The pandemic that shut down all music events for more than a year, also impacted those who wrote about them. “It was ironic that my latest book was on Cleveland’s venues at precisely the same time that all the venues shut down because of Covid,” says Deanna Adams, author of Cleveland’s Rock and Roll Venues and other Cleveland related books.
Adams, best known for her first book, Rock ’n’ Roll and the Cleveland Connection, by Kent State University Press, had big plans for her book launch at the Beachland Ballroom in March of 2020. When everything closed that month, she and Beachland co-owner, Cindy Barber, hoped things would look better by the end of last summer, and announced a new date. That, too, had to be cancelled.
It appears the third time’s the charm and now this highly anticipated celebration of Cleveland’s rock history will take place on Sunday, August 29th from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. The event will feature many Cleveland musicians, deejays, and other notable figures in the city’s history, who will recount their stories on stage.
About the Book, Cleveland’s Rock and Roll Venues
Cleveland has always been a music town. And thanks to Cleveland deejay, Alan Freed, who booked the first venue for rock enthusiasts, music fans have never lacked for places to go see their favorite acts perform in person. This book honors the astute owners and their venues— from yesterday to today—that present fans with the music they crave. The early clubs helped usher in Cleveland as the designated Rock and Roll Capital of the World. Today’s venues continue the tradition, thus ensuring that music lovers of all ages, and attitudes, get to enjoy their rock and roll on the North Coast, with all its variety and talent. Because of them, musical memories keep on being made.
About the Event
Celebration of Cleveland Rock History, with Deanna Adams and Ray Carr
Date: Sunday, August 29, 2021, 1 pm to 4:30 p.m., Beachland Ballroom
*Join us for an afternoon of interviews, photographs, music and memories!
*All ticket sales ($10 advanced tix, $12 at door) will go directly to Cindy and The Beachland.
Deanna and Ray will conduct live interviews with many who helped make Cleveland THE Rock and Roll Capital of the World. Hear the music of many decades, see photographs from Deanna’s new book, and hear lots – and lots – of Behind-the-Scene Stories!
Some of those who will be on hand to tell their stories are Janet Macoska (whose many photos are included in the book), David Spero, Billy Bass, Jim Bonfanti, Jim Quinn, George Sipl, Alan Greene, Tommy Rich, Butch Armstrong, Steve Jochum, and Jennifer Lee
Here is the detailed timeline of event (*subject to change)
Doors Open: 12:30. Books will be for sale, with Deanna, Janet Macoska – and anyone who wants to be available for signing books.
*Ray will be playing music as people come in.
12:55 – 1:15 p.m. – Ray and I do intro, talk about our own history a bit, experiences in Cle rock. *We will have power-point with photos behind us.
1:15-1:30 – Janet will join us. (Talk about hanging at WKYC studio and getting first photo at 13 of Sonny & Cher, her history/stories from there).
1:30 – 1:55 – Bring up David Spero and Billy Bass to talk about their radio careers in Cle. *And bring some good stories!
2:00 – 2:20 – Note for Musicians: We’ll play snippets of your songs and discuss them (hearing them on radio, clubs fans saw you at), and show fun photos. At approximately 2:20, we’ll bring up musicians – they’ll be a chair on stage set up for you.
2:25 – 3:00 – Musician’s Panel – History of playing at clubs, behind-scene stories.
We’ll continue to flip through some band photos on the screen behind us as each of you talk.
Panel includes:
Jim Bonfanti (to discuss The Choir/Raspberries), Jim Quinn (Damnation), George Sipl (Eric Carmen, Breathless, Etc), Alan Greene (Breathless, Stress, AGB), Tommy Rich (American Noise, Etc). Butch Armstrong (History before/after Bearcat), Steve Jochum (Wild Horses era), Jennifer Lee (Ghost Poets, Resonators)
3:10 – 3:30 – Sue Csendes (‘NCX, Live Nation), Trenda Jones (Sahara Club) will talk
3:30- 3:45 – Wrap up with Cindy Barber (On Cle Music Scene today, clubs, and also Cleveland Rocks: Past, Present and Future)
3:45 – 4:30 – Book Signings, Socializing
About the Author
Deanna R. Adams is an author of both fiction and nonfiction works. She isa speaker, instructor, and event coordinator. Deanna loves her hometown of Cleveland, and rock ’n’ roll music, and each of her books reflect that passion and history. Both her latest releases, Cleveland’s Rock and Roll Venues, andnovel, The Truth about Justyce, upholds that tradition. While her nonfiction chronicles true events that occurred in Cleveland’s rock and roll history, several notable events and prominent names are weaved into her fictional stories.
