Illinois Musical Riches Showcased

When you look for hotbeds of rock and roll, Illinois is probably not one of the places you’d expect to find. You would be missing out on some of music’s renowned talent if you didn’t look at the history of song in this Midwest state.

Ron Romero recognized the need to publicize what many didn’t know. He founded and became president of the Illinois Rock & Roll Museum on Route 66 in Joliet. It was a project many years in the making, but well worth the effort.

The non-profit organization is about much more than a building filled with exhibits that include memorabilia such as REO Speedwagon’s 10X Diamond Award for Hi Fidelity, or the custom-made guitar that owned by Train’s Jimmy Stafford. It’s also about education and celebration of the Illinois music.

Education programs at the Illinois Rock & Roll Museum are supported by the Illinois Art Council and include everything from Instrument Building and Sound Engineering to learning how to make money while making music. It’s all about keeping this state’s talent coming in the future while honoring the past.

The highlight of Ron Romero’s dream is the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction. Although it was delayed because of the pandemic, the first class was inducted in 2021 and it was a selection of Prairie State natives who made their mark on the national (and international) music scene:

• Cheap Trick

• REO Speedwagon
• Chicago
• Buddy Guy
• Muddy Waters
• Ides of March
• The Buckinghams
• Dick Biondi
• Larry Lujack (DJ)
• WLS Radio
• Chess Records

The historic Rialto Square Theater was full of fans for the ceremony of the inaugural class, but Covid did keep some of the recipients from attending. Cheap Trick was honored on video by David Grohl of Foo Fighters and Chad Smith of Red Hot Chili Peppers before the band’s Rick Nielsson’s gave his recorded acceptance speech.

It couldn’t be about Illinois music without the band named after its most famous city. Also by video, after a beautiful montage of the band’s history and songs, were members of Chicago proud to be joining the Hall of Fame.

While members of his group could not attend, Kevin Cronin was there for REO Speedwagon, performing the band’s hits, such as Time for Me to Fly and Keep on Loving You.

Mudd Morgenfield, also a performer in his own right, was there for his father, Muddy Waters. The Blues singer passed away in 1983.

Ides of March, who began their career opening for Led Zeppelin on one of their tours, broke up in 1978 and it took them 57 years to get back together. They sounded just as they did nearly six decades before.

Also belting out hits was The Buckinghams. They played some of their best, including, Kind of a Drag and Hey Baby (they’re playing our song).

At times it was hard to even hear the bands over the singing of the audience. It was like a two-hour singalong with a constant standing ovation.

The tradition continues as the second class for the Illinois Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is about to be inducted and it’s another good one:

• Styx
• Chuck Berry
• Sam Cooke
• Dan Fogelberg
• The New Colony Six
• Jim Peterik
• Dennis DeYoung
• John Records Landecker
• WXRT-FM
• Mercury Records
• Gary Loizzo (American Breed and Pumpkin Studios)

The event for the 2022 induction is Sunday, June 5th at 5 p.m. and will once again be held at the Rialto Theater in Joliet, Illinois. It is open to the public. Some tickets are still available and can be purchased online here. Bob Sirott, WGN-AM morning host and television news anchor, will be the emcee for the evening.

You can learn more about visiting the Illinois Rock & Roll Museum on Route 66, its programs, and other events on the Road to Rock website.

All photos by Marcia Frost