Rockin’ House of Wax

Pasquale Ramunno and his family sculpted out a unique niche when they created the Rock Legends Wax Museum in Niagara Falls, Ontario. Galleries of the sort are not uncommon across the world, though they generally feature who’s whos of famous figures from many walks of life, rarely specializing in one field (i.e., political leaders, entertainers, sports figures).

Having branched out from a rock and roll gift shop they opened in 1983, the Ramunnos started a new venture after featuring some Frank Zappa and Jim Morrison figures in ‘97. From then on, Pasquale continually added rock icons to the pantheon. Visitors got up close and personal with Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Ozzy Osbourne, John Lennon, Little Richard, KISS (of course) and so many others.

They weren’t all 'dead-on', but that wasn’t really the point. Art, like music itself, is interpretive and that’s precisely what Ramunno’s work conveys. Besides, where else could one find all those pop music heroes in one place? I’d take this tribute over that pretentious hall of conceit in Cleveland any day of the week.

Sadly, the museum has since closed, but some of the figures remain on display in the Rockworld store, including Alice Cooper, Gene Simmons, Slash and David Bowie. When in the vicinity, be sure to stop by 5020 Centre Street and feast your eyes on a rare and oddly fascinating mixture— rock and wax!

Acknowledgement: Thank you to Roadside America for the use of the photos in this story!

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Christopher Robinson

The Golden Woodsman

Perched majestically atop the Oregon State Capitol Building in Salem, the 22-foot 23 carat gold leaf covered lumberjack known as Oregon Pioneer began his momentous cross-country trek in New Jersey.

Sculpted in 1938 by Ulrich Ellerhusen, the Pioneer was created for Salem’s new capitol building after their previous one was destroyed by fire in 1935. He allegedly traveled through the Panama Canal and reached Salem by railroad.

Facing north and clutching an axe and a tarp, he peers westward and strikes a pose that suitably evokes the rugged frontier spirit of the state of Oregon and its surrounding regions.

Who would have guessed that the brawny golden paragon of the Pacific Northwest was originally a Jersey boy? Now, if only we can find a Colonial-clad statue overlooking Trenton that was crafted in the woodlands of Oregon, a swap could somehow be negotiated by the appropriate authorities thereby aligning the moon and stars once again.

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Christopher Robinson