I Love Rock 'n Roll

 When I was a kid, I dressed up as Joan Jett for Halloween.  I'd like to say it was because I was a badass cool kid, but the fact was I was invited to a theme party.  It was an excuse for the hostess to be Madonna.  It was the 80's.  Well I was at a loss, and we had this Joan Jett 45, I Love Rock and Roll to be specific.  So somewhere I got a pink jacket and a neckerchief.  I lip synced to I Love Rock and Roll with zero flare.  That's ok.  I was known as the shy kid.  They were nice, even though I was boring.  

So fast forward what, 40 years?  I visited the Rock N Roll hall of fame recently.  It was my second time there and I enjoyed it much more the second time.  Good Elvis exhibit.  Good girl music exhibit.  Beatles, Hip Hop, Rolling Stones, Bon Jovi.  What I really liked was the interactive stuff.  Wanna pick up an Ax (or guitar, ahem, for you poor non musical bastards) and give it a try?  Bang on the drums?  Mix some mad beats?  (which isn't as easy as it looks).  It was a nice addition.  

A lot of smaller exhibits are fun too.  Janis, Jimi, Tina, Michael.  I love gawking at the clothes.  They're so tiny!  Except for Mama Cass.  I could fit in her dresses.  Then what do you think I saw?  Joan's pink jacket.  

Sometime in adulthood I decided I Love Rock n Roll is the third best rock song ever written.  It's simple.  The drums come in with a straight dut dut dut da, then the heavy guitar chords, and finally the raspy no-nonsense declaration of love by Joan in her badass howl.  OW!   

Now then, I am also a big parrot head.  Jimmy was inducted this weekend.  I couldn't afford to go, but I did stop by and pay homage.  


I like that he's next to Cher.  I know he's only in the hall of fame because he died.  There's something about death that makes you more worthy somehow.  Jimmy was huge.  Was he influential?  I don't know.  The country boys seemed to be latching on to him.  Just because he was loved by millions of loyal fans, does that count?  Yeah, what the hell, why not.  it's not the nobel prize.  

Anyway, yes, Rock Hall.  It's worth a visit. 


Location: 1100 E 9th St, Cleveland, OH 44114, USA

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