Committee Chairman

RIP: Johnny Winter

Jul 18, 2014

The Rock and Roll world lost another great one today with the passing of Johnny Winter, who died in his hotel room in Zurich, Switzerland today at the age of 70. It is unknown at this time what was the cause of his death.

The distinctively looking Winter (he was born with albinism and horrific eyesight) would carve a place for himself in the Rock/Blues world. Winter first gained recognition in 1968 as a live act, and would put out his first album the following year. While Winter never sold a ton of albums, nor had radio friendly singles, he quickly became known for his live performances and would be one of the few musicians in the early 1970’s that could sell out an arena without the benefit of radio.

Winter, who was once introduced at the famed Fillmore East as the “baddest mother fucker” delighted crowds with the rapid speed in which he played the guitar, yet was still rooted in the Blues and had the soul and fluidity of the Blues legends he grew up on. He also sang with an earnest and intense growl, in a voice that could only match the way he played.

Perhaps the crowning achievement of Johnny Winter’s career was when he was able to produce his childhood idol’s album. In 1977, Winter produced Muddy Waters’ albums, which he also played on. The collaboration not only revitalized Waters’ career but also earned three Grammy Awards.

We here at Notinhalloffame.com would like to extend our condolences to the friends and family of Johnny Winter at this time.

Pete Rose speaks again about the HOF

Jul 16, 2014

Published in Not in Hall of Fame News

Pete Rose is in the news again, specifically saying that the admission of PED users into the Baseball Hall of Fame will enhance his chances to the Hall of Fame.

In a series of radio interviews Rose had the following to say:

“I wish it would happen, If someway that would happen, it would increase my opportunities.”

In an interview with us two years ago, Rose added that the Hall of Fame “is not filled with choir boys”, indicating that the character of many of the inductees can certainly be questioned.

The one thing that can be said about Pete Rose over the past few years is that he is blunt. Rose said in previous interviews (including with us) that it was not his place to challenge the PED users who threatened the Home Run record, as it was not his. He has also stated that it is Hank Aaron who should speak out against it, should he feel so inclined.

Rose is correct in assuming that the induction of players like Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire, Roger Clemens and Sammy Sosa would have to aid him by default. However, as we know (and so does Pete), the voting from the Baseball Hall of Fame Committee does not indicate that any known PED users will be entering Cooperstown anytime soon.

Rose continued to talk about another reason that he was excluded in the first place:

“I think Faye Vincent (the man who succeeded Bart Giamatti) thinks I killed Bart Giamatti. Not the fact that he smoked five packs of cigaretted a day, nor the fact that he was 70 pounds overweight. It was the stress he went through when he had to battle with me.”

The feud between Faye Vincent and Pate Rose has been well documented in the past and this comment is nothing new. Regular visitors here at Notinhalloffame.com know that we are supporters of the “Hit King” entering the Baseball Hall of Fame. Do his comments make sense to you, or does this sound like the ranting of a hypocrite? Either way, we would love to hear your thoughts!

Flozell Adams to the Michigan State HOF

Jul 15, 2014

Published in Not in Hall of Fame News

The Michigan State Athletic Hall of Fame has announced their latest class and its headliner is former Offensive Tackle, Flozell Adams, who played there from 1994 to 1998. Adams was an All-American in his senior year and the Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year. He would go on to have a successful career in the NFL most notably with the Dallas Cowboys.

Another former football player, Buck Nystrom who played there in the 1950’s, joins Adams. The other four inductees this year are Amateur Wrestler, Greg Johnson, Softball and Women’s Basketball standout, Kathy Strahan, Tennis Player, Sue Selke and Gymnast, Dave Thor.

This group will be officially inducted on September 18^th and another ceremony will take place on the 20^th when the Spartans football team host Eastern Michigan.

We would like to congratulate the latest class at this time.

RIP: Tommy Ramone

Jul 14, 2014

Published in Not in Hall of Fame News

The end of an era was marked as the last surviving member of the original lineup of the Ramones, Drummer, Tommy Ramone passed away following a bout with bile duct cancer. He was 65 years old.

Born Thomas Erdelyi in Budapest, Hungary, he would immigrate to the New York City as a child and would soon find himself attracted to the music scene. Erdelyi would become friends with his High School Classmate, Johnny Cummings and form a garage band named the Tangerine Puppets in the late 1960’s. The duo would later meet Douglas Colvin and Jeffrey Hyman, and the foursome that would eventually become the Ramones had become entrenched in each other’s lives.

Cummings, Colvin and Hyman would form a band, with Colvin inspired by a Paul McCartney pseudonym during the “Silver Beatles” period, adopted the stage name of Dee Dee Ramone. Colvin convinced the others to adopt the fake last name and Hyman and Cummings became Joey and Johnny Ramone respectively. Thomas Erdelyi was not initially part of the band and only intended to be the group’s manager but as fate often intervenes in Rock and Roll, that would not be how the story would play out.

Dee Dee Ramone, who was the initial drummer, quickly came to the conclusion that singing and playing the drums simultaneously wouldn’t work, not with the rapid pace that was required with what was to be the Ramones sound. Erdelyi, still associated with the trio, and set to take place as the band’s manager, was on hand to teach prospective drummers the pacing and style required, though nobody was able to match what Erdelyi could do. He would forego his spot as the band’s manager and assume his new name of Tommy Ramone, the band’s new drummer.

The Ramones would be at the forefront and were considered the leaders of a new musical movement that was called, Punk. Their songs were brief, their tempo was rapid fire and nobody had ever heard anything like it before. They would hit the scene officially in 1974, and become a staple of CBGB’s, the place associated with new and upcoming music in New York City.

They would release their debut album in 1976 and though the Ramones were never a commercial success, their impact was undeniable and they would develop a legacy that has rendered them as one of the most influential bands of all time. Tommy Ramone was the drummer on that album, and would also perform on their next two. Additionally, Tommy would be the co-producer on those first three efforts.

Tommy Ramone would step down as the band’s drummer and would be replaced by Marky Ramone (Mark Bell) who would stay with the group for fifteen years. Tommy would remain on as the co-producer on the fourth album, and as the band’s manager. He would also return to produce their eight album. Tommy was also responsible for writing the bulk of “Blitzkrieg Bop” which is arguably their most recognizable song.

Tommy had been sick for some time prior to his passing, living in hospice care for the past few months. We offer our condolences to the friends, family and fans of Tommy Ramone and we here at Notinhalloffame.com are going to take the Rocket to Russia in two minute bursts.