This is one of those definitely-worth-doing kind of places. We were in Cleveland for an Indians game and came over to the lake side of the city to see the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame. I figured it would be mostly a lot of memorabilia from many of the R n' R stars of the past but I ended up seeing it is so much more. Yes there is tons of memorabilia...from artists you've heard of, from artists you've forgotten, and from artists you never heard of...all in all a great time.
Pretty much each new section you enter - whether its a new genre or a new time period (not always the same thing) - they are playing background music of that type. It is really a trip flowing through the ages hearing the music roll. This museum is also much bigger than it looks from outside. There are a number of floors and the main exhibition hall is in the basement where you can't even see it from outside. As a result you'll be impressed how big this place is.
At one exhibit upstairs (forgot the floor) they have an hour and a half music video which highlights every single artist who has made it into the Hall. They don't play entire pieces but just clips from each and it is fascinating to sit there and watch/hear the music scene develop over the years. You don't have to stay for the whole hour and a half...just drop in and stay for whatever and then leave...it is very easy in and out.
They also have a rotating special exhibit on the top two floors...when we were there they were highlighting the photography of Herb Ritts - a photog who concentrated in black and white work. Ritts was a fashion photographer from Los Angeles who filmed the stars of stage and screen and music. The exhibit at the R n' R Hall focuses on his stills of the music scene people. There are scores of wonderful prints and this exhibit is well worth walking through.
We were here for an hour...went outside to have some brats and a beer...came back in and did another two hours. This place is easy to just lose yourself in. They usually have some live music on a little stage on the first floor each day...the group when we were there were very good. While I like most museums, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is a must see if you are in the Cleveland area.