Time marches on, and we have reached the Class Of 2015 for
the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. There is
a strange feeling tied to this one, but it’s hard to put a finger on or a name
to. Perhaps it's the two seeming side-door inductions. We have the final Beatle inducted
for the second time, but it’s under rather suspect circumstances. We have an Early Influence inductee that had
been nominated as a Performer years ago. We also have six Performers inducted. There’s a blues-rock outfit that was a pet project for some of the
higher-ups among the big names at the Foundation, but it’s not a bad inductee
by any means either. We have the man who
has been nicknamed “the Godfather of Punk” being inducted for the second time,
but it’s bittersweet as the induction is posthumous. There’s the newly eligible act who keeps us
facing forward, but not many agree was among the most deserving candidates from
the ballot. We have a female-fronted, few-frills rock band that many like, but also largely regard as a cover
band. There’s a second blues-rock band
that was originally called a solo artist’s nomination, until fans took to
social media and called on the Hall to right the wrong. Lastly, there’s a soul singer/songwriter that
had never been nominated, and as far as we knew, had never even been
considered, yet manages to jump the unofficial queue and go straight in.
Though it is entirely a matter of hindsight, this is also
the year before the classic rock format really storms the gate and begins to
dominate. In all fairness, there was
almost always a possibility for it to be that way. When you look at the ballots for every year since the turn of the millennium, it has usually been mathematically possible to
have a class that was predominantly acts that still have at least one song getting played on classic rock stations. Not every year, but most, especially those that had more than nine nominees. This year, though, we managed to keep a somewhat diverse class, though classic rock is at least half the class this year, so it kind of feels like the beginning in hindsight. Perhaps it's a feeling of missed potential. Fellow hobbyists called this class a mediocre class from a great ballot. You can't please everyone, and there's probably at least one naysayer for every inductee on this list, as well as one person who is happy. Put it all together, and you have a class that, if nothing else, did put out some great music, regardless of what criteria you may value more highly when considering nominees. Feel free to jam out to the following songs.
The Paul Butterfield Blues Band: Most fellow hobbyists rated this act as being fairly deserving, but would often have trouble rising to the top. Well, they didn't in 2015. Others have noted that this is a band that was a pet cause for Jann S. Wenner to get inducted. As the name suggests, they were firmly rooted in the blues of the older tradition. However, they are considered among the first of the younger generation to pick up on the blues. They proved you didn't have to be middle-aged or older to be world-weary. That world-weariness packed into a short lifespan is most evident in their classic "Born In Chicago," the song that I'm using for them. If nothing else, this induction is another one of those that is about elevating amazing musicians that may not have been fully appreciated in their day. Given the diversity of talent in the band, and the other musicians that those members went on to back up, "underappreciated" might even be called an understatement.
The "5" Royales: As far as categorization goes, I file this group under the letter "F," just to make sure that's clear. In a previous entry, I expanded at great length about the debacle surrounding the Early Influence induction of the "5" Royales, and the broader practice of taking previous nominees and inducting them as Early Influence inductees, as well as the issues surrounding the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame's treatment of the Early Influence category. Commenting on that even further would be pretty redundant. In any event, as they were inducted in the Early Influence category, it behooves me to pick an earlier song of theirs. As a precursor to the music we now call soul, "Baby, Don't Do It" is a wonderful example of the influence of the "5" Royales: their harmonies, their passion, the way the song flows--it all blends together to create an early '50's R&B masterpiece that served as a template for the rock and roll that was to come.
Green Day: The story is that this band almost didn't get put on the ballot for 2015, because everyone there had pet causes and was sure that somebody else would nominate them. That's what happens when an act seems so obvious, they hide in plain sight. As one of the biggest names in alternative rock during the '90's, as well as an act of decidedly (American) liberal principles, and having been available for the Hall at previous ceremonies, Green Day was a sweetheart for the Nominating Committee. The hobbyist community was slightly less impressed. That said, Green Day almost won the fan vote this year, making it the first time, and really the only time, that the fan vote was truly that competitive. They lost the lead in the final weeks, but having held onto it for as long as they did, it speaks very highly of their popular appeal, even amongst a crowd of nostalgic favorites. The song I chose for them is "Basket Case," one of their earliest efforts. The song speaks pretty solidly to Green Day's overall identity. They felt they had a lot to complain about, and wanted to vent, but they also were riddled with a fair amount of self-doubt and self-loathing. Rage and a modicum of fragility set to punk influences, Green Day speak somewhat ably for the younger generation, which may explain why some people hate Green Day, and some people hate the generation that grew up listening to them.
Joan Jett And The Blackhearts: Joan Jett And The Blackhearts are a perfect example of an act that I like, but would have never carried the banner for, even more so than ABBA. Always on a ballot of fifteen nominees, I never ranked them higher in merits than thirteenth. However, they never ranked lower than fourth in terms of my personal taste. That may have been the key to their induction. Members of the voting bloc may have decided to use one of their five votes for an act that they just purely enjoy listening to, and voila, Joyce DeWitt's doppelganger becomes an inductee! Many dismissed her and her band as a cover band that really brought nothing new to the table, but they were still great to listen to, Jett herself is still a paragon and example for women who want to rock out. Besides which, her version of a particular song did indeed become an anthem. It's an anthem for how people discover their love of rock and roll, it's an anthem for stadium rock in general, and it's an anthem for what we do here, and why we care about the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame: because we love it. And naturally, it's being used here. "I Love Rock 'N Roll," and do we ever say that.
