LEWISTON – Heavy metal and Harleys just seem to go together. So, what better place for an exhibition of art by rock ‘n’ roll legends than a Harley Davidson motorcycle showroom?

Friday and Saturday, Sept. 7-8, the fourth annual “102.9 WBLM Classic Rock Art Show” will be on view, free of charge, at L-A Harley Davidson, 839 Main St. It’s a rare collection of original art, lithographs, photographs, handwritten and signed song lyrics, concert posters, gold records, album art and more from the greatest rock artists of all time.

The exhibition, which has been seen all over the country, showcases a collection of works from such classic artists as Paul McCartney, Jerry Garcia, John Entwistle (The Who), Jimi Hendrix, Ron Wood (Rolling Stones), Bob Dylan, Carlos Santana, David Bowie, Robby Krieger (The Doors), Tony Bennett, Jon Anderson (Yes), John Lennon, Ringo Starr, U2, John Mellencamp, Brian Wilson and Micky Dolenz.

There are rock photographs from sessions, including The Eagles, Pink Floyd, The Doors, The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, Crosby, Stills and Nash, Doors, Bruce Springsteen, Johnny Cash and Frank Sinatra.

Among the handwritten song lyrics are works by Carole King, Grace Slick and Graham Nash.

All works are available for purchase with a portion of the proceeds going to the Boys and Girls Club of Auburn/Lewiston. Prices range from as low as $15 up to several thousand dollars.

Scott Segelbaum, a longtime rock fan, founder and owner of Rock Art Shows, described the “102.9 WBLM Classic Rock Art Show” as the largest exhibit of its kind in the world.

He began collecting and selling rock art pieces in 1992, when he worked in Los Angeles. Many rock stars were quick to donate or offer examples of their visual artistic side, Segelbaum said.

The idea of partnering with radio stations and their advertisers around the country “just mushroomed,” said Segelbaum, who launched the rock art show tours a few years ago.

Many musicians also have art school backgrounds, and some show fine art excellence,” he pointed out. “It’s that creative side of the mind.”

“There’s a story behind every single piece of art in the show,” Segelbaum said. There will be literature available with information about the works, and knowledgeable personnel will be on hand at L-A Harley Davidson to talk about the items on display.

John Story, managing partner, said L-A Harley Davidson booked the event because “we wanted to bring something different to the community. The exhibit also ties in with the motorcycle dealership’s open house and new model introduction of 2008 Harleys on Saturday. He said there will be a Battle of the Bands from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. that day.

Mike Sambrook, general manager at 102.9 WBLM, said the station sponsored successful rock art shows in Portland over the past three years, and he believes it’s a great way for a lot of kids to get a lesson in classic rock.

It was decided to bring the exhibit to the Twin Cities which are “very much our roots,” Sambrook said, noting that WBLM originally broadcast from Auburn in the early 1970s.

The “102.9 WBLM Classic Rock Art Show” can be viewed from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on both Friday and Saturday.

Hundreds of images of the rock art works can be seen online at www.rockartshow.com.

Bet you didn’t know the Fab Four were ‘Beatals’

Scott Segelbaum, founder and owner of Rock Art Shows, shared a story behind one of his latest finds. It involves Stu Sutcliffe, the so-called “fifth Beatle.”

Before they were the Beatles, the Fab Four went through numerous name changes. A very little known fact is that the first time George, Paul, John and Ringo referred to themselves as The Beatles, they spelled it “Beatals,” Segelbaum said.

He learned that when he found a copy of a historic letter written by Sutcliffe in March 1960. Sutcliffe, an early bass player with the band who died young, begins to refer to the band as the Quarrymen (its original name), then crosses it out and writes “The Beatals.” It’s the first time the band ever called itself by that name.

That letter is reproduced on a watercolor painting (circa 1957-1960) called “Meet the Beatals.” It features the early Beatles in their “Skiffle” days taken from Stuart Sutcliffe’s personal sketchbook. A limited edition of 175 copies hand signed by Pauline Sutcliffe, executor of the Stuart Sutcliffe estate and Stuart’s sister, were made available just in the past six weeks.