The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
‘Summer of Love’ exhibit takes you back to 1967
When it comes to The Summer of Love’s role in rock ’n’ roll, the fleeting moment created energy that still has momentum and life a half a century later.
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is celebrating its anniversary with “The Summer of Love Turns 50” exhibition, which runs through the end of the year at the downtown Cleveland venue.
Said Rock Hall VP of Collections and Curatorial Affairs Karen Herman, “1967 really was a very odd time in American history.
“You had a lot — The Vietnam War, Civil Rights, the hippie movement and counterculture. It was also a time where roughly half of the population of the U.S. was under 25, so you had a massive youth movement going on.
“A lot of people actually migrated over to San Francisco because of the free-love atmosphere, but it kind of ended very quickly. By the end of 1967, the people said it was too crowded, so they went back home and brought the counterculture back to their cities. That mindset and energy stayed with us for a very long time.”
Artifacts in “The Summer of Love Turns 50” include Jimi Hendrix’s purple velvet jacket and recording console used for his “Summer of Love” recordings, a guitar played by Ron “Pigpen” McKernan of the Grateful Dead, clothing worn by Michelle Phillips of the Mamas & the Papas and iconic concert posters from The Fillmore, Avalon Ballroom and other venues.
Regarding the latter, Herman said the Rock Hall opened up its vaults for material, as well as borrowed items from Board Member Roger McNamee, who has an impressive poster collection.
“We picked some that were really indicative of the time,” Herman said “It’s all psychedelic. Some of the time it’s almost like it’s written in code because the typefaces are so skewed. The colors are just amazing.”
In other Rock Hall News, the popular tourist destination recently unveiled its new redesign. The most notable addition is Academy Awardwinning director Jonathan Demme’s “The Power of Rock Experience” film, which can be screened in the revamped Connor Theater featuring arena-quality sound, larger-than-life video screens and fan interactivity.
“It’s really cool,” Herman said. “We opened up our induction archive footage to Jonathan, who found some really great moments that people haven’t seen. He brought back a lot of key artists. You get snippets that roll
into this very cool film experience showing you the breadth of rock ’n’ roll and all of the different artists that participated.”
Sadly, just after turning in the final film cut, Demme died this past spring. Herman noted that his creation leaves the audience feeling as though they were there to witness the magical induction ceremonies.
“You’ve got the history of rock and inductees featured throughout the museum in our main exhibition hall, but this was really more about connecting everyone in that space,” Herman said.
Other Rock Hall updates include a new color scheme and digital-based ticketing offerings, as well as the redesigned first level. The retail area now boasts the “All Access Café” featuring menu items from celebrity chefs Jonathon Sawyer, Fabio Salerno and Rocco Whalen, as well as the existing store. Ticket admission is not required to visit the café or store.
Overall, the recent upgrades seem to epitomize the spirit of rock ’n’ roll that keeps reinventing itself.
“Exactly,” Herman laughed. “It does not end.”