CLEVELAND – The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum houses historical ticket stubs, instruments and photographs inside its pyramid temple of glass, but for local residents of Cleveland two historical icons merged into one outside the glass.
The Marine Corps Base Quantico Band rocked out Key Plaza June 12 with several songs from musical artists such as The Who, The Rolling Stones and Elvis as part of Marine Week Cleveland to help celebrate the community, our country and the Corps.
The museum exists to educate fans, scholars and this week Marines, about the significance of rock ‘n’ roll music from yesterday to today.
“It’s a dream come true to play here at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame,” said Sgt. Zachary Wendt, the band’s lead singer and a trombonist. “It doesn’t matter if it’s thousands of people or dozens, when the music gets going I get excited,” said the Pulaski, Wis., native.
As the musical tones and strums filtered through the city, some community members were able to turn a routine walk along Alfred Lerner Way into a melodious outing with the family.
“I heard music by The White Stripes – I mean come on – my niece and I had to stop and check what was going on,” said Clevelander Joel Pressman. “I love music, my city and my military. This could be the last chance to have all this here together.”
Even though the members of this rock-tribute like band have only been playing together for two months, the hundreds of onlookers noticed their talent and energy during the hour-long harmonious appearance in the rock‘n’ capital of the world.
“I’m honestly surprised about how good they are,” said Andy Vall, a 14-year-old Middleburg Heights student. “I thought Marines were only in Afghanistan fighting in the war for the freedoms we have today.”
The Virginia-based band is scheduled to play at multiple venues throughout Marine Week, including Public Square and the Indians’ baseball game Friday evening.
More than 750 Marines are in Cleveland displaying Marine aircraft, vehicles and equipment, as well as interacting with and educating the public on the values and character of the Marine Corps. One of the culminating events will be a Marine Air Ground Task Force demonstration, which showcases Marines' ability to assault from ship-to-shore via ground and air June 16-17 at Burke Lakefront Airport.