The John C. Browning Collection consists of various materials from 1955-1994 and includes undated items. It includes non-commercial audiocassettes and VHS tapes, promotional posters, press releases, fanzines, album art, advertising and promotional materials, sheet music, photographs, and trading cards. Artists of note include the Beach Boys, James Brown, Ruth Brown, Tevin Campbell, Patsy Cline, the Clovers, John Fogerty, Tennessee Ernie Ford, the Four Seasons, Funkadelic, Elton John, Louis Jordan, Los Lobos, Buck Owens, Wilson Pickett, Prince, the Ronettes, the Turtles, Suzanne Vega, and Ween. Bruce Springsteen is prominently featured.
Biography / Administrative History
John Browning grew up in Maysville, Kentucky, and was educated at St. Paul's School, Swarthmore College, and the University of Chicago Law School. Although music always played a big part in his life--his mother was an accomplished musician, and he enjoyed singing doo-wop with his four brothers--his interest in record collecting began in earnest only after he discovered Val Shively's R&B Records in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania. His passion for rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and popular music of all types expanded over the years; along with the depth and breadth of his extensive music knowledge.
Notes
Separated Materials: Books, magazines, fanzines, limited edition vinyl recordings, commercial audiocassettes and VHS tapes, CDs, and a calendar have been transferred to the library collection. Please search for the "John C. Browning Collection" in the library catalog for a list of donated titles. If you are unable to find what you are looking for, consult the Library and Archives staff to ensure these materials are available.
Processing Information: Processed by Philip Shackelford, Intern. Completed July 15, 2014. Revised by Anastasia Karel, Archivist. Completed May 18, 2016. Descriptive sources and standards used to create this inventory: DACS and local processing manual.
Citation: [Identification of Item], John C. Browning Collection, Library and Archives, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum.
Acquisition Note: The John C. Browning Collection was received by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, Inc. as a gift from Ruth Bardon on October 5, 1998.
Exhibition History: March 2019-August 2020, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum: Class of 2019 Exhibit.
Access
Collection is open for research. Patrons must sign the Acknowledgment of Legal Responsibilities and Privacy Rights statement on the Researcher Registration form before using this collection. Some of the audiovisual materials in the collection are on defunct media formats and, therefore, are RESTRICTED. Access copies of these materials will have to be created prior to use. Consult the Library and Archives staff in advance of your visit to ensure access to these materials is available.
Use
The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, Inc. For more information, please consult the staff of the Library and Archives.
