And yet there is still some hope. R&B and soul get represented this year. '80's metal busts through, and a rap act is inducted not only on their first nomination, but on their first year of eligibility! Throw in a guitar god and top it all off with the spirit of Elvis Presley, and you've got this class summed up. It's a solid salute to the past, capped off with "The Train Kept A-Rollin'" as the all-star jam, while looking forward and keeping up with fairly recent eligible acts. Overall, a good class, with mostly obvious songs used by me, but ones that are classic for a reason. And once again, I will be sharing my original prediction post on the ballot, unedited as it stood in 2008, in which I slipped further down, going only 3/5.
Jeff Beck: Of all the nominees from the ballot that this class comes from, Jeff Beck was probably the most intriguing. The man had a lengthy career following his departure from the Yardbirds, but it was sporadic and unpredictable. He was inducted as a soloist, and not inducted with other members from his eponymous group, including what could have been a then-second and potential one of three for Rod Stewart. What makes choosing a song for Jeff even tougher is that as a guitarist, his albums often feature guests vocalists, who get credited alongside of him, and songs with shared credit is something I've tried to avoid as much as possible. Whether he was teamed up with Donovan, Rod Stewart, or Kelly Clarkson, or even with uncredited help like Jimmy Hall on the fantastic "Ambitious," his work on the axe is legendary. And even without the guests, songs like "Freeway Jam," "Escape," "Plan B," and "Goodbye Porkpie Hat" stand out. I personally love "Hi-Ho Silver Lining," a little known song that made the Bubbling Under charts. It features Jeff doing the singing, as well as playing a searing solo. It was my initial choice, but in the end, I succumbed to conventional wisdom and flipped that 45 over for the more famous, but non-charting "Beck's Bolero" to represent him in this set.
Bill Black: The bassist from Elvis Presley's early combo, his work is probably the easiest to take for granted, but make no mistake, it was his bass that really gave the bouncy rhythm to so many great Elvis songs from the '50's, including "Paralyzed," "(Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear," and "All Shook Up," just to name a few. He was such an accomplished musician, he also had his own successful instrumental combo, which continued to bear his name even after he died. Like his work with the King, his combo's work had a lot of bounce to it, and whether the keyboard was playing the melody or the saxophone, Black's bass was relentlessly driving the music forward. Now, if a Sideman or Non-Performer inductee had a hit or two, I like to use a song that they had a hit with. But Bill Black was much more famous for his part in the band behind Elvis's early hits. So, what to do? How about we kill two birds with one stone. The Bill Black Combo had a Top 20 hit with an instrumental cover of "Don't Be Cruel," which for Elvis, was half of the landmark 45 RPM, along with "Hound Dog." So, instead of Elvis's #1 smash, we're going with the combo's cover version.
D.J. Fontana: The longest surviving member of the band, we sadly lost him this past week. The drummer gave a solid backbeat to those legendary records with his sticks and skins. You may not always notice the presence of his drumming, but on some of the slower songs by Elvis, such as "Old Shep," the lack of drumming is very noticeable. His subtle touches were just as crucial as his pounding it out. He didn't get much in the way of solos, or even fills, but he always provided the necessary support. Fontana showed that a great drummer didn't need to be a showboat, they just had to make a great song even greater. I think a terrific example of this in Fontana's case, and hence it is the song chosen here, is the Elvis record "Too Much." Most of the time, D.J. just provides a simple back-and-forth beat with Bill Black on bass, but in the instrumental bridge, he suddenly ramps it up, then effortlessly slides back to his previous pattern, keeping the song going. It's fantastic drumming, and it stands in for Fontana in this project.
