Rock'n'Roll Hall of Fame 2020 Class Announced
This week, there are several acts that have been announced as nominated for the Rock'n'Roll Hall of Fame Induction to take place in May of this year. This is an annual induction event where artists who have been recording for at least twenty-five years are eligible for induction.
Here theinductees thus far..
Whitney Houston (1963-2012)
The late, great Whitney Houston has realeased seven albums throughout her career and all have been certified gold, platinum, or diamond. Due to her heavy appearance on MTV, she made a name for herself starting with her hits How Will I Know? and I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me). These videos helped shape and influence other African-American artists.
In 1993, she recorded I Will Always Love You. Folks, being her signature song, the song is NOT her original. In fact, Dolly Parton is responsible for carving the original two decades before Whitney.
Depeche Mode
Perhaps one of the best examples of 1980s New Wave/Synthpop culture, Depeche Mode have had 54 songs in the UK chart and 17 top 10 albums. Their 1988 performance at Pasadena's Rose Bowl, drawing over 60,000 viewers, was the pinnacle of their career, as were the late 80s/early 90s records Black Celebration, Music for the Masses, and Violator. HIts from their heyday included Policy of Truth, People Are People, Enjoy the Silence, and Personal Jesus.
The Doobie Brothers
The Doobies have been eligible for the R'n'R Hall of Fame for some fifteen years now, but as we have seen, had yet to be inducted - that is until now. What started in 1969 as a meeting between drummer John Hartman and Mobe Grape's Skip Spence, became one of the best-selling bands in the world, averaging some 80 shows on an annual basis. Their high time, between 1970 and 1982, featured country rock (a la the Eagles) in the early to mid 1970s, before taking on a softer, blue-eyed tone after Michael McDonald came on for Tom Johnston. They are known for signature songs such as China Grove, What a Fool Believes, and Jesus is Just Alright.
Band members set to be inducted are Tom Johnston, Patrick Simons, bass player Tiran Porter, guitarist/fiddlist John McFee, drummer John Hartman, keyboardist/vocalist Michael McDonald, and Jeff "Skunk" Baxter of Steely Dan fame. Late great drummers Michael Hoassack and Keith Knudsen (who sang backing vocals on Black Water most noteably) will also be recognized.
Nine Inch Nails
Founded and led by musiclal virtuoso Trent Reznor, the Cleveland band's sound is industrial akin to Marilyn Manson. They are most remembered for their hit Closer. Bass player Pino Pallandino has also been a session player for many acts, most noteably for The Who following John Entwhstle's death in 2002.
The Notorious B.I.G.
OK, I know what you're thinking, as "un-rock" as it gets, but just like Pac was known as the lyrical king of the 90s hip hop scene, we can't forget about our flow king, Biggie. Biggie issued his 1994 debut Ready to Die through Bad Boy Records after being discovered by Sean "Puff Daddy" Combs. During the mid 90s, he also led his protege band Junior M.A.F.I.A. to success. As short-lived as they were, their success helped fire up the career of another member of the so-called Bad Boy family, Lil' Kim. Biggie was shot and killed in March 1997 in Los Angeles, and shortly thereafter, his posthumous album Life After Death. Later in the year, Puff Daddy recorded a tribute song featuring his wife I'll Be Missing You, sampling The Police's 1984 hit Every Breath You Take. Sting even went as far as to play guitar and sing the chorus during the year's MTV Video Music Awards.
T Rex
They're basically one-hitters but the Marc Bolan-led band is remembered for its glam-rock style, and their 1971 smash hit Bang a Gong(Get it On). It was in the top 10 in six countries and number 1 in the UK and Ireland. Sadly, Bolan died in 1977 and by 1978, the band was no more.
Not enough women...
Folks this is a disturbing trend. Only one of the six inductees into the Hall of Fame is a female. Pat Benatar did not make the cut this year, which leaves only Whitney in for this year. Janet Jackson, addressed, in her 2019 induction speech, the importance of feminism and the need for respect of women.
