Went to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and it kinda sucked... how can you have such a thing with no AC/DC, yet have an entire exhibit devoted to Hanson, Britney Spears and Chistina Aqualique? And dammit, where was the puffy jacket from Sonny Bono?!
Coolest thing was an entire surround sound theater dedicated to Jimi Hendrix. It continually ran Hendrix concert footage all day. I sat through a 20 minute version of Voodoo Chilli with Billy Cox (I think Mitch Mitchell was still on the drums, though). It seemed weird to see 80 year old tourists sitting around watching Jimi, then seeing them read all about Soundgarden/Seattle and watching Metallica videos. A case containing the Seattle grunge scene seemed downright weird. It had the Alice in Chains marionettes from the "I Stay Away" video and the entire case looked like a promo for the documentary movie "Hype!" This was all the junk I considered "cool" in my college/art hippie days...and there it was behind a plexi-glass shield for all the senior citizens to enjoy.
Scattered around were computer screens with Flash interfaces-- put on some headphones, select a band and hear some tunes or interviews. Most of the well-know bands had a soundbyte or interview clip. Including a free-associating rant from David Lee Roth about Van Halen. Ice-T had a fun entry, as he mentioned he learned to rap by watching "Dolemite".
The lobby had a giant "Wall" display. Every five minutes you'd hear "How can ya' have any pudding if ya' don't eatch'er meat?!" Scribbled on one side was a rambling explanation from Roger Waters. Waters sez the Wall was all about the choice between a smarmy iconic rockstar or "taking the road less travelled". Ehh...I still think it was about Syd Barrett...either that or DRUGS! Considering the display was right next to a costume from the Supremes' Mary Wilson and a motorcycle used in a Bon Jovi video, you have to consider the context or validity.
There were two other auditoriums on the upper levels. I asked the people what they were in line for, and they all had no idea. One auditorium was a re-broadcast of the latest induction ceremony and the other was about "songwriting". The songwriting segment had a chip on its shoulder, as the main thing I got out of was that Bill Haley blatantly ripped off "Shake Rattle & Roll" from a black artist (Joe Carter, I think). Haley's version was clean..and Carter version was about (gasp) FUCKING
Also, I was expecting maybe a "Hall of Inductees" where you could see a listing of all the members. Similar to the busts in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. If there is such an area, I couldn't find it. I found a bunch of scattered musical instruments, sheet music, stage props and costumes.
It'd be assinine for me to think that the Rn'r Hall of Fame should revolve around what I think is "cool". I was disappointed because all around Cleveland and Northern Ohio were huge advertising campaigns for the Hall. Scattered throughout the city were guitar sculptures, related to the Hall. I was expecting something huge...instead it was like a traveling exhibit you'd find in the center of your local mall. Obviously, music is more of a audio experience, so it seems somewhat misguided to have a visual/physical shrine to the movement, in a weak attempt to validate people like Lou Reed and Aerosmith. As it is, the Hall is marketed as Cleveland's premier attraction. Techically, thats true. Cleveland itself is a total dump and the Pocket Lint Hall of Fame would be a top attraction. On top of a mountain of shit, even a rice cake can look good.