Songs Of Proof: The Class Of 1992

Continuing headlong in the project now, we come to the Class Of 1992.  It's a class with a dozen solid inductees, including some slightly less than obvious choices.  A couple big ones, and the second instance of inducting an artist in a different category after failing to get them inducted as a Performer.  Sadly, not the last time we would see it happen, but as often happens, there is something of an argument to be made for what they did.  Classic rock is represented, but in no way does it dominate the story here.  There's blues, country, acid, soul, and more.  With all that said, what songs would you choose to honor the inductees?

Bobby "Blue" Bland:  Bobby "Blue" Bland is one of those surprisingly good calls by the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame.  A name that many probably wouldn't think of right away, which may have something to do with why it took so many nominations to get him in.  But despite being such a blues artist, beginning with his Beale Streeter days, he also cut a lot of great commercially friendly R&B.  He's in a league among some other great artists like Solomon Burke.  His is a catalog that people need to spend more time getting to know, myself included.  Meanwhile, some great songs like "Ain't Nothing You Can Do," and the song I chose for him, "Turn On Your Love Light," are fantastic introductions to his work.

Booker T. And The M.G.'s:  When the Future Rock Legends community started their "Revisited/Projected" project, they inducted this outfit in the Sideman category for their work as the house band for the Stax/Volt family.  That's a valid argument right there, but their catalog of their own material is pretty incredible too.  Their "In The Christmas Spirit" album is mandatory listening for me every December.  "Soul Limbo" is one of the most fantastically festive songs ever.  And of course, their signature song, which introduced them in their own right to the music listening public, and really helped shape a lot of their songs to come afterwards, "Green Onions," is a quintessential song to understanding rock and roll in the '60's, which is why it is the chosen song for this interracial band.

Johnny Cash:  It's been said that Johnny Cash is absolutely universal.  Nobody doesn't like Johnny Cash.  There are people who hate Elvis, others who hate the Beatles, and amazingly, even some who don't like Nickelback.  But nobody doesn't like Johnny Cash.  At least, so I've heard.  I have yet to meet anyone who doesn't like the Man In Black, at least.  So, it's no surprise that even though he's more of a country legend, that his early recordings which skew toward rockabilly, as well as his overall influence, would vault him into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame after only three nominations.  I didn't choose one of his early rockabilly songs though.  As proof that he was important no matter what he did, I stuck with one of his all-time classics, "Ring Of Fire," to salute the man and his legacy.

Leo Fender:  There is an ongoing battle in rock and roll.  The Hall itself sends a mixed message regarding rock and roll with respect to the guitar.  No one would say that Jerry Lee Lewis, Elton John, Billy Joel, and Ray Charles aren't rock and rollers in their own right, and yet from their logo, to the design of their museum, they seem to be saying that the guitar is the end-all, be-all for what defines rock and roll.  Another log in that fire is that Leo Fender is the only instrument pioneer inducted, and not, for example, Dr. Robert Moog or Adolphe Sax.  That said, no one would deny the importance of Fender guitars and the players who electrified audiences with them.  I love my choice for this one too, because in terms of eligibility, I chose a song from an artist who wouldn't become eligible for induction for another sixteen years, and even then, not inducted for another seven years beyond that.  It's such a disconnect, but that's how far reaching the influence of Fender's designs are.  To honor Leo Fender, we have "Crossfire" by Stevie Ray Vaughan And Double Trouble.

Bill Graham:  Like Leo Fender above, Bill Graham died in 1991 and was inducted in 1992.  It's inductions like this that give rise and popularity to the "Death Fairy" mythos.  As a concert promoter, he was big enough a name to give credence to events by putting his name on them.  He also managed a few bands too.  He is best remembered for promoting events at the Fillmore, and I chose the studio version of a song from a band who did indeed have a live album from the Fillmore.  The song, however, wasn't recorded until two years after that album.  Still, overall, I feel it's a good choice to pay tribute to Bill Graham.  "Oye Como Va" by Santana fits the bill here.

The Jimi Hendrix Experience:  If you know anyone who doesn't consider anything pre-Beatles to be "truly rock and roll," who have a very limited definition of what rock and roll is, then Jimi Hendrix is probably the only African-American they can name that they think belongs in the Hall.  It's sad, but there are people like that out there.  When originally trying to promote this idea for a radio broadcast, I was all but forced to select "All Along The Watchtower" for this band; however, having a little more freedom now, I quite comfortably made the switch to the more venerated and quintessential "Purple Haze."  As a P.S., kudos to the Hall for inducting all three members of this group and not letting this one fall victim to Front Man Fever.

