It´s only Rock & Roll
August 02, 2009
At Cleveland´s Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
By Gary Jordan
Why is it, on any given day, any number of us can´t find our car keys or tell you what we had for breakfast, find that our ears perk up hearing a song on the radio, reminding us of some past experience? Suddenly we´re transported back in time. We know exactly where we were, what we were doing and most likely, who we were doing it with.
Music does that to us..It takes us home if you will, to that place in time where nothing seems to matter and we don´t have a care in the world. How often do you drive down the highway on your way home from work and you happen to glance over at the driver next to you, and he´s giving it all he´s got as though he´s the next contestant on American Idol?
Here in Ohio where most of us were baptized in the muddy waters of country music, Rock & Roll was frowned upon I listened to it of course taking secret pleasure in knowing I was doing something taboo.
There was a time, back in the late Seventies when Cleveland, Ohio was known as the "mistake on the lake". This was long before Drew Carey and Halle Barry were making us downright proud to tell the rest of the world "I´m a buckeye". Now on the shores of Lake Erie, in the heart of downtown Cleveland sits a new home, a home like no other in the world. A home for rock & roll legends. Guess what-- It´s in Cleveland! Drew Carey Said it best. "Cleveland Rocks"
Just like the music it pays homage to, the Rock Hall exudes coolness and has never made me more proud to be a Buckeye. From the adventurously wide-open architecture designed by internationally renowned architect I.M. Pei, the building is a striking state-of-the-art facility that rises above the shores of Lake Erie. It is a composition of bold geometric forms and dynamic cantilevered spaces that are anchored by a 162-foot tower. The tower supports a dual-triangular-shaped glass "tent" that extends (at its base) onto a 65,000 square-foot plaza, providing a dramatic main entry façade.
Pei, arguably the world´s most celebrated architect, designed the National Gallery of Art´s East Building in Washington, DC, the John F. Kennedy Library in Boston, the Museum of Modern Art in Athens, and the expansion of the Louvre in Paris, among many other buildings around the world. "In designing this building", says Pei, "it was my intention to echo the energy of rock and roll. I have consciously used an architectural vocabulary that is bold and new, and I hope the building will become a dramatic landmark for the city of Cleveland and for fans of rock and roll around the world. May I say, "You have Mister Pei and we thank you for it"
I think one of the most interesting things I learned about the "Rock Hall" is the influence radio had on Rock & Roll, I thought it was just the opposite, As I understand it this is how it went down: When radio station WJW disc jockey Alan Freed (1921-1965) used the term "rock and roll" to describe the up-tempo black rhythm and blues records he played beginning in 1951, he named a new genre of popular music that appealed to audiences on both sides of 1950´s American racial boundaries. This new genre dominated American culture for the remainder of the 20th century. The popularity of Freed´s nightly "moon Dog House Rock and Roll Party" radio show encouraged him to organize the Moon dog Coronation Ball, the first rock concert. Held at the Cleveland Arena on March 21 1952, the oversold show was beset by a riot during the first set. Freed, a charter inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame moved to WINS in New York City in 1954 and continued to promote rock music through radio, television, movies, and live performances.
The Museum´s exhibits are designed to provide the visitor with a unique, interactive experience. The collection of artifacts and costumes is enhanced by the combination of state-of-the-art technology and innovative film and video. The Museum also has a fabulous comprehensive retrospect on ´rock´ and its origins, development, legends, and immense impact on global culture not to mention the effect on us "Buckeyes".
There are over fifty different exhibits that explore the history of rock and roll through thousands of original artifacts, including instruments, costumes, stage props, and paper documentation. The museum also included numerous films, videos and interactive computer stations to further tell the story.
There is also the studio where SIRIUS Satellite Radio and visiting radio stations from across the country conduct live broadcasts and there is also a 164-seat indoor theater for films, lectures, press conferences and performances. This in addition to the outdoor area for concerts and the Hall of Fame-- a dramatic multi-media gallery combining film footage, music interviews, animation and photography on three giant screens telling the story of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees.
I began my tour where any self respecting gay man would start-- the "Right Here Right Now" exhibit. This is a permanent exhibit and is dedicated to today´s hottest and up-and-coming artists. The current exhibit includes artifacts from Madonna, Britney Spears, No Doubt and Eminem.
