CLEVELAND (February 10, 2023) – Honor the Sounds of Black History with the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame this February with exhibit spotlights, virtual and onsite programs, and more.
Inspired by the sounds of Black history, the Rock Hall’s Black History Month celebration is a cornerstone of its programming and outreach. Throughout the month, the Rock Hall highlights stories, provides opportunities for dialogue, and reflects on the contributions and legacies of African American artists.
The Sounds of Black History lineup includes:
February 11th at 1:00 p.m.
Live Music with Woda
PNC Stage
In partnership with North Coast Harbor, The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame presents Woda, live in concert. Take a break from the winter chills during Ice FEST and warm up inside the Museum with a free live performance by international singer, songwriter, and producer, Woda. Woda’s vocal range and style fuses genres including Gospel, jazz, R&B, neo-soul, opera, blues, reggae, and Afro-beat.
February 16th at 7:00 p.m.
Virtual Interview with Yola
Rock Hall’s YouTube Channel
Catch Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Director of Curatorial Operations & Artist Relations Shelby Morrison’s virtual interview with GRAMMY-nominated artist Yola as the two discuss Yola’s music career and her portrayal as Sister Rosetta Tharpe in the 2022 film Elvis. Yola’s Gibson Les Paul SG Custom guitar will be on display in Right Here, Right Now.
Thursday, February 23rd at 10 a.m.
From School Days to Blueberry Hill: Chuck Berry in St. Louis Exhibit Opening
Experience the Museum’s newest featured exhibit celebrating a true pioneer of rock & roll. Perhaps no one had more influence on the formation and development of rock & roll than St. Louis native Chuck Berry. His catalog of songs – including “Maybellene,” “Brown-Eyed Handsome Man,” “Roll Over Beethoven,” “Johnny B. Goode,” “Rock & Roll Music,” “School Day,” and “Back in the U.S.A.” – is among the greatest American songbooks of all time. In 1986, Berry was the first person ever inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. During his later years, Berry performed a legendary series of over 200 shows at the renowned St. Louis music club Blueberry Hill. This exhibit will explore Chuck Berry’s legacy and his time in St. Louis from his early career to his final years.
Now Available
From the Vault Videos and Interviews
Rock Hall’s YouTube Channel
We have combed through our vault of incredible footage and interviews to create a collection that celebrates the sound of Black history. The collection includes interviews, performances, and Induction highlights featuring JAY-Z, Tina Turner, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, Mary Wilson, Chuck D, and Billy Preston.
Sounds of Black History Playlists
Rock Hall’s Spotify
Take a deep dive into the sounds of Black history by listening to our curated playlists on the Rock Hall’s Spotify. Start with our overarching playlist Celebrating Black History to explore the depth and reach of Black music, and then work through the 50’s, 60’s, 70’s, 80’s and 90’s playlists to hear how Black music has shaped rock & roll over the decades.
Spotlighted Collections on Rock Hall EDU
Rock Hall EDU, free online learning resources
Teach your students about Black business owners who have shaped rock history with the Rock Hall’s African American Music Industry Entrepreneurship collection. You’ll find a presentation about Jay-Z’s music and business career, an interview with Motown record producer Lamont Dozier, and essays about Black-owned labels like SAR and Stax. The Afrofuturism collection in collaboration with TeachRock, celebrates the sounds, fashion, imagery, and philosophy of Afrofuturism, which celebrates Black heritage through a futuristic perspective. Use the Chuck Berry Collection to introduce your class to Chuck Berry, a pioneer of Rock & Roll, who defined aspects of the genre, such as singer-songwriters, showing off on stage, guitar tricks, speaking to teenagers about teenage concerns, and gathering facets of different music to make a new sound.
Extensive exhibits and artifacts that tell the story of Black History and music are on display in the Museum including Beyoncé’s gold dress and boots worn in her music video for “Run the World (Girls),” Isaac Hayes’ orange leather vest and Wattstax film poster, and more.
About the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
Born from the collision of rhythm & blues, country, and gospel, rock & roll is a spirit that is inclusive and ever-changing. The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame celebrates the sound of youth culture and honors the artists whose music connects us all. We share stories of the people, events, and songs that shape our world through digital content, innovative exhibits, live music, engaging programs, and our annual Induction Ceremony. We intentionally foster a diverse, equitable, educational nonprofit Museum that encourages and embraces creativity and innovation. As a community leader, we value, empower, and respect all people. Join the millions who love rock & roll as much as you do. Visit us in Cleveland, Ohio or at rockhall.com and follow us on Facebook (@rockandrollhalloffame), Instagram (@rockhall), Twitter (@rockhall), TikTok (@RockHallFame), and YouTube (youtube.com/rockhall).
