Entering the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum
I looked forward to my visit to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum in Cleveland. Being an outdoor guy, museums are not tops on my list of places I usually visit, but I enjoyed my over three hour stay here immensely.
One thing I was not expecting is for my trip to be emotional. I was almost moved to tears at a few exhibits and movies. The reason for this was that music can evoke strong emotions in people. For me walking through the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum was like walking through my personal history.
I am sure for a lot of people it was the Elvis exhibit that brought back great memories
I have been a rock and roll fan for as long as I have been into adventure travel. Being a little over 40, I cannot say I grew up in the heyday of rock music. I grew up in the 80s with MTV and hair bands. I did not care for this music except for a few groups like the Police, the Pretenders, and Tom Petty: groups that are more affiliated with classic rock despite coming on the scene later.
The first song I ever remember hearing on the radio was Heart’s Barricuda back in the late 1970s. Although there was no exhibit yet for Heart, they just this year were inducted into the Hall of Fame. Another new entry this year was Rush. Rush was the only band I ever slept out for tickets when they came to Chicago in 1991.
The Beatles exhibit at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum
My first love in music was the Beatles. My parents had the Blue album, which had the lyrics on the album sleeves. For hours I would sing along with Hey Jude and Something. I then started buying my own Beatle albums, and I have not stopped since.
John Lennon image at the bottom floor of the museum
One of the very first images that caught my eye as I entered the first floor was that of John Lennon. Although I am more of a Paul fan, who does not love the legacy of John Lennon? I will never forget watching Monday Night Football when Howard Cosell interrupted the game with the horrible news that John was dead.
You, yes you stand still laddie – You can’t have your pudding unless you eat your meat
Another early memory concerning rock music was Pink Floyd’s the Wall. When it first came out I was a little too young to understand and appreciate it, but in high school I became a full blown fan. At the time, Roger Waters and the rest of the group were estranged and in the courtroom. I was lucky enough to see Roger Waters perform solo to half a stadium as no one recognized his name. I paid $10.00 for 30th row center tickets. These same tickets would garner $150-200 these days.
So you though ya might like to go to the show
At the same time I went to see Pink Floyd’s Delicate Sound of Thunder tour and paid $56.00 to see a David Gilmour watered down version of the band. $56.00 was an unheard of amount to spend back in the early 1990s.
They had a small Pink Floyd the Wall exhibit with a wall with the infamous evil teacher at the top. I felt like I was back in high school trying to buy scalped tickets for a show. I remember watching the movie the Wall over and over again at my friend’s house. My friend had a relatively new invention: the VCR.
Stephen Stills guitar and outfit at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum
Another group that enthralled me a little later in my youth was the beautiful harmonies of Crosby, Stills, and Nash and sometimes Neil Young. I was fortunate enough to see both Crosby, Stills, and Nash and Neil Young several times in the 1980s and early 1990s. One of the exhibits that brought back memories of these concerts was seeing the outfit Stephen Stills wore at Woodstock, or at least a similar costume.
Another favorite of mine – Robbie Robertson from the Band – outfit and double necked guitar
I could go on and on with the different groups that meant something to me growing up whose exhibit stirred that memory in my soul at the Hall of Fame Museum, but I would go well over 3,000 words. If you love music or even just like it and grew up in the rock and roll era, you will enjoy this museum.
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame viewing tips:
- The top floors (4 through 6) were taken up with a special exhibit in honor of the Rolling Stones. I would start at the special exhibit first. You tend to spend more time at the beginning than at the end when you start browsing quicker. I would start at the exhibits that will not be there permanently because you can always revisit the rest of the museum at a later date.
Entering the Rolling Stones exhibit
- Once you complete the special exhibit, backtrack down to the first floor and start from there and do floor 1-3.
- Check out some of the videos/movies. They had a half hour reoccurring tribute to Dick Clark, which was awesome and an hour and a half video on all the bands inducted in the hall of fame by year, which was cool too
- You can take photos but no flash
- Do not lean over into the exhibits as you will be greeted by security
- Don’t even try to see it all. Make a reason to come back and visit again and leave something for next time.
Various Jimi Hendrix guitars
This trip was partially sponsored by Positively Cleveland and my entry ticket into the museum was paid for. Despite this fact, the views, pictures, and reminiscences into my child rock music listening habits are purely my own.
