I still don't think I've ever heard an explanation as to why the R&R Hall of Fame is in Ohio. I mean ... Ohio??
Cleveland Rocks.
I think Memphis would've been more appropriate from a historical point of view. However, Cleveland was where Alan Freed's show originated and that did a lot to spread the notion of Rock and Roll. Also, just from my experience in college in Ohio, I'd have to say that rock and roll is just a huge part of Cleveland's identity. Moreso than any other city I know - even ones with more famous scenes, like San Francisco or LA.
San Francisco probably self-identifies as much as a jazz city as it does with its San Francisco Sound era. LA is more about the recording industry. Austin is about blues and songwriting. Like that. But it's rock and roll or nothing in Cleveland.
What about Boston? A HUGE rock town.
What about Boston? A HUGE rock town.
Nah, NSM. It's not a big college town...
Boston's bona fides don't really get going until the 70s. Unless Barry and the Remains means a great deal to you.
I lived there, and it was definitely one of the best club scenes I've ever witnessed. But I don't think Boston even bid on having the HoF there anyway.
Actually, I think LA is the most rock and roll city in the country right now. You can make a case for Detroit though, too.
Does LA still have clubs where bands have to pay the club to be able to play there? Was that phenomena limited to heavy metal bands?
(What had happened is that there were so many heavy metal bands in LA trying to make it big, and not enough clubs for them to be seen, so supply and demand worked out so unknown bands had to pay just to be able to perform in a club and have a chance at beind discovered.)
Last time I went to LA, I saw the Los Feliz street festival. It wasn't about Pay-to-play heavy metal bands on the Hollywood strip. It was about a berjillion tattooed Stooges and Social Distortion fanatics.
Actually, I think LA is the most rock and roll city in the country right now. You can make a case for Detroit though, too.
I thought it was supposed to be Austin?
Like I said, I think Austin is more about blues and songwriting and live performance.
I've been reading the John Peel obits collected on Sasha Frere-Jones website and they're so moving. What a well-loved man, and a well-spent life.
There's always regional differences of opinion.
Shit. What's Seattle, then?