One of our pet projects, the Fictitious Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is pleased to announce the Finalists for the Class of 2021, which will be the 7^th full class. 

The Semi-Finalists were decided by all of you, after being pared down from other 500 Preliminary Nominees.

Whoever gets inducted this year, will join previous inductees:

The Fictitious Rock and Roll Semi-Finalists are: Spinal Tap, The Monkees, The Blues Brothers, Gorillaz, Tenacious D, Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem, Wyld Stallyns, Alvin and the Chipmunks, The Wonders, Bleeding Gums Murphy, Otis Day and the Nights, Stillwater, Josie and the Pussycats, Marvin Berry and the Starlighters and the Rutles.

To mix things up, just like or Fictitious Athlete Hall of Fame, we have created a contributor’s section.  

This year’s Fictitious Rock and Roll Finalists are:

Alice Bowie (Cheech and Chong):  From the minds of Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong first appeared in the comedy duo’s first film.  They are a Finalist for the second time.

Bart Simpson (The Simpsons):  Leading a boy band, and also performing on his own when he was part of the Krusty the Clown show, we have heard Bart sing for decades.  Amazingly, he is still ten, and for the first time is a Finalist

Buckaroo Banzai and the Hong Kong Cavaliers (The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the Eighth Dimension):  What couldn’t these renaissance men do?   This is their second time as Finalists.

Eddie and the Cruisers (Eddie and the Cruisers):  A previous multi-time Finalist, Eddie and the Cruisers were on the cusp of something great, until the lead singer grew frustrated when management rejected his new sound…so he faked his death.  They are Finalists for the third time.

Figrin D’An and the Modal Nodes (Star Wars):  The house band at the Mos Eisley Cantina was a finalist the last two years.  No band can bounce back after seeing a fatality better than this one.  They are Finalists for the second straight year.

Fingerbang (South Park):  We can argue that this is the most successful boy band of all time…from South Park, Colorado.  It was not until they were joined by 30-something Randy Marsh that they really made it “big”…meaning that they played the mall.  This is their first time as a Finalist.

Hannah Montana (Hannah Montana):  Monatna returns to the Semi-Finals, and she was one of the biggest stars in the world, yet lived a double-life as a regular teenager.  Hannah is a Finalist for the third time.

Jem and the Holograms (Jem and the Holograms):  They played pop music and had a huge hologram machine. Enough said.  This is their fourth time reaching the Finals.

Michigan J. Frog (Looney Toons):  This frog would perform classic showtunes, as long as there was no audience.  He has been a Finalist three times before.

Ricky Ricardo (I Love Lucy):  He never le Lucy make it to the club but he was a superstar Cuban bandleader.  Ricardo is also a three-time Finalist.

Schroeder (Peanuts):  The piano-playing devotee of classic music has been a Semi-Finalist three times before.

The Archies (The Archies):  In 1970, they had a number 1 hit in the “Real World” with “Sugar Sugar”.  They have been Finalists three times before.

The Be Sharps (The Simpsons):  Former Grammy winners, the Be-Sharps were on top of the world for a brief period of time.  Comprised of Homer, Barney, Apu and Principal Skinner, they are four-time Finalists.

The Partridge Family (The Partridge Family):  The Southern California family of musicians (except the young kids, who couldn’t do anything) played gigs all over the state in the early 70s and got there on the most amazingly painted bus.  They have been Semi-Finalists twice before.

The School of Rock (The School of Rock):  Dewey Finn pretended to be a substitute teacher and used his class as a band to perform at the Battle of the Bands.  How did he not get in more trouble?  This is their third time as a Finalist.

You can vote for them here.

This year’s Fictitious Rock and Roll Semi-Finalists Contributors are:

Alexandra Cabot (Josie & The Pussycats):  Alexandra didn’t help Josie & The Pussycats, the band her brother Alexander managed.  In fact, she sought to sabotage them anyway she could, though it rarely worked.

Bruce Dickinson (Saturday Night Live):  Dickinson needed more cowbell.  He had a fever for it.  He got it, and the Blue Oyster Cult were forever grateful.

Burton Mercer (The Blues Brothers):  He was the cop who wanted to hear the Blues Brothers perform at the Palace Ballroom.  Perhaps, this wasn’t the best performance of his duties.

Colonel Homer Simpson (The Simpsons):  Homer is nominated in both categories, here for his discovery and early management of country singer, Lurleen Lumpkin.

