by Victoria K.

Created on: May 21, 2009   Last Updated: June 09, 2009

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum is located on the foreground of Lake Erie in downtown Cleveland, Ohio. A handful of talented artists and musicians are inducted into the Hall of Fame annually during an induction ceremony traditionally held at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City. Some of the first artists inducted into the Hall of Fame in January 1986 include Jerry Lee Lewis, Sam Cooke, James Brown and of course, Elvis Presley. Over 162 feet tall, this glitzy structure was designed by architect I.M. Pei (designer of the Louvre extension) to express rock's new power.

From the front of the museum, the building is shaped like a glass pyramid. Once you enter, you will see several large items and memorabilia hanging from the walls and ceiling. The gift shop takes up half of the first floor and offers many choices of souvenirs. Two short films are available to prepare you for your visit; "Mystery Train" and "Kick Out the Jams".

Guests have the opportunity to browse interactive exhibits, archives, and materials from many talented artists, performers and producers who spearheaded the rock and roll era. Popular items include Janis Joplin's Porsche, handwritten lyrics by the late, great Jimi Hendrix, you can also step into the funk by visiting Jimi Hendrix's Surround Sound Theater and Exhibit.

Inside you will find over 150,000 square feet of pure rock and roll spread over three levels of interactive exhibits, films, videos and artifacts of all facets of rack and roll history. There are seven levels in the building, the first through fifth levels include permanent and temporary exhibits articling the vast history of the rock and roll era. Temporary exhibits include items from the Warped Tour with many items available for viewing based on the show's 12 year run. Permanent exhibits showcase a variety of different cities and eras including Memphis in the 50's, San Francisco in the 60's and New York City in the 70's, to name a few. The third level includes a wall spackled with signatures of all of the artists and musicians inducted into the Hall of Fame.

The Rock of Ages gallery showcases songs of the artists who influenced the rock and roll genre such as Mahalia Jackson. An interesting exhibit, 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll features songs from the 1920's all the way through the 1990's. Even items from teen pop icon Britney Spears and Debbie Gibson have become trendy displays. Popular performers contribute to the museum by donating drum sets, tour items, signed posters, childhood items such as tap shoes, guitar picks and even Jim Morrison's report cards. You can also read postcards John Lennon wrote to his son, Julian.

2009 inductees include Metallica, Run DMC, Bobby Womack, Little Anthony & the Imperials and Jeff Beck. Filled with memorabilia, music and art from the days of the early blues shouters to the present day teen idols, this museum is a must-see for any popular music fan.

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