Here is the list of the initial inductees into the DrReverend Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Without these people there would be no rock and roll. I don't even like all of these people or groups, but their impact on rock and roll is undeniable. If you think I've forgotten a group or person who you believe should have been included in the lists below, let me know and I'll consider them for January's inductions.
Performers:
The Beach Boys
The Beatles
Chuck Berry
David Bowie
Eric Clapton
Sam Cooke
Fats Domino
Bob Dylan
The Everly Brothers
Grateful Dead
Bill Haley
Buddy Holly
Michael Jackson
Jimi Hendrix
Led Zeppelin
Jerry Lee Lewis
Little Richard
Roy Orbison
Carl Perkins
Pink Floyd
Elvis Presley
Ramones
The Rolling Stones
Sex Pistols
Simon and Garfunkel
The Supremes
The Velvet Underground
The Who
Frank Zappa
Les Paul
James Brown
Aretha Franklin
Non-Performers:
Dick Clark
Leo Fender
Alan Freed
Berry Gordy
Sam Phillips
Phil Spector
John H. Hammond
*Addendum - I spoke with our good friend Skippy Stalin this evening and he convinced me that I am being perhaps a little too stringent when it comes to determining what is and what isn't Rock and Roll. As a result I James Brown and Aretha Franklin have been added to the list above.
Sunday, August 8, 2010
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You have Michael Jackson, but not James Brown, Otis Redding or Curtis Mayfield?
ReplyDeleteAnd why not Ahmet Ertegun? He signed almost everybody listening to on Atlantic Records, from Ray Charles to Zeppelin. The same can be said of John Hammond, Jr at Columbia.
ReplyDeleteOh, and Les Paul!
ReplyDeleteI'm torn on whether to what extent to include R&B artists. In my mind R&B, (which as I'm sure you know actually pre-dates rock and roll), is kind of it's own thing. That's why Brown was left out of the first round. Redding really isn't that important outside of his context and certainly doesn't stand with the people/groups included as far as I'm concerned, (and I actually like Redding). I feel the same about Mayfield. Brown and Redding were actually considered and almost made it, but you have to cut things off somewhere. I think it's obivious why I left Ertegun off. Hammond and Paul have been added to the list.
ReplyDeleteNo Prince?
ReplyDeleteNo Prince...never.
ReplyDeleteI've got three obligatories you missed, plus two future inducties to recommend.
ReplyDeleteThe Obligatories: Janis Joplin, Patti Smith, Iggy and the Stooges.
Future inducties: Nick Cave(inclusive of both The Birthday Party and The Bad Seeds) and Warren Zevon.
I must ask, why no Prince? I agree with the omission of Ertegun. PLEASE no Janis or Doors. I don't agree with the Ramones or Who. They both get a lot of credit for things that they didn't do (like Ronnie Regan). Also, Nick Cave, good omission. An omission might be Nirvana, but please no other Seattlite bands. They killed a great party with the Prozac Rock.
ReplyDeleteAlso, no Ray Charles?
ReplyDeleteAll good calls on the non- performers.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous - I just don't think that Janis Joplin was/is as important to rock and roll as the artists that I did include. I like Joplin, I just don't think that she was a real big deal when you look at the big picture. I feel the same way about Patti Smith, but maybe I'll give her another listen. Iggy Pop & the Stooges should be in on one of the first few ballots.
ReplyDeleteI'd look for at least one of Nick Cave or Warren Zevonthem to be inducted in the first 5 years. Ray Charles was a borderline. It's really hard to draw the line between rock and roll and other genres, so I erred on the side of caution. I'd rather leave someone out and then add them later than have to remove someone.
Scott - You'll probably disagree with me, but I just don't think that Prince is a big deal. I don't like his music. I put him in the same category as Madonna, and they both weren't included for the same reason, that being I just don't see their significance when looking at the big picture. Maybe I'm wrong and feel free to try to change my mind, I will be as open minded as possible. I know that if you're a Prince fan what I'm saying sounds insane, as I feel the same way when people put down the Grateful Dead.
ReplyDeleteThe Ramones were a borderline call. I just feel that they had a significant lasting impact on rock and roll. The mid-70's saw a radical change in rock and roll and the Ramones played a large role in that. The Who I feel have had a huge impact on rock and roll. They have been consistently popular and influential since the 60s. I understand if you don't like them, but they had a long run (65 - 79) of really good records. Their whole "rock - opera" thing in the late 60's early 70's I think was pretty important and influential.
Nirvana, (who I like very much), is the only band that came out of Seattle that is worth listening to, or talking about. I suspect that they'll be over the next few years.
I want to thank everyone for their input and encourage you to continue. I am open to any and all suggestions. It's harder than it seems to pick who gets in and who doesn't. There are a lot of borderline cases. I don't want to end up like the Hall of Incest with people like Miles Davis included because he is work just isn't rock and roll. I've put bands in that I don't care for that much (Led Zeppelin) and not included other bands that I do like (Black Sabbath, Nick Drake) just because I think that the bar has to be high to get in. If you think there's be some huge oversight then just send me your list of who should be considered for January. If everyone says I wrong and James Brown should be in, then maybe James Brown should be in.
ReplyDeleteThanks again for all the feedback.
dude, CCR didn't make the first cut?? What about Phish?? What the hell is going on here??!?!?!?!?!
ReplyDelete@filigree,
ReplyDeletePHISH? WTF? And CCR are partly responsible for the Eagles. Those fuckers (Eagles) are the reason I can't afford to go to concerts anymore. So fuck CCR, the Eagles, and anyone who likes them. Frey has no idea about what " they hide it up in Telluride" means, anyway.
Phish would be appropriate for the Rock and Roll Hall of Shame, at best.
ReplyDeleteScott - I completely understand your feelings about the Eagles, but I think CCR was a great band.
ReplyDeleteNoted. Most people I know who have otherwise great taste in music do, too. Maybe I missed something.
ReplyDeleteAlice Cooper
ReplyDeleteDeep Purple
ReplyDelete