Wanda Jackson: There was a sense of ominous dismay when Wanda Jackson was announced as an Early Influence inductee. With the spirit of Elvis looming large with the inductions of Bill Black and D.J. Fontana, it seems that Wanda Jackson was destined to get in one way or another. And that's exactly what happened. The rockabilly queen, the Fujiyama Mama, was nominated for only her second time, championed by artists such as Elvis Costello, and she apparently didn't get enough votes to be inducted in the Performer category. That's when someone had the reality-altering idea to induct her as an Early Influence. That's when the music dropped with the awkward scratch of a needle. The Hall had an agenda, and it was now okay with breaking its own rules to accomplish that agenda, and not even subtly. The same opportunity stood before them that they turned down in 2007; they could have simply inducted a sixth Performer inductee with nobody the wiser. The Hall could have used their lack of transparency to avoid further controversy. Instead, they went this route. It was the first time an act had been inducted in a separate category after having been nominated as a Performer on that class's ballot. The results of this decision have been in primarily two directions: one, hobbyists are now always on the lookout for potential side door inductions in the annual ballot, or previous nominees getting a side door treatment; two, it's caused a terrible backlash of confusion over potentially redefining what constitutes an "Early Influence," suggesting a more fluid understanding of being early. The circumstances of her induction have overshadowed her merits as an artist that got her inducted. Her work doesn't really fall under the scope of being an Early Influence, so I just chose a song that would have justified her induction as a Performer. "Let's Have A Party" is a great rockabilly jam in Wanda's catalog with such great energy, it kind of sounds like it runs away from the band for just a brief moment.
Little Anthony And The Imperials: The last non-rap R&B group that got voted in via regular ballot, to date. This was a group that was perhaps mildly underappreciated in their day, at least by the White audiences, but their influence upon smooth soul is monumental. If the floodgates can ever be opened to get the Delfonics, the Chi-Lites, the Stylistics, the Moments, the Dramatics, and others to be inducted, they will all most likely acknowledge the influence of Little Anthony And The Imperials. A group that sounded like they themselves were influenced by the likes of the Penguins and the Five Satins, they are something of a bridge between the doo-wop of the '50's and the smooth soul of the '70's, fronted by the unusually high, but not quite falsetto, voice of Anthony Gourdine. When you listen to the song I've chosen, "I'm On The Outside (Looking In)," you hear all the elements that helped influence '70's soul, and it's certainly a more credible song than "Shimmy Shimmy Koko Bop." However, if you want to hear another amazing song, give "Take Me Back" a listen. So many terrific songs, one really doesn't care how long it took to get them in, only that they are. (Vocal Group Hall Of Fame Song Of Proof: "Tears On My Pillow")
Metallica: The popular theory about this band not being nominated for the previous year is that the Hall didn't want to pit them against Madonna. That seems like a pretty flimsy excuse, considering it took them six more years after Metallica to get around to Stevie Ray Vaughan And Double Trouble. In any event, fans of metal, even those who don't care for Metallica, were stoked about the representation of '80's metal. Metallica is one of four bands that are widely credited with redefining heavy metal, a new generation of it unfolding from their records. So far though, this is the only one of those four that has been inducted. Perhaps that's because they made metal more accessible to the public, having more hit singles than the others. That's what makes "Enter Sandman" a prime choice to use to salute this band, although it may be regarded as a bit cliche. It serves as a quintessential link in the evolution of heavy metal music. That's not to take anything away from "Master Of Puppets" or "Jump In The Fire," but at least I'm not using "Nothing Else Matters," right?
Spooner Oldham: Paul Shaffer really did a terrific job inducting this organist. Oldham played the organ on several soul classics, and whether he was doing slides on the keys or adding a bubbling touch that help the soul stew simmer, he always knew how to sweeten a song just a little more. He's also a songwriter and a producer, but it's his organ playing that got him inducted, as he was inducted as a Sideman. In addition to soul, he's also played with Neil Young, Bob Dylan, and Linda Ronstadt, just to name a few. The song selected for Oldham was something of a happy accident for me. This is one of those instances where not using the more obvious choices really pays off. Since I don't like using the same song for more than one inductee, it often proves to be beneficial to use lesser known songs for the Performer inductees, and the better known songs for the Non-Performer and Sideman inductees. When it comes to touting the accomplishments of these other two categories, it often works well to use a mammoth hit and link it to the inductee saying something to the effect of that without this person, this song wouldn't have been what it was or is. In the case of Spooner Oldham, his slides across the keys are as much a key identifier for Wilson Pickett's soul classic "Mustang Sally" as the saxophone part, or the background singers, and it sure makes me glad that for Pickett's induction back in 1991, I chose the lesser known but incredibly infectious groove of "Don't Let The Green Grass Fool You."
