On in Cleveland: Women Who Rock about to open at Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

From the Cleveland Plain Dealer:

They are women; hear them rock. Female artists ranging from pioneers such as Ma Rainey and Bessie Smith to contemporary superstars such as Lady Gaga and Taylor Swift are getting their due in a major new exhibition at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum.

"Women Who Rock: Vision, Passion, Power" opens Friday. Aretha Franklin, Tina Turner, Joni Mitchell, Yoko Ono, Madonna, Britney Spears and Alicia Keys are also among the 70-plus artists showcased in the exhibit, complete with stage outfits, musical instruments, handwritten lyric manuscripts and other artifacts. Spread across the top two floors of the museum, the sprawling installation will highlight not only rockers, but also noteworthy women representing pop, country, R&B, hip-hop, disco and other genres.

To coincide with the exhibit opening, a Rock Hall benefit concert Saturday night at Cleveland's Public Auditorium will include performances by inductees Wanda Jackson, Darlene Love and Mavis Staples, among others.

"Women Who Rock" runs through Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012.