This week, we’re proud to witness the 15th anniversary of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum. Was it really that long ago that Yoko Ono cut the ribbon on I.M. Pei’s glass menagerie on the lake? Or when Cleveland Municipal Stadium (R.I.P.) was packed to the rafters for a kickoff concert that featured Bruce Springsteen, The Kinks, Aretha Franklin and the late Johnny Cash? This week, celebrate your rock and roll heritage with this trio of stellar events.
Breeding Ground
We all know that Cleveland rocks, but when you expand the field of vision to include the entire Buckeye State, the number of successful artists unfolds exponentially. You’ve got Maynard James Keenan from Tool (Ravenna), Dave Grohl from Foo Fighters/Nirvana (Warren), Guided By Voices, Bootsy Collins, Isley Brothers, Afghan Whigs… the list is seemingly endless. The Breeders are on the list, formed by Daytonite Kim Deal (of The Pixies) in 1988 with Throwing Muses’ siren Tanya Donelly. The darlings of Lollapalooza back in 1994, the Breeders are now into 20 years of history, performing at the Beachland Ballroom Thursday, September 2 with hot indie acts HotChaCha (Cleveland) and Times New Viking (Columbus). Tickets here.
Rock and Roll Never Forgets
With a new $5 million endowment and its induction ceremonies set to return to Cleveland in 2012 after a very successful run at Public Hall last year, the Rock Hall is gearing up for a spectacular party, and you're invited. Celebrate the 15th anniversary of the grand opening with the Rock Hall Ball this Friday, September 3, which features live music by Eli “Paperboy” Reed and alt-rockers Foxy Shazam, a DJ set by Tommie Sunshine, and a VIP pre-party to honor Senator George Voinovich for his efforts in bringing the Rock Hall to Cleveland so long ago. Rollicking details are here.
In the Club
If you want to understand better how the Rock Hall works, or the great heights president and CEO Terry Stewart and his crack staff consistently reach, why not hear him talk about it? The City Club of Cleveland hosts the esteemed Stewart for a pre-Rock Hall Ball speaking engagement this Friday, September 3 at noon. The Friday Forum at the City Club rarely disappoints, and Stewart himself is quite a score. The former CEO of the Marvel Entertainment Group is also a pop culture scholar and a captivating lecturer who holds degrees in law, finance, education and engineering. Learn more and snag tickets here.
