By Josh Bootsma
GARY, Ind. (April 8, 2021) – Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana unveiled its 37-foot marquee on Thursday, as well as the guitar it was modeled after — Joe Jackson’s 1961 Supro Airline Town & Country.
The short, rainy event featured Matt Schuffert, President of Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana, who thanked the construction teams who helped make the 200,000 square foot complex a reality. Opening on Friday May 14 at 6 p.m., the casino and entertainment complex is located just south of the 80-94 expressway at the Burr Street exit.
Guitar history
According to Hard Rock International Director of Memorabilia Design Giovanni Taliaferro, Joe Jackson told his children they were strictly forbidden from touching his guitar. His musically gifted son Tito did, however, and once broke a string on the guitar, which Joe Jackson noticed. After fixing the string, Joe asked Tito to play, and the young guitarist was joined by his brothers Jackie and Jermaine in song. Joe was impressed, and after Michael and Marlon Jackson showed an affinity for music as well, The Jackson 5 began to take the world by storm.
The Jackson family is a symbol of pride for residents of the the region, and The Jackson 5’s childhood home is located in Gary, just four miles east of the casino.
On Thursday morning, the storied guitar was placed on a display stand in front of the massive replica it inspired. It will be the first of many pieces of memorabilia on display in the new entertainment complex.
Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana
According to a Hard Rock press release, the new facility will have “1600 slots and 80 table games totaling more than 2,100 gaming positions. It will have five food venues including Hard Rock Café, Council Oak Steaks and Seafood, YouYu Noodle Bar, Fresh Harvest Buffet and a Constant Grind Coffee Shop. It will also feature an on-site sportsbook, a retail shop, and a 1,954-seat Hard Rock Live performance venue.”
The venue opens on Friday, May 14 at 6 p.m. and is located at 5400 W 29th Avenue, Gary, IN. More information is available at www.hardrockcasinonorthernindiana.com
Related
- Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana now hiring food and beverage team (March 23, 2021)
- Hard Rock International looking for vendors to partner with in Gary, says Procurement Team (March 13, 2021)
