The Science of Rock 'n' Roll

The Science of Rock ‘n’ Roll exhibit delves into technology and offers an in-depth history lesson of how advances throughout each decade helped shape the world of music. It is a spectacle designed for both artists and enthusiasts alike, and is currently showing at Union Station in Kansas City.

As part of our 1-year anniversary celebration, my girlfriend Courtney and I viewed the display inside the Bank of America Gallery this past Sunday with intrigue and fascination. As a child of the 80s—and an obsessed fanatic—I was enthralled with the flashback to the era’s breakthroughs. It covered such things as the lineage of 8-track tapes to cassettes to compact discs and the development of the Sony Walkman, the synthesizer and the boombox, as well as the emergence of rap, hip-hop and breakdancing.

After a glance at the historical innovations between 1950 and today, visitors are allowed a hands-on experience with instrumentation, including electric guitars, trap sets and a keyboard. Isolation booths are also available for singing and recording of a few choice songs. A clever feature—when we arrived, the friendly and enthusiastic hosts handed us commemorative VIP passes with a QR code on the back for uploading our performance to our computer back at home. As we left the studio and traipsed through some additional pieces of gadgetry, we came upon a room with a concert screening and comfy seating to top off the inspirational adventure.

Courtney and I prepare to record Bob Seger's 1978 hit
"Old Time Rock and Roll" inside the isolation booth

If you live in or around Kansas City—or the exhibit is travelling to a venue near you—I sincerely recommend an exclusive outing to explore. You observe at your own pace, and it is perfect for families, couples and kids. Tours at Union Station run through March 6. Ticket prices range between $12.50 and $15.00, and are available at the box office and online at boxoffice.unionstation.org.