About The MRRL
The Michigan Rock and Roll Legends (MRRL) 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. A total of 129 artists and individuals have been inducted into the MRRL Hall of Fame during the past twenty years. 
Our Permanent Home
The MRRL Hall of Fame has a permanent home at the Historical Museum of Bay County, located at 321 Washington Avenue in downtown Bay City, Michigan. The MRRL HOF exhibit opened on March 12, 2022. Highlights include a Motown Time Capsule video of the years 1960 - 1979, the Inductee Wall of Fame, the legendary Frankie Lymon tombstone, a collection of Dennis Loren and Gary Grimshaw’s rock and roll posters, an assortment of autographed guitars, and displays featuring Alice Cooper, Madonna, Creem magazine, the Bay City Rollers, Del Shannon, and ? and The Mysterians. Admission to the museum is free for Bay County residents.
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. Scotty'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.
Dr. J's Frankie Lymon Book is Out Now! Read It Here.
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.
"The book is phenomenal" - Jimmy Merchant, founding member of Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers
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 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.
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.
An Oldie but Goodie: Video Tour of the Michigan Rock and Roll Legends Hall of Fame display formerly housed at the Bay City Motor Company. The display was moved to Scotty's Sandbar after the Bay City Motor Company closed in 2019.
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. 
"Spin Guys" Video: Love of vinyl albums is the subject of this short video produced by the Bay City Times.
Madonnaland, Alina Simone's 2016 book details the MRRL HOF's efforts on behalf of both Madonna and ? and The Mysterians. Madonnaland was selected as one of Rolling Stone Magazine's Ten Best Music Books of 2016.
Motown Black & White: The late Al Abrams was inducted into the MRRL HOF in 2011. He was Motown’s first employee and publicist. Abrams’ efforts helped Motown break down entrenched racial barriers in the media to become of the most successful record labels in the history of popular music. The MRRL Hall of Fame was honored to be an interactive component of Al Abram’s “Motown Black & White” collection and exhibit on the Motown music empire. The MRRL HOF kiosk was unveiled at the red carpet event at the Detroit Historical Museum on April 21, 2016.
