Level 0

Ahmet Ertegun

Main Exhibit Hall

The history of rock & roll is far from linear. Explore the sonic history and many evolutions of the music that changed the world starting with the Roots of Rock, through the Legends of Rock, to today's artists in Right Here, Right Now.

It's Been Said All Along

It's Been Said All Along: Voices of Rage, Hope & Empowerment explores how music and visual artists have created art as a response to unspeakable tragedy and to promote social justice for decades. Beyond the art form, artists have fought for equal rights and opportunity.

To shoot Janis Joplin for Rolling Stone, Wolman “walked with my cameras to her nearby flat in the Haight-Ashbury where she lived with her cat and dog. I, too, lived in the Haight where I had turned two bedrooms of our three bedroom house into a photo studio: the same studio in which Janis subsequently gave an unforgettable full-out performance for me and my camera in what I have come to call the ‘concert for one.’”

Iconic: Baron Wolman Images of an Era

Baron Wolman’s photographs of musicians in the late Sixties encapsulate an unparalleled time in American history. As the first chief photographer for Rolling Stone magazine, Wolman not only documented the era but helped to define it in images for subsequent generations of fans.

1997 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductee Mahalia Jackson

Roots of Rock

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 BEAT GOES ON

Explore the 500 Songs That Shaped Rock & Roll and some of the most iconic One Hit Wonders.

DON'T KNOCK THE ROCK

How do early rock & roll songs go from being the devil's music to being used in prescription drug ads? How does Heavy Metal music labeled as profane go on to become high school marching band staples? Rock & Roll has always been music of youth culture, and so history keeps repeating itself.

Pioneers of Rock

The pioneers of rock and roll revolutionized the music industry in the 1950s and 60s, paving the way for countless musicians to come. Elvis Presley, known as the "King of Rock and Roll," combined his unique vocal style with a charismatic stage presence that captured the hearts of audiences worldwide. Chuck Berry, often referred to as the "Father of Rock and Roll," incorporated blues and country music into his sound, creating a signature guitar-driven style that would influence generations of musicians. Wanda Jackson, the "Queen of Rockabilly," broke barriers as one of the first female rock and roll performers, blending rock and country to create her own dynamic sound. These three icons left an indelible mark on music history, shaping the genre and inspiring countless artists to follow in their footsteps.

Hotter Than July: The Bruce W. Talamon R&B Photographs

The special exhibition highlights the work of photographer Bruce W. Talamon and features images of Inductees including the Isley Brothers, Sir Elton John, and Earth, Wind & Fire. The photographs show pivotal moments from the culture-shifting television series Soul Train, and groundbreaking concerts including the 1972 Wattstax Music Festival and the 1977 P-Funk Earth Tour.

Cities & Sounds

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.

The Beatles perform on Apple Corps rooftop, Savile Row, London. January 30, 1969

The Beatles: Get Back to Let It Be

Let our groundbreaking exhibit transport you back into The Beatles' vibrant world.

2009 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductees Metallica Onstage at the Induction Ceremony

Legends of Rock & Roll

Get closer to rock’s iconic artists, from David Bowie to James Brown and The Supremes to Bruce Springsteen. Explore the unforgettable moments from rock’s history and their impact on generations of fans.

Rapper's Delight

Not since the early days of rock & roll has an African American-driven cultural art taken such a strong hold of mainstream American society as hip-hop. From Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five to Jay Z and beyond, explore the movement that has taken the world by storm.

The Rolling Stones

Show off your best moves like Mick Jagger in front of an amazing collection of stage outfits and posters from the Rolling Stones.

Jimi Hendrix by Baron Wolman courtesy Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

Legends of Rock & Roll continued

Explore the Rock Hall's massive collection of Jimi Hendrix stage outfits, guitars, handwritten lyrics, and drawings as well as exhibits featuring U2, The Doors, and Public Enemy.

1988 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductees Beatles

Forest City Charitable/RMS Foundations Theater

Now Playing: From The Vault -- The Beatles. Amazing, once-in-a-lifetime jams from our Induction stage featuring Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Ringo Starr and a remarkable list of superstar musicians. This highlight reel plays on loop all day, unless otherwise noted.

Right Here, Right Now

What's next for rock? Explore some of rock's most recent chart-topping artists and see how the next generation's influences have been shaped.

The Music of Cleveland and the Midwest

Cleveland earned its place on the rock and 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.

Rock out inside the fully stocked Jam space

The

Garage

The Garage consists of five main areas where for the first time, fans can pick up real instruments, learn to play, jam with friends, brand their band with custom merchandise, and check out great gear and instruments from the Museum’s collection.

Explore Level 2