Athletes, musicians, actors, artists and builders support expansive installation

PICKERINGTON, OHIO –  The Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum, the country’s premier showcase of motorcycling heritage and history, has revealed the names of more than 25 significant personalities and groups to be featured in the upcoming “MotoStars: Celebrities + Motorcycles” exhibit.  The exhibit will spotlight the world’s most recognizable enthusiasts and present priceless machines, exclusive memorabilia and tales from celebrities’ favorite two-wheel adventures. Featured MotoStars, Motorcycle Hall of Famers, industry leaders and enthusiasts will gather on the grounds of the Museum in Pickerington, Ohio, June 27-28, 2008, for the exhibit’s grand opening and the “MotoStars: Celebrities + Motorcycles” Ribbon-Cutting Weekend.

Prominent personalities from a variety of industries have offered motorcycles and ephemera to the exhibit.  Notable athletes include Jeff Lacy, super middleweight boxing star, and Wally Dallenbach, Sr., champion race car driver and founder of the Colorado 500, a charity dirt bike ride now in its thirty-third year.  Barrett Brooks, Super Bowl-winning Pittsburgh Steelers tackle, will lend his Sara Liberte-built custom bike, as well as personal memorabilia.

The music industry is also well-represented in “MotoStars: Celebrities + Motorcycles.”  Queensryche guitarist Mike Stone’s Buell motorcycle and Erik Buell-designed guitar will be featured alongside custom motorcycles built for Def Leppard drummer Ric Allen and Blink182 drummer Travis Barker.  Additionally, a leading Buddy Holly collector will provide rare ephemera from the rock n’ roll legend.

Hollywood’s longtime romance with motorcycling is chronicled in the exhibit.  Chad McQueen honors his legendary father, the late actor Steve McQueen, as “MotoStars: Celebrities + Motorcycles” presents memorabilia, photos and McQueen’s competition motorcycle from the International Six Day Trials.  Actor and motorcyclist Francesco Quinn will lend the motorcycle he rode in the new Quentin Tarantino and Larry Bishop film “Hell Ride,” in addition to offering an intimate glimpse into the two-wheel passions of his father, legendary actor Anthony Quinn.  Dan Haggerty, known worldwide as star of the television series “Grizzly Adams,” will also participate in the exhibit.  A Hollywood stuntman, biker movie actor and bike builder for celebrities like Ann-Margret, Haggerty helped create the chopper featured in the most famous motorcycle movie of all time, “Easy Rider.”  The iconic motorcycle television series “Then Came Bronson,” starring Michael Parks, will be represented through a custom Harley-Davidson.  Additionally, Perry King, star of over 50 films and television movies and spokesperson for Los Angeles Olive Crest, an organization providing Homes and Services for Abused Children, provides a motorcycle from his stable.  “MotoStars: Celebrities + Motorcycles” will also display a rarely seen custom motorcycle built for the flamboyant Oscar-winning star of screen and song, Cher. 

Finally, through the eyes of respected stunt people, the exhibit offers a rare look behind the scenes at Hollywood’s portrayal of motorcycling.  Stuntman Gary Davis, whose skills lit up the screen in everything from “Viva Knievel” to “Terminator 2,” and stuntwoman Debbie Evans, who dazzled viewers in “Terminator 2,” “The Matrix Reloaded” and the Brad Pitt - Angelina Jolie thriller “Mr. & Mrs. Smith,” both contribute high-flying insights.

“MotoStars: Celebrities + Motorcycles” exhibit curator David Morris is dedicated to relating the diverse nature of motorcycling aficionados.  The breadth of motorcycling’s cultural impact is portrayed by renowned artists, such as Charles Schulz and David Hockney.  Schulz’ son Craig, a competitive motocross racer, will lend the exhibit a full size statue of Snoopy as “Joe Motocross.”  Craig will also provide artwork drawn by his father inspired by Craig’s racing adventures.  David Hockney, one of the twentieth century’s most important exponents of the Pop Art movement, will partner with Dr. Charles Falco, co-curator of the Guggenheim Museum’s seminal “Art of the Motorcycle” exhibit, to present a unique view of the motorcycle experience.  “MotoStars: Celebrities + Motorcycles” is also privileged to have the participation of Thomas Krens, Director of the Solomon R Guggenheim Foundation.

