The year 1986 was a big one for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, as it marked the inaugural Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, when such rock patriarchs as Chuck Berry and Elvis Presley were inducted. That same year, Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta was born in New York City. Today, millions of Little Monsters around the world adore her, their Mother Monster. To the rest of the world, she's Lady Gaga. But who did Lady Gaga love when she was an impressionable youngster?
"I adored Freddie Mercury and Queen had a hit called 'Radio Gaga,'" says Gaga. "That's why I love the name ... Freddie was unique -- one of the biggest personalities in the whole of pop music."
With her larger than life personas and knack for crafting infectious tunes, Lady Gaga's rise to fame has made her a hugely influential superstar with creative music videos, elaborate stage shows, alter egos and unique artistic collaborations. Beyond Queen, the style and sounds of David Bowie and Madonna, and pop artist and filmmaker Andy Warhol all have echoes in Gaga's unique brand of art and music.
All those influences come together at the Rock Hall in Cleveland, which traces the roots of rock to contemporary artists influencing new generations of players, including Lady Gaga. The outfit worn by Lady Gaga in the video for "Bad Romance," which she describes as among her favorite of her songs, is among the artifacts featured in the Rock Hall's Right, Here, Right Now exhibit.
This blog post is part of a series produced by Huffington Post and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in conjunction with the latter's current "Right Here, Right Now" exhibit. The exhibit, at the Cleveland-based museum, takes a look at the evolution of rock and roll and its impact on the next generation of artists by taking visitors on an intimate journey into the stories of chart-topping acts as told through their personal items and clothing from iconic performances. To learn more, visit here. To meet the other seven, visit here and see below!