The indisputable origins of rock. Hear and see the story unfold from the early influences that were the trailblazers for all other inductees and the foundation of rock and roll.

The pioneers of rock and roll, Chuck Berry, Elvis, and Wanda Jackson, revolutionized the music industry in the 1950s and 60s, paving the way for countless musicians to come.

Sun Records, established in 1952 by Sam Phillips, is a music landmark known for launching the careers of rock and roll icons like Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Carl Perkins. The studio’s fusion of blues and country laid the groundwork for the rock and roll genre, making Sun Records a cornerstone in the evolution of American music.

Janis & Jimi. Alice Cooper, Blondie & Cher. Here you’ll find an incredible collection of legends who have stood the test of time, and are celebrated across generations. Personal and professional gear from both onstage and in studio are on full display, with a wide roster of Inductees and “Hall of Fame Hopefuls” alike.

The two biggest bands to come out of the British Invasion exist harmoniously in an extension of the Legends exhibits. Find iconic Beatles instruments and artifacts from their days in the Cavern Club through their solo careers and show off your best moves like Mick Jagger in front of an amazing collection of stage outfits and posters from the Rolling Stones.

Drop into the cities that sparked major shifts in rock & roll – rock’s Big Bang in Memphis, Detroit’s Motown scene, the Summer of Love in San Francisco, the supergroups of 70’s L.A., Philly Soul, the simultaneous birth of Punk in New York, London, and L.A., and the Grunge movement from Seattle. You can also explore the early days of rock & roll in Rave On, the soulful sounds of R&B, and raw power of Hard Rock & Heavy Metal.

Cleveland earned its place on the rock & roll map in the early 50s when local disc jockey Alan Freed was the first to call the R&B music he was playing on his nightly radio show “rock and roll.” From then on, the Midwest has played a crucial role in rock’s expansion across the country and generations.

Explore today’s chart-topping artists and see how the next generation has been inspired by the icons that came before.