Rock's most cartoonish, colorful and campiest genre is finally getting the museum treatment, thanks to the Grammy Museum's latest exhibit, “Golden Gods: The History of Heavy Metal” (whose opening night coincided with the Revolver Golden Gods Award Show next door at Club Nokia). While heavyweights like Black Sabbath, Metallica, Motorhead, AC/DC and Judas Priest are spotlighted, the exhibit's timeline traces the music's devil-horned history back to the late-'60s blues-rock influences of such bands as Blue Cheer, the S.F. trio whose 1968 version of “Summertime Blues” is widely acknowledged as the first metal song. Interactive areas include guitar and drumming stations, plus a scream booth where you can shred your vocal cords belting out your inner Roger Daltrey. And among the 40 artifacts are photographs, instruments, handwritten lyrics, costumes and stage props, including a 10-foot-tall version of Iron Maiden's mascot “Eddie” — the Mona Lisa in the museum of heavy metal imagery. No bats or doves were harmed in the making of this exhibit. The Grammy Museum, 800 W. Olympic Blvd., Suite A245, dwntwn.; thru Feb. 28; $12.95, seniors $11.95, children $10.95. (213) 765-6800.

April 11-Feb. 28, 2012

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