Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum (Part II)

Gracie continues through the museum.  She recognizes more names than not.  It’s like being invited to party down in a beautifully cleaned and well maintained giant house.

She goes to the Induction Ceremony Highlights film and finds a seat, not really intending to stay for the entire film, but her attention becomes riveted to the screen as she laughs one minute and cries the next, tears welling in her eyes as she remembers some of those rock stars dying of overdoses.  In less than a year the world lost Jimmy Hendrix (Inducted 1992), Janis Joplin (Inducted 1995) and Jim Morrison, (Inducted 1993 via The Doors). Gracie realizes it was probably a good thing that she didn’t get into the high school rock band, as she could have ended up the same way, given her addictive personality traits.  Even in college, friends often stated that there was no need for her to indulge in drugs because she was pretty out there without them. Good thing Gracie feels the universe watches over her.

She keeps rhythm with her body because there is just no sitting still. She looks around and notices there is only one other person keeping time, just with one hand and one foot.  This amazes Gracie to the point that when the film ends she gets ready to go but stops to ask the usher:  “Am I seeing this correctly?  People just come in, sit down and watch the film?  They don’t move, grove or feel the beat?” He laughs and then responds, “Lady, we have been watching you since you came in.  You are dancing through this museum. Your joy is obvious and you have been fun to watch.” She is a bit surprised by his comment though she has to admit that she is definitely in her own world and having a glorious visit.

Before entry

Her memories are jumbled being brought to the fore by whomever or whatever is in front of her.  Upon seeing a Beatles picture she remembers her older sister swooning and screaming whenever Frank Sinatra would come on the radio.  Gracie shared a bedroom with her and each night they would look up at the ceiling plastered with  Old Blue Eyes pictures and piously say,  “Good-night, Frank.”  As time goes by Gracie eventually does the same thing when the British Invasion came with the Fab Four (Inducted 1988) and though she screams with adolescent fervor for all of them, she is in love with George Harrison (Inducted 2004).  He is so handsome, with penetrating, focused eyes.  Gracie likes a man with long hair, face fur (mustache and beard), and a spiritual bent. He fulfills all of these requirements and after saving up her money she buys her own albums to play on the stereo.  History does repeat itself that’s for sure.

After entry

It’s also the first time that she experiences English accents.  This is helpful as she eventually lands leading roles of English women in musicals and plays.  To this day if Gracie is in a tense situation, that accent surfaces and returns her to the safety of the stage.  She gets through whatever is thrust at her. Another memory brings a smile to her heart.  When she had her babysitting business she often had trouble remembering their names.  Don’t scoff, even parents mix up the names of their children.  She solved this problem by telling them that they all had to rally around when she yelled “George.” Sure enough, it worked.  They would all come running and she would explain which “George”  she wanted. 

“All Things Must Pass” (George Harrison)… Gracie is shocked when she finally sits down to check the time.  Over five hours have passed since she entered the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum and it seems like time stood still.  Gracie certainly feels that she has been “embrace[d], engage[d], [taught], and inspire[d] through the power of rock and roll.” It’s the best money she spent in a long time and she decides to celebrate with a trip to the gift store.  This makes a nice change.  When she was a single parent they sometimes had enough money to go places but souvenirs weren’t in the budget.  Happily, “These Times They Are a Changin’” (Bob Dylan, Inducted 1988) and Gracie buys herself a shirt and the children get postcards with artists according to their musical preferences.

Gracie's Life Path in Record Album Covers
(as of now)

With all this said and done, the question is, can Gracie bear to leave? Regardless, she knows she will encourage anyone and everyone to visit the remarkable Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum.  

Copyright © 2015 Martina Sabo