musical legacy featuring artifacts that portray Jackson’s career during the time his hit album Thriller was released. The display includes his trademark gloves and items worn in the music video for Thriller. 

On this floor you’ll also find the special exhibit: MARLEY: A FAMILY LEGACY which still runs until Oct. 16, 2022. 

I myself am a big reggae fan, seen many of the Marley Bros in concert and actually seeing Stephen in concert this month. 

 So yeah once I heard the museum had this special exhibit, I had to check it out. 

As we all know, Bob Marley took reggae to a whole new level and he was one of the greatest performers the world has ever seen. He became a powerful inspiration to anyone who believed music could change the world. The Marley story did not end with Bob’s untimely passing at the young age of 36. His children became very gifted musicians themselves and carried on the Marley story. Starting out as the Melody Makers, a group that included young Sharon, Cedella, Ziggy and Stephen Marley with Ziggy and Stephen eventually launching successful solo careers. Sons Damian, Julian and Ky-Many Marley have made a significant mark in reggae and hip-hop as well, while Cedella became the CEO of Bob’s Estate.

This exhibition tells the story of a new generation of Marleys, each an artist in his and her own right and with the same commitment to telling the truth though music the Marley way.

There are several items on display such as Ziggy and Ky-Mani’s guitars, custom made catch a fire clothing and a custom Bob Marley tribute edition Gibson guitar.

Guests will also have the opportunity to participate in an interactive drum lesson and “Learn How to Play Reggae Drums With Santa Davis.” Reggae drumming icon Santa Davis has played drums for Bob Marley, Augustus Pablo, Peter Tosh, and many other Jamaican reggae artists. Since 2003, he’s kept time for Ziggy Marley and his band. One of the innovators of the unique Jamaican drum style, Santa Davis teaches how to create the reggae “off beat.” Guests can take a seat at the kit for a reggae drum lesson!

Alright, onto the third floor of the museum which features the Museum’s flagship experience room, Mono To Immersive, 

an instagramworthy “On the Red Carpet from the Grammy Awards” experience 

as well as LA’s first permanent Latin Music Gallery.

Latin Music Gallery: Showcases the power of Latin music as it continues to grow as one of the leading influences worldwide.

Mono to immersive: This experience room takes you on a visual and audible journey of recorded sound from the dusty cylinders of the 19th century to today’s surround sound.

As you listen and watch one of the past Grammy performances, it’s really quite impressive how the sound has changed and improved over the years.

On the Red Carpet: You’ll see some of the most significant and iconic red carpet looks from the Grammy Awards’ history showcasing original clothing worn on the red carpet and on stage. 
The exhibit “How to win a Grammy” showcases the process of Making a Grammy Award and provides an overview of the screening, nomination and voting process.

Moving on to the next floor, the second floor, which is home to the museum’s temporary exhibit gallery. When I was visiting, it was the Songs of Conscience, Sounds of Freedom exhibit, which showcases artists that have used their music to protest and inspire movements against issues we face in society such as racism, police brutality, inequality and more.

I really liked this exhibit and felt like it was very powerful.

The Second Floor is also home to the Clive Davis Theater, an intimate 200-seat theater for concerts, performances and film screenings where you can enjoy musicians and industry professionals in an intimate environment for discussions and performances. Whenever you are visiting, make sure to check the museum’s website for upcoming programs. 

For more impressions, check out the video below…