Songs Of Proof: The Class Of 1988

We now jump from the all-time largest induction class from the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame to a class that is among the smallest.  Both this class and the one after it had nine inductees each, a record that would stand until the Class Of 1998, with its eight inductees.  But even with its small size, it's a monumental class.  Legendary titans of the genre became eligible, and even though there were a multitude of worthy artists overlooked for the previous two classes, this is when the Hall really started creating the backlog of artists.  But there's a lot of important stuff to work with just in this class as it stands.  Folk rock starts becoming eligible.  The British Invasion acts that changed our understanding and definition of rock and roll are starting to become eligible.  For most rock fans, this is when the acts they care about start becoming eligible and getting inducted.  It's a wonderful time to be a rock and roll fan, so let's pick a playlist.

The Beach Boys:  Often nicknamed "America's band," this is one of the first bands that engaged youth culture beyond catchphrases and teenage romance.  Even more than a band about surfing and being on the beach, the Beach Boys were well-attuned to the attitudes of the youth, and the song I've chosen encapsulates pretty much that entire ethos... despite the fact that it doesn't actually mention surfing at all.  Maybe it's heretical to make the song for the Beach Boys something that isn't about being out on the sand or the waves, but I felt the song that best captures what they were about was the first song of theirs to grab the coveted brass ring, the #1 position on the Billboard Hot 100, "I Get Around." (Vocal Group Hall Of Fame Song Of Proof: "Wendy")

The Beatles:  Possibly the most difficult song to choose.  Their catalog in its entirety is so well-known, that choosing their Song Of Proof cannot be a casual matter.  Indeed, I gave this one a lot of thought.  What the Beatles brought to rock and roll music was first of all a revival.  Music historians like to claim the early '60's as the time when rock and roll was losing ground and possibly on the verge of extinction, and the Beatles came along and gave it new life.  So their chosen tune should be a song with a decidedly rocking beat.  They were experimental, innovative as it were, testing new waters.  They were influential, and still are.  And you cannot overlook the fact that they were popular.  They were everywhere, they were a hot product, they were all over both the singles and the albums charts.  And I think I have a song that indeed captures all of that.  It's got a solid beat, and notable guitar work for those who think that the guitar is the most important characteristic of rock and roll.  Exemplifying their influence, it's one that gets covered a lot, including one or two that have also charted.  Experimental... somewhat.  It's by no means garden variety in terms of pop formula, except for having three verses--in fact, there aren't really even any other Beatles' songs that sound like this one (except maybe "Get Back," which was ineligible since Billy Preston was also credited on it).  And it's officially recognized as one of their twenty #1 hits, though some would say the other side was the real #1--and even if you do, this song did make it all the way up to #2 on its own before Billboard magazine changed their chart methodology, combining A- and B-sides.  Ladies and gentlemen, for the Beatles, I chose "Come Together."  (Vocal Group Hall Of Fame Song Of Proof: "Nowhere Man")

The Drifters:  In my opinion, one of most of the most underrated groups in all of rock and roll.  No one in their right mind would deny them their place in the history books... at least in some capacity.  But just spend some time with a box set of their stuff, and you'll be treated to some amazing music, discovering immense greatness.  So, it's pretty well understood that they belong.  But do you induct just the original Drifters?  Do you induct the group that was first known as the Five Crowns, and were renamed by the man who owned the rights to the name, "the Drifters"?  Do you induct both groups, but separately, as the Vocal Group Hall Of Fame did?  The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, in a move of both wisdom and folly, chose to recognize both eras in a single induction, while selecting only a few members from either era.  So, how on earth does one choose a song for this group?  Well, this is NOT the inductee that I gave two Songs Of Proof, surprisingly.  Nope, just one.  One interesting thing about this group is that the two eras had a member in common: Johnny Moore.  he first joined in 1955, and after a stint in the army and a subsequent minor solo career, he rejoined the group in the '60's.  Maybe you'd call it a weaselly move on my part, but I figured the best way to represent both eras simultaneously was with a fantastic song that Johnny Moore sang lead on.  And with that, I decided on "Saturday Night At The Movies."  (The Vocal Group Hall Of Fame did two different inductions with this legacy, and so they have two songs on that CD set of mine: "Honey Love" and "Please Stay".)

