The House That Rock Built

How It Took Time, Money, Music Moguls, Corporate Types, Politicians, Media, Artists, and Fans to Bring the Rock Hall to Cleveland

By: Norm N. Nite, Tom Feran

Narrated by: Peter Lerman

Length: 4 hrs and 37 mins

Publisher's summary

For 25 years, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has defined Cleveland’s image as the “Rock and Roll Capital of the World.” But while the Rock Hall has become an iconic landmark for the city of Cleveland and for fans of rock and roll around the world, it was just one missed phone call away from never being built in Cleveland. If the prominent singer and actress Lesley Gore hadn’t contacted radio personality Norm N. Nite in August 1983, the Hall of Fame would not be in Cleveland—period.

Nite immediately joined the project’s Rules and Nominating Committee and spearheaded the campaign to bring the museum to Cleveland. He began lobbying local and state politicians, fundraising with music moguls and civic leaders, and promoting the museum to the broader Cleveland public. As fans got involved, especially with their overwhelming response to a USA Today phone poll, Nite’s campaign to bring the Hall to Cleveland was ultimately successful.

This book, told from Nite’s insider perspective, draws on both first-person accounts and exclusive interviews with influential business leaders, government officials, and giants of the music industry. A detailed record of the Rock Hall’s inception and creation, The House That Rock Built becomes a true tribute to the people who made it happen—through Herculean efforts—and to the music it celebrates.

The book is published by The Kent State University Press. The audiobook is published by University Press Audiobooks.

"Nite has remained the unsung hero of the Rock and Roll Hall of fame for the last quarter-century." (Rolling Stone)

"Norm N. Nite was there at the very, very beginning...We are lucky to have his very special history of this unique institution." (Jann Wenner, Editor and Founder, Rolling Stone)

“This informative and entertaining read will likely become the definitive volume on this important cultural center’s formation.” (Library Journal)

©2020 Norm N. Nite and Tom Feran (P)2023 Redwood Audiobooks

A terrific listen for a Boomer rock and roller!

The backstage story. it's fun! narrator was great. The insiders tell the real story from the very beginning.

How the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame came to be

If you ever wondered why the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is in Cleveland, Ohio, this is the book for you. "The House That Rock Built" traces the roots of the musical genre to Cleveland, where Rock and Roll was coined, and the first Rock concert was staged. As noted in the book, other cities were in contention to host the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame including Memphis, Nashville, New York City, San Francisco, New Orleans, Washington, DC, and Philadelphia, among others. Sun Records founder. and the man that history says discovered "The King of Rock 'n' Roll" Elvis Presley, campaigned for Memphis, but in the end, gave his blessings to Cleveland. While New York City may have been an early target, Cleveland made the persuasive argument that it would be a big deal in their city. There was a feeling that the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame would be seen as a just another museum in New York City. "The House That Rock Built" details the funding, the ground breaking, memorabilia collection, and construction of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Music Museum.