The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame announced yesterday that it was officially cancelling this year’s induction ceremony.
The event had already been pushed back from May 2nd to November 7th due to the Corona Virus pandemic … but with Covid-19 still rampantly around us, the organization has determined that it just isn’t safe to hold such a large gathering and risk exposing fans and artists to an unsafe environment.
They will prepare an HBO Television Special to air on November 7th instead, commemorating this year’s inductees: Depeche Mode, The Doobie Brothers, Whitney Houston, Nine Inch Nails, The Notorious B.I.G. and T-Rex … as well as journalist-turned-manager Jon Landau and manager-turned-mogul Irving Azoff, who were named as Ahmet Ertegun Award honorees. Ticketmaster ticket purchasers will have the cost of their tickets automatically credited to their accounts.
In a statement released by John Sykes, Chairman of The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Foundation, he said “To protect the health and safety of our inductees, their families, crews and our attendees, we’ve made the decision that the scheduled live event is not possible. Together with HBO and executive producer Joel Gallen, we will still create an exciting program honoring our 2020 inductees, by telling the stories of their incredible contributions to music and impact on a generation of artists that followed them.”
Next year’s ceremony will be pushed back accordingly to allow proper time for the nominating, voting and selection processes.
Meanwhile, The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in Cleveland is now open and will launch a new exhibit honoring this year’s inductees on August 14th. (kk)
In addition to getting his own concert YouTube Channel, Elton John is ALSO getting his own coin!
kk:
Makes cents to me.
FB
Joe Porcaro, father of Toto founding members Steve, Jeff and Mike Porcaro, passed away on Monday, July 6th, at the age of 90.
Dad was a drummer who, over the years, performed on albums by everyone from Frank Sinatra, Sarah Vaughan and Stan Getz to The Rolling Stones, Boz Scaggs, Joe Cocker, Bonnie Raitt, Pink Floyd and The Monkees. (How’s THAT for diversity?!?!)
He even played percussion on his sons’ recording of “Africa” from the Toto IV LP.
Joe passed away peacefully in his sleep, outliving his sons Mike (d. 1992) and Jeff (d. 2015).
Legendary Philadelphia International Records co-founders and R&B pioneers Kenneth Gamble & Leon Huff released the following joint statement as they mourned the passing this weekend of Sharon Paige of Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes, best known for her duet performance with Teddy Pendergrass on the #1 R&B smash, “Hope That We Can Be Together Soon”:
“Sharon possessed one of the most unique female vocals that blended perfectly with the smooth singing and vocal prowess of Harold Melvin and Teddy Pendergrass. We really enjoyed recording Sharon with the group and felt she was a great asset, both for the successful launch of the act and for being a great talent in her own right. She will always be remembered as Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes (featuring the lovely Ms. Sharon Paige). We send our sincere condolences to her family and fans.”
Sharon Paige came to fame as a singer who worked with Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes, particularly on the memorable 1975 ballad, “I Hope That We Can Be Together Soon,” the group’s fourth #1 R&B hit. While not a permanent member of the group, Paige was a frequent collaborator who took on a larger role after the departure of Teddy Pendergrass. By the time that song hit the top of the R&B charts, Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes had become soul music royalty, on par with the PIR label mates the O'Jays and the Stylistics. Beyond “Hope That We Can Be Together Soon,” Paige’s smooth tones helped boost other Gamble & Huff compositions for Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes such as “You Know How To Make Me Feel So Good,” “I'm Searching For A Love," and “I Should Be Your Lover.” She took a more prominent role on the 1980 Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes long-player The Blue Album, but it barely charted. Paige also released a few solo songs, including the beautiful “You Don’t Even Know My Name.”
“Sharon possessed one of the most unique female vocals that blended perfectly with the smooth singing and vocal prowess of Harold Melvin and Teddy Pendergrass. We really enjoyed recording Sharon with the group and felt she was a great asset, both for the successful launch of the act and for being a great talent in her own right. She will always be remembered as Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes (featuring the lovely Ms. Sharon Paige). We send our sincere condolences to her family and fans.”
Sharon Paige came to fame as a singer who worked with Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes, particularly on the memorable 1975 ballad, “I Hope That We Can Be Together Soon,” the group’s fourth #1 R&B hit. While not a permanent member of the group, Paige was a frequent collaborator who took on a larger role after the departure of Teddy Pendergrass. By the time that song hit the top of the R&B charts, Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes had become soul music royalty, on par with the PIR label mates the O'Jays and the Stylistics. Beyond “Hope That We Can Be Together Soon,” Paige’s smooth tones helped boost other Gamble & Huff compositions for Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes such as “You Know How To Make Me Feel So Good,” “I'm Searching For A Love," and “I Should Be Your Lover.” She took a more prominent role on the 1980 Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes long-player The Blue Album, but it barely charted. Paige also released a few solo songs, including the beautiful “You Don’t Even Know My Name.”
People are still cracking up over the Rolling Stones 2030 Tour Poster sent in by Mike Wolstein …
LMAO ... Mike Wolstein ...
He hit it "out of the ballpark" with the Rolling Stones 2030 Tour. Yikes.
50 years ago. Where does the time go with all that happened "all those years ago" to quote George Harrison. Seems like only yesterday.
Sandy
And a few more smiles, Abbey Road-style …
Social Distancing
Thought you might enjoy my original Big Jack photo that came from WIXY 1260 in Cleveland in 1966. August 14, 1966 ... Big Jack Armstrong with the Fabs. Within six months, he was a force at 50,000 watt WKYC. That is where we Besch boys went crazy with this great fast talking DJ. He was THE GREATEST DJ outside of my Chicago heroes. What I cannot believe is that he was only two years younger than George in this photo! Jack was 21 and about to become a giant in radio!
Check out his story on the night of this picture. It REALLY adds to the story in the MP3 attached -- a 2013 interview with Rollye James. Maybe the ONLY time the fabs played the same song TWICE in one concert -- especially when they played ONLY 11 songs including the repeat!
See this:
The rest of the WIXY guys joined in the fun too:
