I've been watching some of the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Feedback from some of the artists who are fortunate enough to be inducted this year. (The official ceremony will take place on October 19th and be broadcast live on Disney+. ABC Television will air an edited program shortly thereafter.)
We've mentioned before that for many, becoming an honoree has become less and less prestigious over the years, simply because of the haphazard methods of the nominating selection committee ...
But Peter Frampton and Mick Jones and Lou Gramm of Foreigner acknowledged that they are truly honored to finally be recognized for their lifetime of work ... even if it did take a lot longer than most rock music fans think it should have.
Peter Frampton (who came up with the best line EVER when his nomination was first announced ... "You mean I'm not already in?") said, “I think I’m a little bit in shock, and speechless. I never expected this. People always said, ‘You should be in.’ I said, ‘Eh, what is to be,’ y’know? So mixed emotions, because it’s something that I just never expected, whereas other people did for me. (laughs) It’s wonderful.”
Mick Jones described the experience as being "the whipped cream and cherry on top" ... “I think it means more to me now than perhaps 20 years ago. I’ve had a great career, and this is like the whipped cream and cherry on top. It’s something I will savor over the years. It’s a great honor to be included amongst all these great artists that have been inducted over the years."
And Lou Gramm said, “It’s quite an honor and it’s been a long time coming. I’m very proud and happy to be a member.”
Surprisingly silent was Cher, who blasted The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame earlier this year for ignoring her. (She's been eligible since 1988, the year after The Rock Hall was founded!)
There is no question that Cher had a HUGE impact on the music scene of the '60's ... as well as the fashion scene as she transformed from the hippie, beatnik chick into the elegant Las Vegas performer.
I suppose if you're a "glass half full" sort of guy, you could brush it all off as, "Yes, the ignored you for 36 years ... but TECHNICALLY you got in on your first ballot!" Hopefully, she'll take that approach and join in the celebration, accept her award graciously (with her usual bit of sarcasm) and even perform at the event! (kk)
Yesterday, we told you about WLS' 100th Anniversary ... and I heard from Art Vuolo, "Radio's Best Friend," who shared a one hour video clip of a very special celebration commemorating the big event ...
Please feel free to share the link with anyone you feel would enjoy seeing it. At the end there is a listing of six (6) other WLS videos which I had the pleasure of producing. They are ALL available via my website: Vuolo Video
Chan Romero, who wrote the British Pop Classic “Hippy Hippy Shake,” passed away at the age of 82 this past week.
He wrote the song in 1959 when he was just 17 years old … and the cover version by The Swinging Blue Jeans became a #2 Hit on the British Charts. (It peaked at #24 here in The States.)
It was also covered by The Beatles (a favorite of Paul’s) in one of their BBC performances. (GREAT tune!) kk
Also leaving us this week ...
Mike Pinder, an original founding member of The Moody Blues, who died yesterday at the age of 82.
When The Moody Blues first started out in 1964, their repertoire consisted largely of blues (hence the name), with forays into pop and rock. The original lineup included Pinder on keyboards and vocals, guitarist/singer Denny Laine (who sang their first chart hit, "Go Now," a Top Ten Record the following year), Ray Thomas, also on vocals, tambourine and harmonica, drummer Graeme Edge and Clint Warwick on bass and vocals. With this much vocal talent, the group was able to incorporate strong vocal harmonies into their sound ... but after an early round of success, Laine and Warwick left the group over musical differences. (The Moodies were advancing into a much more sophisticated rock arena with the additions of Justin Hayward and John Lodge, thus creating what most would refer to as their “classic lineup,” recording the 1967 landmark album "Days Of Future Passed" (which Lodge is still performing in its entirety today on his solo tour.) It was Pinder's use of the mellotron that helped define the band's new sound ... and several other hit singles (in a COMPLETELY different vein) followed: "Tuesday Afternoon" (#24, 1968), "Ride My See Saw" (#46, 1968), "Question" (#19, 1970), "The Story In Your Eyes" (#14, 1971), "Nights In White Satin" (#1, 1972, but originally recorded back in 1967 as part of the "Future Passed" album, showing just how far ahead of their time the "new" Moody Blues really were ... remember, 1967 was the year of "Sgt. Pepper" ... so despite critical acclaim, "Days Of Future Passed," recorded with a full orchestra, went virtually unnoticed at the time) and "I'm Just A Singer In A Rock And Roll Band" (#8, 1973.)
All of the above tunes made your list of THE TOP 3333 MOST ESSENTIAL CLASSIC ROCK SONGS OF ALL TIME, where The Moody Blues placed EIGHTEEN tracks on the countdown, five of which made The Top 1000. (kk)
https://classicrockessentials.blogspot.com/
Timmy made my day with this one ...
"Essential Reading" ... to say the least!!!
60 YEARS AGO TODAY:
4/25/64 – Actor Hank Azaria is born