Run-D.M.C.: The induction of Run-D.M.C. was such a huge relief for many of us. After the Beastie Boys missed for 2008, and the controversy surrounding the induction for Grandmaster Flash And The Furious Five, which was after three nominations, it was very refreshing to see a rap act get inducted not only on the first nomination, but on the first year of eligibility. No controversy, no shenanigans, just a clean, worthy induction done by the book. Too bad there was no performance from Darryl and the reverend. Nevertheless, if you were asked to name three acts that showed the familial link between hip-hop and conventionally understood rock, Run-D.M.C. would invariably be on your list. My first memory of them was while watching Saturday morning cartoons, and in the commercials, they showed the video for "Walk This Way" with Steven Tyler. Even at a young age, the metaphor about breaking down that wall was absolutely clear: we're more alike than we are different. But that would have been too close to using a duet for my comfort. Instead, let's go with the song that had the video all about how rap is a part of rock. All hail, it's "King Of Rock."
Bobby Womack: The embarrassing part about my predictions for this class is that my top seed missed out, and my lowest ranked seed got in. I think I just expected Bobby to get lost in the shuffle. But the Soul Preacher rose to the top. However, back in 2008, I also didn't consider industry respect. As a songwriter, producer, and occasional session player, Bobby Womack is extremely well connected in the industry, and that may have been a part of what got him inducted. Or maybe it was his incredible string of soul records through the '70's and '80's. Six of one, half dozen the other. From "Harry Hippie," to "If You Think You're Lonely Now," to "Across 110th Street," Bobby Womack's brand of soul is smooth and extremely high quality, but never treacly or overwrought. The song chosen for him is his solo version of "Lookin' For A Love," which is a cover of the song he recorded with his family group, the Valentinos. It speaks to his roots in the industry, and also speaks to his gospel influences, as it was also done by the Womack Brothers with different lyrics and called "Couldn't Hear Nobody Pray." It's a bit atypical for his solo career, but it somewhat serves as a hub for all the cache his name has in the music industry, and it's a fun little groove beside.
And that puts the capper on our look at 2009. I hope you've enjoyed reading my thoughts on how the Hall handled things and on the songs chosen for each inductee. Would you have chosen different songs? If so, which ones? Let me know in the Comments below. Recapping below:
Jeff Beck: "Beck's Bolero"
Bill Black: "Don't Be Cruel"
D.J. Fontana: "Too Much" by Elvis Presley
Wanda Jackson: "Let's Have A Party"
Little Anthony And The Imperials: "I'm On The Outside (Looking In)"
Metallica: "Enter Sandman"
Spooner Oldham: "Mustang Sally" by Wilson Pickett
Run-D.M.C.: "King Of Rock"
Bobby Womack: "Lookin' For A Love"
And here it is, my 3/5 prediction post, as it was nearly ten years ago. Enjoy:
The nominees for this year are out. Alphabetically, they are:
Jeff Beck (Solo efforts)
Chic
Wanda Jackson
Little Anthony And The Imperials
Metallica
Run-D.M.C.
the Stooges
War
Bobby Womack
As for my thoughts...
Stooges
Pros: Apart from being widely influential in punk rock, they're now in "practically guaranteed" territory. No act has been nominated 7 times and not eventually been inducted, even if it took an eighth or ninth nomination. This is their 7th nomination. Moreover, the 2007 induction ceremony ended with the inductees doing an impromptu jam of "I Wanna Be Your Dog," and Madonna has them performing in her place. This isn't Chubby Checker, Sonic Youth, or Heart complaining to reporters about their not being in... this is other high-profile artists taking up their cause.
Cons: Really none. Only thing is maybe since Black Sabbath had to wait an eighth time, the Stooges should too.
In the end: No Stooges song ever made any of the Billboard singles charts, but with the Sex Pistols and Leonard Cohen getting in recently and given the competition in the field, and everything else, the pendulum's swinging too hard in their favor for them to miss out this year. I place their odds of making it this year at 90%
Metallica
Pros: Widely recognized as one of the groups that really gave heavy metal wheels in the mainstream market. Quite possibly the most influential act on this year's ballot
Cons: Napster. Everyone felt Metallica was a symbol of anti-establismentarianism, and Lars and co. proved that they were a happy part of the corporate machine.
In the end: Their influence reaches way too far, and this isn't exactly the strongest-looking ballot we've seen in the past few years. I place them as a pretty likely pick. Odds: 80%
Jeff Beck
Pros: Guitar legend. With the Yardbirds, and the other two revered guitarists/members of the Yardbirds have been inducted twice in some form or another. He also has at least one, maybe more, song inducted in the Hall already. About time to put the artist in himself?
