Hall of Fame – RDZ Photography

Cleveland – March 2018 – Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

It has been over 10 years since the last visit to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, but having recently read that they now allow photography in most places it seemed like a good time to make a return visit.

I had forgotten how many artifacts they have from many genres, not just Rock. Since blues had such an influence, there was an extensive exhibit honoring those who contributed, such as Bo Diddley.

In my opinion Ruth Brown is the best blues singer of all time…

And Muddy Waters was one of the best as well. Note the partial view of the album in the upper right corner. It is ‘Hard Again’, featuring Muddy, Bob Margolin on Guitar, Pinetop Perkins on piano, James Cotton on harmonica, Willie ‘Big Eyes’ Smith on drums, Charles Calmese on bass and produced, as well as playing guitar, Johnny Winter. The Best Blues Album Ever!

The sign from Elvis’ famed 1968 comeback TV special

Another cool Bo Diddley guitar.

Mixing blues and rock makes another of my favorites, the Allman Brothers Band.

Beyond the instruments and outfits there is an excellent collection of paraphernalia, including the original lyrics – such as Riders on the Storm by the Doors.

The upper floors had a tribute to 50 years of Rolling Stone magazine.

David Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust outfit

Long Live Rock!

Canton – April 2017 – Pro Football Hall of Fame revisit

History, Sports

The Pro Football Hall of Fame is somewhere I have been numerous times over the years, but not since 2014. Since I was in Northern Ohio and had some time I stopped by.

The only fundamental change is a football card display, the rest of the displays were the same as three years ago. Still with new lenses and a different perspective it was a good chance to challenge the photography skills.

Canton – March 2014 – Pro Football Hall of Fame

History, Sports

Canton is the home of professional football in America, with the NFL being founded in a car dealership garage there in 1920. In the early 1960s the leaders of Canton thought it would be a good idea to build a Professional Football Hall of Fame, having seen the success that Cooperstown, NY had with the baseball one.

The distinctive building, in the shape of an upright football coming out of the roof, was expanded in the mid 1990s to it’s current 80,000 + square feet.

As you enter the rotunda you are greeting with a life sized statue of Jim Thorpe, one of the best athletes of all time. Jim, who was a Sac and Fox Native America named Wa Tho Huk (Bright Path), won Olympic Gold Medals in the Pentathlon and Decathlon, played American Football, Professional Baseball and Basketball, and excelled at all of them.

Winning his gold medals in 1912 Stockholm Olympics; when he was presented his gold medals from King Gustav V, the kind said “You, sir, are the greatest athlete in the world”, to which Thorpe (being a true American) replied, “Thanks, King”

The first exhibit hall displays equipment from the early days.

The Bust Gallery of all of the Hall of Fame players is especially impressive.

Throughout the day the docents presented different programs; we watched one on the evolution of the helmet.

There was an exhibit on professional leagues other than the NFL.

Finally as you reach the end you are greeted by a Super Bowl trophy.

Cooperstown, NY – August 2012 – Baseball Hall of Fame

History, Sports

Another trip to Boston allowed me to make a stop at the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York for a break. I have been here before, but always enjoy checking out the museum.

Below are a few of the highlights:

Statue of Casey Stengel

Early Pittsburgh Uniform Jersey

Seats from Ebbetts Field

A Fenway Park Electric Guitar?

Eddie Gaedel Uniform

Cy Young Tribute

Hall of Fame

Kiki Cuyler Induction Plaque

Cooperstown, NY – June 2009 – A Hall of Fame Visit

Architecture, Art, History, Sports

Even though I had been to the Baseball Hall of Fame before, we were in the area so we stopped.

While the main exhibits don’t change, the smaller ones do, which made the visit worthwhile.

Toronto – July 2008 – Hockey Hall of Fame

Art, History, Sports

Hockey is my favorite sport, Toronto is one of my favorite cities. What better than to check out the Hockey Hall of Fame in downtown Toronto. Located in an old bank, the Hall does a great job displaying the history of hockey.