ock music and traveling the open road
are rites of passage with a seemingly perfect fit for summer.
From hotels with rooms decked out in psychedelic colors and
funky artwork -- inspired by artists of the 60's and 70's -- to
hotels owned in part by rock stars themselves, there's a lot to see
out there this summer.
A sampling in the intertwined world of rock 'n' roll and travel
is below.
Kimpton suites themed around rock and jazz
stars
Hotel Monaco Denver
• The John Lennon Suite comes complete with a "Yellow Submarine"
desk lamp and artwork featuring handwritten lyrics by John Lennon,
Beatles CDs and books.
• The Grace Slick Suite includes a mix of original artwork done
by the former lead singer of the Jefferson Airplane. Slick's CDs
and books about her music are also available.
• The Miles Davis Suite, inspired by the late jazz artist,
features artwork, memorabilia and a collection of instruments for
guests to play as well as CDs and books.
Hotel Triton, San Francisco
• The J. Garcia Suite uses designs created by Jerry Garcia, the
late musician and artist. The same silk fabrics used in Garcia's
fashion line are featured in the room's upholstery and soft goods.
A self-portrait hangs among many original watercolors on an
autographed wall.
• The Suite: Judy Blue Eyes suite was designed partially by
Graham Nash of the rock group Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young.
Nash's self-portrait and lyrics from the band's "Our House" are
personally sketched on the exterior of the room's "very very very
fine" door. Also on display: A collection of VIP concert access
badges, a hookah pipe fashioned into a lamp and a selection of
CSN&Y music.
• The Black Magic Bedroom, inspired by the art and music of
guitarist Carlos Santana, is highlighted by a tapestry that
incorporates Santana's imagery; the entryway is protected by a pair
of whimsical angel figures.
Hotel
Monaco Chicago
The Party Like a Rock Star suite's sitting room includes a red
velvet couch, zebra-striped carpeting, a display of eight gold
records by groups such as the Smashing Pumpkins and the Barenaked
Ladies and a fully loaded TouchTunes jukebox featuring songs on a
computer hard drive.
The bedroom is equipped with a Sony 52-disc CD player (and
discs), a Danelectro electric guitar and amplifier set up for a jam
session, 12 photographs of rock concerts and framed copies of the
handwritten lyrics to two John Lennon songs, "Imagine" and "Day
Tripper" (cowritten with Paul McCartney).
Source: Kimpton Group. To book, call (800) KIMPTON, visit www.kimptongroup.com or access the major
GDSs.
Follow in U2's footsteps with Lynott Tours'
itinerary
ynott Tours has created a
four-night independent tour to Dublin highlighting sites made
famous by Irish rock group U2.
The program departs daily with rates starting at $999 per
person, double, including roundtrip air from New York, Baltimore or
Boston and accommodations at the Clarence Hotel, which Bono and
fellow band member The Edge have co-owned since 1995. Also covered
are daily breakfasts and a suggested itinerary with 31 stops to
follow in the footsteps of U2.
Highlights include Windmill Lane Studios, where the band
recorded several of its albums; places where band members grew up;
locations where videos were shot; music theaters where U2
performed; and the Hot Press Irish Music Hall of Fame.
For details, call (800) 221-2474 or visit www.lynotttours.com.
Hard Rock Hotel lets guests wake up to voice of their
favorite rock star
ames Brown may not have sung
"Wake Up, Little Susie," but he could be waking up clients named
Susie staying at the Hard Rock Hotel at Universal Studios in
Orlando.
The property, with nightly rates starting at $209 per room,
offers pre-recorded wake-up calls by the likes of such artists as
Brown, Eddie Money, Dee Snyder (of Twisted Sister fame), Alice
Cooper, Earth, Wind & Fire or Run DMC.
Guests can choose from a menu of these artists when they press
the button on their in-room phones to arrange the wake-up call.
There is no extra cost for this service. While it isn't the same
as a personal call from a favorite artist, it still makes an
interesting story when your client returns from his or her
trip.
Datebook: Springsteen and Beatles events
• "Springsteen: Troubadour of the Highway," through Aug. 31.
Where: Cranbrook Art Museum, Bloomfield Hills,
Mich.
Hours: Tuesdays through Sundays, 11 a.m. to 5
p.m.; to 9 p.m., fourth Friday of each month.
Admission: $6 for adults; full-time students with
ID and teens 13 and older: $4; senior citizens (65 and older): $4;
children 12 and younger and museum members: Free.
Phone: (877) GO-CRANBROOK
This traveling multimedia exhibit is an examination of Bruce
Springsteen's music, focusing on the themes of cars and the highway
that pervade his work. Curated by Colleen Sheehy, a professor of
American Studies at the University of Minnesota, the exhibit
includes six videos and 50 photographs by the likes of Rolling
Stone magazine photographer Annie Leibovitz. A free guide to the
exhibit features essays by art historian Karal Ann Marling and
Robert Santelli, director of the Experience Music Project in
Seattle.
• International Beatles Festival, Aug. 21 to 26.
Where: Liverpool, England
Contact: Cavern City Tours
Phone: (011) 44-151 236 9091
Web:www.cavern-liverpool.co.uk
This annual festival features tours of sites important to Beatles
history, including John Lennon's childhood home, recently opened to
the public. Over 100 Beatles tribute bands will play; fans will
meet for a formal convention and visit such attractions as the
Beatles Story Museum.