Rock Hall inductees exhibit to open

Staff report

CLEVELAND

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum’s 2015 Inductee Exhibit will open Saturday, shining a spotlight on the impact and influence of this year’s class: The Paul Butterfield Blues Band, The “5” Royales, Green Day, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, Lou Reed, Ringo Starr, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble and Bill Withers.

Items in the exhibit, which will be located in the Ahmet M. Ertegun Exhibition Hall on the lower level, include instruments, gear, stage clothing and more. Highlights include:

Stevie Ray Vaughan’s butterscotch Fender Stratocaster, featuring a custom tiger stripe pickguard that is a homage to Buddy Guy, one of Vaughan’s biggest musical influences.

Lou Reed’s Bolin guitar and Soldano amp, which were essential in creating his unmistakable guitar tone.

Bill Withers’ Martin acoustic guitar, a stalwart with him on stage during much of his career.

Ringo Starr’s drum kit, the backbeat of the British Invasion, which was used with the Beatles from 1964 to 1968.

Paul Butterfield’s harmonicas and their custom case.

Tre Cool of Green Day’s drum kit which he lit on fire at the 1998 HFStival at RFK Stadium.

Instruments and clothing from Joan Jett and each member of the Blackhearts.

Original recordings of The “5” Royales’ songs that were later covered by artists from James Brown to Mick Jagger and Derek and the Dominos.

The exhibit’s opening kicks off Cleveland Rock Week. Admission to the museum will be free Saturday, and the daylong celebration will conclude with a fireworks show at 8 p.m. at Voinovich Park.

The 2015 class will be inducted in an April 18 ceremony at Public Hall.