Cons: How much innovation and influence did his solo stuff actually have? Some, yeah, but he kind of pales in his own shadow.
In the end: He's still a rocker, and when you look at each year's class, there's a disputable name in the list, but for the most part, those listed WERE rock 'n' roll at one point or another, and he was consistently so. Odds: 75%
Run-D.M.C.
Pros: Really helped make rap mainstream. Also, most Rock Hall purists don't mind this rap group, since they actually teamed up with Steve and Joe from Aerosmith. A lot of us still have fond memories of that video they made back in the 80's. Their contributions were germane to the perpetuation of rock and most recognize that. On top of that, the nominating committee were smart enough not to split the ballot this year between two rap acts. They tried that last year with the Beastie Boys and Afrika Bambaataa, and they both fell short.
Cons: They weren't actually "rock 'n' roll." And you still come across the people who say "This isn't the Rap Hall of Fame!! BOO!" Also, when Grandmaster Flash And The Furious Five got in, it was under a cloud of suspicion involving vote tampering, and had it not been for that, some say there STILL would be no rap group in the Hall. So, can a rap group get in completely cleanly?
In the end: If there's going to be a token rap group in the Hall, more people would name these guys than any others, including the already inducted Flash And the Five. I think these guys are in the house this year. Odds: 66.7%
Chic
Pros: Crackerjack producers fronting, backing and overall making this band, and Niles Rodgers is revered as a blueprint-laying funk guitarist. He was also on the original nominating committee back in 1985. Also this is nomination numero cinco for Chic. Only artists to get this many noms and not get in are fellow ballotmates the Stooges; King Curtis, who was later inducted as a Side-Man; and Chuck Willis, who's been forgotten since the 1989 ballot/1990 ceremonies.
Cons: With all that crackerjack talent, they couldn't come up with better songs than "Dance Dance Dance (Yowzah Yowzah Yowzah)" and "Le Freak"? I've heard it said that the real stuff they should be remembered for is album deep and came after the disco heyday. Well, unfortunately that doesn't save them from being filed as a throwaway disco act whose lyrics were slightly less intellectually insulting than the Ohio Players'. Also, this is a political thing, really. Most voters, I think, recognize that the current nominating committee is giving Niles the reacharound for having been on the committe in the past.
In the end: I think they stand a chance to get in if for no other reason than to keep from seeing their name reappear every darn year, so they can finally get to some real rock acts. Maybe not. Someone else nailed it: it's more about honoring Rodgers and Edwards than Chic as a whole. There's just as much that they DO deserve induction for as there is that says they DON'T deserve induction. Mathematically, that makes it an even split with odds at 50%.
Little Anthony And The Imperials
Pros: 2005's induction of the Ronnettes and 2008's inductions of the Ventures and the Dave Clark Five proves that the voters want their 60's acts. They probably want their 50's acts too. Also, the Dominoes and the Five Royales are the only nominated doo-wop groups to not be inducted yet. Also, a fairly influential R&B/vocal group with more commercial success than just about any other 50's R&B/vocal group that has been inducted.
Cons: Almost no doo-wop group has made it on their first nomination. The Dells took two, Moonglows and Flamingos needed five, and Frankie Lymon And The Teenagers needed a wopping eight. Also, of all the 50's R&B groups to make the ballot, these are by far the most white pop-sounding. "Tears On My Pillow" and "Take Me Back" are great songs, but hardly the most convincing examples of rock 'n' roll cred. Their true R&B remains largely obscured, though sometimes that actually works in their favor.
In the end: The fact that they're from the 50's weighs pretty well in their favor. Last year, my #6 pick ended up making it, making me 4/5. They're the likely upset special, but I just don't think this'll be their year. Odds: 45%
War
Pros: Cool funk. Memorable classics like "Low Rider," "The Cisco Kid," and "Why Can't We Be Friends" are all pleasers that make them likely candidates.
Cons: Santana's already in. Can another Latin group make it? Also, innovation and influence are considered somewhat questionable. Plus, in comparison to other artists, and the politics of the Hall, they may just not make it.
In the end: I want to see them make it, but it may not happen. Still, there's a good chance for them to be the upset as well. So, I'll put them at odds of 40%.
