'Scuse me while I kiss this museum. Seattle's Experience Music Project (EMP) sprang from Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen's passion for all things Jimi Hendrix. Allen owned the world's largest collection of the guitar virtuoso's memorabilia, which he wanted to share with all music fans. The idea soon mushroomed to encompass all aspects of rock music, and EMP now boasts more than 80,000 music instruments and artifacts, ranging from Bob Dylan's first electric guitar to Gene Simmons' demon KISS costume, as well as an extensive archive of sound recordings, films, photographs, fanzines, and manuscript materials. EMP opened in 2000 and also features a variety of interactive exhibits, restaurants, and gift shops.