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 120 artists and individuals have been inducted into the MRRL Hall of Fame during the past eighteen years. The latest Honorary Inductees are Aaliyah, Alice Cooper (solo), Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell (duo), Norman Whitfield, Russ Gibb, and Savage Grace. Read their biographies and watch youtube videos for each inductee. https://michiganrockandrolllegends.com/index.php/mrrl-hall-of-fame
150 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 2021 - "Band Of Gold", "That's Why (I Love You So)", "Can The Can", "You Can't Hurry Love", and "I Need Somebody". Listen and discover more about the songs: https://michiganrockandrolllegends.com/index.php/legendary-michigan-songs Dennis Loren's Grand Opening poster
Big News! The official home of the Michigan Rock and Roll Legends Hall of Fame is now in the DeMara Gallery on the second floor of the Historical Museum of Bay County. The museum is located at 321 Washington Avenue in Bay City. 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. Check out this short video tour. https://www.facebook.com/jayliediceRE/videos/840954833562257
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 United in Group Harmony Association, a group dedicated to the preservation of doo wop music, discovered that the singer had been buried in an unmarked grave. Their efforts to place a fitting marker on Lymon's resting place was inadvertently derailed by one of Motown's biggest stars. Her "Why Do Fools Fall In Love" album and single each sold over a million copies in 1981. The cover versions greatly increased the value of the song's copyright, and it 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
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 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
Copies are available at the gift shop at the Historical Museum of Bay County, and proceeds from the sales will 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 - Monday through Friday from 10:00 A.M to 4:00 P.M.
Scotty's Sandbar. The home for the original MRRL HOF display is now 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, MichiganScotty's Sandbar is Bay City's premier live music club and a perfect spot to house a 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
The MRRL Hall of Fame has 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.
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. https://michiganrockandrolllegends.com/index.php/blog/17496-tears-and-art-schiell-s-recording-studio 405 Raymond St.
Dr. J's Blog. Click here or on the sidebar for in-depth articles about Michigan's Rock and Roll history and more! https://michiganrockandrolllegends.com/index.php/blog
The Special Series on the sidebar organizes the the in-depth articles on the site into 11 convenient categories for ease in finding specific subject matter. https://michiganrockandrolllegends.com/index.php/special-series
"Spin Guys" Video: Gary (Dr. J) Johnson discusses his love of vinyl albums in this short video produced by the Bay City Times. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NDQfvx6HVyw&feature=youtu.be
Alina Simone's latest book, 2016's Madonnaland, details MRRL's efforts on behalf of 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.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.