Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Annex in New York City set to close January 3

By John Soeder, The Plain Dealer

December 03, 2009, 9:15AM

 

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Annex in New York City will cease operations Sunday, Jan. 3, just over a year after its grand opening.

The closing was announced in a statement issued today by S2BN Entertainment, a partner in the venture. No reason was given for the shutdown.

 

More at cleveland.com:

http://www.cleveland.com/popmusic/index.ssf/2009/12/rock_and_roll_hall_of_fame_ann_1.html

part of the problem is that it isn't the easiest place to find. It's located on the lower level of a building in the back of an Old Navy store on Mercer St with no prominent signage. The Old Navy entrance faces Broadway, which is always crowded with tourists, but not the other side where the Hall of Fame is. Plus, I think the admission price was a little steep for the limited items on display, not that I ever went.

I'm GLAD it's closing.

I'm GLAD it's closing.

 

Me too, as I said before, it was a horrible attempt and unnecessary as the venue was super tiny and not well located. 

 

I declined many events there because of a) hometown loyalty b) it was a poorly executed project.  The money spent on that could and should have been used to promote the Cleveland sight!

Let me take out my teeny tiny violin and cry a teeny tiny tear

Let me take out my teeny tiny violin and cry a teeny tiny tear

 

Child please.  Save that tear for something meaningful.  That place was ill conceived, poorly executed and badly managed with too many cooks in the pot.

yeah its stuck in a basement and it looks like something stuck in a basement. its pretty slapdash. i've only been in the gift store and snuck a peek inside at the exhibits, but nothing impressed. what a waste of money and effort. oh well at least it came and went quickly.

 

here's the ap/nytimes on it:

 

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Annex in NYC Closing

 

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

 

Published: December 4, 2009

 

CLEVELAND (AP) -- The year-old New York City annex to Cleveland's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum will shut down Jan. 3.

 

A news release issued Thursday by S2BN Entertainment, a partner in the venture, gave no reason for the closing.

 

Rock hall CEO Terry Stewart tells The Plain Dealer newspaper in Cleveland the decision was made by corporate partners who had backed the $10 million annex in downtown Manhattan.

 

Backers had hoped to attract up to a half-million visitors annually but have not said what attendance was.

 

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2009/12/04/arts/AP-US-Rock-Hall-Annex.html

 

 

Not sure this is such a great thing. I do get a certain karmic pleasure out of watching them lose the annex after hogging the induction ceremony for so long, but honestly, had this become the tourist trap that it was intended to be, it could have had significant financial benefits for the Rock Hall, which only would have stood to support the marketing, development and expansion of the museum here.

Not sure this is such a great thing. I do get a certain karmic pleasure out of watching them lose the annex after hogging the induction ceremony for so long, but honestly, had this become the tourist trap that it was intended to be, it could have had significant financial benefits for the Rock Hall, which only would have stood to support the marketing, development and expansion of the museum here.

8shades.  this "annex" was bad.  The kind of bad you say after you pay then walk around the corner and say WTH?!  It was a bad idea, that was poorly executed.

I'll give you the poorly executed ... I differ a bit on the bad idea part :) I love the concept of brand extension that annexes could provide. And I'm a huge fan of bringing tourist dollars to the Cleve, even when those tourists aren't visiting here.

I don't see how people visiting an annex in NYC brings them to Cleveland.  Maybe seeing a movie or something about what's in the hall would bring people here, or some other kind of advertisement about the rotating events or other things you can do and see inside the hall, but not an annex. 

I enjoyed the NYC Annex (I went on John Lennon's bday when it was free). There was a really awesome video presentation at the beginning of the exhibit with speakers that really enveloped you in sound. And they gave you headphones that automatically changed songs as you walked through the exhibits. Also while I was there, they had a John Lennon: The NYC years exhibit which was really interesting. There was even a phone that Yoko would call in on from time to time to talk with whoever was there.

 

That said, it definitely wasn't helping Cleveland's cause.

There was even a phone that Yoko would call in on from time to time to talk with whoever was there.

 

Yeah, see, that USED to be in Cleveland.  I don't see how it benefits the hall to take things away like that and display them elsewhere. It draws away from the uniqueness of the actual hall IMO.

