The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum is an organization located in Cleveland, Ohio dedicated to performers, creators, promoters, and others associated with the growth and popularity of rock and roll music.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation was created April 20, 1983. However, it had no home. The search committee considered several cities, including Memphis, home of Sun Studios and Stax Records; Detroit, home of Motown Records; Cincinnati, home of King Records, New York City; and Cleveland.

Cleveland lobbied hard to be chosen, citing that Cleveland disc jockey Alan Freed is widely credited with promoting the new genre and the term "rock and roll". Cleveland was also location of the first rock and roll concert. Civic leaders in Cleveland pledged $65 million in public money to fund the construction. 600,000 fans favored Cleveland over Memphis, and participants of a USA Today poll, which Cleveland won by 100,000 votes, signed a petition drive. The hall of fame board voted to build the museum in Cleveland.

There are seven levels in the building. The first through fifth levels feature many permanent and temporary exhibits documenting the history of rock and roll. Temporary exhibits display artists' items that have only been borrowed for a short period of time, such as the Warped Tour display in 2007, showcasing memorabilia from the tour's 12 years in existence. The museum also offers numerous musical films for viewing, such as 2007's temporary exhibit featuring George Harrison's Concert for Bangladesh.

Some of the permanent exhibits include a history of audio technology, a section of mannequins donning outfits of famous performers past and present, and an area which looks at music scenes in various cities throughout different eras, including Memphis in the 50s, Detroit, Liverpool, San Francisco in the 60s, Los Angeles in the 70s, New York City and London in the 70s and 80s, and Seattle in the 90s.

The third level is where the actual Hall of Fame is located and includes a wall with all of the inductees' signatures. The seventh and final level of the building is a temporary exhibit which features a certain group or artist for a period of time. It occupies the entire floor, which is the smallest since it is at the top of the pyramid. Some of the artists featured include Elvis Presley, The Supremes, The Beach Boys, The Beatles, U2, Queen, and The Doors.

A handful of artists are inducted into the Hall of Fame in an annual induction ceremony, historically held at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City. The first group of inductees, inducted on January 23, 1986, included James Brown, Little Richard, Elvis Presley, Fats Domino, Ray Charles, Chuck Berry, Sam Cooke, The Everly Brothers, Buddy Holly, and Jerry Lee Lewis.

Currently, groups or individuals are qualified for induction 25 years after the release of their first record. Nominees should have demonstrable influence and significance within the history of rock and roll. Four categories are recognized: Performers, Non-Performers, Early Influences, and Sidemen as of 2000. However, fans have no input concerning who is nominated or elected to the hall. Beginning in 2009, the annual induction ceremony will move to Cleveland on a rotating basis, and may be held as often as every three years.

In addition to the Hall of Fame inductees, the museum documents the entire history of rock and roll, regardless of induction status. Hall of Fame inductees are honored in a special exhibit inside the museum's spire.

- Janyne