If you've never been to the Hard Rock Cafe near Marble Arch in London, you won't have seen the musical history they've got plastered all over their walls. The Hard Rock is the nearest thing Britain has to a rock museum, preserving instruments, gold records, lyrics, and other artefacts that have been associated with famous popstars; they're the guys who spend the money at the big auction houses' rock memorabilia sales. And they do good hamburgers.

The Hard Rock chain was started in London in 1971 by an American, Isaac Tigrett. As one of the first US-style hamburger bars in London, replete with rock & roll soundtrack, it became a home-from-home for American musicians, and a favourite venue for end-of-tour parties. Soon an unofficial collection of musical bits and pieces started, prompted by gifts like a picture of John Lennon signed and dedicated by him to the Hard Rock. The idea of the Hard Rock was exported back to the US, to new branches in New York and Dallas. The London cafe is now the smallest of the three, with only 1/10th of the memorabilia collection.

Hendrix's 1969 white SG was bought from Sotheby's in 1985. The SG seems to be the most popular guitar to donate to the HR.

George Harrison's pre CBS Strat hanging next to Ringo's battered Ludwig snare. They've also got a 1954 Strat, serial number 00019, which belonged to Duane Allman. Hands up anyone who can think of a better use for them.

Little Richard's boots. They've also got Bowie's 501s, Hendrix's belt, and Ringo's sheepskin vest.

Then there's Elton John's glasses, one of kit's straw boaters, John Lennon's velvet jacket, and John MacEnroe's tennis racket.

More SGs, these two from Robbie Krieger and Iron Maiden (who scribbled all over theirs). The Aria is John McNally's from The Searchers, and the gorgeous Fender XII was Bob Seger's. The snare belonged to Ritchie Hayward of Little Feat; it says 'May this place be safe from Tigers'. Why? Spot also a t-shirt signed by Debbie Harry, a blow-up of Elvis' driving licence, and Pink Floyd gold discs.