I don't see how people visiting an annex in NYC brings them to Cleveland. Maybe seeing a movie or something about what's in the hall would bring people here, or some other kind of advertisement about the rotating events or other things you can do and see inside the hall, but not an annex.

 

Sorry, I wasn't clear. I don't think the annex has the power to draw tourists to Cleveland, or at least not a strong drawing power (although I don't think it would detract someone from visiting if they were in Cleveland, either). But the revenue that goes to that annex or any other outpost of the Rock Hall brings dollars back to the nonprofit, dollars that likely wouldn't have gone to it otherwise. It would take incidental tourist dollars being spent in Manhattan and brings at least a portion of them back to Cleveland ... dollars that are then invested in supporting our local museum's staff, expansion of exhibits, more ambitious special exhibits, etc. The principle is the same as the Cleveland Orchestra splitting its time in Miami and Europe or the Cleveland Clinic opening hospitals outside of northeast Ohio; it heightens brand awareness, attracts visitors who would not have ventured to Cleveland anyway and provides an additional funding base for nonprofit ventures. The only downside I can see would be if an outpost operates at a loss.

 

There was even a phone that Yoko would call in on from time to time to talk with whoever was there.

 

Yeah, see, that USED to be in Cleveland. I don't see how it benefits the hall to take things away like that and display them elsewhere. It draws away from the uniqueness of the actual hall IMO.

 

I don't know ... I can't imagine it would negatively impact visitation of Cleveland's Hall. The vast majority of Rock Hall attendees are incidental visitors ... They are in Cleveland visiting friends or family, and the Rock Hall is a nice added feature but not the reason they came. I don't think those who visit Cleveland specifically to hit up the museum would suddenly favor an outpost over the real deal; if they're that crazy about rock history, they're going to want to see the fullest collection possible. The only downsides I can see are if someone was planning to attend the Rock Hall but now favor something geographically closer or if they have a negative experience at an Annex and cancel plans to attend the full Hall. But I think these are pretty small groups and would be more than offset by additional revenue coming in.

I'll give you the poorly executed ... I differ a bit on the bad idea part :) I love the concept of brand extension that annexes could provide. And I'm a huge fan of bringing tourist dollars to the Cleve, even when those tourists aren't visiting here.

 

I dont like this kind of execution.  thats what "road shows" are for.  You take the product on the road to various venue to engage interest at the main venue.

 

This was poorly executed and managed.

I don't see how people visiting an annex in NYC brings them to Cleveland.  Maybe seeing a movie or something about what's in the hall would bring people here, or some other kind of advertisement about the rotating events or other things you can do and see inside the hall, but not an annex. 

 

Sorry, I wasn't clear. I don't think the annex has the power to draw tourists to Cleveland, or at least not a strong drawing power (although I don't think it would detract someone from visiting if they were in Cleveland, either). But the revenue that goes to that annex or any other outpost of the Rock Hall brings dollars back to the nonprofit, dollars that likely wouldn't have gone to it otherwise. It would take incidental tourist dollars being spent in Manhattan and brings at least a portion of them back to Cleveland ... dollars that are then invested in supporting our local museum's staff, expansion of exhibits, more ambitious special exhibits, etc. The principle is the same as the Cleveland Orchestra splitting its time in Miami and Europe or the Cleveland Clinic opening hospitals outside of northeast Ohio; it heightens brand awareness, attracts visitors who would not have ventured to Cleveland anyway and provides an additional funding base for nonprofit ventures. The only downside I can see would be if an outpost operates at a loss.

 

There was even a phone that Yoko would call in on from time to time to talk with whoever was there.

 

Yeah, see, that USED to be in Cleveland.  I don't see how it benefits the hall to take things away like that and display them elsewhere. It draws away from the uniqueness of the actual hall IMO.

 

I don't know ... I can't imagine it would negatively impact visitation of Cleveland's Hall. The vast majority of Rock Hall attendees are incidental visitors ... They are in Cleveland visiting friends or family, and the Rock Hall is a nice added feature but not the reason they came. I don't think those who visit Cleveland specifically to hit up the museum would suddenly favor an outpost over the real deal; if they're that crazy about rock history, they're going to want to see the fullest collection possible. The only downsides I can see are if someone was planning to attend the Rock Hall but now favor something geographically closer or if they have a negative experience at an Annex and cancel plans to attend the full Hall. But I think these are pretty small groups and would be more than offset by additional revenue coming in.