Wanda Jackson
Pros: The only female on this year's ballot, unless you count the female singers of Chic, and the Rock Hall people like to be PC. She's also revered as the female Elvis, possibly being the first white female rocker. Furthermore, she's got Elvis Costello and Bruce Springsteen in her corner, so those voters who really revere them might just vote for her.
Cons: There've been about five years so far without having any female Performer inductees, so it's not like it couldn't happen. Also, generally regarded more as country than rock'n'roll. She didn't manage to stay rock'n'roll while doing her country thing.
In the end: She was nominated in 2005 and lost out to Percy Sledge. This being only her second appearance on the ballot, I daresay it won't be her last. Odds: 33.3%
Bobby Womack
Pros: You could induct him as a Performer, a Non-Performer, or a Side-Man. Truly versatile talent. Smooth soul. One of the last great soul singers before soul became this neo-soul type stuff.
Cons: The fact that he IS one of the last great true soul singers kinda hurts him in the influence category, as well as the innovation category. Plus, there are other great soul artists before him still waiting.
In the end: I don't see it happening. It's been awhile since they inducted any soul artists, so that could go either way, but with the continual push to get both Chic and more rap acts in the Hall, and the other three picks being the real rockers on this year's ballot, Bobby Womack's gonna get screwed this year. Odds: 30%
I've seen this year's ballot called weak. Honestly, other than Chic and maybe Wanda Jackson, I don't see an act on here I don't want to get in. Which again, shows the real need here: we need to put the number of inductees per year back up to at least eight.
D.J. Fontana: The longest surviving member of the band, we sadly lost him this past week. The drummer gave a solid backbeat to those legendary records with his sticks and skins. You may not always notice the presence of his drumming, but on some of the slower songs by Elvis, such as "Old Shep," the lack of drumming is very noticeable. His subtle touches were just as crucial as his pounding it out. He didn't get much in the way of solos, or even fills, but he always provided the necessary support. Fontana showed that a great drummer didn't need to be a showboat, they just had to make a great song even greater. I think a terrific example of this in Fontana's case, and hence it is the song chosen here, is the Elvis record "Too Much." Most of the time, D.J. just provides a simple back-and-forth beat with Bill Black on bass, but in the instrumental bridge, he suddenly ramps it up, then effortlessly slides back to his previous pattern, keeping the song going. It's fantastic drumming, and it stands in for Fontana in this project.
Wanda Jackson: There was a sense of ominous dismay when Wanda Jackson was announced as an Early Influence inductee. With the spirit of Elvis looming large with the inductions of Bill Black and D.J. Fontana, it seems that Wanda Jackson was destined to get in one way or another. And that's exactly what happened. The rockabilly queen, the Fujiyama Mama, was nominated for only her second time, championed by artists such as Elvis Costello, and she apparently didn't get enough votes to be inducted in the Performer category. That's when someone had the reality-altering idea to induct her as an Early Influence. That's when the music dropped with the awkward scratch of a needle. The Hall had an agenda, and it was now okay with breaking its own rules to accomplish that agenda, and not even subtly. The same opportunity stood before them that they turned down in 2007; they could have simply inducted a sixth Performer inductee with nobody the wiser. The Hall could have used their lack of transparency to avoid further controversy. Instead, they went this route. It was the first time an act had been inducted in a separate category after having been nominated as a Performer on that class's ballot. The results of this decision have been in primarily two directions: one, hobbyists are now always on the lookout for potential side door inductions in the annual ballot, or previous nominees getting a side door treatment; two, it's caused a terrible backlash of confusion over potentially redefining what constitutes an "Early Influence," suggesting a more fluid understanding of being early. The circumstances of her induction have overshadowed her merits as an artist that got her inducted. Her work doesn't really fall under the scope of being an Early Influence, so I just chose a song that would have justified her induction as a Performer. "Let's Have A Party" is a great rockabilly jam in Wanda's catalog with such great energy, it kind of sounds like it runs away from the band for just a brief moment.
