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Archival Collections: Archival Collections

Archival collections range in size from a single document to hundreds of boxes of materials or digital items, including photographs, manuscripts, business records, posters, handbills, recordings and much more, from performers, bands, record label executives, recording studios, and the fans themselves. See images of some of the types of materials you can hope to find below. Our archival collections are described in guides called finding aids. The lists included in this guide include basic overviews to our processed archival collections. To view the more detailed finding aids for these collections, please use the links in each title under the different tabs above, which will take you to our online catalog. For more information on how to get started with archival research, other repositories collecting popular music history, or digital resources available for teaching, see our Popular Music Research guide. Other questions? Please contact us using the form on our website.

Images from the Archives

Drifters performing in Cleveland

The Drifters performing in Cleveland, circa 1954-1955.
Photographer Jimmy Baynes.
From ARC-0161 Jimmy Baynes Collection.

Rock, Rock, Rock! film poster

Rock, Rock, Rock! film poster, 1956.
From ARC-0006 Alan Freed Collection.

Fillmore handbill

Handbill for the Who at the Fillmore, 1967.
From ARC-0037 Jeff Gold Collection.

Atlanta International Pop Festival poster, 1969.

Atlanta International Pop Festival poster, 1969.
From ARC-0902 Chicago Collection.

Meters patch

Patch for the Meters' 1976 album Trick Bag.
From ARC-0004 Mo Ostin Collection.

Postcard from Patti Smith

Postcard from Patti Smith to her family, sent from Ohio, 1976.
From ARC-0290 Patti Smith Collection.

Jane Scott and David Bowie

Cleveland Plain Dealer music critic Jane Scott with David Bowie.
Inscribed. From ARC-0370 Jane Scott Papers.

The Cars' Shake It Up album

The Cars' 1981 album Shake It Up.
From ARC-0370 Jane Scott Papers.

Tin Huey sticker

Bumper sticker for Akron band Tin Huey.
From ARC-1055 Chris Butler Papers.

Eurythmics

Promotional photograph of the Eurythmics.
From ARC-0423 Philadelphia Inquirer Photographs.

Depeche Mode sticker

Sticker for the 1993 Depeche Mode album Songs of Faith and Devotion.
From ARC-0002 Sire Records Collection.

Image of Rage Against the Machine

Promotional photograph for Rage Against the Machine.
From ARC-0423 Philadelphia Inquirer Photographs.

Radiohead's Thom Yorke

Thom Yorke (Radiohead) performing at the Verizon Center (Washington, D.C.), 2012.
Photographer Michael Kurman.
From ARC-0965 Michael Kurman Photographs.
 

Thank you to the following funders for their support processing the archival collections of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame:

 

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