My tour continued to some of the highlights of the collection: costumes, personal effects and instruments. This ran the gamut from Bruce Springsteen´s album cover outfit on Born in the U.S.A. to John Lennon´s and Ringo Starr´s Sgt. Pepper uniforms and Jimi Hendrick´s patchwork velvet jacket. I was surprise to learn that the snake skin jacket worn by iconic superstar Jim Morrison was actually a gift for his girlfriend.
One surprise element of the tour, were the short films Mystery Train and Kick out the Jams. The former examines the roots of rock and roll and its continual evolution today. The later, a fascinating look at the life of songwriters and how they get their inspiration.
We spend so much time in our cars and because our cars say a lot about the kind of person we are. It should therefore come as no surprise that rock stars are just like us regular folk. The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame acquired the favorite personal automobiles for two of our most beloved Rock icons: Janice Joplin and the "King", Elvis Presley: We can see Ms. Joplin´s Rolling Stone, her 1965 356 Cabriolet Porsche and Mr. Pressley´s 1975, purple Lincoln Mark IV Coupe and his trademark fire retardant jumpsuit. I ended my tour by wondering around "The Motown Sound--Respect: The Sound of Soul". This exhibit explores the rich legacy of soul music, containing memorabilia from James Brown, Al Green, Curtis Mayfield, Otis Redding among others.
I grabbed a cup of coffee from the third floor café. I didn´t eat but the food looked wonderful and I reflected on my wonderful day at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. I found myself drifting back to that last song that was playing on the radio before I came in to take the tour. Ironically that song was Hotel California, by the Eagles since California is where I now call home.
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, is located at 1100 Rock and Roll Boulevard, Cleveland, OH 44114. The telephone number is 216.781.ROCK or 888.764.ROCK. You can visit them on the web at www.rockhall.org they´re open every day of the week except Thanksgiving and Christmas. Their hours are 10:00 A.M 5:30 P.M. daily (open until 9 on Wednesdays) From Memorial Day to Labor Day; the Museum is also open until 9 P.M. on Saturdays. Admission is $22.00 for adults and children (ages 9-12) is $13.00 and Senior´s (60 plus) are $17.00.
By Gary Jordan
Why is it, on any given day, any number of us can´t find our car keys or tell you what we had for breakfast, find that our ears perk up hearing a song on the radio, reminding us of some past experience? Suddenly we´re transported back in time. We know exactly where we were, what we were doing and most likely, who we were doing it with.
Music does that to us..It takes us home if you will, to that place in time where nothing seems to matter and we don´t have a care in the world. How often do you drive down the highway on your way home from work and you happen to glance over at the driver next to you, and he´s giving it all he´s got as though he´s the next contestant on American Idol?
Here in Ohio where most of us were baptized in the muddy waters of country music, Rock & Roll was frowned upon I listened to it of course taking secret pleasure in knowing I was doing something taboo.
There was a time, back in the late Seventies when Cleveland, Ohio was known as the "mistake on the lake". This was long before Drew Carey and Halle Barry were making us downright proud to tell the rest of the world "I´m a buckeye". Now on the shores of Lake Erie, in the heart of downtown Cleveland sits a new home, a home like no other in the world. A home for rock & roll legends. Guess what-- It´s in Cleveland! Drew Carey Said it best. "Cleveland Rocks"
Just like the music it pays homage to, the Rock Hall exudes coolness and has never made me more proud to be a Buckeye. From the adventurously wide-open architecture designed by internationally renowned architect I.M. Pei, the building is a striking state-of-the-art facility that rises above the shores of Lake Erie. It is a composition of bold geometric forms and dynamic cantilevered spaces that are anchored by a 162-foot tower. The tower supports a dual-triangular-shaped glass "tent" that extends (at its base) onto a 65,000 square-foot plaza, providing a dramatic main entry façade.
