A Live Concert Experience Outside of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Sep 02 2020

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

25 Years at the Museum

To celebrate our 25th anniversary we asked fans to submit their favorite memories of visiting the museum, attending Induction Ceremonies and more.

In celebration of 25 years

Stepping onto the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame plaza, you are greeted by sounds & sights that will get you ready for a music experience like no other. In the summer, live bands turn that plaza into a bustling music festival scene just about every day. During cooler months, outdoor speakers broadcast an all-star soundtrack meant to keep the chill at bay. 

 

Walk through the lobby doors, and you’ll hear everything from greatest hits to deep cuts as you journey up and around the museum. Plastered on the walls are larger-than-life red, black, and white vintage images of live & loud performances. All around these scenes are nooks and crannies filled with cool artifacts— iconic gear, memorable stage costumes, song lyrics, tour passes, and even a CBGB awning—as well as seat-shaking, concert-like experiences highlighting induction performances and The Garage, which lets visitors make glorious noise on real instruments. 

The hall BLEW MY MIND. I cried my head off the entire time, super moved by all of the amazing artifacts.

Cheryl-Lynn Whyte

Opening 25 years ago, this 150,000-square-foot music monument has a glass-enclosed pyramid adjacent to a 162-foot tower, both of which soar above the shores of Lake Erie. In a nod to how we’re the home of America’s great art form—rock & roll— world renown architect, the late I.M. Pei modeled our pyramid after the iconic glass structure he designed for the Louvre in France. 

 

The sun-filled atrium gives way to over 55,000 square feet of exhibition space stretched over seven levels. Such a rock & roll museum deserves a star-studded groundbreaking: On June 7, 1993, the Who’s Pete Townshend, Chuck Berry, Billy Joel, Sam Phillips, and Ruth Brown (to name a few) attended a ceremony that kicked off construction in Cleveland. One year later, rock & roll legend Jerry Lee Lewis performed when the building was topped off with the placement of one last steel beam. 

 

From the moment we opened our doors through to this very day, one tune hasn’t changed - when you visit, you’ve found your people: a community of music fanatics ready to soak up every morsel of info about their favorite artists. Appropriately, rock & roll is in your face—and ears—throughout your entire tour. 

Watch our 2019 year in review below to see how we continue to serve fans and the community through the power of rock & roll.

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2019 Museum Recap

See the Year in Review

2019 Museum Recap

See the Year in Review

We Salute the Fans

Thank you to the fans who support us and help us live out rock's legacy. We've welcomed over 13 million visitors in the past 25 years. In the gallery below you'll see photos submitted by fans from their visits over the years.

Installed in 2016, the LONG LIVE ROCK letters speak for themselves and are a popular fan photo location on the plaza. We salute the fans who've submitted their own pictures from recent years featuring the letter installation. 

  • Submitted by Paul Ares: "Exalted at arrival at Rock's pantheon wearing denim celebrating two classic rock gods."
  • Submitted by Jamie Porter: "My favorite was seeing The Wall from Pink Floyd's album in real life. I was just so amazing to see something that was taken from an album and made into something like that. Long Live Rock!"
  • Submitted by Jamie Starr: "When my husband and I started dating in 2010, he took me to the Rock Hall for our first vacation. So fun! 6 years later he brought me back and proposed to me outside, near the “Long Live Rock” on New Years Eve 2016. So romantic! In December 2018, we had the most perfect wedding ceremony and reception at the Rock Hall. We love that we have such incredible memories here."
  • Submitted by MaryEllen Zerella: "When I visited in Sept 2018 for Members Appreciation Day & finally got to see my name on a brick in the walkway."
  • Submitted by Christopher Lumpp: "I took my daughter to her first concert there last year, The Zombies. Cool rainstorm passed through in the afternoon."
  • Submitted by Kandace Short: "3 80s ladies finally getting a chance to visit one of our favorite places, long live rock & best friends!"
  • Submitted by Stan Turk
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Fans in the Museum

We've welcomed over 13 million visitors in our first 25 years open. We've inspired rock fans from around the globe, whether through a single instrument on display, a special exhibit or even just the feeling of being surrounded by your favorite music memories. See some of these fan stories submitted from past trips to visit us in Cleveland.

