Joliet institution to hold induction
The Illinois Rock & Roll Museum on Route 66 will induct its second class with a star-studded ceremony.
The second annual Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be at 5 p.m. Sunday at the Rialto Square Theatre in Joliet.
This year’s class includes in the band and solo artist category Styx, Chuck Berry, Sam Cooke, Dan Fogelberg and The New Colony Six; in the songwriter category Jim Peterik and Dennis DeYoung; in the DJ category John Records Landecker; the radio station WXRT-FM; and Mercury Records.
Peterik was inducted last year as a member of the Ides of March. DeYoung will be inducted twice this year, as a member of Styx and as a songwriter, said Ron Romero, the museum’s chairman of the board.
The general public can nominate people. They must have a tie to Illinois, whether they were born, lived or recorded in Illinois; sold a significant number of records; and been in the business for at least 20 years.
“This year is incredible because we had people that voted from literally around the world,” Romero said. “Skimming though the list, I knew there were people who had voted from Ireland, Australia, the UK, from Germany.”
A committee verifies the nominations and those with the most votes go onto a ballot. Museum members get to vote. There are about 700 charter members who get to vote in the new members. Although he was from St. Louis, Berry recorded at Chess Records in Chicago, Romero said.
The late Fogelberg will be inducted by Nortbert Putnam, who played bass with Roy Orbison and Elvis Presley. He was a producer for Fogelberg and many others. Romero said.
The Founder’s Choice award, a lifetime achievement award, will be presented to Gary Loizzo of the band American Breed and Pumpkin Studios. He will be inducted by Kevin Cronin of REO Speedwagon.
“His importance in Illinois history is that he also owned a recording studio called ‘Pumpkin Studios,’ ” Romero said. “He recorded REO Speedwagon and Cheap Trick and Styx and so many great bands. Kevin Cronin of REO Speedwagon asked if he could come back and induct him.”
Landecker is being inducted as a DJ this year.
“We’re excited about that because of course he’s got great history here in Illinois,” Romero said. “So the idea was not just the musicians but the people who helped promote the music: the DJs, the radio stations, the record companies. We’re inducting Mercury Records as well.
“Anything that has to do with the music industry and how they promote music from Illinois.”
Each inductee’s place in music history as well as their importance to Illinois history will be discussed.
The acts are invited to perform. New Colony Six will be joined onstage by two of its former lead singers: Skip Griparis, a Joliet native who is also an impressionist and comedian, and musician and songwriter Ronnie Rice.
“It’s more of an awards show with a little bit of a concert thrown in too,” Romero said.
When he started this organization, his initial thought was to make the preservation of Illinois music history an exhibit at another museum.
“The thesis for the exhibit was to say how Illinois music has influenced the rest of the world,” he said. “Muddy Waters had a song called ‘Rolling Stone.’ That’s where the Rolling Stones got their name. He did a song called ‘I Can’t Be Satisfied’; they did a song called ‘I Can’t Get No Satisfaction.’
“Willie Dixon wrote so many songs that so many artists, including Led Zeppelin, covered. We wanted to show how important Illinois music is. We have great songwriters and great musicians here, but mostly you see the awards going to LA or Nashville or New York. We’ve never claimed our history.
“This is a very big fundraiser for the museum. All of the proceeds from this end up going into the building or to help the organization continue the mission.”
The museum, located at 9 W. Cass St. in Joliet, does not have an opening date yet. Memberships start at $20 annually for military, teachers and students. Adult memberships are $35 annually. Benefits include free admission, discounts on lessons and voting rights for the Hall of Fame.