Rock and Roll Songs about Cleveland

Cleveland's gritty, working-class attitudes have spawned numerous rock and roll songs, from bands as diverse as R.E.M and Huey Lewis and the News. It's fitting that the home of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame should be memorialized in song.

At first glance, Cleveland may seem an unlikely choice for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. However, rock and roll has deep root in the city. In fact, the phrase "Rock and Roll" was coined by then-Cleveland disc jockey, Alan Freed in the 1950s. Cleveland was also home to the first rock concert, the Moondog Coronation Ball in 1952.

Over the years, northeast Ohio has been instrumental in launching the careers of numerous artists, including Akron native, Chrissie Hynde, the James Gang, David Bowie, and Bruce Springsteen. British rocker, Ian Hunter wrote the Cleveland anthemn, "Cleveland Rocks" because of the friendly reception he found for his music in the city.