The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is a place where only top people in the music industry are honored. It is a long process to be considered for this great honor.
The Rock and Roll of Fame Foundation was started in 1983 to recognize the hard work of those who have had a significant affect on the evolution, development and continuation of rock and roll. The committee had no home at this time. Memphis, Cincinnati, New York and Cleveland were all cities being considered to house the hall of fame. The city of Cleveland wanted to be picked very badly. Alan Freed, popular Cleveland DJ, is credited with promoting the genre and term “rock and roll”. Also Cleveland was credited with being the location of the first rock concert. Sixty five million dollars was pledged by civic leaders to build the hall of fame and at last the committee decided to move to Cleveland. Cleveland is believed to be chosen mainly because of the money the city was willing to offer. Before Lake Erie was an option for the location, the Cuyahoga River was also considered. I.M. Pei designed a new building. The groundbreaking ceremony took place on June 7th, 1993 and the Grand Opening Ceremony took place just over two years later on September 2nd, 1995.
“I attended the 2009 induction ceremony. It was amazing to see all the performers and watch them display their talent in front of all of the people that came to watch a great performance,” said Katie Cloonan, attendee of the 2009 induction ceremony.
The induction ceremony is annually held in New York City except in 1993, in L.A., and 1997, in Cleveland. In 2009 the ceremony was held in Cleveland. From now on the ceremony will be held in Cleveland every three years in hopes of showcasing the Hall of Fame itself. In 2008, The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Annex opened in SoHo, New York.
“The talent and ability that these performers have is incredible. If you look at the list of previous inductees you realize that no matter if you follow music or not, that these people are famous and so many people recognize them,” said Brynna Uldricks, Cleveland area resident and visitor of the Rock Hall.
Past inductees include Run-D.M.C., Metallica, Madonna, Van Halen, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Sex Pistols, U2, Prince, AC/DC, Michael Jackson, Queen, and many, many other performing legends.
“I can’t even imagine what it takes to be inducted into this Hall of Fame. Seriously, you have to be a legend and nothing short,” said Cate Gisser, attendee of the 2009 induction ceremony and regular visitor of the museum.
To become eligible for this honor you must be in the music business for at least 25 years. The 25 years start the day your first record is released. This criterion is for the performer category. Ballots are sent to over 500 rock experts. The performers who receive the highest number of votes (and more than 50% of the vote) are inducted into the Hall of Fame. Generally five to seven performers are inducted each year. Non-performers include: songwriters, disc jockeys, record executives, and songwriters who play a large impact on rock and roll. Artists whose music was before the time of rock and roll but inspired rock and roll artists can be inducted in the early influences category. A special selection committee picks the inductees for the early influence category. A committee primarily made up of producers selects the category of “side men”. This category introduced in 2000, is designed to honor musicians that the public does not often know of, people who have spent their careers out of the spotlight; back up singers.
“The expectations that these artists have to meet are so high. Imagine having 500 hundred teachers vote on which students should be put in the best student’s hall of fame. To reach that top honor you would really have to stand out. Hard work, dedication, great work ethnic, top grades, perseverance, and devotion to school are all qualities that a person must embodied to reach that honor of being selected by 500 teachers to be inducted,” said Colleen Glending, Cleveland Area resident.
After someone is inducted into the prestigious hall of fame, every one of his or her songs is added to the “juke box”. The “juke box” has almost every song written and/or preformed by anybody every inducted.
“It’s really cool to see all of the songs that have been sung by all of the artists. So many songs by my favorite artist from my 20’s that are still heard to day are on there. It is so nice to see that some people still listen to good music and not all rap these days,” said Bill Lindsey, Wisconsin resident and previous visitor of the Hall of Fame.
The first through fifth levels of the building contain many exhibits, both permanent and temporary, that showcase the history of rock and roll. Musical films have been displayed in the past as well as outfits from famous performances and views at what different cities looked like during a variety of eras of music.
“My favorite part about The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is seeing all the cool outfits that musicians used to wear. My friends and I laugh when we think about these people, and how are parents used to idolize these people,” said Glending.
The sixth level is where the inductees are honored. There is a glass wall with every inductee signature etched on to it. To honor them, a film is played on three large screens. The film showcases their careers and their music. Also on the sixth floor is a display of artifacts from the inductees of that year.
The seventh and final level of the museum is the smallest of them all. This level features an exhibit on a certain group or artist. Previous exhibits include artists such as: Led Zeppelin, Elvis Presley, The Supremes, The Who, John Lennon, U2, Bob Dylan, The Clash and The Police.
“My favorite exhibit was about Elvis Presley. Even though I wasn’t born when his first music came out, I still love to listen to it. It is so great when I find a new piece of information on him. When I went to this exhibit it brought my fascination to a whole new level,” said Uldricks.
To get into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, you must put forth a lot of work and must have a lot of talent. Your performances must impress people. It’ s hard work, but a huge honor to be inducted.