When Drew Carey opened his sitcom every week with the fist-pumping war cry “Cleveland Rocks!”, he wasn’t being ironic (at least not entirely). The quintessential Cleveland attraction, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum is a treat for music fans of all ages, but especially those of “Woodstock” age (and if you were actually sober enough to remember Woodstock, this’ll be even better!).
Often as outrageous as the history it covers, the Rock Hall explores the sordid history of rock and roll music through the people, places and paraphernalia that have long made it one of the Earth’s most stable cultural bridges. We can’t agree on everything, but everybody likes at least some kind of rock and roll.
The numerous permanent and temporary exhibits throughout the hall stand out from your average museum displays for the sense of humor and whimsy they bring to the subject matter. After all, with such over-the-top characters to discuss, how could they not? Along with fascinating exhibits on instruments, technology, clothing and music “scenes” including 90’s Seattle and 60’s Detroit, the central exhibit is the actual Hall of Fame.
Located on the third floor, the Hall of Fame exhibit is a temporary set-up exploring the history and music of the given year’s inductees. Until January 31, 2009, that exhibit will include Leonard Cohen, the Dave Clark Five, Madonna, John Mellencamp and the Ventures. You will also find a wall with the signature of every inductee past and present as well as a virtual jukebox with nearly every song of every inductee available.
Words whispering through the grapevine suggest that the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum may be making the move to New York City in the not too distant future, so check out the original while you still can. Learn more.
For Cleveland hotels, consider the Embassy Suites Hotel Cleveland – Rockside. It’s about ten miles out from the museum, but they’re running a Rock Hall package that includes two tickets.
Museum photography used with permission.
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2 Comments
Been there. Amazing place. Full of the rich history of rock….like Woodstock for example. Tons of memoribilia, speaking of which, a special director’s cut Woodstock DVD and Blu-ray is out, man! www(dot)woodstockondvd(dot)com
With the exception of visiting Sandusky Ohio so that I can ride the coasters at Cedar Point I have never wanted to visit Ohio. But I would LOVE to see the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The history of rock and roll is so interesting and seeing so much terrific information and memoribilia in one place would be super fun. Someday I will get to go…..