Welcome to the Michigan Rock and Roll Legends Hall of Fame!

Michigan Rock and Roll Legends is a totally independent and proudly non-commerical website that is primarily a tribute to the artists and songs of Michigan's first vinyl records era.  

Michigan Rock and Roll Legends Internet Hall of Fame.  A total of 124 artists and individuals have been inducted into the MRRL Hall of Fame during the past nineteen years. The latest Honorary Inductees are four outstanding Michigan poster artists: Gary Grimshaw, Dennis Loren, Carl Lundgren, and Stanley Mouse. Learn about all of the inductees:  - https://michiganrockandrolllegends.com/index.php/mrrl-hall-of-fame

155 recordings have been honored as Legendary Michigan Songs.  The list includes "Kick Out The Jams", "Night Moves", "Runaway", "My Girl",  "96 Tears", and the new inductees from 2023 - "I Can't Get Next To You", "Standing In The Shadows Of Love", "Sexual Healing", "I Second That Emotion", and "Nowhere To Run". Listen and discover more about these great songs by Michigan artists at  - https://michiganrockandrolllegends.com/index.php/legendary-michigan-songs Dennis Loren's Grand Opening posterDennis Loren's Grand Opening poster

Visit us! The official home of the Michigan Rock and Roll Legends Hall of Fame is in the Historical Museum of Bay County. The museum is located at 321 Washington Avenue in Bay City. The museum is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 A.M to 4:00 P.M. and from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM on the first and third Tuesdays of each month. Check out this short video tour of the Hall of Fame exhibit. .  https://www.facebook.com/jayliediceRE/videos/840954833562257

The Grand Opening for the public was on March 12, 2022, following a Second Saturday presentation by MRRL HOF founder Gary (Dr. J) Johnson on his new book, Frankie Lymon's Tombstone Blues. 

Frankie Lymon's Tombstone Blues reveals for the first time the story of the rise and fall of the first teen rock and roll idol and the intrigue behind his timeless doo wop hit, "Why Do Fools Fall In Love." Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers helped change the music business in 1956, and their adolescent sound and vibrant performing style influenced many young male and female singers who followed in their footsteps, including a host of Motown artists.

Lymon became a star at the tender age of 13, but his roller coaster life and career ended just 12 years later. His story continued after his death when the value of the "Why Do Fools Fall In Love" copyright, led to a sensational court case involving the Mafia-connected head of Lymon's record company and the three women all claiming to be Frankie Lymon's legal wife and the heir to his songwriting royalties. 

Frankie Lymon's Tombstone BluesFrankie Lymon's Tombstone Blues

Frankie Lymon's Tombstone Blues has all the fascinating details, many of which were gleaned from interviews with the people who were directly involved with the story. The book also explains how and why the original Frankie Lymon tombstone was not placed on his grave and later became the centerpiece of the Michigan Rock and Roll Legends Hall of Fame exhibit in Bay City, Michigan.

"The book is phenomenal" - Jimmy Merchant, founding member of Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers

A few copies are still available at the gift shop at the Historical Museum of Bay County, and all proceeds from the sales are donated to support the Michigan Rock and Roll Legends Hall of Fame exhibit. Books can also be ordered by calling the museum at (989) 893-5733 during its normal operating hours.

Scotty's Sandbar. Another MRRL HOF display can be found at Scotty's Sandbar, located on the banks of the Saginaw River at 1201 Evergreen Drive on Bay City's Middle Ground. The MRRL HOF display at Scotty's Sandbar in Bay City, MichiganThe MRRL HOF display at Scotty's Sandbar in Bay City, MichiganScotty's Sandbar is Bay City's premier live music club and a perfect spot to house a second tribute to Michigan's rock and roll legacy.                 https://www.google.com/maps/place/Scotty's+Sandbar/@43.5694463,-83.9052906,15z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0xef0129c1a830a659!8m2!3d43.5694463!4d-83.9052906 

Gary Johnson and the MRRL Hall of Fame donated a historical sign at 405 Raymond Street, the former site of the Schiell Recording Studio in Bay City where the # 1 hit "96 Tears" was recorded in 1966 by ? and The Mysterians. The sign was installed on August 28, 2019. Art Schiell's unique list of recordings also included songs by the Cherry Slush and Meat Loaf's very first 45 rpm single with the Popcorn Blizzard from Freeland, Michigan. https://michiganrockandrolllegends.com/index.php/blog/17496-tears-and-art-schiell-s-recording-studio 405 Raymond St.405 Raymond St.

Dr. J's Blog.  Click on the sidebar for in-depth articles about Michigan's Rock and Roll history and more.https://michiganrockandrolllegends.com/index.php/blog

https://michiganrockandrolllegends.com/index.php Special Series on the sidebar organizes the the in-depth articles on the site into 11 categories for ease in finding specific subjects. .https://michiganrockandrolllegends.com/index.php/special-series

"Spin Guys" Video: Love of vinyl albums is the subject of this short video produced by the Bay City Times. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NDQfvx6HVyw&feature=youtu.be 

Madonnaland, Alina Simone's 2016 book details the MRRL HOF's efforts on behalf of both Madonna and ? and The Mysterians. Read the author's thoughts on the Madonna-Bay City controversy: https://lithub.com/why-does-madonnas-hometown-hate-her/

Madonnaland was selected as one of Rolling Stone magazine's Ten Best Music Books of 2016. https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/10-best-music-books-of-2016-116591/

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Al Abrams R.I.P.Al Abrams R.I.P.

Motown Black & White: The MRRL Internet Hall of Fame was proud that it contributed to the interactive component of the Al Abrams' collection and exhibit on the Motown music empire. The MRRL kiosk was unveiled at the red carpet event for Motown Black & White at the Detroit Historical Museum on April 21, 2016.