Lou Reed: He is often known as the Godfather Of Punk. The former leader of the Velvet Underground, his solo career hasn't had a very difficult time becoming critically respected, but it has had a much harder time being loved by the public. Little wonder when one album is just a continuous running of a feedback loop. I once read an article stating that Lou Reed only wrote two types of songs: songs about drugs, and songs about transvestites. I'm pretty sure the latter is how they justify the existence of "Walk On The Wild Side," which also does mention drug use. Even though his best-known solo songs don't sound either like Velvet Underground songs, nor do they sound very punk-like, his influence also includes his keen songwriting skills And as much as I love songs like "Perfect Day" and "Satellite Of Love," it is that aforementioned "Walk On The Wild Side" that is used to pay tribute to Reed as a soloist, because of its deceptive simplicity, tackling of taboo subject matter, and how he made look it effortless.
Ringo Starr: In another entry, I talked at great length about Ringo Starr's music as a soloist and what it means to me, what higher artistic purpose it serves, and why it's wrong to take it for granted. What makes the side door induction of Ringo Starr even more infuriating, though, is that they never even tried nominating him, before deciding to shoehorn him in this manner. It's like looking at a fresh chess board and laying your king down before making any other move. Since this side door induction of Ringo is nonsense, in my opinion, I'm simply using to use the song I had chosen for him when he was on the Previously Considered list. I didn't choose a Beatles' song, nor did I choose a '70's song by another artist that Ringo drummed on. I chose one of his own hits as a solo artist. I noted before how the idea of musical therapy is a theme in a few songs of Ringo's. I chose "Oh My My" because it not only sings about the boogie-woogie remedy, but it's also about that place of feeling lowdown that we've all felt, it's about everyday love, and it's about the love of life. That is Ringo through and through, and that's why I chose that particular song to represent him.
Stevie Ray Vaughn And Double Trouble: This act was the biggest snub on my list until 2015. And I was pretty upset at first when they were originally planning on just inducting Stevie Ray Vaughn as a solo act, before the fans took to social media to demand the inclusion of the rest of the band. Perhaps the biggest thrill of all was when this band managed to just squeak ahead of Green Day within the last few days and win the fan poll. This jumping band helped repopularize, rejuvenate, and revitalize the blues, breathing new life into its bars. Another important thing to note about this band is that they're one of the first inductees to have limited success on the pop charts, in this case none, though the Vaughn Brothers did chart with "Tick Tock;" but to have substantial popularity on the Album Tracks chart, which eventually evolved into the Mainstream Rock chart. It was a new outlet that finally served to recognize rock's increasing preference for the album format, rather than being thought of in terms of singles. While it still broke down chart entries as songs, the requirement for release as a 45 RPM single was gone with this chart. "Crossfire" is not up for consideration, as it was used to salute Leo Fender. With the way that Stevie Ray Vaughn And Double Trouble made the blues jump up in the public consciousness again, it may be said that they got the house a-rockin', and so it seems most fitting to use the song "The House Is Rockin'." So obvious.
Bill Withers: As I've said multiple times before, I was rather surprised when there was so much initial buzz surrounding him even before the Nominating Committee had met. I didn't believe his nomination seemed likely at all. And then he was on the ballot. It took a bit of coming around, but I did eventually predict him to make the Hall, mainly because......? I guess I just got caught up in the hysteria for him, and I benefited from it this time. Not that there was anything wrong with him, I just didn't really see how it would be possible, but I just deferred to what others were saying and went with it. I chose to use "Lean On Me" to represent him, even though it's pretty atypical of his general sound. "Grandma's Hands," "Use Me," or "Ain't No Sunshine" would probably have served as a better example of his general sound, but I chose this song for a very special reason. When I evaluated the nominees from this ballot on their merits, I commented that "Lean On Me" was the artistic equal to songs like "Blowing In The Wind," and that needed to be recognized. For anyone who ever said R&B was incapable of the same level of artistry as "rock," as it is commonly understood, this song should be absolutely sufficient in shutting them up completely. It's a wonderful song besides, having been covered by an '80's synth pop band, and even by Christian rap/rock/soul trio DC Talk. It's a timeless song, like all great rock and roll, and that's why it is used here.
