The Iowa Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame is a museum located in

Arnolds Park, Iowa Arnolds Park is a city in Dickinson County, Iowa, Dickinson County, Iowa, United States. The population was 1,110 in the 2020 United States Census, 2020 census, a decline from the 1,162 population in the 2000 United States Census, 2000 census. Geo ...

, and maintained by the non-profit Iowa Rock 'n' Roll Music Association (IRRMA). The mission of IRRMA is to "retain and honor the legacy of rock 'n' roll music and preserve the history of music in the state of Iowa." Established in 1997, IRRMA inducts members into the Hall of Fame annually in one or more of these categories: Artists, Establishments, Establishment Owners, Media Personalities, Songwriters, Record Companies, Managers, and Agencies. The museum was opened in 2003. Notable inductees include

Chase Chase or CHASE may refer to: Businesses * Chase Bank, a national bank based in New York City, New York * Chase Aircraft (1943–1954), a defunct American aircraft manufacturing company * Chase Coaches, a defunct bus operator in England * Chase Co ...

, Billy Dale Fries,

The Big Bopper Jiles Perry "J.P." Richardson Jr. (October 24, 1930 – February 3, 1959), known as The Big Bopper, was an American singer, songwriter and disc jockey. His best-known compositions include "Chantilly Lace" and " White Lightning", the latter of wh ...

Buddy Holly Charles Hardin Holley (September 7, 1936 – February 3, 1959), known as Buddy Holly, was an American singer and songwriter who was a central and pioneering figure of mid-1950s rock and roll. He was born to a musical family in Lubbock, Texas ...

Ritchie Valens Richard Steven Valenzuela (May 13, 1941 – February 3, 1959), known professionally as Ritchie Valens, was an American guitarist, singer and songwriter. A rock and roll pioneer and a forefather of the Chicano rock movement, Valens was killed i ...

and

The Everly Brothers The Everly Brothers were an American rock duo, known for steel-string acoustic guitar playing and close harmony singing. Consisting of Isaac Donald "Don" Everly (February 1, 1937 – August 21, 2021) and Phillip "Phil" Everly (January 19, 1939 ...

History

IRRMA was founded in 1997 as the first state non-profit music association dedicated to rock 'n' roll of significance to the state. Inductions to the Hall of Fame began that year, with five bands, two ballrooms, and a radio station making up the inaugural class. In 2003, it became the first state music association to have a free-standing museum.

Inductees

Artists and bands

With the majority of the acts focused in the 1950s and 1960s, inductees include both Iowa-based acts such as

the Velaires The Velaires were an American rock and roll band from Sioux City, Iowa. Early years The group began as The Screamers in 1958. Founding member Don Bourret explained the origin in a 2013 newspaper article:We were the Screamers in 1958 at Central ...

and regional and national acts of significant importance to the Iowa rock 'n' roll scene such as those that perished near

Clear Lake, Iowa Clear Lake is a city in Cerro Gordo County, Iowa, United States. The population was 7,687 at the 2020 census. The city is named for the large lake on which it is located. It is the home of a number of marinas, state parks and tourism-related ...

, during the Winter Dance Party Tour on February 3, 1959.

Ballrooms and venues

Recognizing the significance of venues such as the

Surf Ballroom The Surf Ballroom (also called the Surf) is a Historic Rock and Roll Landmark at 460 North Shore Drive, Clear Lake, Iowa, United States. The Surf is closely associated with the event known colloquially as "The Day the Music Died" – early rock ...

to rock 'n' roll history, they are accorded their own category in the Hall of Fame.

Other industry categories

Making up the record industry and the distribution and marketing of early rock 'n' roll, the Hall of Fame has separate categories for: * Booking agents/promoters * Composers * Deejays * Managers * Media representatives * Music stores * Radio stations * Record stores * Record labels * Recording studios * Venue managers * Venue owners * Writers

Other categories

* IRRMA Lifetime Achievement Award * Matousek Family Lifetime Achievement Award * Members * Spirit Award * Support People * Other

Museum

The museum "provides visitors with an in-depth look at Iowa’s rockin' roots through informative exhibits". It contains memorabilia from many of the inductees represented. It is open every day from

Memorial Day Memorial Day (originally known as Decoration Day) is a federal holiday in the United States for mourning the U.S. military personnel who have fought and died while serving in the United States armed forces. It is observed on the last Monda ...

Labor Day Labor Day is a federal holiday in the United States celebrated on the first Monday in September to honor and recognize the American labor movement and the works and contributions of laborers to the development and achievements of the United St ...

and two days a week otherwise. Tours are available. In 2013, it was announced that a new 12,000 ft² facility was being developed to house the museum.

References

{{coord, 43.3656, -95.1368, type:landmark, display=title State halls of fame in the United States Halls of fame in Iowa Rock and roll Music halls of fame Museums in Dickinson County, Iowa