The induction of Gene Pitney may be more of a nod to his songwriting as he penned many hits for others. Still, Pitney’s own discography has a solid merit of his own being one of the few true Rock stars between Rock’s Origin and the British Invasion.
Too many they are the greatest “Jam” band that ever lived and there are legions that have followed them across the country that would attest to that. They were a technically proficient band though this fact was often lost on those who didn’t follow them….of course those who did often “forgot” that they were listening to them in the first place.
Though many bemoan Rap being in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, its inclusion was inevitable. Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five was as good a place to start as any. Pioneers in music; pioneers to the Hall.
With a huge run of smooth vocally driven R&B, Gladys Knight and the Pips had a string of hits capped by the monster smash, Midnight Train to Georgia. Although overall successful, odds are without the “Georgia” hit, it is doubtful that they would have made the Hall.
Genesis had two distinct periods. The first was the Progressive Rock version fronted by the eccentric Peter Gabriel. The second was the hit making Pop/Rock machine that was taken over by Phil Collins’ vocals. Either version could make a case for induction. Combined, they should have been in years ago.
The success of the Four Seasons was an amazing feat not just because of the amount of hits that they had, but that they did so during the time of the powerful British Invasion. The recent Jersey Boys play has given them more exposure but they probably didn’t need it to be remembered as American icons.
A major player in the 70’s and the early 80’s, Fleetwood Mac enjoyed a healthy career until the 1977 album Rumors made them the biggest band on the planet. With an impressive career they likely should have been a first year inductee as opposed to the four years it took them.
They may not have sold a large amount of records, but the Flamingos were a huge part in the development of R&B and much of the Motown and Philly Sounds can be traced back to them. This is an induction based more on influence than popularity.
Inducted in 2001. From Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A.
In some ways, Frankie Lymon was the precursor to the Boy Band, and the template for other R&B teenage superstars. In every way they were talented and their place in music history is secure.
The resident weirdo of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, <span itemprop="name">Frank Zappa</span> was a lyrical genius whose avant-garde approach to music brought the world a unique blend of Rock, Jazz and Classical influences. There was no one like Zappa before, nor will there ever be again.