As work continues to officially open the Illinois Rock & Roll Museum on Route 66 in Joliet, the contributions of several inductees with ties to the state will be celebrated.
A weekend of events culminates with the third annual Hall of Fame induction award ceremony Sept. 17 at Rialto Square Theatre in Joliet.
“We’re very excited about it. It seems to be growing every year. We get to honor, meet and talk to all these great bands that really inspired us to do the museum in the first place,” said Ron Romero, founder and executive director of Illinois Rock & Roll Museum on Route 66.
According to the museum’s website, nominees must have a tie to Illinois such as being born in the state, started their career here, being based in the state or having recorded here.
“Performance nominees must have their first commercial release at least 20 years ago and must also have national or international recognition, radio airplay and significant number of sales,” the website states.
Inductees include Earth, Wind & Fire, which started in Chicago; The Cryan’ Shames, which started in Hinsdale; The Shadows of Knight, which started in Mount Prospect; Nat King Cole, who grew up in Chicago’s Bronzeville neighborhood; and Alton-born Miles Davis in the Band or Solo Artist category.
Other inductees include the late John Prine in the Songwriting category, disc jockey Bob Sirott in the Radio Personality category, WLUP-FM aka The Loop in the Radio Station category and Chicago’s Alligator Records in the Record Label category.
“There’s a lot of special presentations for everybody. We have a lot of the area Chicagoland DJs, well-known DJs coming out to induct people,” said Romero, who is also board chairman of Illinois Rock & Roll Museum on Route 66.
In addition to being inducted into the class of 2023 by WGN-AM (720) colleague John Records Landecker (who was part of the class of 2022), Sirott returns to serve as master of ceremonies for the Hall of Fame ceremony.
“We have to recognize our DJs because they’re the ones who put the music out. Bob was definitely one of those who was, pardon the pun, instrumental in getting the music heard,” said Romero of Joliet.
Live appearances include John Prine’s brother Billy Prine with Bonnie Koloc, Alligator Records artist Toronzo Cannon, Tom Higgenson of Plain White T’s, The Cryan’ Shames, a tribute to the late Ramsey Lewis by his son Kendall Lewis, a tribute to Davis, and Cathy Rich and Gregg Potter’s tribute to Cole.
“I don’t think there’s been enough attention on Illinois musicians in honoring them and preserving and promoting their music,” Romero said.
Other events during the third annual Hall of Fame weekend include Illinois Grooves Vinyl Records Show Sept. 16 at Clarion Hotel & Convention Center Joliet, 411 S. Larkin Ave. Tickets are $10 for early bird from 7 to 9 a.m. or $3 for general admission from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
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The Hall of Fame VIP Pre-Party is from 7 to 10 p.m. Sept. 16 at The Forge, 22 W. Cass St., Joliet. Tickets are $15.
Illinois Rock & Roll Museum on Route 66’s Hall of Fame ceremony
When: 6-9 p.m. Sept. 17
Where: Rialto Square Theatre, 102 N. Chicago St., Joliet
Tickets: $48.50-$68.50
Information: 815-927-1540 or 815-726-6600; roadtorock.org or rialtosquare.com
Jessi Virtusio is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.