The Isley Brothers:  Another act that doesn't always roll off the tongue right away when discussing the big names, the Isley Brothers are a more than deserving group for their versatility as much as the messages in their music.  They've been in the Billboard Hot 100 for six consecutive decades (in some form), and have a diverse catalog that includes jumping '50's R&B, Motown, funk, protest, and beyond.  They've been all over, and doing it all well.  That's just their thing.  And that's why "It's Your Thing" too.  (Vocal Group Hall Of Fame Song Of Proof: "Twist And Shout")

Elmore James:  Nominated for the Performer category the previous year, he was inducted as an Early Influence after that failed attempt.  It's one of those thorny gray areas.  He broke through in the early 1950's, and had a posthumous Bubbling Under The Hot 100 hit in 1965, with one of his many recorded renditions of "It Hurts Me Too."  It's actually interesting though, that he was inducted as "Elmore James" rather than "Elmo James" which is how he was billed on his early records... you know, the ones that get him credited as an Early Influence inductee.  In any event, the King Of The Slide Guitar certainly had more than enough influence from that breakout record, "Dust My Broom," that he maybe could have even gotten in for that song alone.  Maybe not.  Either way, it's in the playlist for him.

Doc Pomus:  And now for the reason why the songwriting teams and production teams are broken up when it comes to the Non-Performer category.  Doc Pomus was inducted in 1992, possibly because, like the other two Non-Performers from this year, he also died the year before he was inducted.  It wouldn't be for another twenty years that his partner, Mort Shuman, would be properly and also posthumously recognized as well.  Meanwhile, to give this half his due, I chose a song with a special story attached to it.  Doc Pomus was a wheelchair-bound man (or on crutches), due to polio as a child.  His wife, however, loved to go out dancing.  He wrote this song as a love song for his wife, reminding her that he still loved her very much, despite being unable to be her dancing partner, and pleaded with her, even if only metaphorically, to "Save The Last Dance For Me," which the Drifters made a pure gold classic, giving voice and emotions to the words Pomus wrote and the love in his heart for his wife.  Truly no better song to use for the man.

Professor Longhair:  Jazz and blues come together with this man's music.  He's one of the musicians who helped influence and define the sound of New Orleans as we know it today, whether it was with songs like "Tipitina," or fun bits of raunchiness like "Bald Head," or with the eponymous song that I chose to use for him, wherein he sings about himself a bit.  I gotta admit, I'm a bit hit-or-miss on how much I like listening to his music, but songs like "Professor Longhair Blues" are great records to throw on every once in awhile.

Sam And Dave:  Another great Stax/Volt act.  Of all the acts from this year's class, this one is probably my favorite.  The story of how they came together to be an amazing soul duo is kind of a funny one though.  But their music is no joke.  This is a case where fate proved to be a better decider than me.  I wanted to use "Hold On, I'm Comin'" because it is such an awesome song.  But at the time, I couldn't download a decent copy of it.  Going to Plan B, I went with the song they are best known for, and sadly one that has been co-opted by the semi-fictitious Blues Brothers.  It really is an amazing song that crosses the social gap, just not the one I originally wanted.  Ultimately, it probably is best that I use "Soul Man" to prove the merits of Sam And Dave.  (Vocal Group Hall Of Fame Song Of Proof: "When Something Is Wrong With My Baby")

The Yardbirds:  Well, we can't ignore the British Invasion outright, now can we?  The Yardbirds are something of a strange case, though.  They're ultimately better remembered for the guitarists that cut their teeth in that band than for the music that they recorded as a band.  And yet, when you listen to those records, there's more than enough musical excellence and experimentation to give them the green light here.  For their Song Of Proof, I chose a song that is somewhat psychedelic in its guitar-work, but also beautifully expresses the anguish of the lyrics that Keith Relf conveys so well.  Yes indeed, we go from "Soul Man" above to "Heart Full Of Soul" here.

And I'm afraid that's gonna put a bow on it for this installment.  I hope you've enjoyed reading about my selections for each of these inductees and why I've chosen them.  It's never too late to get in on the fun.  Even if you've never commented on my blog ever, you're more than welcome to weigh in on these inductees, and tell me what songs you'd use to honor them.  The Comments section below awaits you.  Recapping:

Bobby "Blue" Bland:  "Turn On Your Love Light"
Booker T. And The M.G.'s:  "Green Onions"
Johnny Cash:  "Ring Of Fire"
Leo Fender:  "Crossfire" by Stevie Ray Vaughan And Double Trouble
Bill Graham:  "Oye Como Va" by Santana
the Jimi Hendrix Experience:  "Purple Haze"
the Isley Brothers:  "It's Your Thing"
Elmore James:  "Dust My Broom"
Doc Pomus:  "Save The Last Dance For Me" by the Drifters
Professor Longhair:  "Professor Longhair Blues"
Sam And Dave:  "Soul Man"
the Yardbirds:  "Heart Full Of Soul"