Musings from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

by Lev Rothenberg

I don't believe people are looking for the meaning of life as much as they are looking for the experience of being alive.

Joseph Campbell

I know; it’s only rock and roll, but I like it.

The Rolling Stones

Joplin's Porsche
at the Hall of Fame

Janis Joplin’s psychedelic Porsche, Jimi Hendrix’s guitars, P-Funk’s and Michael Jackson’s costumes – that’s just a peek at Cleveland’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Of course, what it is really about is the music. Music everywhere. 

One can study the notes; quote the top of the charts, discover what pop star is dating what other pop star, and investigate how many hotel rooms Van Halen trashed, but please do not be confused; rock and roll is the music. 

It all comes down to opening up to the music that makes you feel alive. (By the way, my R&R Hall of Fame visit was occasioned by my first Cancerversary for prostate cancer.)  Feeling alive: isn’t that why people can’t stop themselves from dancing? Isn’t that why some adults in the 50s so negatively reacted to early rock and roll, fearful of what might happen once teens truly experienced being alive? For many of my generation, rock and roll is being alive.

Many things make me feel alive – the more the better, but music, especially the music of my youth, takes me home. Even though that home may be loud, crowded and a bit crazy, it sure is great to visit.

Hey, come and feel alive at the JCC – join our Meet the Beatles class (yes, a whole lot of music), February 5 – March 12, and come bop with us at our second Indy Legends of Doo-Wop on March 16.  Come on and open up.  If you are not moved, you’ve got a hole in your soul – and we all know better than that.

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