Long before Planet Hollywood, E!, Graceland, or myspace.com, there were few opportunities to explore the personal side of musicians other than song lyrics.

And musicians had few outlets other than radio, the stage and album covers to burnish their brand. For many fans, it was rare to see an actor or musician personalized -- at home or behind the wheel.

In 1968, Janis Joplin bought a late model Porsche 356c Cabriolet and ordered a dramatic psychedelic custom paint job with moons, Capricorns, butterflies, mushrooms and images of Janis and her band, Big Brother and the Holding Company. Like tattoos, it became identified with the flamboyant singer. Decades later, the car remains a symbolic treasure of 1960s white rock and one of the Holy Grails in the Henry Ford Museum's latest exhibit: Rock Stars' Cars and Guitars 2.

While it helps flesh out the story of rock music, the sequel to a popular 2007 show underscores an American addiction by adding another exclamation point to the outrageous and cool factor of fame.

Celebrity memorabilia -- chocolate and alcohol aside -- seems to be the only recession-proof merchandise these days.

Earlier this year, guitarist Eddie Van Halen auctioned off a pair of Chevrolet classics, a 1956 210 and a 1956 Nomad, for around $100,000 each. The sale included one-of-a-kind EVH Brand "Wolfgang" guitars and a pair of red-white-and-black EVH striped sneakers.

The Henry Ford's new show pays homage to the British invasion, rock pioneers, customized cars and an altar of guitar gods comprised of one of the most significant collections of guitars ever displayed at once.

In all, some 20 cars, 50 guitars and a wide array of rock memorabilia, including iconic costumes and concert props, have been loaned from museums, private collections and musicians.

But it's the cars that take center stage at a museum dedicated to invention and transportation. In the end, rock stars aren't much different than a typical American driver, whether riffing or burning rubber.

Some musicians collected out of deference for America's success in the 20th century. Pete Townsend, a war baby, purchased a 1956 Lincoln Continental to idolize what he called the evocative ideal and mystique of America after World War II.

Some musicians used a car or a van for simple utility, such as the 1986 Chevy van Soundgarden used to help popularize the Seattle Sound, or grunge.

Budding rockers also coveted the "trophy" car that screamed they had made it, like Roy Orbison's late 1960s Corvette or, again, Townshend's 1956 Lincoln.

And then there is the enthusiast rocker who is a serial collector and customizer with an outlaw mentality on and off the stage -- see Jimmie Vaughn's 1963 Buick Riviera or a 1970 Camaro Sport coupe from the self-proclaimed evangelist of hip hop car culture, Funkmaster Flex. Or the 1953 Buick Skylark and matching ESP X-ton PC2-V guitar from Metallica's James Hetfield.

Peer inside the side windows at the chandeliers in the back of Snoop Dogg's "Brown Sugar" Lincoln for a touch of gangsta.

For those that came of age in the 1980s, there is the 1933 Ford Coupe dubbed the Eliminator and featured in five videos by ZZ Top.

Whether you grew up listening to Ricky Nelson, Roy Orbison, Metallica or the Jonas Brothers, the show is a rolling soundtrack inside a kaleidoscope.

"It's more than coincidental that the rise in teen culture was driven by music and cars, two major passages we all embraced along the path of individualism, escapism and independence," said Howard Kramer, curator of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland and a major lender to the Henry Ford exhibit.

We could all use a little escape these days.

And for downtrodden Metro Detroiters, Rock Stars' Cars & Guitars 2 is the feel-good show of the summer.