Custom motorcycle builders, now recognized as artists in their own right, are also highlighted in “MotoStars: Celebrities + Motorcycles.”  Ed “Big Daddy” Roth pioneered the new wave with his outrageous and visionary creations.  Son Darryl opens the family vault to bring “Big Daddy’s” art and legendary trike to the exhibit.  He is joined by “Big Daddy” contemporary Carl Morrow, a legendary builder whose past clients include the King of Malaysia.  The art of Von Dutch, Hollywood motorcycle cult figure, is also represented courtesy of a prominent collector.  Contemporary creators showcased include Cyril Huze, a member of the International Master Builders Association Hall of Fame, and Sara Liberte.  Liberte, represented through the bike she created for Barrett Brooks, will lend insights into the world of customization from the perspective of a female builder.  As a writer and photographer, Liberte is uniquely positioned to share her story.   Her latest project is garage-girls.com.

Celebrities from a variety of industries have been instrumental in the success of charity motorcycle rides.  “MotoStars: Celebrities + Motorcycles” will present the story of the country’s most well-known charity rides.  These include “The Love Ride,” the largest charity motorcycle ride in America, “The Ride for Kids,” “The Buffalo Chip at Sturgis” and the “Camp Boggy Creek’s Ride for Children.”

“We are thrilled by the personalities and groups who have offered to support ‘MotoStars’ and look forward to announcing further exhibit contributors in the coming months,” says Mark Mederski, executive director of the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum.  “The Museum is committed to making ‘MotoStars’ as diverse and comprehensive as possible, and the industry leaders already contributing are making this goal a reality.  We are eager to share the stories of these prominent motorcyclists and show visitors the strength and passion of the motorcycling community.”

“MotoStars: Celebrities + Motorcycles” is the latest in a series of award-winning exhibits at the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum.  For an online tour of current Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum exhibits and a schedule of upcoming events and special activities, please visit www.motorcyclemuseum.org.

In Writing: “MotoStars: Celebrities + Motorcycles,” The Book

The Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum will release “MotoStars: Celebrities + Motorcycles,” The Book, in conjunction with the exhibit.  The coffee-table volume will complement the exhibit, presenting a comprehensive examination of the relationship between celebrities and motorcycling.  In addition to exploring celebrities’ fascination with motorcycle culture, the book will delve into the impact of celebrity culture on the motorcycle industry.  More details about the book, “MotoStars: Celebrities + Motorcycles,” are available at www.motorcyclemuseum.org.

Play a Starring Role: How to Contribute

Following the exhibit’s installation at the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum, a national tour of “MotoStars: Celebrities + Motorcycles” is planned.  Manufacturers, builders, collectors or individuals interested in lending appropriate bikes or ephemera in support of “MotoStars: Celebrities + Motorcycles” are invited to contact exhibit curator David Morris at This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it or (386) 852-9898.

About the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum

The goal of the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum is to tell the stories and preserve the history of motorcycling.  Located on the campus of the American Motorcyclist Association in Pickerington, Ohio, the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum honors those who have contributed notably to the sport, and three major exhibition halls showcase the machines and memorabilia that have shaped motorcycling. The Museum is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily and is closed on New Year’s, Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Adult admission is $10 per person; students 12–17, $3.  AMA members $5.  Seniors receive a $2 discount and members of motorcycle clubs and organizations are eligible for a $1 discount per ticket.  A $25 family rate and group rates are also available.  For more information, call (614) 856-2222, or visit the Museum’s website at www.motorcyclemuseum.org.

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