And with that, our look at the Class Of 2015 is complete. For those who want a reminder, I went 4/6 predicting this ballot. Do you agree with the song selection? What songs would you have chosen? Mention them in the Comments below. Recapping:
the Paul Butterfield Blues Band: "Born In Chicago"
the "5" Royales: "Baby, Don't Do It"
Green Day: "Basket Case"
Joan Jett And The Blackhearts: "I Love Rock 'N Roll"
Lou Reed: "Walk On The Wild Side"
Ringo Starr: "Oh My My"
Stevie Ray Vaughn And Double Trouble: "The House Is Rockin'"
Bill Withers: "Lean On Me"
Lou Reed: He is often known as the Godfather Of Punk. The former leader of the Velvet Underground, his solo career hasn't had a very difficult time becoming critically respected, but it has had a much harder time being loved by the public. Little wonder when one album is just a continuous running of a feedback loop. I once read an article stating that Lou Reed only wrote two types of songs: songs about drugs, and songs about transvestites. I'm pretty sure the latter is how they justify the existence of "Walk On The Wild Side," which also does mention drug use. Even though his best-known solo songs don't sound either like Velvet Underground songs, nor do they sound very punk-like, his influence also includes his keen songwriting skills And as much as I love songs like "Perfect Day" and "Satellite Of Love," it is that aforementioned "Walk On The Wild Side" that is used to pay tribute to Reed as a soloist, because of its deceptive simplicity, tackling of taboo subject matter, and how he made look it effortless.
Ringo Starr: In another entry, I talked at great length about Ringo Starr's music as a soloist and what it means to me, what higher artistic purpose it serves, and why it's wrong to take it for granted. What makes the side door induction of Ringo Starr even more infuriating, though, is that they never even tried nominating him, before deciding to shoehorn him in this manner. It's like looking at a fresh chess board and laying your king down before making any other move. Since this side door induction of Ringo is nonsense, in my opinion, I'm simply using to use the song I had chosen for him when he was on the Previously Considered list. I didn't choose a Beatles' song, nor did I choose a '70's song by another artist that Ringo drummed on. I chose one of his own hits as a solo artist. I noted before how the idea of musical therapy is a theme in a few songs of Ringo's. I chose "Oh My My" because it not only sings about the boogie-woogie remedy, but it's also about that place of feeling lowdown that we've all felt, it's about everyday love, and it's about the love of life. That is Ringo through and through, and that's why I chose that particular song to represent him.
Stevie Ray Vaughn And Double Trouble: This act was the biggest snub on my list until 2015. And I was pretty upset at first when they were originally planning on just inducting Stevie Ray Vaughn as a solo act, before the fans took to social media to demand the inclusion of the rest of the band. Perhaps the biggest thrill of all was when this band managed to just squeak ahead of Green Day within the last few days and win the fan poll. This jumping band helped repopularize, rejuvenate, and revitalize the blues, breathing new life into its bars. Another important thing to note about this band is that they're one of the first inductees to have limited success on the pop charts, in this case none, though the Vaughn Brothers did chart with "Tick Tock;" but to have substantial popularity on the Album Tracks chart, which eventually evolved into the Mainstream Rock chart. It was a new outlet that finally served to recognize rock's increasing preference for the album format, rather than being thought of in terms of singles. While it still broke down chart entries as songs, the requirement for release as a 45 RPM single was gone with this chart. "Crossfire" is not up for consideration, as it was used to salute Leo Fender. With the way that Stevie Ray Vaughn And Double Trouble made the blues jump up in the public consciousness again, it may be said that they got the house a-rockin', and so it seems most fitting to use the song "The House Is Rockin'." So obvious.
Bill Withers: As I've said multiple times before, I was rather surprised when there was so much initial buzz surrounding him even before the Nominating Committee had met. I didn't believe his nomination seemed likely at all. And then he was on the ballot. It took a bit of coming around, but I did eventually predict him to make the Hall, mainly because......? I guess I just got caught up in the hysteria for him, and I benefited from it this time. Not that there was anything wrong with him, I just didn't really see how it would be possible, but I just deferred to what others were saying and went with it. I chose to use "Lean On Me" to represent him, even though it's pretty atypical of his general sound. "Grandma's Hands," "Use Me," or "Ain't No Sunshine" would probably have served as a better example of his general sound, but I chose this song for a very special reason. When I evaluated the nominees from this ballot on their merits, I commented that "Lean On Me" was the artistic equal to songs like "Blowing In The Wind," and that needed to be recognized. For anyone who ever said R&B was incapable of the same level of artistry as "rock," as it is commonly understood, this song should be absolutely sufficient in shutting them up completely. It's a wonderful song besides, having been covered by an '80's synth pop band, and even by Christian rap/rock/soul trio DC Talk. It's a timeless song, like all great rock and roll, and that's why it is used here.
And with that, our look at the Class Of 2015 is complete. For those who want a reminder, I went 4/6 predicting this ballot. Do you agree with the song selection? What songs would you have chosen? Mention them in the Comments below. Recapping:
the Paul Butterfield Blues Band: "Born In Chicago"
the "5" Royales: "Baby, Don't Do It"
Green Day: "Basket Case"
Joan Jett And The Blackhearts: "I Love Rock 'N Roll"
Lou Reed: "Walk On The Wild Side"
Ringo Starr: "Oh My My"
Stevie Ray Vaughn And Double Trouble: "The House Is Rockin'"
Bill Withers: "Lean On Me"
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