The Hard Rock Cafe Story
The first Hard Rock Cafe (HRC) opened its doors to the public on June 14, 1971, in London. Founded by Isaac Tigrett and Peter Morton, two enterprising and music-loving Americans, HRC was a classic at once, attracting crowds of customers with its first-rate, but moderately priced American bill of fare, warm service and ever present rock'n' roll music and sensibility.
With more than 108 Hard Rock Cafes in 41 countries Hard Rock Cafe has become a truly global phenomenon. From its launch in London, England, to New York, Los Angeles, Paris and Tokyo, and on to such exotic locales as Kuala Lumpur and Taipei, Hard Rock offers a special experience to its devoted, ever-expanding clientele.
HRC has also become the world's leading collector and exhibitor of rock 'n' roll memorabilia. It all started when Eric Clapton, a regular at the first Hard Rock Cafe in London, asked the staff if he could hang his guitar on the wall to mark his favourite bar stool as "his spot". They did and one week later, a package from "The Who's" Pete Townshend arrived by messenger with a guitar and a note with the message, "Mine's as good as his! Love, Pete."
Ever since then, Hard Rock Cafes have been collecting pieces of rock memorabilia and covering their walls with them. Their unparalleled collection consists of more than 60,000 pieces. It is rotated from restaurant to restaurant and provides the world's most comprehensive "visual history" of rock 'n' roll.
These treasures include an awe-inspiring collection of classic guitars and other instruments, posters, costumes, music and lyric sheets, album art, platinum and gold LPs, photos and much more. Throughout its history, HRC has been governed by a special service philosophy: "Love All - Serve All." HRC is a place where all people have always been welcome, regardless of age, sex or class. All in all, today Hard Rock Cafe International is an entertainment and leisure company that continues to successfully expand the Hard Rock brand through countless music-related activities.