He would often attend music practice sessions with his musician uncle, a house band member at Leo's Casino, a night club in Cleveland, Ohio.

[1] It was one of the premier clubs in the Midwest during the 1960s for R&B, jazz, and African American comedians such as The Supremes, Marvin Gaye, Ray Charles, Redd Foxx, Flip Wilson, Richard Pryor and Otis Redding.

[9] An annual Hall of Fame induction ceremony followed, honoring artists, non-musical individuals, venues, events, and other influences on the world of R&B music.

[11] The first class of inductees included recording acts The Supremes, The Temptations, The Marvelettes, The O'Jays,[9] Martha & The Vandellas (Martha Reeves, Rosalind Holmes, and Annette Helton), The Dramatics, Ruby & The Romantics, and The Dazz Band Featuring Jerry Bell and Little Jimmy Scott; historic venue Leo's Casino; international journalist Larry Cotton; and radio hosts Tom Joyner[9] and Tim Marshall.

[12] On December 20, 2017, 17 names were added to the list of inductees as 20th Century Early Music Influences such as Sammy Davis Jr, Ruth Brown, Bill Haley, Louis Armstrong and others.

The National Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame has announced it will forgo its live induction ceremony honoring its 2020 class due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Founder and CEO LaMont Robinson stated the live induction ceremony would be replaced by an online salute honoring the class of 2020 inductees.

It will also provide an educational wing that will contain a library and research department, a gift shop, and possibly a juke joint style soul food restaurant.

Among its present collection are rare photos, original documents, and many items from artists whose contributions helped shape an important era of the music industry.