Rock On at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

By Kathleen Walls Freelance Travel Writer AmericanRoads.net

Cleveland’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is an amazing time travel trip into American music. It helps answer the question, what was the first rock and roll song? Sure, it’s about rock and roll, but since rock and roll evolved from blues and country with many other genres adding a touch or two, the museum showcases those early influences including Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Ma Rainey, Robert Johnson, Hank Williams, Bob Willis, and countless other musician whose music led to rock and roll.

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame started in April 20, 1983 as an idea by Ahmet Ertegun and Jann Wenner, co-founders of Atlantic Records and Rolling Stone Magazine, respectively. The concept grew and had its first class of inductees in 1986. Elvis Presley, James Brown, Little Richard, Fats Domino, Ray Charles, Chuck Berry, Sam Cooke, the Everly Brothers, Buddy Holly, and Jerry Lee Lewis were inducted.

When they decided to open a museum, they considered many locations. Each with a connection to rock and roll. Cleveland won because of Alan Freed, a Cleveland disk jockey. In 1951, he was the first to call the style “Rock and Roll” on the radio, although others had used the term in songs previously.

The unique pyramid style building designed by I.M. Pei, opened in 1995. When you step inside you feel the musical vibe. Their newest exhibit celebrates the 50-year anniversary of hip hop. You move from the roots of rock and roll, early blues, and country music, to Johnny Cash, Elvis and the Beetles. Exhibits showcase music as it evolved in different areas like Detroit, Muscle Shoals, and other places where music made an impact. There are exhibits about soul music, the Fifties, Sun Records, and all the people and places that influenced rock and roll. You’ll see costumes, instruments and other personal artifacts belonging to the musicians.

One thing many of us have forgotten and younger people may not know about is explained in the exhibit “Don’t Knock the Rock.” The exhibit has videos and artifacts telling how many politicians and preachers tried to stop rock and roll by calling it evil. Vice President Spiro Agnew was very vocal as were many preachers. They claimed rock and roll corrupted the young. Nothing new, remember, in the late 1800s, fiddling was called “the devil’s music.”

The second floor is the most interactive. Here you find The Garage where you can pick an instrument to play or get together with friends and jam in a real studio with all the instruments.

The third floor is the holy grail, the Hall of Fame. Each year has a list of that years’ inductees. The categories are not only musicians but influencers, and people behind the scenes who move music forward. Visit the Power of Rock Experience in the Connor Theater that showcases some highlights of induction ceremonies. The top two floors hold temporary exhibits.

Outside you’ll find Johnny Cash’s tour bus. The bus is open to museum visitors during warmer weather and included in regular Museum admission ticket. The museum has a café for snacks and drinks and a gift shop.

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is still growing. It held a groundbreaking on October 5, 2023 for its $135 million, 50,000 square-foot expansion project. The museum will expand by one third, with the Main Exhibit Hall increasing to nearly 39,000 square feet. The additional room will allow the Rock Hall to hold larger traveling exhibits. They expect it to be completed by late 2025 or early 2026. The museum will remain open during construction.

When I visited, I had a question I wanted to see how an expert would answer. What was the first rock and roll song? Jason Hanley, Vice President of Education and Visitor Engagement here and author of We Rock!: A Fun Family Guide for Exploring Rock Music History said, “There isn’t any.” I agree, since so many early songs had equal elements of what we consider rock and roll. Jason pointed out, “One of the earliest songs that has the words ‘rock’ and ‘roll’ in it is a blues song by Trixie Smith in 1922, ‘My Man Rocks Me (With One Steady Roll).’”

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio is one museum every music lover needs to visit.