Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame And Museum

I just got back from my trip. I really enjoyed it. If you’re into music, its a must. I wasnted to go now because of the special Clash installation that is there until Oct.
And we found lots of other fun things to do in Cleveland, so its really worth going, even if you’re not from the area.

I really enjoyed the structure/place itself, as well as the movie which played the music & showed the personalities of everyone inducted year by year.

Wish they’d had more rock/artist t-shirts in the store…

I think my favorite part of the whole museum is the Autograph Hall. I’m an amateur graphologist…that’s handwriting analysis for those of you not up on your Ologies. The Autograph Hall is dark and cool, which after some of the bright LOUD displays is a relief. The signatures on the black glass walls are backlit, so they look like they are hovering in space. It was a unique way to present something that to many is pretty boring. Bands like The Beatles and the Rolling Stones are clustered together, so you can compare the various members’ handwriting.
The timed entrance to the Museum was a hassle, but we were there the day it opened, so it was understandable. We also saw the first Concert for the Rock Hall in the now-demolished Cleveland Stadium. Can you tell I lived in Cleveland during this time frame? I don’t know that I’m music fan enough that I would have travelled to experience the opening of the Rock Hall, but ya gotta support the home town attractions.
Cleveland Rocks!

I went yesterday & thoroughly enjoyed it.

I loved looking at the clothes that various artists had actually worn: a shirt & jacket of Muddy Waters, several stage outfits of David Bowie, a black suit (down to the shoes!) that Johnny Cash had worn . . . and gazoodles more!

One of the most awesome things (one of a few that literally gave me chills) was a piano that had belonged to John Lennon. He sat at that keyboard composing (Apparently he composed much of the Double Fantasy album there.), and wax from candles that were burning as he sat there & played & sang with friends remained on the box. Wow.

I was also struck by how beautiful Jimi Hendrix’s handwriting was (odd, i know): the museum has quite a few pages of his compositional jottings.

And the opportunity to just listen to the groundbreaking music! There is a listening station with the 500 (i think) most significant songs in R & R history. I think the museum was wise not to put chairs in that area: i, for one, could have stayed all day in just that section, had my body not gotten tired of standing in one place.

Amazing!

While the museum is located in Cleveland, the induction ceremony is held in New York City. This has been a source of controversy and signifies tension between the Foundation’s commitment to a yearly showcase and the Hall of Fame itself.       

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation was created in 1983. The groundbreaking ceremony was June 7, 1993, with Pete Townshend and Chuck Berry doing the honors. The museum opened on September 2, 1995 in a building designed by I. M. Pei. During early discussions on where to build the museum, the Foundation’s board considered the Cuyahoga River. Ultimately, the chosen location was in downtown Cleveland by Lake Erie, just east of Cleveland Browns Stadium and the Great Lakes Science Center. Cleveland lobbied to be chosen, citing the facts that one-time Cleveland disc jockey Alan Freed is widely credited with promoting the new genre (and the term) of “rock and roll”, and that Cleveland was the location of the first rock and roll concert. After a petition drive that was signed by 600,000 fans favoring Cleveland, and a USA Today poll which Cleveland won by 100,000 votes, the hall of fame board voted to build the museum in Cleveland.
      

soo cool.

If you’re really into classic rock memorabilia, go for it. For me, not so much… I was only really interested in a few early U2 things.

but interesting. the memorabilia they have is quite ecclectic

cleveland rocks? well, at least i.m. pei does.