Posted by Greater Sudbury Northern Life Reporter Liz Fleming
You won't even have stepped inside the sleek glass building
when the sound hits you. The Rolling Stones, the Beatles, the
Who, ZZ Top - the rhythms fill your chest and the harmonies
roll over you in waves. Almost unconsciously, you start to walk
in time to the music. How can you resist?
This is the soundtrack of your life.
Call me sophomoric if you will, but the Rock and Roll Hall of
Fame is my hands-down favourite museum. Yes, I've seen the
Louvre and wandered through the British Museum - and yes, they
were indisputably fascinating. For all their treasures,
however, none of the world's famous galleries have the power to
push my emotional buttons in quite the same way as Cleveland's
most famous landmark.
Its floors are jam-packed with memorabilia from performers
ranging from Sam Cooke to Bon Jovi. You can gaze at Mick
Jagger's concert gear and wonder just how those thrusting hips
of his could ever fit into such tiny pants, or view one of the
14 purple Cadillacs purchased by Elvis during a generous
spending spree. Concert photos, tickets, platform shoes, drum
sticks, fur vests ... you name it and you'll find it showcased
in a frame, draped in a glass case, or perched on a pedestal.
But that's not where the real magic lies.
It's the music itself and the interactive audio and video
displays that bring the power of rock and roll roaring to life.
Trust me, once you pop on the headphones and start to explore,
you'll find it nearly impossible to drag yourself away.
Ever wondered how the Rolling Stones got their name? It's the
title of a song written by their favorite R&B performer,
Muddy Waters, a man who influenced much of their work.
The Influences display at the Hall of Fame not only tells you
about the relationship, but also plays a selection of
Stones' songs in conjunction with Waters' works so you can
hear the connections. It's fascinating, and that's just the
beginning.
Perhaps the most riveting area of the Rock and Roll Hall of
Fame is the Inductees floor. There, you'll see a year-by-year
compilation of priceless film clips from the performers honored
thus far for their contributions to rock and roll.
Those of us who grew up ahead of the video generation and in
the kind of small towns major rock groups never heard of, much
less toured, only saw our rock idols on album covers. The
glimpses provided in this unique show, therefore, hit you like
a shot of teenage adrenaline, transporting you back in a
heartbeat to the days when you cranked up your stereo and
wondered what Jackson Browne really looked like. Now you'll
know, as you watch greats like John Mellencamp, Lynrd Skynrd,
Tom Petty and the Ramones roll by on the gigantic screen. It's
like going to all the concerts your parents wouldn't drive you
to.
All the big names are there of course, and more are added each
year. Be sure to watch for The Sex Pistols who, miffed by not
having been offered inclusion soon enough, sent a grammatically
disastrous, ranting letter of rejection to the Rock and Roll
Hall of Fame committee members. Unfazed, the Hall of Fame
simply included the letter, mistakes and all, in the film. Sid
is apparently not only Vicious, but also illiterate.
Planning a visit to Cleveland in the near future? Be sure to
set aside far more than an hour or two for your visit to the
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. A day might give you almost enough
time - but two would be better. After all, it takes time to
explore the soundtrack of a lifetime, one singer and one song
at a time.
