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A Look At Cleveland's Music History, From Screamin' Jay Hawkins To Obnox

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It’s been a big week for Cleveland with the Republican National Convention, but the city is used to royalty — rock royalty. The phrase “rock ‘n’ roll” is said to have originated here, from local DJ Alan Freed.

Here & Now‘s Robin Young went to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and spoke with visitors and Meredith Rutledge-Borger, the museum’s associate curator, about Cleveland’s music history.

Rutledge-Borger said the music here has roots in the city’s African-American population that came here on the Underground Railroad and during the Great Migration.

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Music From The Segment

Screamin’ Jay Hawkins, “I Put a Spell on You”

[Youtube]

Valentinos, “It’s All Over Now”

[Youtube]

Pere Ubu, “Final Solution”

[Youtube]

Pretenders, “Precious”

[Youtube]

Nine Inch Nails, “Hurt”

Array

The Black Keys, “Your Touch”

[Youtube]

Obnox, “Slaughter Culture”

Array

More Of Meredith’s Cleveland Music Picks

Guest

Meredith Rutledge-Borger, associate curator at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Copyright 2021 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.

Meredith Rutledge-Borger, associate curator at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, at the museum in Cleveland. (Jill Ryan/Here & Now)
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