TGIF! … Time for me to continue my personal bitch session about the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and their failure to induct (and in some cases, not even nominate) rock and roll artists who I believe are very deserving candidates.
You don’t have to agree with my opinion and if you don’t, feel free to leave a comment below. Just keep it civil.
Let’s start with Peter, Paul & Mary. One of the most influential folk groups of the 1960s, they have never been nominated!
How about Ben E. King? Inducted as a member of The Drifters, his last nomination as a solo artist came in 1988.
Tommy James & The Shondells recorded 14 Top 40 hits (including 7 in the Top 10) and yet have never been nominated!
George Michael sold over 80 million records worldwide making him one of the best-selling music artists of all time.He achieved seven #1 songs on the UK Singles Chart and eight #1 songs on the Billboard Hot 100. He has never been nominated.
The Guess Who dominated the singles charts in the 1960s and 1970s but have never been nominated.
Steppenwolf released seven Gold albums and one Platinum album, and had 13 Billboard Hot 100 singles, of which seven were Top 40 hits. They have been nominated just once.
Procol Harum’s A Whiter Shade of Pale is one of the few singles to have sold over 10 million copies, and the group has been noted for their baroque and classical influence. They were nominated once, in 2017.
Link Wray popularized “the power chord” with Rumble in 1958 and facilitated the emergence of “punk and heavy rock.” He has been nominated twice.
Your Memories … That’s What We’re All About
Play button is on the left … Volume slider is on the right
Rock and Roll Snubs, Part 2
Peter, Paul & Mary – Ben E. King
Tommy James & The Shondells – George Michael
Guess Who – Steppenwolf
Procol Harum – Link Wray
Good Morning, Ray. Peter, Paul & Mary , well it is called the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. One of the many problems I have with this institution is how they stretch their interpretation of Rock. I like P,P&M but… Even more troubling to me is the inclusion of Hip Hop & Rap, no way. Ben E. King is a crime. He should definitely be included, he is more than worthy of the honor. Tommy James, not a fan but the numbers tell the story. Hard to ignore the facts. George Michael, also not in my record collection but obviously love by many and sold a ton of records. Guess Who, oh yeah, definitely, I’ll hold the door to let these canucks in. They consistently produced fine music. Steppenwolf, what? If they only had Born to Be Wild they would be a candidate. Of course they had many, more big hits that people are still humming & playing. Procol Harum, they opened the door to lots of fine music, theirs and those who embraced their musical path. In the category of under appreciatied artists Link Wray leads the way. Another important innovator. His amazing talent is evident in his innovative playing. Just let him in!
In a way, this entire conversation is a fool’s errand. We all appear to agree that the place is irrelevant but we can’t stop talking about it. It’s like a car wreck that you can’t stop looking at. Oh well, it’s Friday. Ray, enjoy the weekend, you have stirred the pot enough for one week. Rock on my Brother.
Good morning, Don.
Do Peter, Paul & Mary belong in an institution honoring Rock? Not if that institution is staying true to their mission, BUT if Joan Baez is in for breathing “new life into folk music in the 1960s,” PP&M certainly belong. As for Hip Hop and Rap artists, well, I could rail against that for days and days.
By the way, I know my griping about is completely insignificant in the grand scheme of things. No one at the Hall of Fame will care and my feelings won’t change a damn thing. That said, I don’t mind stirring the pot, not at all. I do it because I have strong feelings about the artists who left me so many memories from my youth. If there’s going to be a Hall of Fame, then the least the powers that be can do is at least pretend those memories and the rock and roll musicians who created them matter.
Have a super-duper weekend and…
ROCK ON, BROTHER!
Ray, it’s good to have a place to vent. The important thing is you provide that place. We all love the music and that’s all that counts. To paraphrase The Treasure of Seria Madre, “ We don’t need no stinkin’ Hall of Fame!”
It occurs to me that venting is something I should do a little more. I can feel a “Ray’s Rant” or two coming along. I haven’t done one of those in a long time.
Do you think my spelling would improve if I put my glasses on before commenting?
I never notice spelling errors. I really don’t. 🙂 Besides, comments left on this site are always appreciated regardless of spelling. It’s the thought that counts. 🙂
Ummm…yep, this medley is filled with EPIC songs and artists! It makes no sense to me how all of them were snubbed! I appreciate the info and reality check! You certainly shone a spotlight on them today. Thanks for keeping it real! 🙂 XOXOXOXO 🙂
Thank you, Wendyl ❤️
I accept the fact that all of my complaints make no difference but I had to say something about the political shenanigans behind the Rock and Roll Hall of Lame. We may not, as Don stated, need a Hall of Fame, but damn it, if they’re going to do it, at least get it right!
❤️XOXOXOXO❤️
Enjoyed these songs today. Never have payed much attention to the Hall of Fame, but can understand why the omission of the above artists would upset you. Just wanted to say I enjoy reading the comments by you & your listeners, almost as much as the music!!
Thanks, Pat 🙂
I enjoy the comments by listeners, too, even if we don’t agree. That’s why the comment section is here. It allows anyone to express an opinion. 🙂
I just finished listening for the 4th or 5th time (lost count) as I am getting read for bed! It really pisses me off and saddens me at the same time that all these and others have been snubbed. Then there are others who made it and you wonder how the hell they got there!! 🙁 I love all these songs and still listen to most on a regular basis …. The messages in these songs are powerful from blowing in the wind (love Peter, Paul and Mary), stand by me, crimson and clover (amazing), to born to be wild …… damn! I could go on and on but I would rather listen to the wonderful music than think of the asshats who have snubbed and as far as I am concerned disrespected these wonderful artists! Have a safe and warm evening my friend!
Thank you, Penny 🙂
I love the way you speak your mind. I really do! ❤️