  • Submitted by Lilly Buckley: "From celebrating my 21st birthday at the Rock Hall, to Rock Hall Nights, to attending the Play it Loud exhibit opening party, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has helped me to create memories that will last a lifetime."
  • Submitted by Matt Knoerlein: "Upon entering the Hall, we immediately sensed the rich history contained within and the spirit of the legendary musicians being represented. We were riveted by all of the exhibits and were especially impressed with the show held in the theater."
  • Submitted by Matt Knoerlein: "The highlight of the day came in the Garage when my nephew picked up a guitar and played Iron Man with the House band. To my surprise, my son wanted in too and picked up some of the vocals. We reveled in the day and stayed until closing time."
  • Submitted by Gina Fasano: "Warped Tour had been a favorite summer event for me and my sister. And getting to attend the final tour with my mom and sister at a place as iconic as the Rock Hall was the best farewell."
  • Submitted by Terri Jackson: "My mom and I visited the Rock Hall in August 6 years ago. I surprised her with her brick which was installed before we arrived."
  • Submitted by Terri Jackson: "We spent 3 days at the museum and it was the perfect mother-daughter trip!"
  • Submitted by Michela Bocchine: "In 2011, my parents took me to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame to attend the 2011 Rock and Soul Festival. I dressed in my best Michael Jackson outfits! I met so many amazing people that day, including some who had been involved in the music industry."
  • Submitted by Michele Gohacki: "I was there for the Rick and Roll Hall of Fame grand opening ceremony and concert in 1995 with my brother, future sister in law and college friend. The concert was amazing! We walked past Sheryl Crow in the hallway of our hotel on our way up to the rooftop club. (To my dismay, we were informed we missed Bon Jovi hanging out at the bar.)"
  • Submitted by Michele Gohacki: "I finally made it back again with my daughter 24 years later in 2019. (I wouldn't go back until Bob Jovi was inducted! They made it in - 2018!)"
  • Submitted by Patricia McIntyre: "My sister and I attended many events and induction ceremonies. My sister passed away this year, I will forever treasure our memories there."
  • Submitted by Sari Jesse: "En route to a gig in Harrisburg, PA in 2019, we stopped to pay homage at the Hall of Fame. We were inspired to become members in celebration of the release of our first album. We made a video wish that we get inducted in 2044, the year we become eligible."
  • Submitted by Stan Turk: "I played at the Rock Hall!"
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Opening Day Memories

When the museum opened in 1995 it was a celebration packed with Hall of Fame Inductees and popular artists, and Clevelanders and other life-long fans remember the big day as well as the Concert for the Rock Hall held at old Municipal Stadium. 

  • Submitted by Mark Schultz: "I was lucky enough to be behind the Rock Hall, working with a good friend Brian Illes from a Richmond Va. rock station, as celebrities arrived for the ribbon cutting ceremony. Here is Jackson Browne arriving."
  • Submitted by Mark Schultz: "Here is Little Richard arriving for the ribbon cutting ceremony. A perfect Labor Day weekend topped off by the memorable evening rock concert at the Municipal Stadium."
  • Submitted by Christopher Scherer: "The opening weekend of the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame and Museum brought radio and TV stations from 15 countries. Barry Thomas (on his bicycle) in front of the WMMS and WMJI booths on Radio Row. Barry and I had our bikes to get around quickly and even get to the studios if necessary."
  • Submitted by Mark Schultz: "I was in front for the ribbon cutting ceremony, Yoko Ono at the mike, when air cannons of streamers were shot off by employees scattered throughout the crowd. Everyone was grabbing for one as a souvenir."
  • Submitted by Ron Mains - a picture of the grand opening parade with larger-than-life artists on display.
  • Submitted by Ron Mains - the Yellow Submarine as part of the grand opening parade.
  • Submitted by Mark Schultz - saved museum promotional materials
  • Submitted by Mark Schultz: passes and a ticket stub from the Concert for the Rock Hall opening night show.
  • Submitted by Mark Schultz - RadioShack and Rock Hall promotion from opening day celebration
  • Submitted by Robert Harmicar: "The 9th Street parade, the crowds, the dedication speeches and the unique ribbon cutting were unforgettable."
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2005 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductees U2
So I literally got to be the very first fan to see the display.
Mary Cipriani

The Full Story

"I was a volunteer for the grand opening day at the Rock Hall.  U2 is my longtime favorite and I was anxious to see what was on display from the band.  There were probably 100+ volunteers that all arrived early that morning for our assignments.

I could've been randomly assigned to any number of locations throughout the building, and by the most amazing kismet, I was assigned to 4th floor theatre entrance area next to the U2 display case! So I literally got to be the very first fan to see the display. I still have my Volunteer Staff shirt from the day. It was a really special day for Clevelanders and for all music fans and everyone was so enthusiastic and excited to be part of it."

-Submitted by Mary Cipriani

Artist Sightings

You never know who you may run into at the museum. We've collected a series of images from fans where a special concert or program, or even chance encounter, brought them closer with a favorite artist.

  • Submitted by Dannon Johnson: "Seeing Mike Dirnt of Green Day's bass guitar, I had to be genuinely peeled away from the exhibit. Flash forward to 2015 when Green Day was inducted to the Hall of Fame. I will never understand how my mom was able to score tickets to that, but I am forever grateful. That night was so iconic, I met Mike Dirnt!"
  • Submitted by Leigh Weston: "The 1st time I was there, I walked in and Alice Cooper and Dennis Dunaway were doing a Q&A. Ran into Dunaway and he was super friendly and was happy to take a pic (2018). The pinball exhibition was also opening! Got to go back with my daughter in August and PLAY the pinball machines."
  • Submitted by Patricia McIntyre: "The most thrilling moment is when my sister met her idol, Kirk Hammett from Metallica!"
  • Submitted by Carina Aldrey: "I'm from Argentina and had visited for the 2018 Induction Ceremony. I met Alan Clark of Dire Straits while walking the streets by the museum."
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Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Union Home Mortgage Plaza
1100 Rock and Roll Boulevard
Cleveland, Ohio 44114
216.781.ROCK (7625)
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