Committee Chairman

Songwriting HOF Induction Ceremony

Jun 13, 2014

The Songwriters Hall of Fame had their ceremony last night and although the arguable headliner, Ray Davies, was not present due to the death of his sister, it was a well received affair. Davies was the frontman and songwriter of the popular British band, The Kinks. The band themselves have long since been inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, though it can be argued that this is an overdue induction as Davies was not a songwriter who penned the standard rock tune. He could appeal to the working class, the avant garde and those who just wanted a cheery pop song. Jon Bon Jovi sang a medley of Kinks hits to close out the show.

Donovan, who also was selected to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, was also formally inducted to the Songwriters Hall of Fame. The Scotsman was a major force on the Folk scene that was labelled as a genius by some and eccentric by others; of which they might both be right. No matter what, he was unique and he is a man of which time has shined a very positive light. He performed last night with Roseanne Cash.

Another man from the United Kingdom, Graham Gouldman, joined them as an inductee. He penned three well known songs that have persevered from the late 60’s, including two made famous by the Yardbirds (Heart Full of Soul & For Your Love) and Bus Stop which was recorded by the Hollies. He was a performer himself and was part of 10cc, which themselves had a decent run. A Great Big World performed 10cc’s hit “I’m Not in Love” at the ceremony.

The fourth inductee is Mark James, from the United States. He wrote “Hooked on a Feeling” which was performed by his friend, B.J. Thomas and “Suspicious Minds” which was arguably Elvis’ last great hit. In our opinion, his greatest songwriting performance was “Always On My Mind” which was executed so well by Willie Nelson, that he often erroneously receives credit for writing it. Martina McBride was on hand to perform “Suspicious Minds”.

Jim Weatherly, also an American was also honored last night. Like everyone else selected this year, he wrote many hits but was known mostly for his work writing the majority of the songs for Gladys Knight and the Pips, including “Midnight Train to Georgia” which was performed by American Idol winner, Candice Glover.

The top award of the night, the Johnny Mercer Award was given to the famed songwriting duo of Kenny Gamble & Leon Huff who are widely given credit to the rise of “Philly Soul”. The Award is given only to past inductees of the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame, which they entered in 1995. The duo has also been chosen for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. R&B singer Miguel performed “Me and Mrs. Jones”.

Imagine Dragons were on hand as their frontman received the Hal Davis Starlight Award, which is given annually to the young songwriter who has already made an impact on the music industry.

We would like to congratulate this year’s class, and we are very curious to see how this Hall of Fame grows in the future.

Chubby Checker wants in the RRHOF

Jun 13, 2014

Published in Not in Hall of Fame News

Recently on the red carpet at the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame induction ceremony, Chubby Checker expressed his desire to enter the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, though did so in a way that was money driven as opposed to respect driven.

“I don’t want to get in there when I’m 85-years old. I’ll tell them to drop dead, so you better do it quick while I’m still smiling …If you put me in when I’m too old to make a living, then it’s no good for me to be in there… The Rolling Stones, they’re in there...The Beastie Boys are in there, they’re young. Hall and Oates were just in there and they’re still making money.”

Would it be worth that much more to Chubby Cheker’s wallet to be introduced as a “Rock and Roll Hall of Famer”? We aren’t really sure we know the answer to that one, but based on these comments, Checker seems to think that it would be substantial.

Let’s go to a question that we think we can answer; should Checker be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame? Currently, he has a pretty low rank on our list as he holds the rank of 333, and a percentage of 28.7 of your votes that he should be inducted. Checker does have a massive hit (“The Twist”), a Grammy Award for “Let’s Twist Again” and was arguably one of the top five musical acts from 1960 to 1962.

Checker’s biggest issue is not that he wasn’t successful, but that he was painted into a dance song artist, and all of his known tracks fall into that category. As someone perceived as one-dimensional, does he really have a Hall of Fame case? Considering that many of his peers are in, and he has never been nominated, it looks unlikely that he will ever “twist” his way into Cleveland.

