Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland, Ohio, is an institution that celebrates rock and roll. It is dedicated to the history and impact of rock music worldwide. Several individual performers, groups, and contributors to rock and roll are inducted (admitted) into the Hall of Fame each year. The museum building, designed by the Chinese-born American architect I. M. Pei, is on the shore of Lake Erie.
The museum displays a variety of exhibits, including stage costumes, sheet music, instruments, and other items that portray the historical progression of rock music. Many exhibits trace related styles of music, such as the blues, rhythm and blues, folk, country music, and soul music. One section explores regional music from cities that contributed to rock and roll history, such as Detroit, Michigan; London, England; New York City; Seattle, Washington; and San Francisco, California.
The Hall of Fame is housed in the Hall of Fame wing of the museum. Each inductee’s signature is engraved in glass, and each inductee is featured in a multimedia presentation.
The idea of the museum originated with the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation, established in 1983 by some music-industry professionals. The foundation, based in New York City, honored its first group of inductees in 1986. The museum building opened in 1995. It immediately became one of the most popular tourist attractions in the United States. The museum’s website at https://www.rockhall.com offers a complete list of inductees and other information about the museum.
See also Rock music.
