Correspondent photo / John Patrick GattaAl McKinnon, of the McKinley Memorial Library, shared some of the reasons Ohio is known as the birthplace of rock ’n’ roll in a presentation Wednesday at the McKinley Birthplace Home.
NILES — Historically, Ohio is known as the birthplace of rock ’n’ roll. That, among other reasons, is what landed the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland.Al McKinnon of the McKinley Memorial Library highlighted the wide variety of musical talent from the Buckeye State during his presentation, “Ohio Rocks! Music Greats from the Buckeye State,” Wednesday evening at the McKinley Birthplace Home.
McKinnon broke down artists into distinct categories that illustrated nearly every musical genre, including heavy metal, classic rock, alternative rock, pop, country, R&B and easy listening, and artists who are members of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
McKinnon said “Ohio Rocks!” is a passion project, and he explained how he chose which artists to feature.
“ The artists had to have been born in Ohio. They lived in Ohio or went to school here during a prominent time period in their life. If it was a group, they were formed somewhere in Ohio,” he said.
“So, let’s start big, and we’re going to end big.”
And with that, he revealed an image of legendary crooner and actor Dean Martin, who grew up in Steubenville. McKinnon brought up a personal anecdote to emphasize the singer’s place among local fans: “My mother-in-law grew up in a house where they had a picture of Jesus and a picture of Dean Martin up on the wall.”
McKinnon shared interesting info on each artist throughout the lecture, keeping the mood upbeat and causing the time to breeze by to its conclusion.
Split into musical genres, he brought up numerous hitmakers.
Those born in the Buckeye State include Chrissie Hynde of The Pretenders and Lux Interior of The Cramps (Akron), Jim Brickman (Shaker Heights), Tracy Chapman, Bobby Womack, Ben Orr of The Cars, Michael Stanley, Screamin’ Jay Hawkins, Marc Cohn and rapper Kid Cudi (Cleveland), Tommy Jame and Kim Deal of The Breeders and Pixies (Dayton), Twenty One Pilots (Columbus), jazz pianist Art Tatum and Anita Baker (Toledo), John Legend (Springfield), Boz Scaggs (Canton), Roger Troutman of Zapp (Hamilton), The Mills Brothers (Piqua), Al Jardine of The Beach Boys (Lima) and Kool & the Gang (Youngstown).
Musicians and groups McKinnon mentioned who have lived in Ohio include Machine Gun Kelly (Cleveland), and country artists Dwight Yoakam and Rascal Flatts (Columbus).
Groups that formed in Ohio include Glass Harp and Blue Ash (Youngstown), The Human Beinz (Struthers), Nine Inch Nails, James Gang, the Dead Boys, Pere Ubu, Levert and the Dazz Band (Cleveland), Ohio Players and Lakeside (Dayton), The Black Keys (Akron), The O’Jays (Canton) and The Isley Brothers and The National (Cincinnati).
McKinnon ended the program with a focus on Warren native Dave Grohl. Grohl has belonged to multiple acts, including Nirvana, Foo Fighters, Them Crooked Vultures and Probot.
Acknowledging that there is more musical talent within Ohio’s borders than mentioned, McKinnon encouraged attendees during the Q&A session to suggest artists and groups for future presentations.
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