Weekly Feature: Hidden Gems

Today's Hidden Gem: Rock Hall Inductions

An event long overdue for this great city. But, it has arrived. The 24th annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony took place in Cleveland, Ohio on April 4, 2009.

What a night!

I was lucky enough to be present at the event. Amazing! The acts. The music. The performances. Realizing just what was taking place before our very eyes. History in the making and I am so blessed to have been part of it.

I won't lie, my personal Rock Hall Induction experience had a number of bumps in the road. But I am bright enough, resilient enough and a true music connoisseur to understand what I was experiencing!

If you've read any of my previous entries, you know what a Cleveland fan I am. From what I can see, Cleveland put on a pretty good week of entertainment leading up to this huge milestone event. It kicked off with the Moondog Coronation Ball back on March 28th where the likes of Jerry Butler, Three Dog Night, Little Richard, Herman's Hermits and Tommy James and The Shondells rocked Q Arena all night long! What a kickoff!

Then all week long at various venues around town, former Rock Hall inductees as well as home grown groups rocked the socks off Cleveland.

I'm sensing that the entertainers/musicians who came into town enjoyed their visit. Many frequented the Warehouse District, took in a Cavs Game, jammed at the House of Blues or Agora while enjoying the amenities at our high class hotels. Come on, they've been treated like royalty being carted around town, finest foods, trips to the Rock Hall....

And though Friday brought a bit of rain, the sun hung around the rest of the week and Hall of Fame Weekend.

The Induction itself. Words can not describe being a part of history in the making. Those inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame included: Little Anthony and the Imperials, Wanda Jackson, Run DMC, Bobby Womack, Jeff Beck, Metallica, Bill Black, DJ Fontana, Spooner Oldham.

I'm very lucky and blessed. I grew up in a house where all kinds of music was and still is played. We were raised on every genre of music and taught to appreciate the gift of music.

I'm a vocalist and when I sing at Mass or any religious occasion, Mom always says, 'when you sing at Mass, you pray twice!!'

I must admit, my mom is not a huge Metallica fan, but that said, realized the immensity of having Metallica jam with the likes of Ronnie Wood, Bobby Womack, Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page, and Joe Perry, among so many others rocking out up on stage.

No act gave a bad or sub-par performance. Each one exemplified WHY they deserve to be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum.

I don't know if I have a favorite performance because I enjoyed everyone....but I must say Jeff Beck playing with Jimmy Page sent chills up my spine and the two finale performances will never be matched.

Cleveland sure gave New York a run for their money and from what I am hearing, put on the very best Rock and Roll Induction Ceremony ever!!

Never had any doubt! Did you!!!!

If you have not had a chance to visit the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, get on down there. Check out Fuse TV where they are bound to eventually show this great event again. Who knows, maybe they'll make a copy and wind up selling it down at the Rock Hall (they should if they are smart!!) If you were lucky enough to be on site or watched the show, you too, can agree with me as to why the Rock Hall Inductions (in Cleveland, Ohio '09) is this week's Hidden Gem!!!!