The chairman of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation, John Sykes, has drawn criticism from Cleveland residents for his recent comments during the induction ceremony in Los Angeles, suggesting that the event rightfully belongs in Southern California. This statement, made on the Today in Ohio podcast, has reignited discussions about the ceremony’s rightful home.
During the podcast hosted by Laura Johnston, Sykes remarked that he was pleased to have the induction ceremony “back in Southern California where it belongs.” This statement provoked a strong response from co-host Chris Quinn, who questioned Sykes’s motives and the logic behind his assertion. “You could say, hey, I’m really glad to be in Southern California,” Quinn noted, “but where it belongs? This guy’s bad news.”
Attendance figures at the Los Angeles event further fueled the backlash. The venue, which accommodates 7,000 people, was reportedly half empty, contrasting sharply with the sold-out ceremonies traditionally held in Cleveland. Johnston emphasized the significance of the event in Cleveland, stating, “This doesn’t happen very often where we get the crème de la crème, the stars of the music world to come.” In her view, the Cleveland ceremonies offer a unique experience, drawing music legends to the city for a celebratory weekend, while events in Los Angeles or New York tend to be just another item on the calendar.
Cleveland.com reporter Malcolm Abram, who attended the Los Angeles ceremony, echoed these sentiments. He observed a lack of enthusiasm among attendees, noting that even local journalists were surprised by the empty seats. The stark difference in attendance highlights Cleveland’s deep-rooted connection to rock and roll, which many feel was overlooked by Sykes’s comments.
Quinn further questioned the rationale behind claiming Los Angeles as the natural home for the Rock Hall ceremony. “The weird thing is to say LA is where it belongs makes no sense,” he asserted. He suggested that cities with a rich musical heritage, such as Detroit, Cleveland, or even New York and Philadelphia, would be more fitting locations for the ceremony.
The controversy underscores a broader tension between Cleveland’s pride in hosting the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the foundation’s apparent ambivalence toward the city. Quinn expressed his frustration, stating, “I don’t get why it’s not in Cleveland every year. The Rock Hall’s in Cleveland. Why isn’t the ceremony here? It’s just, it’s offensive that they don’t stage it here.”
This incident raises questions about the future direction of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation and its commitment to honoring its roots in Cleveland, a city that has become synonymous with rock and roll culture. The ongoing dialogue reflects a community that remains passionate about its musical legacy and its place in the larger narrative of rock history.
