Deanna R. Adams-Reviews

Reviews

Rock 'n' Roll and The Cleveland Connection
Deanne R. Adams - Kent State University Press

By: MuzikMan (Associate Writer)
2002-04-04

Title: Rock 'n' Roll and The Cleveland Connection
Author: Deanne R. Adams
Publisher: Kent State University Press
Release Date: January 2002
Pages: 600
ISBN: 0873386914
Format: Paperback (1.58" x 10.50" x 8.04")

Like many other people I always ask why the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ended up in Cleveland. They have the Football Hall of Fame in Canton; they have a baseball and a football team, what more do they need, right? What every music loving person needs to do is pick up a copy of Deanne Adams' "Rock 'n' Roll and The Cleveland Connection." Only then will you begin to understand why the Hall belongs in Cleveland.

I was absolutely amazed at how many great groups came out of Cleveland. The James Gang, The Damnation of Adam Blessing, and The Raspberries are the first that come to mind for me. Of course there were hundreds more. And that is only one aspect of music that was so heavily influenced by the beloved "North Shore." There were radio announcers, namely Alan Freed, concert promoters, club owners, labels, and writers. Literally every aspect of the music business had something to do with Cleveland in some way, shape, or form at some point during the development of rock music. It's like a bible to the Cleveland music scene.

Adams really did her homework before publishing this massive volume. I can't imagine the amount of time and research that went into completing this book. She didn't leave out a thing. This is without a doubt the most important volume of work ever dedicated to music in the Cleveland area. She compiled interviews with artists, club owners, DJs, and writers, in order to give a multi-faceted view of the music business.

I was enthralled while reading this book every second my nose was in between the pages. To write a book this voluminous and to keep it interesting at all times is a major challenge. It looks as though Adams was ready for all the trials and tribulations associated with such and undertaking.

This book will not only give you a new found appreciation for the importance of Cleveland, it will help you to understand what a difficult business music can be and all the aspects involved in becoming a success or failure. It's not just a historical and factual guide, the stories are true to life recollections of real people that were right in the middle of making, promoting, and covering the music. All of these are very important segments of the entire picture. I think the author realized before she even started on this venture how important it was to talk to all of the key people that made the North Shore what it was.

Anyone who ever spun a 45 or LP, played a cassette, eight-track, or a CD, will find enjoyment and pleasure reading this book. There is only one way to become educated and informed about the people, places, and historic events that are the subject matter of this great book.

Get it, read it, learn it, and you will love it. Then you will be able to talk in an informed and educated manner about what really happened when rock and roll began.

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