The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame + Museum


An Evening with Lou Ragland

Wednesday, February 13: 7 p.m.

Tickets are currently available for this event.  Visit http://tickets.rockhall.com or in-person at the Rock Hall Box Office to make a reservation.

Born on the east side of Cleveland, Ohio in 1942, Lou Ragland has donned many hats in his long career.

He’s a singer, guitarist, songwriter, record producer, studio engineer, and more.  Ragland’s first 45, “Never Let Me Go/Party at Lester’s,” was recorded in 1960 at Boddie Recording Studio on Union Ave and released on the Way Out label the following year.

Between the late 1960s and mid-1970s, Ragland produced some of Cleveland’s greatest soul music, helming such groups as Hot Chocolate (“Good for the Gander” is the best funk song Sly Stone never wrote), Volcanic Eruption and Seven Miles High. In 1977, he released the solo album, “The Conveyer,” on his own SMH label.

Besides recording for local labels, Ragland also waxed 45s for the national imprints Amy and Warner Brothers. Before he became O’Jays road manager in 1967, he was the only African-American in the Terry Knight Revue, playing guitar alongside Cleveland saxophone legend Ernie Krivda. Knight “created” Grand Funk Railroad.

Ragland will be interviewed by Carlo Wolff, author of Cleveland Rock & Roll Memories. 

This event will also be streamed on rockhall.com.

This event is free with a reservation and tickets are currently available at http://tickets.rockhall.com or in-person at the Rock Hall Box Office.  A limited number of tickets will be available for those without internet access through the Rock Hall’s RSVP phone system by calling (216) 515-8426.  

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This event is part of:

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In February, the Museum focuses its attention on a specific African-American root or offshoot of rock and roll. Events include free performances by local and national groups, film screenings, lectures, and intimate evenings of conversation, all celebrating the traditions of blues, soul, rhythm & blues and gospel. Since 1996, performers have included Robert Lockwood, Jr., The Temptations, Charles Brown, Ruth Brown, Mavis Staples, Take 6, Al Green, the Ohio Players and the Manhattans.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum highlights Cleveland’s soul and R&B history with “Cleveland Is the City”: A Black History Month Celebration 2013


Related Events:
Purchase tickets for Bobby Womack Hall of Fame Series and Live Concert

 

Cleveland earned its place on the rock and roll map in the early Fifties when local deejay Alan Freed was the first to call the R&B music he was playing on his nightly radio show “rock and roll.” From the 1950s to the 1970s, Clevelanders produced powerful soul and rhythm and blues music in a rich network of clubs, recording studios and record labels.  This February, as part of Black History Month, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum will celebrate Cleveland’s rich musical legacy, highlighting great moments in the city’s rhythm and blues and soul music history.  Fans are encouraged to share their knowledge, memories, and photos through the Rock Hall’s Facebook and Twitter page.   
 
In addition to the public programs held in February (see schedule below), the month will also include:
·    A special class in the Rock Hall’s K-12 program Rockin’ the Schools, offered through the month of February
·    A new photo exhibit at the Library and Archives spotlighting the Jimmy Baynes photo collection
·    An online subject guide highlighting Black History Month resources at the Library and Archives
·    The installation of the Rock Hall’s newest artifact - Robert Lockwood Jr.’s guitar

All Events in Black History Month Events: