Cleveland, OH
Music connected to Cleveland
Ready to rock? Then point your RoadyGoat toward Cleveland, Ohio, a city practically synonymous with rock and roll itself! After all, this is where DJ Alan Freed coined the very phrase. But the music scene here goes way beyond classic rock. The legendary Bone Thugs-N-Harmony rep their hometown hard, dropping Cleveland's name in tracks like "Eternal" and "Cleveland Is the Reason." With over 60 songs mentioning the city and artists from A$AP Rocky to Drake giving it a shout-out, Cleveland's musical footprint is undeniable.
Beyond the beats, Cleveland boasts a resilient spirit forged in the heart of the industrial Midwest. This is a city that's seen its share of challenges, from the infamous Cuyahoga River fire that sparked environmental reform to economic shifts that tested its grit. But Cleveland has emerged with a renewed energy and a vibrant cultural scene. Explore the historic West Side Market, marvel at the art deco grandeur of the Terminal Tower, and discover the natural beauty of the nearby Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Cleveland's story is one of grit, innovation, and a whole lot of soul, making it a must-stop on any music lover's map.
About Cleveland
- • Halle Berry, Oscar-winning actress, was born and raised in Cleveland.
- • The term "rock and roll" was coined by Cleveland DJ Alan Freed.
- • Its strategic location on the Cuyahoga River fueled its industrial boom.
- • Cleveland's West Side Market is one of America's oldest publicly owned markets.
- • The Great Fire of 1916 destroyed much of the Flats, prompting rebuilding.
- • Named after General Moses Cleaveland, it was incorporated in 1836.
- • With nearly 370,000 residents, it's Ohio's second largest city.
- • Sitting 582 feet above sea level, it offers views of Lake Erie.
- • Healthcare and manufacturing provide stable employment for many residents.
- • A resilient spirit blends grit with an emerging hopeful energy.
- • Devonian shale underlies much of the Cleveland area, formed over 350 million years ago.
- • The Cuyahoga Valley National Park, with its deep ravines, is south of the city.
- • The Cuyahoga River flows through Cleveland and into Lake Erie.
- • Lake Erie watersnakes, a threatened species, inhabit the islands just offshore.
- • Oak-hickory forests once dominated the region's landscape.
- • The Hopewell culture inhabited the area before European contact, leaving earthworks.
- • On July 22, 1969, the Cuyahoga River caught fire due to pollution.
- • The Terminal Tower, once the second-tallest building in the country, was completed in 1930.
- • Interstate 90 is the longest Interstate Highway in the United States running near the city.
- • Ohio Shale, formed in the Late Devonian period, underlies much of the Cleveland area.
- • The Cuyahoga Valley National Park, with its deep ravines and waterfalls, lies just south of the city.
- • The Cuyahoga River flows through Cleveland, emptying into Lake Erie.
- • Bald eagles have made a resurgence and nest along the Cuyahoga River.
- • Oak-hickory forests are a dominant plant community in the surrounding region.
- • The Hopewell culture inhabited the area centuries before European contact.
- • On July 22, 1969, the Cuyahoga River caught fire due to pollution, sparking environmental reform.
- • The Terminal Tower, a landmark skyscraper, was completed in 1930.
- • Interstate 90 passes through downtown Cleveland, following the lakefront.