Rock and Roll Museum announces “Women Who Rock” exhibit

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum announced the opening of an exhibition celebrating the women of rock. This new exhibit, ‘Women Who Rock: Vision, Passion, Power’, will illustrate the important roles women have played in rock and roll from its inception through today. Opening of the exhibit will be on May 13, 2010 and run until February 26, 2012.

The ‘Women Who Rock’ exhibition is interactive, spotlighting more than 60 artists and will fill the entire 5th and 6th floors of the museum. Features of the exhibit will be artifacts, video and listening stations, and a recording booth where visitors can film a short story. Further, the exhibit will move through the rock and roll eras from the early years of the 20th century to the present.

‘Women Who Rock’ exhibit eras are formed into six separate eras, starting with the 1920’s and will work up into present day. A few featured artists include 1920’s blues artists Ma Rainey and Bessie Smith, Ruth Brown from the 1950’s era, the Ronettes of the early 1960’s, Janis Joplin and Aretha Franklin from late 1960’s, Heart, Fleetwood Mac and Donna Summer covering both the Rockers and Disco Divas of the 1970’s. The exhibit eras continue to Punk, Pop and finish with a look at the women of the 1990’s to present day. An additional feature offered by the museum will be educational programs for junior and senior high school students.

To kick off the exhibit’s opening weekend, the Museum’s annual It’s Only Rock and Roll Spring Benefit Concert will feature an all-star lineup including Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductee Wanda Jackson and Cyndi Lauper, both featured in the Women Who Rock exhibit. Additional artists will be announced in the coming weeks. For more information about the ‘Women Who Rock: Vision, Passion, Power’ exhibit call (216) 781-7625 or visit the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum website.