Written by Jeff Walker. Posted in
Famed Cleveland Museum Celebrates Several Genres Under the Musical Umbrella
Jeff Walker, Entertainment Writer
Not all, but many people have a so-called bucket list, and they can run from the extreme to the easily attainable. Some might hope to climb Mt. Everest, swim the English Channel, or hike through the Rainforest, while others simply have taking a cruise, vacationing in Paris, or seeing a Broadway play as their lifelong goals. And bucket lists often vary based on passions, interests, and finances.
I offer up this bucket list item for baby boomers who embrace music. Put a visit to the Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland Ohio on your short term bucket list. For many that might include a long road trip or perhaps a flight to Cleveland, but if you're a fan of popular music that emerged from the mid 1950's, than it's an experience you'll be thrilled to check off your many achievements.
First imagined in 1983 by Atlantic Records founder Ahmet Ertegun, Cleveland was chosen in 1986 due to its long history with rock n' roll, beating out cities such as New York, Philadelphia, Memphis, and New Orleans. Noted Cleveland disc jockey Alan Freed is attributed to coining the phrase 'rock n' roll', with Cleveland radio station WMMS recognized as a groundbreaking station for up and coming artists.
With everything in place, noted architect I.M. Pei was commissioned to design the museum. With the help of additional record companies, Rolling Stone magazine, and private investors the Hall of Fame with its glass pyramid look opened its doors to the public in 1995 on the banks of Lake Erie just east of the Cleveland Stadium. Encompassing 150K square feet and seven floors, the Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame museum is set to celebrate its 30th anniversary in 2025.
While there has been slight controversy over who's been inducted over the years, the eligibility requirements have remained the same. To be eligible for induction into the Rock Hall, an artist or band must have released their first commercial recording at least 25 years before the nomination. Additional factors include the artist's cultural impact or musical influence.
The Rock Hall's nominating committee (industry types) selects artists and bands for induction each year, with ultimately fan voting deciding those who will be inducted among the list. Usually less than 10 receive a nod any given year.
Several diehards, myself included originally thought the Rock Hall was geared to a specific classification of music. However, I have come to appreciate that rock n' roll music covers a wide variety of genres under the umbrella. The Rock Hall embraces a vast majority of categories including pop, folk, jazz, blues, soul, R&B, beach, gospel, country, southern rock, glam, new wave, punk, heavy metal, hair bands, hip-hop, and more.
To say the Rock Hall is diverse is an understatement. If the Hall only saluted a few genres of music, perhaps their attraction would be limited. Including the early pioneers of gospel and country that influenced Elvis, Jerry Lee Lewis, Little Richard, and Chuck Berry is just as important as the inclusion of Motown which helped pave the way for hip-hop and rap music.
The museum offers up a timeline for the 70 year evolution of rock n' roll that may have begun with Bill Haley's 'Rock Around the Clock' and Presley's first recording of 'That's Alright Mama'. The Hall provides adequate information of artists such as Willie Mae "Big Mama" Thornton, a blues singer whose recordings of 'Hound Dog' and 'Ball & Chain' were later covered by Presley and Janis Joplin respectively.
From the 1950's through 2024 the Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame takes a historical journey, visiting every decade and several artists and industry types that had a major impact on each. From Sun Records in Memphis to the Motown Sound of Detroit, and from Dick Clark's American Bandstand in Philadelphia to the surfing music out of southern California, the Rock Hall doesn't miss a beat.
Among the honorees include Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, the Temptations, Four Tops, the Beach Boys, and the Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin who holds the nod of being the first woman inducted.
Included in the psychedelic trip is the British Invasion (Beatles, Rolling Stones) and the 1967 Haight Asbury San Francisco Summer of Love movement (Jefferson Airplane, Grateful Dead), including the bands that emerged out of Los Angeles including The Doors, The Byrds, the Mamas & the Papas, as well as lesser known bands such as the Flying Burrito Brothers.
While everyone mentioned in the HOF may not be official inductees, their contributions may have helped shape a particular art form. The 1970's gave the musical world some of the greatest songs of all time from singer songwriters, arena bands, southern rockers, disco groups, and the garage and punk era, which is why Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, James Taylor, The Eagles, Lynryrd Skynyrd, The Bee Gees, Sex Pistols, The Clash, and The Ramones are all immortalized in the hall.
The list is long on artists that created the music of the 1970's including Elton John, Rod Stewart, Billy Joel, and Bruce Springsteen. All along with Michael Jackson, Madonna, John Mellencamp, Lionel Richie, Phil Collins, Tina Turner, AC/DC, Van Halen, and Metallica who put their stamp on the 1980's. All are in the HOF.
Run DMC, the Beastie Boys, Public Enemy, N.W.A., Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and Eminem all have deservedly made the cut and have displays at the hall. Since 2000 some of the inductees include legendary rockers Tom Petty, Queen, Bob Seger, and The Police. They have been enshrined alongside shock rockers KISS and Alice Cooper, and female greats Whitney Houston, Janet Jackson, and Linda Ronstadt, as well as guitar greats Gene Pitney, Jeff Beck, and Albert King.
