Jimi Hendrix with family and friends, July 1970. Courtesy James "Al" Hendrix Collection / © Authentic Hendrix, LLC / Collection of Experience Hendrix, L.L.C.

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.

Before the psychedelic guitar solos and international fame, Jimi Hendrix was just a kid growing up in Seattle’s Central District. From summers along Lake Washington to late-night performances at the Spanish Castle Ballroom, he was endlessly influenced by the worlds around him.

This immersive exhibition invites guests inside Hendrix’s childhood home, showcasing more than 50 artifacts—including rare photographs, personal artwork, instruments, family heirlooms, and more. Discover the places that raised him, the stages where he found his voice, and the early sparks of an artist who would change music forever.

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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Member Preview Day: Puget Sound Stories and West Coast Seattle Boy

November 20, 2026

10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Before the exhibitions hit the main stage, MOPOP Members are invited to enjoy an early preview—without any crowds.

Be among the first to experience Puget Sound Stories: Seattle Music + Beyond and Jimi Hendrix: West Coast Seattle Boy, two new exhibitions exploring the artists, places, and cultural movements that put the Pacific Northwest on the musical map. From Hendrix’s early days in Seattle to the riotous rise of grunge and beyond, discover the stories, styles, and sounds that give voice to the PNW.

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Bam Bam (Matt Cameron, Tina Bell, Tommy Martin, Scott Ledgerwood), c. 1983. Loan Courtesy of TJ Martin. Photography by John Seth

Opening Day: Puget Sound Stories and West Coast Seattle Boy

November 21, 2026

Two brand-new exhibitions. One very big opening day. Join us on November 21 as Puget Sound Stories: Seattle Music + Beyond and Jimi Hendrix: West Coast Seattle Boy make their Museum of Pop Culture debut. On the setlist? Live performances, Jimi Hendrix in 4K, the Puget Sound Turntable Roadshow, film screenings, and much more.

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