To add insult to the injury, only less than 8 percent of the Hall of Fame inductees thus far are female - very disturbing indeed, and this comes from a study conducted by music journalist Evelyn McDonnell.
Who Didn't Make The Cut?
In closing, there were a number of acts who were on the ballot but not pulled, here is just a brief overview:
Pat Benatar: Known for her collaboration with husband guitarist Neil Giraldo, Banetar has released many hits in the 70s and 80s including Heartbreaker, her signatures Hit me WIth Your Best Shot, and Love is a Battlefield, as well as We Belong, the child abuse anthem Hell is For Children, Treat me Right, You Better Run, and Shadows of The Night.
Dave Mathews Band: Known for their combination of rock and jazz, the DMB rose to fame in the early to mid 90s with hits such as What Would You Say?, Crash Into Me, and Ants Marching.
Motorhead and Judas Priest: Two of the most influential heavy metal acts from the 70s and 80s.
Thin Lizzy: Before there was U2, Ireland had Thin Lizzy. Their unique dual-guitar sound can be heard on hits such as The Boys Are Back in Town and The Cowboy Song. Their 1976 record Jailbreak is a massive, international success.
Rufus and Chaka Khan: The funk/soul band that made Chaka Khan famous, they are most known for their 1974 hit Tell me Something Good
Soundgarten: Led by the late, great Chris Cornell, Sundgarten was a key player in the early 90s grunge scene of the US (the Seattle Grunge Scene, next to Nirvana and Pearl Jam). Their hits include 1992's Rusty Cage and 1994's Black Hole Sun - of which Peter Frampton made an instrumental cover through the talkbox.
Todd Rundgren: Remembered for his 1972 hit Hello It's Me and being a massive production name in the 70s, most noteable for several records by the Grand Funk Railroad
Kraftwerk: Didn't rock as hard as The Scorpions, but these Germans are seen as innovators of electronic music.
MC5: Remembered for playing an active role in the Detroit rock scene - alongside Ted Nugent and the Amboy Dukes. Outside their native Detroit, this band is not very well recognized.
Better luck next time, rather next year...
Here theinductees thus far..
Whitney Houston (1963-2012)
The late, great Whitney Houston has realeased seven albums throughout her career and all have been certified gold, platinum, or diamond. Due to her heavy appearance on MTV, she made a name for herself starting with her hits How Will I Know? and I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me). These videos helped shape and influence other African-American artists.
In 1993, she recorded I Will Always Love You. Folks, being her signature song, the song is NOT her original. In fact, Dolly Parton is responsible for carving the original two decades before Whitney.
Depeche Mode
Perhaps one of the best examples of 1980s New Wave/Synthpop culture, Depeche Mode have had 54 songs in the UK chart and 17 top 10 albums. Their 1988 performance at Pasadena's Rose Bowl, drawing over 60,000 viewers, was the pinnacle of their career, as were the late 80s/early 90s records Black Celebration, Music for the Masses, and Violator. HIts from their heyday included Policy of Truth, People Are People, Enjoy the Silence, and Personal Jesus.
The Doobie Brothers
The Doobies have been eligible for the R'n'R Hall of Fame for some fifteen years now, but as we have seen, had yet to be inducted - that is until now. What started in 1969 as a meeting between drummer John Hartman and Mobe Grape's Skip Spence, became one of the best-selling bands in the world, averaging some 80 shows on an annual basis. Their high time, between 1970 and 1982, featured country rock (a la the Eagles) in the early to mid 1970s, before taking on a softer, blue-eyed tone after Michael McDonald came on for Tom Johnston. They are known for signature songs such as China Grove, What a Fool Believes, and Jesus is Just Alright.
Band members set to be inducted are Tom Johnston, Patrick Simons, bass player Tiran Porter, guitarist/fiddlist John McFee, drummer John Hartman, keyboardist/vocalist Michael McDonald, and Jeff "Skunk" Baxter of Steely Dan fame. Late great drummers Michael Hoassack and Keith Knudsen (who sang backing vocals on Black Water most noteably) will also be recognized.