Curtis (The Blues Brothers):  Had it not been for the mentorship of Curtis, the Blues Brothers would not have become the iconic band that they were.

Dr. Johnny Fever (WKRP in Cincinnati):  John Caravella’s career was resurrected when Andy Travis came in and changed the format to rock and roll.  He renamed himself, Dr. Johnny Fever, and he would eventually become the top morning man in the city.

Ramona Flowers (Scott Pilgrim Vs the World):  Why was Scott Pilgrim fighting the world?  For the love of Ramona Flowers of course!

Rufus (Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure):  From the future, Rufus provides Bill S. Preston and Ted “Theodore” Logan a time travelling device so that they can learn history and pass their class.  This allowed them to stay together so that they could unite the world with their music.

Wayne Campbell & Garth Algar (Saturday Night Live, Wayne’s World and Wayne’s World 2):  The hosts of Wayne’s World on Aurora Public Access, Wayne and Garth loved rock, promoted their own concert, and became icons in their own right.

You can vote for them here.

When you can, please support our site and cast your vote for the Class of 2021!

As always, we here at Notinhalloffame.com thank you for your support, and ask you to cast your votes.

September 21 – October 11, 1963

Bobby Vinton

Blue Velvet

I have already tackled Bobby Vinton before with his previous number one, “Roses are Red”, but with “Blue Velvet”, I have a haunting song, though we suspect that vibe was unintentional.

The song itself was written by Bernie Wayne and Lee Morris in 1950.  Wayne alleged that he got inspired by a stay at the Jefferson Hotel in Richmond, Virginia, where he saw a lady wearing blue velvet at a party.  According to musical legend, the two hooked up (as the kids say), and a song was envisioned.  I don’t know if any of that is true, but let’s say it is, as it makes a far better story!

The first recorded version of note was by Tony Bennett in 1951.  It charted in the top 20, and within the same year, Arthur Pryscock recorded his version, which coincidentally also went to the top twenty.  Bill Farrell and Norman Kaye would also get in on the “Blue Velvet Gravy Train”, as both charted that year with their versions.  At one time, all four variations were charted at the same time!  

Can you imagine something like that occurring today?  Impossible!

The Clovers took a crack in 1955, and the Statutes had a low-scoring hit with it in the early Rock and Roll era.  With all due respect to the previous versions, most people of a certain age will always attribute it to Vinton.

Bobby Vinton would record a concept album of sorts where every song would have the word “blue” in it.  This included recordings of “Am I Blue”, “Mr. Blue”, “Blue Skies”, “Blue Hawaii”, “Blue Moon”, “Blueberry Hill” and “My Blue Heaven”, but it was “Blue Velvet” that was hidden gem that would become his second number one hit.  I say “hidden”, as Vinton believed that his cover of “Am I Blue”, would be the hit, but the powers that be proved to be right. 

It was a romantic song, but that depended on your impression of it.  Most people just recall that the woman in question wore a blue velvet dress, but they rarely paid attention to the lyrics that followed.  This was not a love song so much as it was about a one-night stand that remained etched in the singer’s mind, and would always be a sly smile on his face that only he understood.

In 1986, the unique filmmaker, David Lynch, wrote and directed the film, Blue Velvet, which incorporated the song, and utilized the Vinton version in the flick.  Anyone who watched this film would be hard-pressed to hear the Vinton tune without seeing Isabella Rossellini at her most sultry.  

Blue Velvet never seemed sexier.

Other Notable Songs that charted but did not go to number one in this time period: September 21, 1963 – October 11, 1963.

9/21/63: Heat Wave by the Martha and the Vandellas went to #4 but would go all the way to the top of the R&B Chart. 

9/21/63: Mickey’s Monkey by Smokey Robinson and the Miracles reached #8, but went as high as #3 on the R&B Chart.  

9/28/63: Sally, Go Round the Roses by The Jaynetts went to #2, and to #4 on the R&B Chart.  

9/28/63: Little Deuce Coupe by The Beach Boys hit #15.  

It’s on!

The 2022 Baseball Hall of Fame ballot is officially out with seventeen returning players and thirteen new first year eligible names.

To return on the ballot, a player must be within their ten years of eligibility and received at least 5% of the vote.

