Zatarra Cruise - Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

The only thing I had said I wanted to do on this trip was to go to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, if we got as far as Cleveland. Paul had been quite a while ago and said he really didn't remember it much and Sharon had never been.

I was there by 9:30 and walked right in, no crowds, even though it was a Saturday.

The lower floor held the bulk of the collection.

Joey Kramer, Aerosmith, had new drum heads designed for each tour. All the items were labelled as to owner, often designer/artist/craftsman, age or tour /album used for. Way more info than I needed but I am sure fascinating for some.

Displays were arranged by band, artist, city, genre or date.

There was music playing everywhere but somehow it wasn't too noisy. There were also videos of interviews, newsreels and concerts. I often stopped to watch the videos, finding a bench or sometimes just sitting on the floor.

One room commemorated, "The Summer of Love", 1967, when hippies gathered in San Fransisco.

Posters from that time. It was interesting to read the socio-economic, scientific and political forces that culminated in that response along with the reaction of the city council of San Fransisco and its inhabitants.

Perhaps the roots of Zentangle.

Lots of stage costumes.

One room had a special exhibit devoted to John Cougar Mellencamp.

He paints now, more than performing.

There was a display of watercolour sketches done by Jimi Hendrix, while on tour.

Highlights for me were the areas devoted to the roots of rock and roll with lots of old video footage of gospel, blues, jazz, country and folk,

a display devoted to England, 1964 - 68, just before I left and just as I was becoming aware of current music. I sang along with "Ferry Cross the Mersey" and watched video of the bands from that time.

"Life's Been Good to Me", Joe Walsh. I loved seeing the original written lyrics with words scratched out, corrected, edited, seeing the creative process.

On the upper levels there were 2 movie theatres. One showed highlights of the inductees concert performances and the one with Prince, Eric Clapton and John Mayall jamming "My Guitar Gently Weeps" and having so much fun, was just amazing. Another had excerpts from American Bandstand, performances and interviews.

Looking down at a section of the gift shop

and out where Zatarra was docked.

In all I spent about 5hours there and didn't finish the final 2 floors that were devoted to 50years of Rolling Stone Magazine.

Anxious to get away from the crowds that had gradually built during the day, I walked around the harbour front, the Science Centre and

a couple of blocks into downtown Cleveland until

returning to the boat to be entertained

by the parade of bridal parties

coming to the adjacent park

to have their photos taken.