Hard Rock Cafe Timeline
We've been around for a minute
Hard Rock Cafe has been around for longer than you might think, but just like Jagger, we're still rocking and rolling. The Hard Rock brand has left its mark throughout the history of rock and roll itself, all because two cool guys wanted to open a cafe for everyone. What Andy Warhol called "the Smithsonian of rock and roll," Hard Rock Cafe has always brought people together around good food, a vibrant atmosphere, and, most importantly, a love of music.
Isaac and Peter Open a Cafe
Two guys in their 20s with a dream—that’s all it took for this global phenomenon to take shape. Isaac Tigrett and Peter Morton created a place where rock stars could rub elbows with truck drivers, enjoying roadside cafe food while listening to the music they loved. The first cafe started out strong in London inside an old Rolls Royce dealership (classy).
Our Logo Is Created
Legendary artist Alan Aldridge, best known for creating record covers for The Beatles and The Who, created the Hard Rock Cafe logo. From there one of the most notable logos on the planet was born.
The Classic Tee
Iconic—that's the only thing you can say about the classic Hard Rock Cafe t-shirt. It all began when Hard Rock sponsored a local sports team, the shirt was so in demand that we gave the extras to fans and then to keep up with demand started selling them. The shirt soon became the uniform for rockers all over the planet. Hard Rock Cafe London might have been the first, but we didn’t stop there. Amsterdam, Orlando, Barcelona, Moscow, Lagos, Munich, Dubai—no matter where you’re from, there’s a Hard Rock Cafe shirt with your name on it!
The First Live Music
You can't claim to be a Hard Rock Cafe without adding in the music, can you? The first live performance there was Sir Paul McCartney making his public debut with Wings. Something as epic as a Beatle debuting his new band was something only Hard Rock Cafe could host.
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The Memorabilia Collection
Imagine being cool enough that Eric Clapton just gives you a guitar. Now imagine storing that priceless treasure under your bed like it ain’t no thing. Isaac was living his best life when the memorabilia collection began. Once he placed the guitar in the cafe, Pete Townsend quickly added a guitar and Debbie Harry donated a signed sweatshirt. Thus, the collection was born, and now numbers over 82,000 pieces all over the world.
First Asian Cafe
In 1983 we expanded to a new continent with the launch of our first Asian cafe in Tokyo.
Live Aid
The greatest concert of all time was made even greater with a cafe set up for the artists.
First South American Cafe
Buenos Aires became the first spot in South America on our world tour of global domination.
Going Live
The first Hard Rock Live opens in Orlando.
Two Kindred Spirits
The perfect marriage of two kindred spirits happened in 2007 when the Seminole Tribe of Florida and Hard Rock came together as one company.
Hard Rock Calling
Until 2013, Hard Rock brought the best bands together in London for this epic festival.
Hard Rock Heals
This mission is a simple one. We want to improve lives through the greatest power on the planet—the power of music.