The Rock Hall is comprised of seven levels, with the museum's lowest level dedicated as the Ahmet M. Ertegun Exhibition Hall. It is on this floor you'll experience the most comprehensive history of rock n' roll, from its roots in Memphis to the world. Expansive displays cover rock's heavy hitters and the struggle artists and the overall medium undertook to survive.
The HOF is fully aware that rock n' roll was born out of several cities across America and England, with the hall paying tribute to Detroit, Memphis, New York, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, London, Liverpool, San Francisco, and Seattle, with a separate nod extended to the host city Cleveland and the artists that made C-Town proud. Singers, songwriters, record producers, musicians, DJs, and movers and shakers are all represented in Ahmet's Hall.
Entering the street level first floor level allows for a cafe, a huge gift shop, and a section called 'Backstage Stories'. The second story includes numerous interactive kiosks, The Garage where you can pick up an instrument and jam, tons of artifacts, and a very clever audio salute to one-hit wonders over the rock n' roll era. The very reason 'Afternoon Delight' from Starland Vocal Band have a place in the HOF.
The meatier Hall of Fame section unfolds on the third floor with filmmaker Jonathan Demme's 'Power of Rock Experience' immortalizing musical highlights from some of the Hall's coveted induction ceremonies. The fourth floor is often used for special events and includes a 3-D theater.
Finally, the top two levels of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame feature large, temporary exhibits. Over the years, numerous exhibits have been installed on these two levels, including exhibits about Elvis Presley, hip-hop, the Supremes, The Who, U2, John Lennon, the Clash, the Grateful Dead, Bruce Springsteen, Women Who Rock, and the Rolling Stones. Currently Bon Jovi, easily the most successful hair metal band to emerge from the 1980's is celebrated in the zenith of the Rock Hall pyramid.
To their credit the HOF salutes several artists who preceded the early pioneers, and the Hall do a nice job of educating visitors on the evolution of rock n' roll. Adopting a new form of music that followed the hit parade and big band era of the 1940's and early 50's was daunting, and not embraced by the majority. Nonetheless, teenagers were ready for something new.
The transformation had to acceptable. Todays music and several over the past few decades wouldn't have welcomed rock n' roll as a new art form to the masses in the 1950's. The Elvis shock value was more than enough. However, without Elvis and Sun Records there would be no Springsteen.
Without Jerry Lee and Little Richard there would be no Elton John. Without Chuck Berry there would be no Beatles, Keith Richards or Eric Clapton. Without early Motown there would be no Michael Jackson. Without Led Zeppelin there might not be the hard rock of 21st century. Every genre slowly evolved and brought rock n' roll into the modern era. Understanding its history and the artists that shaped yesteryear is just as important as celebrating the artists that have been inducted for their efforts in the 80's & 90's.
Be sure to spend quality time in the gift shop before you exit the pyramid.If you're an avid reader or enjoy books on your favorite artists, the HOF have a decent sized section dedicated to artists ranging from A to Z. Basically from Aerosmith to ZZ Top. I recommend a coming of age book by Cincinnati native Jim Serger titled 'Jump: 40th Anniversary of Attending the 1984 Van Halen Concert', chronicling how grade school aged friends bonded over attending their first major concert four decades ago.
Serger's book is just one of thousands of mementos and trinkets you can take home to commemorate your trip to The Hall. In the gift shop you'll find epic albums on vinyl, decals, patches, stickers, keyrings, apparel, wall art, ornaments and much more treasured merchandise. Want a signed guitar, they offer them from time to time. Can't make it to Cleveland, visit the HOF store athttps://rockhall.com/all-access-cafe-and-store/
If you're a fan of rock n' roll, any of the many genres that have evolved from the original art form, than I strongly recommend putting the Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame on your bucket list. If you have to travel, than explore options and other things to do in the great city of Cleveland Ohio. The HOF host live music events on the plaza and Lunch By the Lake several days of the week.
For more on the Rock Hall and all that's taking place visit https://rockhall.com/
Side note:
If you're taking a rock n' roll road trip, and your journey begins in the Carolinas, your trip might include a long stretch along Highway 77, which just happens to begin in Columbia, South Carolina and end in Cleveland. If you want to relax and enjoy a comfortable hotel midway on your trip, than I recommend getting off in Beckley, West Virginia and spending the night at Hampton Inn Beckley.
Amenities include free WiFi, free daily hot breakfast, fitness center, and an outdoor pool. This clean, affordable, three star hotel is located at 110 Harper Park Drive (exit 44 off 77) and is on a populated exit off Interstate 77, which allows for a variety of fast food and chain restaurants. For more visit https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/bekwvhx-hampton-beckley/