The returning former players are: (with their year of eligibility and last year’s result)

Curt Schilling: 10^th Year, 71.1%

Barry Bonds: 10^th Year, 61.8%

Roger Clemens: 10^th Year, 61.6%

Scott Rolen: 5^th Year, 52.9%

Omar Vizquel, 5^th Year, 49.1%

Billy Wagner, 7^th Year, 46.4%

Todd Helton,4^th Year, 44.9%

Gary Sheffield, 8^th Year, 40.6 %

Andruw Jones, 5^th Year, 33.9%

Jeff Kent, 9^th Year, 32.4%

Manny Ramirez, 6^th Year, 28.2%

Sammy Sosa, 10^th Year, 17.0%

Andy Pettitte, 4^th Year, 13.7%

Mark Buehrle, 2^nd Year, 11.0%

Torii Hunter, 2^nd Year, 9.5%

Bobby Abreu, 3^rd Year, 8.7%

Tim Hudson, 2^nd Year, 5.2%

The new former players are:

Carl Crawford

Prince Fielder

Ryan Howard

Tim Lincecum

Justin Morneau

Joe Nathan

David Ortiz

Jonathan Papelbon

Jake Peavy

A.J. Pierzynski

Alex Rodriguez

Jimmy Rollins

Mark Teixeira

Notably Coco Crisp, Marlon Byrd, Michael Bourn, Kyle Lohse, Angel Pagan, Omar Infante, Matt Thornton, Billy Butler, Colby Lewis, Jeff Francoer, Javier Lopez and Ryan Vogelsong were eligible this year, but were not included on the ballot.

The results will be announced on January 25, 2022. 

One of our pet projects, the Fictitious Athlete Hall of Fame is pleased to announce the Finalists for the Class of 2021, which will be the 7^th full class.  

The Semi-Finalists were decided by all of you, after being pared down from other 500 Preliminary Nominees.

There are three wings in the Fictitious Athlete Hall of Fame:

The Fictitious Athlete wing, whose members are: Rocky Balboa (The Rocky series), Roy Hobbs (The Natural), Crash Avis (Bull Durham), Ricky “Wild Thing” Vaughn (Major League), Happy Gilmore (Happy Gilmore), Reggie Dunlop (Slap Shot), The Hanson Brothers (Slap Shot), Charlie Conway (The Mighty Ducks) Benny “The Jet” Rodriguez (The Sandlot), Apollo Creed (Rocky), Willie “Mays” Hayes (Major League), Forrest Gump (Forrest Gump), Bobby Boucher (The Waterboy), Paul “Wrecking” Crewe (The Longest Yard), Dottie Hinson (A League of Their Own), Daniel LaRusso (The Karate Kid), Clubber Lang (Rocky), Ivan Drago (Rocky), “Fast” Eddie Felson (The Hustler & The Color of Money, Al Bundy (Married...with Children), Homer Simpson (The Simpsons) and Johnny Lawrence (The Karate Kid and Cobra Kai).

The Fictitious Contributor wing, whose members are: Harry Doyle (Major League), Carl Spackler (Caddyshack), Mr. Miyagi (The Karate Kid), Chubbs Peterson (Happy Gilmore), Gordon Bombay (The Mighty Ducks), Mickey Goldmill (Rocky), Morris Buttermaker (The Bad News Bears), Coach Ernie Pantusso (Cheers), Adrian Balboa (Rocky), Jimmy Dugan (A League of Their Own), and the Gopher (Caddyshack)

The Fictitious Veteran wing, whose members are: Andy “Champ” Purcell (The Champ), Dennis Ryan (Take Me Out to the Ball Game), Guffy McGovern (Angels in the Outfield), Huxley College (Horse Feathers), Sport Goofy (Disney) and Joe Hardy/Joe Boyd (Damn Yankees).

The Fictitious Athlete Semi-Finalists are:

Adonis Creed (Creed and Creed II).  The son of former World Heavyweight Boxing Champion, Apollo Creed, Adonis became the World Heavyweight Champion himself.  This is the most “recent” Finalist, and has returned to last round for the second straight year.

Al Czervik (Caddyshack).  Czervik was a Finalist last year for the first time, and his win over the “snobs” at Bushwood Country Club is still golf legend.

“All the Way” Mae Mordabito (A League of Their Own).  Mordabito played at Centerfield for the Rockford Peaches, and was the team’s leadoff hitter.  This is her first time as a Finalist.

Chazz Michael Michaels (Blades of Glory).  CMM was a star solo figure skater who found a second life as a pair skater with his former adversary.  This is also a former Finalist.

