Jim Irsay, owner & CEO of the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts, will exhibit items from The Jim Irsay Collection – his renowned assemblage of historic and iconic artifacts from rock music, American history and pop culture – in Indianapolis for a one-of-a-kind event leading into the 2022 NFL season.
For the first time, the exhibit will include unique, historic Colts artifacts and memorabilia – including game-worn uniforms and equipment, autographed items and more – from Indianapolis and Baltimore.
The evening also will feature a concert by The Jim Irsay Band, a band “which has never existed and will never exist again.” The band will be joined by special guests. Rock & Roll Hall of Famers Ann Wilson of Heart and Buddy Guy as well as acclaimed singer/songwriter John Hiatt with a special appearance by John Mellencamp.
Led by Irsay on vocals, the band includes Mike Wanchic on guitar (John Mellencamp), Mike Mills on bass (founding member of R.E.M), Tom Bukovac on guitar (has played on over 700 albums with major artists), Kenny Wayne Shepherd on guitar (five-time GRAMMY® nominated), Kenny Aronoff on drums (Sir Paul McCartney, Mellencamp, The Rolling Stones, Sting, Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson) and Michael Ramos on keyboards (Mellencamp, Los Lonely Boys, Patti Griffin, Paul Simon).
This is a free event and open to the public, but tickets are required. To register to attend, visit Eventbrite to reserve a ticket. Capacity is limited and tickets will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.
“I began this collection to preserve, protect and share historic artifacts with others in hopes of telling stories of our shared past and culture and inspiring people to dream big and strive for great things in life,” Irsay said. “I am only a steward of this collection, so it’s my job to share it with as many people as I can. That’s why we’re especially excited to share this special evening with our friends, fans and neighbors right here in Indianapolis.”
When: Friday, Sept. 9
Where: Lucas Oil Stadium, 500 S. Capitol Ave.
Entry Gates: 2:00 PM
The Jim Irsay Collection: 2:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Field Access Begins: 5:30 PM
Kickoff Concert: 7:30 PM
As you prepare for the event, please remember:
FREE general parking is available in the stadium’s South Lot on a first-come, first-served basis. We strongly recommend arriving downtown at least 2 hours prior to the concert to allow extra time to navigate through multiple interstate and road closures, construction and see the exhibition.
Your recommended entry gate is South, East or West. Please have your mobile tickets ready and brightness turned up on your device before approaching entry gates.
The NFL Clear Bag Policy is implemented at all Indianapolis Colts events. Patrons are allowed to carry one clear plastic, vinyl or PVC bag that does not exceed the dimensions 12” by 6” by 12” or a one-gallon size clear plastic freezer bag.
The first food or beverage item is on us. Pick up your $10 voucher from Colts staff at your gate entry point. Concessions will be open throughout the street level concourse.
Field Access will begin at 5:30 PM. Capacity is limited and wristbands will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis at the bottom of the section. All other lower level sections are open for general seating.
Questions? Visit jimirsaycollection.com/indianapolis-faq
The Jim Irsay Collection is highlighted by instruments and items owned and used by the greatest artists in music history, including Bob Dylan, The Beatles, Prince, James Brown, Eric Clapton, Sir Elton John, Johnny Cash, Jerry Garcia, Les Paul, David Gilmour, Jim Morrison, Pete Townshend, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Kurt Cobain, John Coltrane, The Edge and other icons, as well as signed photos, handwritten lyrics, and other historic music memorabilia. In 2022, Guitar Magazine specifically highlighted his collection of guitars as “The Greatest Guitars on Earth.”
Outside of music, the collection includes such historic items as:
An 1823 William J. Stone printing of the Declaration of Independence, one of the first exact “facsimiles” of the final signed document;
Renowned American author Jack Kerouac’s original 119-foot On the Road scroll;
The original manuscript for Alcoholics Anonymous’ Big Book, the organization’s founding document;
The original 1777 Continental Congress proclamation designating Thanksgiving as a national holiday;
Handwritten documents and artifacts from women’s suffrage pioneer Susan B. Anthony;
A Jackie Robinson game-used bat from 1953 (the founding year of the Colts);
Muhammad Ali’s 1965 first walkout robe that bore his new name, and his boxing shoes from the 1975 “Thrilla’ in Manilla” vs. Joe Frazier;
Artifacts and signed documents from numerous U.S. Presidents, including George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin D. Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy and others.
Items have been displayed at the U.S.’s Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, The Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met), The Lincoln Memorial, the world-famous Beverly Hills Hotel, and the Indiana State Museum; as well as at The Centre Pompidou (Paris), the British Library (London), Auditorium Parco della Musica (Rome) and other locations around the world. For general info, visit jimirsaycollection.com.
