Activision Sponsors Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Guitar Hero publisher Activision has signed a deal to become a sponsor of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Activision will sponsor the Hall's exhibit of artifacts of some of the most legendary guitarists in rock history, including Johnny Cash, Kurt Cobain, Jerry Garcia, Robbie Robertson and others. The company will also be a sponsor of the 2008 Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, being held on March 10 in New York City. As part of its sponsorship, a Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock demo stand will be set up at the Hall to give fans a chance to try the hit game.

"Where there's music, there's Guitar Hero, and there are countless Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees who've appeared in Guitar Hero," said Activision's Dusty Welch. "We are absolutely thrilled by the opportunity to offer visitors a chance to live out their fantasies by playing tracks from the artists they are paying homage to."

Steve Dobo of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame added, "We're incredibly excited about this partnership. Activision's support not only helps us tell the guitar chapter of the rock and roll story, but it also gives our visitors a chance to step onto the virtual stage and kick out some jams while they're here."

Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock was the number-one title in both dollars and units sold in 2007, according to year-end NPD numbers, despite not being released until late October. The game's success helped push Activision's 2007 market share to 17.7 percent, putting it at the top of the U.S. publisher list for the year. The newest addition to the franchise, the recently-announced Guitar Hero: Aerosmith, is currently slated for release in June.