 

8shades, this was a partnership, not a wholly owned subsidary of the RRHoF. Another reason why I refused to support it personally and professionally.  Other sponsors saw what a bad project this was and Bloomingdales, Citi & Sony pulled out. 

I'll give you the poorly executed ... I differ a bit on the bad idea part :) I love the concept of brand extension that annexes could provide. And I'm a huge fan of bringing tourist dollars to the Cleve, even when those tourists aren't visiting here.

 

I dont like this kind of execution.  thats what "road shows" are for.  You take the product on the road to various venue to engage interest at the main venue.

 

This was poorly executed and managed.

 

I think that's a very interesting idea.  Do you know if the Rock Hall has ever considered it?

I'll give you the poorly executed ... I differ a bit on the bad idea part :) I love the concept of brand extension that annexes could provide. And I'm a huge fan of bringing tourist dollars to the Cleve, even when those tourists aren't visiting here.

 

 

 

I dont like this kind of execution.  thats what "road shows" are for.  You take the product on the road to various venue to engage interest at the main venue.

 

This was poorly executed and managed.

 

I think that's a very interesting idea.  Do you know if the Rock Hall has ever considered it?

 

I think they did one in phoenix.  I can't remember. 

No, the guitars went to Phoenix, but that isn't really related to the rock hall, other than being "art" in the same "genre."

Does anyone know if the RHOF is on any kind of active expansion or future building plan? The more I visit this museum the more I realize what an amazing place it is. I think it's already an iconic building and don't know how they could expand but I'm sure they could. I think for the most part what is there is great but it could really become amazing. What makes it so unique is that it's just so American and although I am no expert it's so rare that we get any new museums that are like the Rock Hall. I wonder what kind of pitch there is to all the Rock Stars out there, past and present, to donate some of their millions to make the Hall even more impressive?

Does anyone know if the RHOF is on any kind of active expansion or future building plan? The more I visit this museum the more I realize what an amazing place it is. I think it's already an iconic building and don't know how they could expand but I'm sure they could. I think for the most part what is there is great but it could really become amazing. What makes it so unique is that it's just so American and although I am no expert it's so rare that we get any new museums that are like the Rock Hall. I wonder what kind of pitch there is to all the Rock Stars out there, past and present, to donate some of their millions to make the Hall even more impressive?

 

Someone correct me, but I think they own the land inbetween the RRHof and the GLSC is where any building expansion can take place.

 

They are building storage at Tri C as well.

I got sunshine in my stomach, GENESIS in the Rock Hall!!!

 

Bring on all the prog rockers. King Crimson is on deck!!

 

Another goodie. Trying to prevent this thread from being overrun with ABBA clips.  :lol:

 

Wow those are some great vitage clips of Genesis with Gabriel as the front man which is they way it should have been always.

Man, I love Gabriel's little hand signals.  The best is when he's talking about "the kingdom above", and emphatically pointing up to you know, bring home the point.  Still, he's a musical genius.

Where are the UO gays to defend ABBA? C'mon my brethren, this is OUR band ;)

Where are the UO gays to defend ABBA? C'mon my brethren, this is OUR band ;)

 

Ummm....I'm not an ABBA fan.  I can't help you out on this one boo!

I love my ABBA, I remember my mom playing the album when I was young, and then me (secretly) playing it when I was a teenager... (I totally blame that for my current state btw)

 

And as much as they were a part of American culture, Im just not so sure they belong in the Rock Hall.  On the other hand, are there still many deserving groups to be inducted? 

I love ABBA!  DH and I were fake-yelling at each other over the inductions.  Him:  ABBA? Please.  And not KISS? Me:  KISS SUCKS.

I love ABBA!  DH and I were fake-yelling at each other over the inductions.  Him:  ABBA? Please.  And not KISS? Me:  KISS SUCKS.

 

I'm with Mr RnR!  I love KISS!

To be fair, I'm not sure ABBA should be in "instead of" KISS, but it's not to say that Kiss won't ever be in there.  But I think Abba had a lot more hits, and that may be something they use to measure success, not legions of obsessed fans who buy action figures and Kiss caskets and stuff.

