Rock and Roll Class of 2016 and 2015

rockhall.com
I was here for this one in 2015

The above image is from 2015 when Ringo Starr was (finally!) inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as an individual artist.  

Now, what do the following have in common?

Chicago

Deep Purple

Steve Miller

NWA

Cheap Trick

Bert Berns

This Friday, April 8th, 2016, they will all be inducted into The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

The ceremony will take place in Brooklyn, NY

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum is located in Cleveland, on the shore of Lake Erie, not very far from where we work.   

Image from Rockhall.com

It has been their plan to have Cleveland host the ceremony every 3 years, the last time was in 2015, so that means 2018 before we have it here again.

If you have ever been there, you already know what an interesting, and interactive place it is.  One can see the history of how this music genre took root from the early days of Blues, Jazz, Country. . .and how even the Brits were influenced by American music. 


What makes the ceremonies so entertaining is the fact that those being inducted are given all the time in the world to have their say when giving their acceptance speeches. . .and in my opinion, that is a GREAT thing!  Even if it's 20 minutes (or more), it is a chance to hear, from their own mouths, what and/or who is most important to them; those who've guided, supported, loved, promoted and mentored them to greatness.  Oh, and there's the music.

Youtube Video of Joan Jett and Dave Grohl performing "Cherry Bomb" 2015

2015 Memories

These next few shots were taken with my phone at 2015's ceremony.  Thank goodness for the giant screens, as the stage was not very close.  The floor seating was reserved for the artists and their guests, and big $$$ donors, so we were in the balcony:

Beck performing a song by Lou Reed

Stevie Wonder and Bill Withers

And finally, the last inductee, Ringo Starr with his good friend, Paul McCartney:

Sir Paul speaking about his friend, Ringo

It was 5 hours before they got to that part!  Very exhausting, but oh, so worth it.  Go back to the first image in my post.  Performing along with Paul and Ringo is Billy Joe Armstrong (of Green Day), Joe Walsh (The Eagles/The James Gang), Keb Mo, and other inductees/presenters from that evening.

Paul, Ringo & Joe Walsh image from rockhall.com

Tributes

Part of the ceremony involves giving tribute to those who have passed during the previous year.  I am sure many hearts will be heavy to recount that we lost David Bowie, Sir George Martin, Glenn Frye (The Eagles), Chris Squire (Yes), Scott Weiland. . .

Deep Purple

Each year has some "drama" associated with it as well.  This year, all bets are on whether Ritchie Blackmore from Deep Purple will be there.  Lots of finger pointing as to who is making that decision (Blackmore or the other band mates).  What is known, though, is that he will not be performing.  A crime indeed, as HE is the one who wrote the iconic riff that everyone knows from the opening of "Smoke On The Water".

Deep Purple Image from metalinsider.net

I'd love to know if anyone reading this has ever been to The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum.  What were your impressions?  If you'd like to know more, please check out their website!

Thanks for your visit today, and don't forget to Rock On!

Cynthia