Few People Know The Real Reason Behind Cleveland Becoming The Birthplace Of Rock 'N Roll
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Nikki Rhoades
Author
There’s so much to love in a city like Cleveland. Sure, we’re still the butt of some jokes in Hollywood, but our little Rust Belt community has carved out a personality that’s uniquely its own. For one, we’re the birthplace of rock and roll, and we’ve grown into an artistic haven for makers and movers of every medium. Believe it or not, we actually had to fight for our status as America’s most rockin’ city. Our inclination for rock developed naturally, but cementing our status required a bit of star power. This story is truly one that should be documented in textbooks… it’s a piece of U.S. history that’s often forgotten, but aligns perfectly with the “breaking the mold” attitude rock and roll is still known for to this day.
Cleveland's status as the "birthplace of rock and roll" is a story worthy of the big screen.
It's also a story that's not quite known to people outside of town. One time, when I was traveling for work, I mentioned that while I like select country artists, country music is not my preferred genre. Someone said, "Really? You're from Ohio and you don't love country?" I remember grinning and saying, "I'm from Cleveland, the same place rock and roll was born. The same city where Nine Inch Nails was born, where David Bowie launched his first-ever U.S. tour." My peers were amazed, as to them, rock and roll was associated with places like CBGB in New York. But Cleveland's music scene has a story to tell, and it has far-reaching roots.
Before we can get into the history of rock and roll in Cleveland, though, we should start at the very beginning of Cleveland music history.
In 1796, Cleveland was founded, and Lorenzo Carter moved in as the area's first permanent white resident. At the Lorenzo Carter homestead, events like the city's first ball were held. It's hard to imagine these early get-togethers without music! The first concert in Cleveland soon came in 1821, and it was a performance filled with sacred music. From devotional music, classical soon became popular, and then immigrants brought in musical genres that the city had never seen before. German singing groups began springing up, and Cleveland-style polka music was eventually born here, too. With so many musicians calling the city home, Cleveland became a musical melting pot that was poised to take the movin' and groovin' scene to the next level.
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By the 1950s, Cleveland was naturally considered a breakout city in the music industry.
Cleveland was so richly diverse in listeners that the music industry loved treating it as a test-run. This little regional market often reflected national trends, so it was an excellent place to debut new sounds by launching brand new tracks on the airwaves for the first time. Bands could learn if their sounds would resonate with a Midwestern market, and locals were eager to explore new sounds and genres.
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The most rockin' era in Cleveland music history came when Alan Freed, a local disc jockey, began popularizing a genre he called "rock 'n' roll."
The rhythm and blues style of music that Alan Freed preferred was not new by any means. Neither was the genre name, though it wasn't something that was widely accepted yet. What Alan Freed did do, however, was bring that style of music to a mass market for the first time ever, and he spearheaded the adoption of the name "rock 'n' roll" to describe it. He celebrated genre mashups during his show "The Moondog House," and rock and roll slowly grew in popularity.
The natural next step in the development of rock and roll in Cleveland was a concert.
Alan Freed organized The Moondog Coronation Ball at the Cleveland Arena, and locals instantly grew excited. It was 1952, and the concept of a massive rock and roll concert had never been seen before. Swooned by the promise of many acts and a live dance event, locals eagerly flooded to the event.
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Unfortunately, the first major rock and roll concert in music history was purportedly shut down after just one song.
At its max capacity, the Cleveland Arena could seat some 12,500 people... and that was mostly for sporting events where floor seating was available. With a printing error and counterfeiting issues, an estimated 20,000 people showed up for the concert. Due to intense overcrowding, the fire department shut the event down sometime after the opening song. Some sources claim a riot broke out as frustrated music lovers couldn't buy tickets, and other sources claim that a few songs were played, but you couldn't hear them over the din of the crowd. Whatever happened, one thing is certain: Alan Freed's radio show grew immensely popular after the notoriety.
While Alan Freed's resting place is now Cleveland's Lake View Cemetery, he took advantage of his popularity and moved to New York City's WINS radio station.
Alan Freed was soon followed by legal troubles, and he eventually fell into obscurity. His ashes were initially interred at Ferncliff Cemetery in Hartsdale, New York upon his death, but they'd move to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002. Nowadays, the showing of human remains in museums is growing increasingly controversial, but the Rock Hall sensed these changing tides as early as 2014. They decided against showing Freed's remains, and he was finally laid to rest in Lake View Cemetery.
After Alan Freed's departure from Cleveland, its status as a breakout market remained intact.
As I mentioned previously, David Bowie launched his first U.S. tour in Cleveland, and he wasn't the only artist to do so! Bruce Springsteen and Rush did, too, and more music history was made in Cleveland. The World Series of Rock concerts in 1978 established Cleveland as a welcoming, enthusiastic city for young rock artists, and even before that, famous cases of fan hysteria (like The Beatles' 1964 show at Public Hall where fans broke through a police line just to swoon over the young stars) kept the Cleveland music scene in the public eye. Locals just couldn't get enough! In 1979, the Wall Street Journal declared Cleveland the “Rock and Roll Capital” of the United States, and it was a well-deserved title.
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This brings us to the famous battle in 1983 to claim our musical roots.
In 1983, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation was established, and they began searching for a home for their soon-to-be museum. Many cities were considered for the building site, but Cleveland rallied to claim the title. After all, rock and roll was born here. Music history was made here time and time again! One Clevelander, Norm N. Nite, had ties to the New York music industry and took it upon himself to present Cleveland as an option for the site of the Rock Hall.
Soon, musicians began standing up for The Land. Michael Jackson, among some 50 others, endorsed Cleveland as the proper home for the museum. Clevelanders started a petition and gathered 600,000 signatures to lobby for our city as the should-be home of this project. The city pushed things a step further when it pledged $26 million to help construct the Rock Hall. In 1986, Cleveland was announced as the selected city. After nearly a decade of back-and-forth and drama, the site finally opened to the public in 1995. The building was designed by architect I. M. Pei, hence the natural nod to his Louvre Pyramid.
Soon, musicians began standing up for The Land. Michael Jackson, among some 50 others, endorsed Cleveland as the proper home for the museum. Clevelanders started a petition and gathered 600,000 signatures to lobby for our city as the should-be home of this project. The city pushed things a step further when it pledged $26 million to help construct the Rock Hall. In 1986, Cleveland was announced as the selected city. After nearly a decade of back-and-forth and drama, the site finally opened to the public in 1995. The building was designed by architect I. M. Pei, hence the natural nod to his Louvre Pyramid.
Today, rock and roll is a pillar of Cleveland's identity, and it can be seen all across town.
From GuitarMania's various giant fiberglass guitars that dot the city to this day to the energetic summer concerts at Blossom Music Center, Clevelanders are just in touch with our rockin' roots as ever before. Every Halloween, I Put a Spell on You rocks the airwaves, bringing a little piece of the Cleveland music scene to a wider audience. And, of course, the genre's enduring name has Cleveland to thank.
As the birthplace of rock and roll, Cleveland has a story to tell. Our local personality is rhythmic, rebellious, and artistic to the core. Even today, you’d have a hard time walking through the city without encountering a little bit of rock music somewhere.
Want to expand your Ohio music knowledge? Visit the birthplace of Dave Grohl, where the world’s largest drumsticks are waiting to greet you. And if want to wear your Buckeye State pride on your sleeve, check out the awesome Ohio apparel on Wear Your Roots!
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