Greg Goldberg (The Mighty Ducks Trilogy).  Every great hockey dynasty needs a great Goalie.  Goldberg was good enough, and great at the one-liners.  Goldberg is a Finalist for the first time.

Jack Elliott (Mr. Baseball).  Elliott was a fading star for the Detroit Tigers and was traded to the Tokyo Giants, where he had last kick at the can.  This is the first time he made it as a Finalist.

Jake Taylor (Major League).  Taylor was the hero with a bunt in the first Major League, where the veteran Catcher of the Cleveland Indians was the on-field leader of the rags to riches story.  He would later become their interim manager, and he is a five-time Semi-Finalist, and now a two-time Finalist.

Jeff “The Dude” Lebowski (The Big Lebowski).  A pot smoking slacker who loves bowling?  Sounds good to us!  The Dude has been a Finalist twice before.

Jimmy Chitwood (Hoosiers).  Chitwood was the star basketball player at Hickory High whom without the Norman Dale led team would not have won the Indiana State tournament in 1957.  Chitwood has been a Finalist once before.

Lee (Enter the Dragon).  Lee qualifies as he participates in what was the most unorganized martial arts tournament in memory.  This is his third time as a Finalist.

Peter LaFleur (Dodgeball).  LaFleur led his Average Joe’s Gym team to a win in the Dodgeball Open in Las Vegas.  He is now a three-time Finalist.

Randy “The Ram” Robinson (The Wrestler).  Robinson is an aging pro wrestler barely hanging on.  He was a Finalist three years ago.

Ricky Bobby (Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby).  NASCAR legend, Ricky Bobby has been a Finalist two times before.

Roy McAvoy (Tin Cup):  A three-time Semi-Finalist, and now one-time Finalist, McAvoy is a club pro who finally made it to a PGA event.

Sam Malone (Cheers):  Malone pitched for the Boston Red Sox for five seasons in a relief pitcher capacity.  “Mayday” is now a four-time Finalist. 

You can vote for them here.

The Fictitious Athlete Contributors are:

Annie Savoy (Bull Durham):  Savoy was the longtime muse for many a minor league baseball player who was played for the Durham Bulls.  She is a former Finalist, and had at least been a Semi-Finalist every year.

Caretaker (The Longest Yard ’05):  The Chris Rock version is a Finalist for the first time after four straight years as a Semi-Finalist.

Frank Drebin (The Naked Gun):  The. Detective from the Police Squad in L.A. pretended to be a Major League Umpire, while on the case.  He was a Semi-Finalist last year, and a first-time Finalist.

Frankie Dunn (Million Dollar Baby):  Dunn trained many a boxer, and he broke his own rules to coach his first female.

Hayden Fox (Coach):  Fox is a four-time Finalist and the former Head Coach at Minnesota State.

Irv Blitzer (Cool Runnings):  While there was a Jamaican Bobsled Team at the 1988 Olympics, there was no Irv Blitzer, but in the world of film, he existed, and coached them to respectability in Calgary.  This is his first time as a Finalist.

Jerry Maguire (Jerry Maguire):  The most known sports agent in the fictitious world has been a Finalist twice before.   

Lou Brown (Major League):  Brown went from managing the Toledo Mudhens and landed the job as the Cleveland Indians Manager.  He has been a Finalist once before.

Norman Dale (Hoosiers):  Dale is a four-time Finalist and he led the small town Hickory High to a state championship in 1957.

Paulie Pennino (Rocky):  Paulie is a friend, cornerman and brother-in-law to former Heavyweight Boxing Champion, Rocky Balboa.  He is now a three-time Finalist.

Terrence Mann (Field of Dreams):  An important counter-culture writer of the 1960s, Mann is a disaffected baseball fan who travels with Kinsella to his Iowa baseball diamond.  This is his first time as a Finalist.

You can vote for them here.

The Fictitious Athlete Veterans are:

Harold Lamb (The Freshman):  Lamb played college football for Tate University, and the undersized talent got the girl at the end.

Greta Muller (One in a Million):  Muller was an Olympic figure skater, which had to be a stretch for Sonja Henie to play.

Velvet Brown (National Velvet):  Brown won the steeplechase but sexism of her day meant she had to pretend to be male.

You can vote for them here.

When you can, please support our site and cast your vote for the Class of 2020!

As always, we here at Notinhalloffame.com thank you for your support.