Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Cleveland

I can't add much here to the controversy over why the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is in Cleveland, Ohio, or how nominees are chosen and voted in. One problem with museums covering a large, diverse topic is determining principles of inclusion, and the history of Rock and Roll faces this dilemma in spades.  That's not to say it isn't a great place to visit--a full day's experience for a visitor--but that experience is quite different from a more clearly focused museum.  If the Smithsonian is America's attic, the Rock Hall is its garage, stuffed with costumes, instruments, props, equipment, music, and--yes, cars.

U2 Tour Props

The design is already iconic--the glass pyramid is featured in the museum's logo, and pictures are all over the web.  Wikipedia has more on the structure and the architect, I.M. Pei, who designed a similar building for the Louvre.

Michael Jackson

guitar, glove

Pink Floyd guitar

The foyer of the museum resembles a modern mall, with large, white spaces and high ceilings, punctuated by pop art props from concert tours.  At the floor level, 7-foot tall pop art guitars matched to various artists provide photo opportunities.

The "green screen" portraits are shot here while visitors are waiting in line to buy tickets; the final product puts the Hall of Fame in the background, lit up in the night sky.  Visitors have the option of holding a guitar for the shot.

The entrance to the exhibit areas features the concert-type apparatus of the plastic wristband; signs at the door warn visitors not to take pictures of the exhibits, many of which are loaned under the condition that they not be photographed.  Inside, the main exhibit hall is dark, crowded, and noisy.  According to the website and program, the museum does have a plan, but it's hard to figure out once inside.  There was so much to take in that it was impossible to focus too long on any display, or linger on details.  The costumed mannequins provide the clearest focal point, as Stevie Nicks' gowns and David Bowies' progression of costumes are instantly recognizable points of interest.  Large floor-to-ceiling display cases are stuffed with artifacts.  There is accompanying text, but it is printed on silver tablets and, for me at least, it was a bit difficult to read.  In the middle, visitors can stand next to famous cars, including Elvis'.  It's fun, and in keeping with the rock spirit, but definitely leads to information overload.  Visitors who have  a few days to spend in the area might split their visits over 2-3 days, and soak up a different section of the museum each time (2-day passes are available).  The museum is a pleasant walk away from the Cleveland Riverfront area, so we took a break at midday to stroll along the riverfront before returning to the museum.

Beyond the main exhibit area, visitors can find more focused displays.  The top floor at the time of our visit featured "The Life and Music of Bruce Springsteen,"  which will be there until February of 2011.  This exhibit area changes to spotlight different acts, and did an excellent job of providing an in-depth look at early influences and evolution of its subject.  Other areas provided a glimpse into niches within the rock & roll phenomenon--a room devoted to "Austin City Limits," for example, was able to illuminate a little corner of the rock & roll world in interesting detail.  And, oddly enough, I found myself in the hallway outside one of the restrooms following biographical displays on Janis Joplin and Rick Nelson intently.


The targeted age of visitors is another difficult aspect of this museum.  The museum admits children under 8 free, but I'm not sure I would want to bring children that young here.  There were a few "PG-!3" type exhibits, but that wouldn't be my main concern.  The exhibits themselves aren't kid-friendly; they require some prior knowledge and interest and offer none of the hands-on teaching material that primary-age children would enjoy.  I would definitely recommend waiting until the kids are a little older AND have some interest in the material.  For tweens and early teens, you might want to figure out what they would already be familiar with, have them research a bit about related areas, and then focus on those sections of the museum.

Gift shop--the gift shop here, as might be expected, is extensive.  You should be able to find something for everybody on your list. Tees, hoodies, hats, shotglasses, mugs, puzzles, coasters, posters, books--pretty much everything you would expect it to have.  The website offers a selection of items, but nowhere near everything available onsite.  We didn't try any of the cafeteria options--the lines were rather long.  We took a break and had sandwiches near the Riverfront.

Addendum:  Now the Hall has a new addition--Lady Gaga's "Meat Dress."  It's taken a few months to prepare it for exhibition; it will be there until February 2012.

From the museum website:

• Adults: $22
• Greater Cleveland residents: $18 (with ID)
• Seniors (65+)/Military: $17 (with ID)
• Children ages 9-12: $13
• Children ages 8 and under: FREE with purchase of adult admission

Hours, September-May:

Open every day from 10 am - 5:30pm. Wednesdays, open until 9pm. CLOSED Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Open until 9pm on Wednesdays and Saturdays from Memorial Day until Labor Day.