Little Anthony And The Imperials: The last non-rap R&B group that got voted in via regular ballot, to date. This was a group that was perhaps mildly underappreciated in their day, at least by the White audiences, but their influence upon smooth soul is monumental. If the floodgates can ever be opened to get the Delfonics, the Chi-Lites, the Stylistics, the Moments, the Dramatics, and others to be inducted, they will all most likely acknowledge the influence of Little Anthony And The Imperials. A group that sounded like they themselves were influenced by the likes of the Penguins and the Five Satins, they are something of a bridge between the doo-wop of the '50's and the smooth soul of the '70's, fronted by the unusually high, but not quite falsetto, voice of Anthony Gourdine. When you listen to the song I've chosen, "I'm On The Outside (Looking In)," you hear all the elements that helped influence '70's soul, and it's certainly a more credible song than "Shimmy Shimmy Koko Bop." However, if you want to hear another amazing song, give "Take Me Back" a listen. So many terrific songs, one really doesn't care how long it took to get them in, only that they are. (Vocal Group Hall Of Fame Song Of Proof: "Tears On My Pillow")
Metallica: The popular theory about this band not being nominated for the previous year is that the Hall didn't want to pit them against Madonna. That seems like a pretty flimsy excuse, considering it took them six more years after Metallica to get around to Stevie Ray Vaughan And Double Trouble. In any event, fans of metal, even those who don't care for Metallica, were stoked about the representation of '80's metal. Metallica is one of four bands that are widely credited with redefining heavy metal, a new generation of it unfolding from their records. So far though, this is the only one of those four that has been inducted. Perhaps that's because they made metal more accessible to the public, having more hit singles than the others. That's what makes "Enter Sandman" a prime choice to use to salute this band, although it may be regarded as a bit cliche. It serves as a quintessential link in the evolution of heavy metal music. That's not to take anything away from "Master Of Puppets" or "Jump In The Fire," but at least I'm not using "Nothing Else Matters," right?
Spooner Oldham: Paul Shaffer really did a terrific job inducting this organist. Oldham played the organ on several soul classics, and whether he was doing slides on the keys or adding a bubbling touch that help the soul stew simmer, he always knew how to sweeten a song just a little more. He's also a songwriter and a producer, but it's his organ playing that got him inducted, as he was inducted as a Sideman. In addition to soul, he's also played with Neil Young, Bob Dylan, and Linda Ronstadt, just to name a few. The song selected for Oldham was something of a happy accident for me. This is one of those instances where not using the more obvious choices really pays off. Since I don't like using the same song for more than one inductee, it often proves to be beneficial to use lesser known songs for the Performer inductees, and the better known songs for the Non-Performer and Sideman inductees. When it comes to touting the accomplishments of these other two categories, it often works well to use a mammoth hit and link it to the inductee saying something to the effect of that without this person, this song wouldn't have been what it was or is. In the case of Spooner Oldham, his slides across the keys are as much a key identifier for Wilson Pickett's soul classic "Mustang Sally" as the saxophone part, or the background singers, and it sure makes me glad that for Pickett's induction back in 1991, I chose the lesser known but incredibly infectious groove of "Don't Let The Green Grass Fool You."
Run-D.M.C.: The induction of Run-D.M.C. was such a huge relief for many of us. After the Beastie Boys missed for 2008, and the controversy surrounding the induction for Grandmaster Flash And The Furious Five, which was after three nominations, it was very refreshing to see a rap act get inducted not only on the first nomination, but on the first year of eligibility. No controversy, no shenanigans, just a clean, worthy induction done by the book. Too bad there was no performance from Darryl and the reverend. Nevertheless, if you were asked to name three acts that showed the familial link between hip-hop and conventionally understood rock, Run-D.M.C. would invariably be on your list. My first memory of them was while watching Saturday morning cartoons, and in the commercials, they showed the video for "Walk This Way" with Steven Tyler. Even at a young age, the metaphor about breaking down that wall was absolutely clear: we're more alike than we are different. But that would have been too close to using a duet for my comfort. Instead, let's go with the song that had the video all about how rap is a part of rock. All hail, it's "King Of Rock."
Bobby Womack: The embarrassing part about my predictions for this class is that my top seed missed out, and my lowest ranked seed got in. I think I just expected Bobby to get lost in the shuffle. But the Soul Preacher rose to the top. However, back in 2008, I also didn't consider industry respect. As a songwriter, producer, and occasional session player, Bobby Womack is extremely well connected in the industry, and that may have been a part of what got him inducted. Or maybe it was his incredible string of soul records through the '70's and '80's. Six of one, half dozen the other. From "Harry Hippie," to "If You Think You're Lonely Now," to "Across 110th Street," Bobby Womack's brand of soul is smooth and extremely high quality, but never treacly or overwrought. The song chosen for him is his solo version of "Lookin' For A Love," which is a cover of the song he recorded with his family group, the Valentinos. It speaks to his roots in the industry, and also speaks to his gospel influences, as it was also done by the Womack Brothers with different lyrics and called "Couldn't Hear Nobody Pray." It's a bit atypical for his solo career, but it somewhat serves as a hub for all the cache his name has in the music industry, and it's a fun little groove beside.