Pei, arguably the world´s most celebrated architect, designed the National Gallery of Art´s East Building in Washington, DC, the John F. Kennedy Library in Boston, the Museum of Modern Art in Athens, and the expansion of the Louvre in Paris, among many other buildings around the world. "In designing this building", says Pei, "it was my intention to echo the energy of rock and roll. I have consciously used an architectural vocabulary that is bold and new, and I hope the building will become a dramatic landmark for the city of Cleveland and for fans of rock and roll around the world. May I say, "You have Mister Pei and we thank you for it"
I think one of the most interesting things I learned about the "Rock Hall" is the influence radio had on Rock & Roll, I thought it was just the opposite, As I understand it this is how it went down: When radio station WJW disc jockey Alan Freed (1921-1965) used the term "rock and roll" to describe the up-tempo black rhythm and blues records he played beginning in 1951, he named a new genre of popular music that appealed to audiences on both sides of 1950´s American racial boundaries. This new genre dominated American culture for the remainder of the 20th century. The popularity of Freed´s nightly "moon Dog House Rock and Roll Party" radio show encouraged him to organize the Moon dog Coronation Ball, the first rock concert. Held at the Cleveland Arena on March 21 1952, the oversold show was beset by a riot during the first set. Freed, a charter inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame moved to WINS in New York City in 1954 and continued to promote rock music through radio, television, movies, and live performances.
The Museum´s exhibits are designed to provide the visitor with a unique, interactive experience. The collection of artifacts and costumes is enhanced by the combination of state-of-the-art technology and innovative film and video. The Museum also has a fabulous comprehensive retrospect on ´rock´ and its origins, development, legends, and immense impact on global culture not to mention the effect on us "Buckeyes".
There are over fifty different exhibits that explore the history of rock and roll through thousands of original artifacts, including instruments, costumes, stage props, and paper documentation. The museum also included numerous films, videos and interactive computer stations to further tell the story.
There is also the studio where SIRIUS Satellite Radio and visiting radio stations from across the country conduct live broadcasts and there is also a 164-seat indoor theater for films, lectures, press conferences and performances. This in addition to the outdoor area for concerts and the Hall of Fame-- a dramatic multi-media gallery combining film footage, music interviews, animation and photography on three giant screens telling the story of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees.
I began my tour where any self respecting gay man would start-- the "Right Here Right Now" exhibit. This is a permanent exhibit and is dedicated to today´s hottest and up-and-coming artists. The current exhibit includes artifacts from Madonna, Britney Spears, No Doubt and Eminem.
My tour continued to some of the highlights of the collection: costumes, personal effects and instruments. This ran the gamut from Bruce Springsteen´s album cover outfit on Born in the U.S.A. to John Lennon´s and Ringo Starr´s Sgt. Pepper uniforms and Jimi Hendrick´s patchwork velvet jacket. I was surprise to learn that the snake skin jacket worn by iconic superstar Jim Morrison was actually a gift for his girlfriend.
One surprise element of the tour, were the short films Mystery Train and Kick out the Jams. The former examines the roots of rock and roll and its continual evolution today. The later, a fascinating look at the life of songwriters and how they get their inspiration.
We spend so much time in our cars and because our cars say a lot about the kind of person we are. It should therefore come as no surprise that rock stars are just like us regular folk. The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame acquired the favorite personal automobiles for two of our most beloved Rock icons: Janice Joplin and the "King", Elvis Presley: We can see Ms. Joplin´s Rolling Stone, her 1965 356 Cabriolet Porsche and Mr. Pressley´s 1975, purple Lincoln Mark IV Coupe and his trademark fire retardant jumpsuit. I ended my tour by wondering around "The Motown Sound--Respect: The Sound of Soul". This exhibit explores the rich legacy of soul music, containing memorabilia from James Brown, Al Green, Curtis Mayfield, Otis Redding among others.
I grabbed a cup of coffee from the third floor café. I didn´t eat but the food looked wonderful and I reflected on my wonderful day at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. I found myself drifting back to that last song that was playing on the radio before I came in to take the tour. Ironically that song was Hotel California, by the Eagles since California is where I now call home.
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, is located at 1100 Rock and Roll Boulevard, Cleveland, OH 44114. The telephone number is 216.781.ROCK or 888.764.ROCK. You can visit them on the web at www.rockhall.org they´re open every day of the week except Thanksgiving and Christmas. Their hours are 10:00 A.M 5:30 P.M. daily (open until 9 on Wednesdays) From Memorial Day to Labor Day; the Museum is also open until 9 P.M. on Saturdays. Admission is $22.00 for adults and children (ages 9-12) is $13.00 and Senior´s (60 plus) are $17.00.
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