Oscar De La Hoya to the International Boxing HOF

Jun 10, 2014

Published in Not in Hall of Fame News

The International Boxing Hall of Fame has announced their 25^th Class and the headliner in the eyes of many is Oscar De La Hoya. Arguably the most popular fighter in his generation, the “Golden Boy” won ten different World Championships in six different weight classes and currently holds the record for the most revenue generated on pay per view. He finished his career with a 39 and 6 record with 30 Knockouts and was named Ring Magazine’s top rated Pound for Pound Fighter of the Year in 1997 and 1998. While still boxing, he created his own promotional company (Golden Boy Promotions), which has proven to be successful.

De La Hoya is joined by one of his past nemesis, Felix Trinidad. The Puerto Rican went 45 and 3 with 35 Knockouts and held the Welterweight Championship over six years making fifteen title defences. Trinidad is often regarded as one of the best pugilists ever to come out of Puerto Rico.

The United Kingdom is represented in this class by way of Joe Calzeghe who retired undefeated with a record of 46 and 0 with 32 Knockouts. Calzeghe was the Super Middleweight Champion for over ten years and moved up to become a champion in the Light Heavyweight division. He is one of the few boxers to retire undefeated and as a World Champion.

De La Hoya, Trinidad and Calzeghe enter as part of the Modern Boxer category. The International Boxing Hall of Fame also inducts boxers who competed from 1893 to 1943 in the “Old Timers” category. This year’s group includes George Chaney (137-36-4, 76 KO) who was a top Featherweight contender in the late 1910’s and early 1920’s, Charles Ledoux (99-22-6, 81 KO) a French Bantamweight who starred in the 1910’s and Mike O’Dowd who won the Middleweight Title in 1917. British Heavyweight, Tom Allen, who was the Heavyweight Champion in 1873 to 1876, who enters via the “Pioneer” category, joins them.

The International Boxing Hall of Fame also inducts Non Participants and Observers annually. This year, this includes promoter, Barry Hearn, referees, Richard Steele and Eugene Corri, journalist, Graham Houston and photographer, Neil Leifer.

We here at Notinhalloffame.com would like to congratulate this year’s class.

Derek Fisher done playing in the NBA

Jun 10, 2014

Published in Not in Hall of Fame News

With the hiring of Derek Fisher as the new Head Coach of the New York Knicks, it is evident that his playing career has come to an end. Statistically speaking, the former Point Guard had done enough in the NBA to really be considered a Hall of Fame entry, and with this announcement, there has not been any media outlet petitioning for his inclusion. However, as we often do here at Notinhalloffame.com we ask the Hall of Fame question: Is Derek Fisher closer to Springfield than we think?

Drafted as the 24^th pick in the 1996 draft from Arkansas-Little Rock where he was the Sun Belt Player of the Year, Derek Fisher would be a part of five NBA Championships, all with the Los Angeles Lakers. Fisher would compete in 1,287 regular season games (18^th overall) and this year set the all-time mark for playoff games with 259. In regards to his stats, Fisher retires with a career average 11.8 Points per Game and a Hollinger PER Average of 11.7, which are not numbers that will likely not get him a serious look at the Hall of Fame, despite the five titles. Still, should other intangibles play a factor here?

Derek Fisher has often been described as a locker room leader and a keen student of the game. Does not the fact that Fisher was coveted as a Head Coach before he retired illustrate that fact? He was also chosen as the National Basketball Player’s Union President in 2006, and though some in that role had criticized him, his ascension to that post shows the respect that he had within the league. Should Fisher absorb half of the magic that made Phil Jackson such a dynamic leader, could we be having this conversation decades later when he ceased being a coach in the NBA.

Either way, we have a feeling that the Derek Fisher to the Basketball Hall of Fame debate could be just starting up, and we are very curious to see what else he will add to his resume.