And that puts the capper on our look at 2009. I hope you've enjoyed reading my thoughts on how the Hall handled things and on the songs chosen for each inductee. Would you have chosen different songs? If so, which ones? Let me know in the Comments below. Recapping below:
Jeff Beck: "Beck's Bolero"
Bill Black: "Don't Be Cruel"
D.J. Fontana: "Too Much" by Elvis Presley
Wanda Jackson: "Let's Have A Party"
Little Anthony And The Imperials: "I'm On The Outside (Looking In)"
Metallica: "Enter Sandman"
Spooner Oldham: "Mustang Sally" by Wilson Pickett
Run-D.M.C.: "King Of Rock"
Bobby Womack: "Lookin' For A Love"
And here it is, my 3/5 prediction post, as it was nearly ten years ago. Enjoy:
The nominees for this year are out. Alphabetically, they are:
Jeff Beck (Solo efforts)
Chic
Wanda Jackson
Little Anthony And The Imperials
Metallica
Run-D.M.C.
the Stooges
War
Bobby Womack
As for my thoughts...
Stooges
Pros: Apart from being widely influential in punk rock, they're now in "practically guaranteed" territory. No act has been nominated 7 times and not eventually been inducted, even if it took an eighth or ninth nomination. This is their 7th nomination. Moreover, the 2007 induction ceremony ended with the inductees doing an impromptu jam of "I Wanna Be Your Dog," and Madonna has them performing in her place. This isn't Chubby Checker, Sonic Youth, or Heart complaining to reporters about their not being in... this is other high-profile artists taking up their cause.
Cons: Really none. Only thing is maybe since Black Sabbath had to wait an eighth time, the Stooges should too.
In the end: No Stooges song ever made any of the Billboard singles charts, but with the Sex Pistols and Leonard Cohen getting in recently and given the competition in the field, and everything else, the pendulum's swinging too hard in their favor for them to miss out this year. I place their odds of making it this year at 90%
Metallica
Pros: Widely recognized as one of the groups that really gave heavy metal wheels in the mainstream market. Quite possibly the most influential act on this year's ballot
Cons: Napster. Everyone felt Metallica was a symbol of anti-establismentarianism, and Lars and co. proved that they were a happy part of the corporate machine.
In the end: Their influence reaches way too far, and this isn't exactly the strongest-looking ballot we've seen in the past few years. I place them as a pretty likely pick. Odds: 80%
Jeff Beck
Pros: Guitar legend. With the Yardbirds, and the other two revered guitarists/members of the Yardbirds have been inducted twice in some form or another. He also has at least one, maybe more, song inducted in the Hall already. About time to put the artist in himself?
Cons: How much innovation and influence did his solo stuff actually have? Some, yeah, but he kind of pales in his own shadow.
In the end: He's still a rocker, and when you look at each year's class, there's a disputable name in the list, but for the most part, those listed WERE rock 'n' roll at one point or another, and he was consistently so. Odds: 75%
Run-D.M.C.
Pros: Really helped make rap mainstream. Also, most Rock Hall purists don't mind this rap group, since they actually teamed up with Steve and Joe from Aerosmith. A lot of us still have fond memories of that video they made back in the 80's. Their contributions were germane to the perpetuation of rock and most recognize that. On top of that, the nominating committee were smart enough not to split the ballot this year between two rap acts. They tried that last year with the Beastie Boys and Afrika Bambaataa, and they both fell short.
Cons: They weren't actually "rock 'n' roll." And you still come across the people who say "This isn't the Rap Hall of Fame!! BOO!" Also, when Grandmaster Flash And The Furious Five got in, it was under a cloud of suspicion involving vote tampering, and had it not been for that, some say there STILL would be no rap group in the Hall. So, can a rap group get in completely cleanly?
