Joliet's Rock & Roll Museum: Here's Where Things Stand

JOLIET, IL — Downtown Joliet's Illinois Rock & Roll Museum is getting closer to opening thanks to the help of the Joliet Local 176 IBEW electricians. On April 23, the IBEW spent several hours performing the electrical work inside the future Joliet museum, which is located at 9 West Cass St., directly across from The Forge.

Next month, Illinois Rock & Roll Museum founder Ron Romero hopes to draw a sellout audience at the Rialto Square Theatre, where he hosts his second annual Hall of Fame induction ceremony. The event takes place at 5 p.m. on June 5, which is a Sunday.

Details about purchasing tickets are toward the bottom of this Joliet Patch story.

“The event exceeded everyone’s expectations last year,” Romero remarked in his press release. “The live performances and personal appearances from those associated with Illinois’ rich musical history really rocked a packed house at the Rialto.”

Music artists who plan to appear at the June 5 Hall of Fame ceremony include REO Speedwagon’s Kevin Cronin, who was inducted in the Hall of Fame last year.

"Kevin is returning to provide a very special induction presentation and performance in tribute to Gary Loizzo of American Breed and Pumpkin Studios," Romero stated.

Also scheduled to appear is Dennis DeYoung from Styx, Jim Peterik from the Ides of March and formerly of Survivor, the New Colony Six and many more.

The Class of 2022 Hall of Fame Band or Solo Artist inductees include:

• Styx, Chuck Berry, Sam Cooke, Dan Fogelberg and the New Colony Six.
• Songwriter inductees feature Dennis DeYoung and Jim Peterik.
• The legendary John Records Landecker will be inducted in the DJ category.
• WXRT-FM will be inducted in the Radio Station category.
• Gary Loizzo will enter the Hall of Fame in the Recording Studio category.
• Mercury Records, founded in Chicago in 1945, will be inducted in the Record Label category.

Hall of Fame Inductees are selected by total votes cast each year by Charter Members of the Illinois Rock and Roll Museum on Route 66.

The June 5 event will be held at the Rialto Square Theatre, 102 North Chicago Street in downtown Joliet. Doors will open at 4 p.m. and the show begins at 5 p.m.

Ticket prices are $68.50, $58.50 and $48.50 and tickets are available through links on the museum’s website at www.RoadToRock.org.

The Illinois Rock & Roll Museum on Route 66 said it is committed to preserving the rich history and contributions of musicians, performers and industry leaders who have impacted the music world and embodied the creative spirit of Illinois. Contributions are tax-deductible for income, gift, and estate taxes. For more information, visit www.RoadToRock.org.