The 2020 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction will look different this year. That was inevitable as the pandemic continues to prevent large, in person gatherings. However, that doesn’t mean a celebration of this year’s class is cancelled. Far from it.
Greg Harris, President and CEO of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame joined RADIO.COM’s Taryn Daly in an interview to discuss how the Rock Hall has adapted and why it’s going forward with it’s induction special.
“What it’s about is all the fans of these artists. It’s about Nine Inch Nails fans being able to celebrate this moment where Nine Inch Nails is being recognized for this lifetime achievement along with T. Rex, Depeche Mode, Whitney Houston, and Notorious B.I.G.,” Harris said.
When it became apparent that a traditional in-person live show wouldn’t be possible, the Rock Hall immediately shifted their sights to television. “It became this made for TV, high-quality production, HBO primetime broadcast,” Harris said. “This is not your typical sort of Zoom cell phone connection for everybody. This is going to be an amazing broadcast.”
Another factor led the Rock Hall to forge forward with its induction. The fact that quarantine presented an amazing opportunity for people to re-engage with music. Harris notes that people have listened to music more during this time and that played a role in moving ahead with the induction special. “Any chance we have to connect people with each other, with the artists at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, we’re embracing it. Whether it’s digital, whether it’s physically at the museum, I think music connects all of us. I think music is super important.”
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After being closed for a period of time due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame museum in Cleveland is now open. With safety restrictions currently in place, Harris is excited to show off the entire floor of the museum dedicated to the class of 2020.
This year, the Rock Hall partnered with Trent Reznor to curate the space that honors Nine Inch Nails. “Right now, that’s my favorite spot in the whole museum,” Harris said.
Fans that visit the Rock Hall will find instruments, outfits, iconic photographs, and other incredible items from the class of 2020.
Check out the full interview with Greg Harris above for much more, and watch the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction special on Saturday November 7 at 8PM ET on HBO and HBO MAX.
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