Ian Hunter kicks off Cleveland Rocks
We want you to be one of the first to hear a special announcement.
As some of you know, Beachland co-owner Cindy Barber has been working on launching a new non-profit with the help of many veterans in the Cleveland music scene called Cleveland Rocks: Past, Present and Future. The mission is: To support and preserve Cleveland’s popular music culture and enrich local social welfare and economic growth by stimulating music-centered initiatives. Last week Cleveland Rocks PPF was awarded its nonprofit status from the IRS, so we are ready to move forward with programming and fundraising. The project will work to support and grow Cleveland’s music scene and also document the rich legacy of the region as an important historic center of rock and roll and other popular music.
The legacy part of the project was inspired by the loss of our friend and music industry legend Steve Popovich, who passed away suddenly last year before many of his stories were able to be captured on tape or on in a book. So we are creating the Legacy Project, which will schedule a series of oral history interviews with people in the community who helped shape our music history, from nightclub owners and radio DJs to promotion men and performers who came to Cleveland frequently. Steve Popovich knew and understood the importance of preserving Cleveland’s rock and roll legacy. In fact, in 2005, he granted a special interview at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame to share some of his own stories and document his history for posterity. Through a new collaboration with the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, these interviews will then be available to the public and future researchers at the Rock Hall’s new Library and Archives, located on the Metro Campus of Cuyahoga Community College.
To kick off this initiative and help raise some needed funds, Ian Hunter is graciously doing a special fundraiser and Legacy Project interview on Wednesday, September 26, the night before his Beachland Ballroom appearance. The night starts with an interview at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum’s Foster Theatre at 7 PM with Vice President of Education and Public Programs Lauren Onkey exploring Hunter’s unique relationship with Cleveland and Steve Popovich -- Popovich’s Cleveland International Records managed Hunter in the late ‘70s when You’re Never Alone With a Schizophrenic LP was released and the song “Cleveland Rocks” was becoming our anthem.
After the talk, VIP donors are invited to a special reception from 9–11 with Ian and his wife Trudi at Crop Bistro, at the corner of W. 25th and Lorain Avenue in Ohio City, for some signature Crop hors d’oeuvres and cocktails, where old Cleveland International memorabilia can be viewed and the stories can continue. This portion of the night is being supported by Cleveland Food Rocks, which promotes Cleveland’s rock legacy and its tie-in with Cleveland’s independent restaurants. We are asking for a $200 per person donation, some of which may be tax deductible, to help us kickstart this important initiative and limiting VIP tickets to 100 people.
A website is available at www.clevelandrocksppf.org and until we have credit card capability there, we are taking VIP ticket orders at the Beachland at 216-383-1124. The founding board of Cleveland Rocks PPF includes: Nick Amster, Cindy Barber, Al Kaston, Ravenna Miceli, Colleen Miller and David Spero.
THE CLEVELAND ROCKS PPF’S
FOUR-POINT MISSION INCLUDES:
Cleveland should not lose another local hero without getting the stories down on tape (and there are so many)... This look at the past may also include supporting or creating documentary, book and other projects concerning Cleveland’s unique legacy in rock and roll.
THE LEGACY PROJECT
Cleveland area is populated with talent and many are making their mark nationally.... This project will reinforce the idea that Cleveland is currently populated with a rich popular music culture and help these talents progress while finding a way to stay and grow in Cleveland.
CLEVELAND ROCKS NOW
We already have a manufacturing music business infrastructure, this project will create a network so that music- focused businesses can interact and everyone from local musicians to investors can be made aware of what our music business community has to offer and start the discussion of how it can grow.
MUSIC SAVES THE FUTURE
Recorded music is not enough; the richness of the live concert experience is what grew rock and roll with bands literally playing in their garages, legion halls, and small clubs. This aspect will encourage Cleveland to appreciate and showcase the live music experience and become identified with the popular music performance as part of our ongoing legacy.
KEEP IT LIVE
For more information contact:
Cindy Barber, 216-702-8358 (cell)
Or cindy@beachlandballroom.com