In the end: If there's going to be a token rap group in the Hall, more people would name these guys than any others, including the already inducted Flash And the Five. I think these guys are in the house this year. Odds: 66.7%
Chic
Pros: Crackerjack producers fronting, backing and overall making this band, and Niles Rodgers is revered as a blueprint-laying funk guitarist. He was also on the original nominating committee back in 1985. Also this is nomination numero cinco for Chic. Only artists to get this many noms and not get in are fellow ballotmates the Stooges; King Curtis, who was later inducted as a Side-Man; and Chuck Willis, who's been forgotten since the 1989 ballot/1990 ceremonies.
Cons: With all that crackerjack talent, they couldn't come up with better songs than "Dance Dance Dance (Yowzah Yowzah Yowzah)" and "Le Freak"? I've heard it said that the real stuff they should be remembered for is album deep and came after the disco heyday. Well, unfortunately that doesn't save them from being filed as a throwaway disco act whose lyrics were slightly less intellectually insulting than the Ohio Players'. Also, this is a political thing, really. Most voters, I think, recognize that the current nominating committee is giving Niles the reacharound for having been on the committe in the past.
In the end: I think they stand a chance to get in if for no other reason than to keep from seeing their name reappear every darn year, so they can finally get to some real rock acts. Maybe not. Someone else nailed it: it's more about honoring Rodgers and Edwards than Chic as a whole. There's just as much that they DO deserve induction for as there is that says they DON'T deserve induction. Mathematically, that makes it an even split with odds at 50%.
Little Anthony And The Imperials
Pros: 2005's induction of the Ronnettes and 2008's inductions of the Ventures and the Dave Clark Five proves that the voters want their 60's acts. They probably want their 50's acts too. Also, the Dominoes and the Five Royales are the only nominated doo-wop groups to not be inducted yet. Also, a fairly influential R&B/vocal group with more commercial success than just about any other 50's R&B/vocal group that has been inducted.
Cons: Almost no doo-wop group has made it on their first nomination. The Dells took two, Moonglows and Flamingos needed five, and Frankie Lymon And The Teenagers needed a wopping eight. Also, of all the 50's R&B groups to make the ballot, these are by far the most white pop-sounding. "Tears On My Pillow" and "Take Me Back" are great songs, but hardly the most convincing examples of rock 'n' roll cred. Their true R&B remains largely obscured, though sometimes that actually works in their favor.
In the end: The fact that they're from the 50's weighs pretty well in their favor. Last year, my #6 pick ended up making it, making me 4/5. They're the likely upset special, but I just don't think this'll be their year. Odds: 45%
War
Pros: Cool funk. Memorable classics like "Low Rider," "The Cisco Kid," and "Why Can't We Be Friends" are all pleasers that make them likely candidates.
Cons: Santana's already in. Can another Latin group make it? Also, innovation and influence are considered somewhat questionable. Plus, in comparison to other artists, and the politics of the Hall, they may just not make it.
In the end: I want to see them make it, but it may not happen. Still, there's a good chance for them to be the upset as well. So, I'll put them at odds of 40%.
Wanda Jackson
Pros: The only female on this year's ballot, unless you count the female singers of Chic, and the Rock Hall people like to be PC. She's also revered as the female Elvis, possibly being the first white female rocker. Furthermore, she's got Elvis Costello and Bruce Springsteen in her corner, so those voters who really revere them might just vote for her.
Cons: There've been about five years so far without having any female Performer inductees, so it's not like it couldn't happen. Also, generally regarded more as country than rock'n'roll. She didn't manage to stay rock'n'roll while doing her country thing.
In the end: She was nominated in 2005 and lost out to Percy Sledge. This being only her second appearance on the ballot, I daresay it won't be her last. Odds: 33.3%
Bobby Womack
Pros: You could induct him as a Performer, a Non-Performer, or a Side-Man. Truly versatile talent. Smooth soul. One of the last great soul singers before soul became this neo-soul type stuff.
Cons: The fact that he IS one of the last great true soul singers kinda hurts him in the influence category, as well as the innovation category. Plus, there are other great soul artists before him still waiting.
In the end: I don't see it happening. It's been awhile since they inducted any soul artists, so that could go either way, but with the continual push to get both Chic and more rap acts in the Hall, and the other three picks being the real rockers on this year's ballot, Bobby Womack's gonna get screwed this year. Odds: 30%
I've seen this year's ballot called weak. Honestly, other than Chic and maybe Wanda Jackson, I don't see an act on here I don't want to get in. Which again, shows the real need here: we need to put the number of inductees per year back up to at least eight.
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