TT
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I’ve enjoyed reading all your posts on Cleveland. My husband and I came ‘this’ close to doing a road trip to Ohio this summer. I originally wanted to go to the Tall Ships event.
TheDessertEngineer recently posted..Tips for planning a trip to Providenciales, Turks and Caicos
I had tickets to the Tall Ships, but I spent so much time on my last day at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame that I skipped it. I would have gone, but my camera battery died in the museum, and I stupidly left my back up camera in my car a mile or two away. I enjoyed Cleveland and would definitely like to return sometime.
Great museum. We would like to be there one day.
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Greetings,
Wiktoria and Piotr
I hope you make it. It is cool spot.
I went to Cleveland and Pittsburgh in 2004 on a mini-baseball trip. We were just in Cleveland for the day and I was the only one in a group of six who wanted to attend Rock n Roll Hall of Fame. I didn’t go. That became my biggest regret in travel, which fortunately on a trip two years ago to visit family in Columbus and spend a few days on Lake Erie I was able to right that wrong. I will say I was underwhelmed, and I think that’s because I had built up some serious expectations over those seven years. The special exhibit when we were there was on women in rock. I wish I could have had more than the two hours I spent there, but one of the negatives with traveling with kids is you’re on their schedule. Also, one thing I don’t like about the museum is they don’t have anything that really recognizes all the inductees. I don’t know if I expected plaques listing accomplishments like at the baseball hall of fame, but something more than signatures in the theater room would have been a nice touch, something to learn more about those artists instead of just looking at artifacts. Obviously I can go on and on about this subject.
Trips By Lance recently posted..On Trail for Foodie Memphis With Dishcrawl
I agree Lance. I was looking forward to seeing what they had from Rush, but they had nothing that I could find from them. The signatures I whirled by without looking at. I had no expectations, so I was pleasantly surprised when I was entertained for over 3 hours. You should email your criticisms to the museum. I am not sure if they would act on it, but it is helpful for entities like this to get input from the public.
When we went there we saw a 3D concert by U2 for something like $3. It was awesome!
Nicole @ Green Global Travel recently posted..INTERVIEW: Blackfish Documentary Director Gabriela Cowperthwaite Takes On Sea World
That would be awesome Nicole being a big U2 fan myself. It sure beats a $100.00 ticket for a live show.
Now this is my kind of museum. I knew we both had similar tastes in music, and we both like adventure travel, so it totally makes sense why we get along. Oh, I also forgot our love of beer. 🙂 You’ve definitely inspired me to finally get my butt out to Cleveland to visit this museum.
Erin at The World Wanderer recently posted..Why I Love Africa.
I had no doubts we would get along after reading your music, adventure, and drinking posts. We are two peas in a pod 🙂
I’ve thought about going to Cleveland to see the Sox play the Indians, but I’ll have to add this museum to my list. How cool!!
Pola (@jettingaround) recently posted..Photo(s) of the Week: Steel wings of Milwaukee Art Museum
I definitely would recommend a weekend trip to Cleveland. I had a blast and there is quite a lot to do.
I can totally see you loving this! Love that it evoked such a strong emotion in you – one of the great things about travel and experiencing new places is the emotional response. Very cool.
Anita Mac recently posted..From Paris With Love
I love music almost as much as I love traveling and it is sublime when I get a chance to combine the two.
Did you lean on the exhibits, Ted??? I have been to Cleveland once or twice with work and never made the time to check the HoF out. I wish I had simply to see the awesome collection of memorabilia even if I am not a diehard music fan in general.
Raul (@ilivetotravel) recently posted..My Top 5 Inflight Pet Peeves
I leaned over one of the exhibits to take a picture and triggered a sensor that loudly proclaimed to not lean over the railing. Then a security dude came over and reiterated the lesson. At least I did not get electrically shocked or anything. I recommend you go next time you are in town.
i’ve been here! senior year of high school, we went to cleveland for a choir competition (i was really cool in high school) and this is the only thing i really remember doing. loved it.
the lazy travelers recently posted..ultimately sydney: wining & dining our way through a new city
I love to sing. Too bad that is considered dorky in high school because in a perfect world it should be considered cool. That is great you enjoyed the museum so much that you still remember visiting.
SO FUN. i want the Elvis car…in PINK. love that entrance to the Rolling Stone’s exhibit…giant tongue!!
lola recently posted..One Day Stay: New York, New York
You would look cool in Janis Joplin’s Porsche too: in pink of course.