Cleveland has produced some of the world’s greatest musical acts. From Tracy Chapman to the O’Jays, there have been many legends who call Cleveland home. While The Rock n Roll Hall of Fame is probably one of Cleveland’s most popular attractions, the city could soon be playing host to a second music hall of fame.

Lamont Robinson, former professional basketball player and founder of the National Rhythm & Blues (RnB) Hall of Fame, is currently working with the Bibb Administration, Cleveland City Council and Burten Bell Carr Development Inc., to find a home for the R and B Hall of Fame. Signal Cleveland spoke to Lamont about his vision for the project.

A musical family 

A large cut out poster of The Mighty O'Jays, R & B Hall of Fame founder Lamont Robinson and singer Katherine Anderson Schaffner of the Marvelettes.
A recent pop-up exhibit at the Western Reserve Historical Society, included a poster of R & B Hall of Fame founder Lamont Robinson and singer Katherine Anderson Schaffner of the Marvelettes along with a blazer worn by lead singer of the Impressions, Jerry Butler. Credit: Lamont Robinson / R&B Hall of Fame

Robinson grew up in Warrensville Heights. Music and entertainment were a major part of his upbringing. 

“In the summertime, we used to go to a Music Carnival that would come every year,” Robinson. “Many of the greats of that time would come like Sammy Davis Jr and Liza Minelli. I come from a musical family, my mom was a local gospel singer and my uncle was one of the top saxophone players in the country. My parents and grandparents really loved music so it was everywhere we went.”

After graduating high school, Robinson would go on to play basketball at Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio. After a successful college career, he went on to play professional basketball overseas, competing in Denmark, Russia and a host of other countries. 

Although he experienced success in basketball, his passion for music still burned bright. Once his professional playing career began to slow down, he decided to pursue his vision of creating an R and B Hall of Fame.

‘There would be no Rock and Roll without R and B‘

A large cut out poster of Aretha Franklin and clothing from R & B stars including Otis Redding.
A pop-up exhibit at the Western Reserve Historical Society featured large cut out poster of Aretha Franklin along with clothing worn R & B stars including Otis Redding. Credit: Lamont Robinson / Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame

“I was starting to think of what I was going to do after I retired. I knew I was going to be in business but I didn’t know exactly what kind of business.” Robinson said. “I was a frequent visitor of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and one day I was there looking at a showcase that honored African Americans and it was very..small.”

“I remember thinking there would be no Rock and Roll without R and B.”

Robinson did some research and the closest places he found that celebrated R and B and soul music were the Motown Museum in Detroit and the Stax Museum in Memphis.

He began to brainstorm how to make a local tribute to Rhythm and Blues happen and contact other music lovers and musicians in Cleveland.

“I reached out to my friend Terry Stewart, who was working at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame at that time. He gave me my first letter of support,” Robinson said. “After I got the letter, I went around the country for two years because I wanted to see what other Hall of Fames looked like. I realized that they had to be highly interactive and have a wow factor.”

R & B Hall of Fame founder Lamont Robinson collected artifacts and clothing worn by singers including Charles Davis of the Contours and singer Dionne Warrick.
R & B Hall of Fame founder Lamont Robinson collected artifacts and clothing worn by singers including Charles Davis of the Contours and singer Dionne Warrick. Credit: Lamont Robinson / Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame

Robinson approached the mayor of Cleveland at that time, Frank Jackson, for help with his vision. Jackson offered support for the idea shortly after Robinson hosted his first induction ceremony. 

“The very first induction ceremony was at Cleveland State University in 2013. It was jam packed,” Robinson said. “We honored Motown Artists, The O’Jays, The Four Tops and so many other legends. If the artist was deceased, they had family members there to represent them, it was just a great time.”

With the success of the first ceremony behind him, Robinson vowed to continue to host the ceremony every year. The event has been held in mutiple cities across the countyr. It was important to Robinson to have an institution where people could come to learn about and celebrate radio personalities, owners of record companies and the great R and B acts of our times. Since 2013, the Hall of Fame has inducted over 300 artists.

“The way to honor these people is to build a facility because R and B music paved the way for all of these other genres to be successful. It’s long overdue.”

How soon will the Hall of Fame be open?

Three men, the ones on the far right and left are holding gold records.
In 2024 National R&B Hall of Fame was considering Shreveport, LA. as its permanent home. Pictured here, 2024 inductees, Kenny Lattimore, record producer Robert Cruz and Jeffrey Osborne.

Robinson has his eyes set on the old Moreland Theater as the site of the National R and B Museum. After seeing the inside of the space, he thought it would be the perfect location to bring his dream to life. The building, while in poor condition now, is still salvageable.

The City of Cleveland awarded Burten Bell Carr a 3.9 million forgivable loan to redevelop Buckeye Rd., where the Moreland Theater is currently located. Last month, the city approved an additional $300,000 grant to rehab the Moreland Theater. A spokesperson for the city confirmed with Signal Cleveland that the Moreland Theater is a “possibility” as a home for the museum, but nothing is finalized at this time.

“I’ve been working with the city and Burten Bell Carr, everyone has been very supportive.” Robinson said “I feel like we have most of the things we need to have in order ready, we just have a few more steps to complete.”

Next Steps 

Robinson urges the community to contact the mayor and their council people to rally around the project to give the R and B Hall of Fame the last push it needs to get over the finish line.

The National R and B Museum partnered with the Western Reserve Historical Society in February, to celebrate Black History Month and share plans for the future of the museum. On display at the event, were some of the artifacts Robinson hopes to place in the museum when it is completed.

“Cleveland does not have an active black history museum. I think that is a shame,” Robinson said. “Call the mayor and your council persons and continue to advocate for this project.

Robinson is still seeking donations for the museum. He is calling on Cleveland’s many foundations and businesses to step up and support the cause.

“This is an opportunity that we cannot let pass us by.”

Community Reporter (he/him)
I work to gain the trust of Cleveland residents through direct community engagement and storytelling. My goal is to amplify and celebrate the residents and stakeholders who contribute to the success of city neighborhoods. I’m hoping to erase the negative stigma that has been cast on some neighborhoods throughout the years.