On the coast of Lake Erie in Cleveland, Ohio–a quick three-hour jaunt up Interstate 71–you’ll find what is considered to be the birthplace of rock ‘n roll, according to the Ohio Historical Marker just outside the glass-enclosed pyramid at the corner of Ninth and Erieside. This year marks the Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame’s Tenth Anniversary, and the discounted admission price of $17 was a pleasant surprise, a dollar less than the regular student price and three dollars off the normal adult price.
On the ground level, there is a large timeline of sorts and a special section dedicated to musicians hailing from the state of Ohio. Bands such as Devo (Akron) and Nine Inch Nails (Cleveland) hail from the northern part of the state, and others such as the Isley Brothers or the Afghan Whigs come from Cincinnati. All are featured in the exhibit.
Also downstairs is the Jimi Hendrix surround sound theatre and exhibit, which features live clips of the 60s rocker and an incredible surround sound performance. Upstairs you will find the actual “Hall of Fame” with the brand new inductees for 2005. There is a rounded wall with the signatures of inductees etched in glass, and a theatre featuring the year’s inductees.
For the time that it took to travel to Cleveland and the cost of admission, it left a little more to be desired. While the items on display–from John Lennon’s report cards from age fourteen to the performance costumes worn by David Bowie and Duran Duran in the seventies and eighties–were undoubtedly amazing, there was a certain level of expectation that was not met.
Nevertheless, it’s a must-see for all Ohioans or fans of rock ‘n roll. Just be sure you have the time to drive north and a bit of cash to spend on souvenirs.