Nine Inch Nails
Founded and led by musiclal virtuoso Trent Reznor, the Cleveland band's sound is industrial akin to Marilyn Manson. They are most remembered for their hit Closer. Bass player Pino Pallandino has also been a session player for many acts, most noteably for The Who following John Entwhstle's death in 2002.
The Notorious B.I.G.
OK, I know what you're thinking, as "un-rock" as it gets, but just like Pac was known as the lyrical king of the 90s hip hop scene, we can't forget about our flow king, Biggie. Biggie issued his 1994 debut Ready to Die through Bad Boy Records after being discovered by Sean "Puff Daddy" Combs. During the mid 90s, he also led his protege band Junior M.A.F.I.A. to success. As short-lived as they were, their success helped fire up the career of another member of the so-called Bad Boy family, Lil' Kim. Biggie was shot and killed in March 1997 in Los Angeles, and shortly thereafter, his posthumous album Life After Death. Later in the year, Puff Daddy recorded a tribute song featuring his wife I'll Be Missing You, sampling The Police's 1984 hit Every Breath You Take. Sting even went as far as to play guitar and sing the chorus during the year's MTV Video Music Awards.
T Rex
They're basically one-hitters but the Marc Bolan-led band is remembered for its glam-rock style, and their 1971 smash hit Bang a Gong(Get it On). It was in the top 10 in six countries and number 1 in the UK and Ireland. Sadly, Bolan died in 1977 and by 1978, the band was no more.
Not enough women...
Folks this is a disturbing trend. Only one of the six inductees into the Hall of Fame is a female. Pat Benatar did not make the cut this year, which leaves only Whitney in for this year. Janet Jackson, addressed, in her 2019 induction speech, the importance of feminism and the need for respect of women.
To add insult to the injury, only less than 8 percent of the Hall of Fame inductees thus far are female - very disturbing indeed, and this comes from a study conducted by music journalist Evelyn McDonnell.
Who Didn't Make The Cut?
In closing, there were a number of acts who were on the ballot but not pulled, here is just a brief overview:
Pat Benatar: Known for her collaboration with husband guitarist Neil Giraldo, Banetar has released many hits in the 70s and 80s including Heartbreaker, her signatures Hit me WIth Your Best Shot, and Love is a Battlefield, as well as We Belong, the child abuse anthem Hell is For Children, Treat me Right, You Better Run, and Shadows of The Night.
Dave Mathews Band: Known for their combination of rock and jazz, the DMB rose to fame in the early to mid 90s with hits such as What Would You Say?, Crash Into Me, and Ants Marching.
Motorhead and Judas Priest: Two of the most influential heavy metal acts from the 70s and 80s.
Thin Lizzy: Before there was U2, Ireland had Thin Lizzy. Their unique dual-guitar sound can be heard on hits such as The Boys Are Back in Town and The Cowboy Song. Their 1976 record Jailbreak is a massive, international success.
Rufus and Chaka Khan: The funk/soul band that made Chaka Khan famous, they are most known for their 1974 hit Tell me Something Good
Soundgarten: Led by the late, great Chris Cornell, Sundgarten was a key player in the early 90s grunge scene of the US (the Seattle Grunge Scene, next to Nirvana and Pearl Jam). Their hits include 1992's Rusty Cage and 1994's Black Hole Sun - of which Peter Frampton made an instrumental cover through the talkbox.
Todd Rundgren: Remembered for his 1972 hit Hello It's Me and being a massive production name in the 70s, most noteable for several records by the Grand Funk Railroad
Kraftwerk: Didn't rock as hard as The Scorpions, but these Germans are seen as innovators of electronic music.
MC5: Remembered for playing an active role in the Detroit rock scene - alongside Ted Nugent and the Amboy Dukes. Outside their native Detroit, this band is not very well recognized.
Better luck next time, rather next year...
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