Bob Dylan:  I have to admit, this is another artist that I recognize the importance of, would never deny it, but not one I particularly enjoy listening to.  He's not the most blessed singer ever, but his songs were absolutely important.  As I've said, I was originally trying to make this playlist a day-long program to play on an Oldies station, so once I settled on using "Like A Rolling Stone" for that original effort, I never saw reason to change it to anything else, especially since it's arguably his most important and most influential song (and certainly his biggest chart hit).  

Berry Gordy, Jr.:  The mastermind behind Motown records, with so many artists that themselves ended up being enshrined, and a few who've been nominated or considered, but haven't broken through yet.  What song do you possibly choose to honor this man?  How do you choose from so many Hall Of Fame artists?  I admit, I strongly considered using "Pops, We Love You," but I ultimately decided against it.  The funny thing though, is that the Motown empire gave us so many great songs, even from artists who will probably never get nominated, much less inducted: solo David Ruffin, his brother Jimmy Ruffin, Rare Earth, the Velvelettes, etc.  Motown was the record label, more than Chess, Atlantic, Cameo-Parkway, or Columbia; that symbolized the union of youth culture and Black culture.  And however worthy you may feel they are, at this point it is pretty unlikely the Contours will ever be submitted at Nominating Committee gatherings.  So I feel pretty safe and secure using the phenomenal and timeless "Do You Love Me" to represent everything given to us by Berry Gordy, Jr.

Woody Guthrie:  Yes, he wrote a lot of songs, but honestly, would you use anything other than "This Land Is Your Land"?  I learned the chorus and first verse back in elementary school.  They teach (or used to) this song to elementary school kids.  That's how important this song is in the American songbook.

Lead Belly:  It's been spelled as two words and as one.  I prefer one, since it's basically a mispronunciation of his last name "Ledbetter;" however, the man himself preferred it as two words, and we'll honor that.  Anyway, I suspect many of you would rather use "Goodnight Irene" for this man, but I think that even though his wasn't the original, his version of "Rock Island Line" is a much more seminal record.  And that's what I'm going with here.

Les Paul:  The man wasn't just a guitar legend, but an innovator, bringing double-tracking to the world of music.  Both are ably represented by his instrumental, "Nola."  As a postscript, I would love to see him inducted a second time as a duo with his wife Mary Ford.  The songs they recorded together, the way her vocals were double-tracked, there's no way those records weren't influential too.

The Supremes:  Funny thing, this is a group that it was harder to decide on my Vocal Group Hall Of Fame Song Of Proof for than for this set.  Diana's ego was so prominent that it dominated through the songs, not allowing for much harmony to be heard from the other Supremes.  Anyway, back to this Hall.  I much prefer the post-Ross Supremes to the Diana-led era, but there's no way I could getaway with using "Stoned Love" for them.  My conscience just wouldn't allow it.  As a classic Motown group, a song with a classic Motown style seems most appropriate, and so I chose "Stop! In The Name Of Love."  (Vocal Group Hall Of Fame Song Of Proof: "When The Lovelight Starts Shining Through His Eyes")

It seems so strange to be done after only nine inductees, but that's how it is this year, and next, and several other years to follow.  Do you agree with my selections?  Disapprove of my rationale for any of them?  Post your thoughts and choices in the Comments below!  And to recap:

the Beach Boys: "I Get Around"
the Beatles: "Come Together"
the Drifters: "Saturday Night At The Movies"
Bob Dylan: "Like A Rolling Stone"
Berry Gordy, Jr.: "Do You Love Me" by the Contours
Woody Guthrie: "This Land Is Your Land"
Lead Belly: "Rock Island Line"
Les Paul: "Nola"
the Supremes: "Stop! In The Name Of Love"