Customer Reviews

Cleveland Rock & Roll Memories: True and Tall Tales of the Glory Days, Told by Musicians, DJs, Promoters, and Fans Who Made the Scene in the '60s, '70s, and '80s

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There are several books on the market in Cleveland that trace the city's roots in rock. There is even one that deals strictly with WMMS, the once high flying Buzzard and the onetime king of the airwaves. This book, Cleveland Rock and Roll Memories, by Carlo Wolff, is the latest in a line. I will say that some of you probably won't care one bit about this very specific book. However, if you are a fan of rock, you may find it interesting.

Chapter List:
1. Making Waves - Radio
2. Shakin' All Over - The British Invade Cleveland
3. Passing Through, Plugging In - National Acts
4. So You Wanna Be A Rock and Roll Star - Local Acts
5. In the Trenches - Other Local Acts
6. Hangouts & Hotspots - Clubs
7. Fanning the Flames - Music and the Media
8. Selling Sounds and Styles - Retail

Back before radio went corporate and bands made many stops across this great land, Cleveland was king (after all, that is one of the reasons why the Rock Hall is here). Detroit is only a couple of hours away, so after bands released new singles in Motown, they headed to Cleveland to promote them. The airwaves were ruled by aggressive and unique voices, Larry Morrow, Alan Freed, Kid Leo, Matt "The Cat," Billy Bass, Lynn Tolliver, Bill Randle, and many others. These pioneers were always looking at the music scene, and they brought new voices to town, Elvis, Bruce Springsteen, Roxy Music, David Bowie, among others. And it wasn't just radio. Television played a big part in putting the Cleveland music scene on the map. From 1964 to 1971, a television show called Upbeat showcased new and old talent. And before the days of syndication and satellite, tapes of the show would be sent to other markets, increasing the reach of these bands. I haven't even touched on the number of clubs and record stores in the area.

So why is this book unique? Wolff lets the people that were there to tell the stories. Every chapter has a theme, and he lets the voices speak. There is very little editorial content, it is all the musicians, DJs, fans, and promoters. Really, he interviews people that were there when Elvis and Beatles came to town. When Pink Floyd played the Stadium. When Bruce Springsteen rocked the Agora. He talks to the DJs, and they tell you how they found the artists and promoted them. Fans talking about hanging out with the bands. He dedicates a lot of space to Jane Scott, the nations' premier music reviewer (she wasn't really a critic) who was the oldest person in attendance at the concerts - she is a local legend and very well known to the bands that passed through Cleveland. Wolff includes some great memorabilia in the margins, like concert tickets (David Bowie for $4.50, Rolling Stones for $5.50, The Eagles for $3.50, and Pink Floyd for $3.00), the best concerts, record stores through the decades, groundbreaking Cleveland concerts, and newspaper ads for the shows/clubs. They all add to the stories that are told.

If you are from the Cleveland area, this is a must read. Especially if you are/were really into the music. For those of you outside the area, this will give you a real flavor of why Cleveland is "The Rock and Roll Capital of the World." As I was talking to others about this book, everyone told me about the first concert they attended, the most amazing acts that they witnessed, or some other rock anecdote. It is a conversation starter. And it takes you to the events, as if you were there. It is a quick, enjoyable, and highly entertaining read. And you might learn something, too.

If you are from Cleveland, or lived here during the 60s through the 80s, you'll know what this book is about. Carlo Wolff covers the high and the low points of what was Cleveland Rock and Roll during that time. If you need a rerun to what was happening in the music scene in Cleveland, this is it. The book relects a history that ties itself to sounds and places that are gone for good. Elvis, Joey and the Continentals, the Beatles, The Choir, Rastus, Rolling Stones, David Bowie; they were either from here or played here. All of them left an important and permanent mark in the tapestry of Cleveland music. It's all in here. Learn how Carlo Wolff has woven this thirty year history of Cleveland Rock into a very entertaining book.

Carlo Wolff has done a wonderful job of collecting the comments of folks who lived in Cleveland during the 60's, 70's and 80's and their memories of an era of music that will probably never be seen again.

This is a really fun book to read! It is also an amazing resource that reminds the reader over and over again of groups, concerts, disc jockies, radio stations, and people who helped to make Cleveland, Ohio a cornerstone for rock and roll in America.

I was reading this book when my company was holding a sales meeting. We ended up having a bunch of phone calls home to family and friends to determine which songs were song by which bands. One single book was able to take a room full of a variety of ages all to a place where we were having a ball together! Of course, my boss thought we should spend more time thinking about sales! Ha! That was not going to happen when we had Cleveland Rock and Roll Memories in the room!

This book is a great gift for anyone who loves music and grew up in Cleveland, Ohio. It is also a great book for fans of Rock and Roll who want to see the influence of a city that changed music forever!

I was very delighted to get my copy of Cleveland Rock & Roll Memories. Unlike alot of rock books that I have read in the past, his book contained not only memories from players and club owners, but also from the fans!!
As a boomer who attended a ton of Cleveland shows and haunted some of the clubs he writes about, I could not put the book down, until I had absorbed every page.
A great read for anyone who grew up in the golden era of Cleveland Rock & Roll, or for those who wonder why Cleveland was picked for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
The only thing I want is another book with more memories from the clubs and concerts from Cleveland
Buy this book today.

There are times when one has to let the music do the talking.

And noted rock critic Carlo Wolff permits those who rocked the house for three decades have their say in this oral history of Cleveland, Ohio, the "Rock-n-Roll Capital of the World."

While it is not a definitive work on how the area helped shape the national (and international) scene in rock-n-roll, the breezy 131 pages present neat recollections on every angle of the story; from those spinning the discs on radio to voices from the audience at some of the most legendary and controversial gigs ever to hit the North Coast.

Having the perspective from the front row to something very special makes this a great read. The era took many people on a great ride and brought a unique "pop" to pop culture.

It was a fun look back at some of the bands, clubs,concerts,etc. that I spent time in the 70's with. I even saw some quotes and pictures of long time friends.

I thought there were a few glaring omissions though. Devo, who must have sold as many records as almost anyone else from Northeast Ohio, and was an influential force in music, barely warrants a mention.Also, from a media standpoint, Scene Magazine played a big part in exposing people to both local and national bands, and they too are barely referred to.

Glad to see yet another book on the interesting and richly diverse talent so often associated with the Cleveland music scene. Carlo Wolff has put together a great collection of fun memories and stories - some of which this native hadn't heard before! And lots of photos every nostalgic baby boomer will enjoy. This book reiterates the fascinating impact this area had on pop culture. And proves there are more reasons to reflect on those days than just a trip down memory lane.

Great informative book. Carlo has been covering the music scene a long time---and you can tell he knows what he's talking about.

Just another "Yaa Hoo"!!!! for Clevelands profile in & about Rock-N-Roll

Hey.....We got the Museum , doncha know?!

shut-up jim !