From Aretha Franklin to Alice Cooper: A Journey Through the Michigan Rock ‘n’ Roll Legends Hall of Fame

The Michigan Rock ‘n’ Roll Legends Hall of Fame in Bay City, Michigan brings together legendary musicians, iconic songs, and even a tombstone to create a unique and vibrant celebration of rock ‘n’ roll history.

Gary Johnson founded the Michigan Rock ‘n’ Roll Legends Hall of Fame concept as a website initially well he was writing a book about famous musicians from Michigan, he was astonished to discover just how many people were from the state that were notable, and we weren’t inducted into some Michigan based music Hall of Fame just Decided the Hall of Fame website.

In 2005 Johnson launched the website and inducted its first class of people into the Hall of Fame his initial idea to create a brick-and-mortar location for the Hall of Fame didn’t go through parentheses the first time. Some of the big names that were inducted were Alice Cooper, Aretha Franklin, Bob Seger, the Four Tops, and Stevie Wonder. Ever since 2005, the Hall of Fame has inducted more musicians with 124 being inducted as of now. on March 12, 2022, the Hall of Fame and building was open to the public in Bay City Michigan.

The outside of the Historical Museum of Bay County that houses the Michigan Rock n Roll Legends Hall of Fame exhibit (Photo by Selena Flores)

Artists are not only honored in the Michigan Rock ‘n’ Roll Legends Hall of Fame. Legendary songs that have Michigan roots are also honored here in the Hall of Fame. So far 155 recordings have been honored as “Legendary Michigan Songs”. These songs include “My Girl” by The Temptations, “Kick Out the Jams” by the MC5 “I Heard it Through the Grapevine’” by Marvin Gaye, and “96 Tears” by ? And the Mysterians. While the songs and artists are being honored at this museum, there’s a unique item that is the centerpiece of the museum. This item is the original tombstone for the late great Frankie Lymon of “Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers”.

Frankie Lymon’s tombstone is the centerpiece of the museum and one of the most unique items in any music-related museum. Gary Johnson wrote an interesting story about the tombstone’s journey in his book “Frankie Lymon’s Tombstone Blues,” explaining why the tombstone was made but ended up not being placed on his gravesite. When Lymon passed away at the age of 25 in 1968, he was left with no plaque at his burial site for about 20 years. A tombstone was made, but due to legal battles with his estate, it couldn’t be placed on Lymon’s grave. It was then transported to the Michigan Rock N Roll Legends Museum as a way of honoring Lymon’s music and his contribution to the genre of Rock N Roll.

This museum and Hall of Fame is a love letter to the musicians in terms of culture, and American history as well. The exhibits and displays beautifully capture the essence of music and its impact on society. It’s a must-visit for anyone interested in music and its cultural significance.