To be fair, I'm not sure ABBA should be in "instead of" KISS, but it's not to say that Kiss won't ever be in there.  But I think Abba had a lot more hits, and that may be something they use to measure success, not legions of obsessed fans who buy action figures and Kiss caskets and stuff.

 

LMAO!!!

I love my ABBA, I remember my mom playing the album when I was young, and then me (secretly) playing it when I was a teenager... (I totally blame that for my current state btw)

 

And as much as they were a part of American culture, Im just not so sure they belong in the Rock Hall.   On the other hand, are there still many deserving groups to be inducted?  

 

i know. i mean what are they gonna do when its time for new edition and nkotb? maybe there should be a "pop music hall of fame" too?

 

otoh i guess if they now have both abba and the peter gabriel genesis maybe there is room for everybody in the current rock hall after all!

Almost forgot to post this!... I was at the Positively Cleveland annual luncheon last week and one of the speakers was Terry Stewart from the Rock Hall.  He mentioned a couple really interesting things.  He talked about the 25th anniversary concert (held in New York).  He clarified that this was the anniversary of the foundation, not the hall, which is why it was held in New York.  But... the interesting part is that a substantial part of the procedes of that concert went towards establishing the first ever capital endowment fund for the rock hall itself.  They will be using (i think) over $5m of that money starting this summer to completely remodel the interior of the rock hall top to bottom. He said there will be some really big changes.  He also mentioned that they are working on a series of similar (quality of performers and scale) concerts for Cleveland that will be upcoming that will continuously add to that endowment.  I'm surprised there hasn't been a bigger deal of this made around here... at any rate, great news.

That is great new, thanks!

Pretty cool "win a trip to Cleveland" prize!

 

http://www.aeroforceone.com/index.cfm/pk/view/cd/NAA/cdid/1295190/pid/302766

Great event this weekend showcasing Cleveland culinary skills at the Rock Hall, with "Rock themes:"

 

Chef Jam 2010 at promotes Cleveland-area restaurants with food, rock music

Published: Friday, June 11, 2010, 12:00 PM   

Michael Heaton, The Plain Dealer

 

 

Steve Schimoler, the chef-owner of Cleveland's Crop restaurant, may mince homegrown garlic and chives, but he doesn't mince words. "Not to be crass, but if you own a restaurant in this town, you get asked to donate to every charitable event imaginable," he said recently. "And we do it. I thought, why don't we have an event to promote us?"

 

Thus was born Cleveland Food Rocks, an organization thatpromotes the best this town has to offer in the way of tasty comestibles. In 2009, the events were tied into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremonies, which took place in Cleveland.

 

This year, Schimoler has come back with Chef Jam 2010, in which 25 local chefs will be offering rock-music-related dishes Sunday night at the Rock Hall to raise money for Cleveland Food Rocks and the Rock Hall education department. Some of the chefs who are musicians will also be playing. Schimoler is a drummer in Cream of the Crop.

 

http://www.cleveland.com/taste/index.ssf/2010/06/chef_jam_2010_promotes_clevela.html

 

 

The Chef Jam was a sellout:

 

Cleveland: Rock 'n Roll meets culinary delights

      Updated: 6/14/2010 4:42:31 AM  Posted: 6/13/2010 10:47:22 PM

 

 

CLEVELAND -- Chef Jam 2010: Cleveland Food Rocks was a sell out event at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Museum.

 

 

The event, inspired by Steve Schimoler,  owner and operator of Crop Bistro & Bar was meant to draw attention to  Northeast Ohio's food and music.

 

Local chefs were able to show off their culinary skills Sunday while serving up dishes inspired by their favorite bands and musciains.

 

http://www.wkyc.com/news/local/news_article.aspx?storyid=137817&catid=3

 

 

^It was an awesome event.

40 years ago this week, The Cincinnati Pop Festival introduces America to punk rock:

 

^ more on that:

 

In a broadcast interview at WNUR Northwestern University radio station in Evanston, IL in 1984, Stiv Bators of the Lords of the New Church and the Dead Boys confirmed the long-standing rumor that it was he who had provided the peanut butter, having carried a large tub from his home in Youngstown, OH and handing it up to Iggy from the audience. It has since become an iconic rock image.

 

Rock hall to shower gifts on 8 millionth visitor

ASSOCIATED PRESS

 

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum is preparing to give the star treatment to its 8 millionth visitor.

