Over 100 Cleveland rock figures recall three decades of Rust Belt rock in Cleveland Rock & Roll Memories. Carlo Wolff interviewed musicians, DJs, promoters, and fans to present the story of the city’s music scene from the 1960s through the 1980s.
Wolff says the time was “when rock was at its strongest here.” Conducting over 140 interviews for the book, Wolff was impressed with “what a diverse area this is, and how the huge appetite Clevelanders have for rock and roll translated into the drive for the Rock Hall.”
The oversized book includes interviews with Agora owner Henry “Hank” Lo Conti, members of the Belkin promotions company, fans, and musicians from Raspberries frontman Eric Carmen to James Gang drummer Jimmy Fox. A Clevelander since 1986, Wolff writes about entertainment, travel, and books for various newspapers and magazines. He’s the co-author of The Encyclopedia of Record Producers and lodging-hospitality features editor for Penton Media.
“Getting this book together has been an amazing experience,” says Wolff. “Talk about a steep learning curve. Talk about the joy of encountering great stories — and channeling them.”
It makes a great gift. The book is available in local book stores and Amazon.com. A series of signings and talks continues this week:
Thursday, December 14
7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Borders Books & Music
Cleveland Heights
Severance Towne Center, 3466 Mayfield Rd
216-291-8605
Friday, December 15
7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Waldenbooks
Strongsville
500 Southpark Center
440-846-8890
Saturday, December 16
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Waldenbooks
North Olmsted
Great Northern Mall 402, 5002 Great Northern Mall
440-734-8892
Saturday, December 16
3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Borders Express
Elyria
Midway Mall, 4332 Midway Blvd.
440-324-5355
Thursday, December 21
6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Northrop Bookstore
Olmsted Falls
8080 Columbia Road
440-235-7323
This article appears in Dec 13-19, 2006.