Cleveland, Ohio.

One of my longtime travel goals was met in 2022 when we stopped at the venerable Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The homage to mid-20th-century popular music is a museum dedicated to rock music and a hall of fame. Its genesis began in 1983, and after years of development, the museum opened in 1995 in Cleveland. It houses interactive exhibits exploring rock and roll history, from its origins to its many subgenres. The Hall of Fame honors influential artists, producers, and other key figures who shaped the genre.

The dream of a permanent home for rock and roll legends began in 1983. Led by Ahmet Ertegun, founder of Atlantic Records, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation was established. After a nationwide search, Cleveland was chosen in 1986 as the rightful place to honor this genre-defining music.

Beyond recognizing individual musicians, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is a resource for understanding rock music’s evolution. Visitors can learn about the genre’s roots and how it continues to diversify. The “British Invasion” is but one example of that diversification.

During our visit, a temporary exhibit featured the Fab Four. This exhibit offered a unique chance to step back in time and experience the creative process behind the Beatles’ iconic albums “Let It Be” and “Abbey Road.” It featured instruments, handwritten lyrics, and behind-the-scenes footage from the band’s recording sessions.

After some controversial comments by John Lennon hit United States Conservative Christians the wrong way, Beatles album burnings became a “thing.” Looking at this photo, I think it was a staged publicity burning. That looks like Dick Clark holding his famous microphone, and I suspect those teenage boys were just jealous that their girlfriends were smitten with the Beatles. I bet that boy with that Beatles album wishes he still had it. After all, what would it be worth today?

With its extensive collection and interactive displays, the Hall of Fame is a popular destination for music fans, attracting over 14 million visitors throughout its history. On the day of our visit, we arrived early with not too many other attendees. However, the museum was getting very busy by the time we left.

In the Garage exhibit, each station features a different instrument (think guitars, drums, keyboards) and beginner-friendly video tutorials to get visitors started jamming.

A throwback to the pinball era is displayed in the Rolling Stones exhibit. This 1980s-era pinball machine, made by Bally, featured Jagger and the Stones. Hitting a specific target on the machine wasn’t just for points; triggering that target generated a blast of the iconic “Satisfaction” riff!

The Michael Jackson Thriller jacket is on loan from the Verret family and isn’t a permanent fixture at the Rock Hall. It arrived in 2022 with high-security measures. The iconic red and black leather jacket Jackson wore during his unforgettable performance of “Thriller” at the 1983 Motown 25th anniversary special is military-style with epaulettes and zippers.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s atrium is a welcoming and visually striking introduction to the museum experience. While it does not have permanent exhibits, it sets the stage for your exploration of rock and roll history. The atrium itself is a noteworthy architectural element.

Designed by I.M. Pei, the atrium features a soaring glass pyramid that allows for abundant natural light and creates a dramatic entrance to the museum. The entrance hall offers scenic views of Lake Erie and Cleveland’s waterfront.

Wikipedia has an expansive entry here for more information about the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. We spent a few hours exploring the museum, and I took many more photos than I had posted here. All the photos I processed in 2K HD are on my Flickr site here.

John Steiner