 

The 15-year-old hall in Cleveland says it expects to mark the milestone by Tuesday.

 

Balloons will drop, cake will be served, and the lucky visitor will receive a prize package including a Gibson guitar, a lifetime membership to the museum, and dinner for the winner and family at the Hard Rock Cafe in Cleveland.

 

http://www.freep.com/article/20100812/ENT04/100812008/Rock-hall-to-shower-gifts-on-8-millionth-visitor

Foundation creates $5M endowment for Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland

 

CLEVELAND — The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland has landed a big payday from last fall's 25th anniversary concerts at Madison Square Garden.

 

The hall announced Monday that its affiliated foundation in New York will create a $5 million rock hall endowment from proceeds of the blockbuster concerts Oct. 29 and 30.

 

The shows featured Simon and Garfunkel, Stevie Wonder, Bruce Springsteen, Aretha Franklin, U2, Metallica, Mick Jagger and others.

 

The rock hall calls the endowment an "extraordinary" financial boost.

 

http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/42fbb3a68e8e42e097c5d048ac58d5e7/US--Rock_Hall-Future/

 

 

Rock hall to shower gifts on 8 millionth visitor

ASSOCIATED PRESS

 

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum is preparing to give the star treatment to its 8 millionth visitor.

 

The 15-year-old hall in Cleveland says it expects to mark the milestone by Tuesday.

 

Balloons will drop, cake will be served, and the lucky visitor will receive a prize package including a Gibson guitar, a lifetime membership to the museum, and dinner for the winner and family at the Hard Rock Cafe in Cleveland.

 

http://www.freep.com/article/20100812/ENT04/100812008/Rock-hall-to-shower-gifts-on-8-millionth-visitor

 

 

We have a winner!  It's almost like it's straight outta "30 Rock" or even "Hot in Cleveland."  Someone who just moved to Cleveland a week ago...

 

Rock Hall visit becomes 'a celebration to last throughout the years'

Published: Sunday, August 15, 2010, 12:04 PM   

Michael K. McIntyre

 

 

Elaine Terrell moved to Lakewood with her family from a Houston suburb a week ago. Her husband, Eddie Terrell, an engineer, had taken a job with the NASA Glenn Research Center. Saturday seemed like a good day to explore Cleveland with their daughter Katie, 8. Which would it be first, the Great Lakes Science Center or the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Museum?

 

They chose the Rock Hall.

 

It was like knock, knock, knocking on heaven's door.

 

Terrell was pulled out of line as balloons dropped and Ian Hunter's "Cleveland Rocks" blared. She's the Rock Hall's 8 millionth visitor.

 

http://www.cleveland.com/tipoff/index.ssf/2010/08/post_3.html

 

8 million people who haven't seen the rock band that has the 3rd most consecutive gold albums...

whats that 35 million dollar renovation?

8 million people who haven't seen the rock band that has the 3rd most consecutive gold albums...

 

Rush?

The other week I finally got around to walking past the King Records building on Brewster Ave. in Cincinnati.  This is where rock & roll originated as much as it did in Memphis, but is forgotten outside hard-core music buffs.

 

The sign, installed in 2008:

 

King Records:

 

Opposite side of the historical marker, looking back out at I-71 (which leads to the Rock Hall, incidentally):

 

Recorded in this building, Mr. James Brown:

James Brown - Let A Man Come In And Do The Popcorn (Part One) 7" - 1969

 

Others:

 

 

 

troutman studios > king records!

Big story on the 15th anniv. of the Rock Hall:

 

http://www.cleveland.com/popmusic/index.ssf/2010/08/rock_and_roll_hall_of_fame_and_4.html

The other week I finally got around to walking past the King Records building on Brewster Ave. in Cincinnati. This is where rock & roll originated as much as it did in Memphis, but is forgotten outside hard-core music buffs.

 

The sign, installed in 2008:

 

King Records:

 

Opposite side of the historical marker, looking back out at I-71 (which leads to the Rock Hall, incidentally):

 

Recorded in this building, Mr. James Brown:

James Brown - Let A Man Come In And Do The Popcorn (Part One) 7" - 1969

 

Others:

 

 

 

 

Interesting...  Are their plans to restore and make something of the building? Its a shame, as one would never realize its significance in this condition.