Women more deserving of double induction

By now, it's common knowledge that Stevie Nicks stands a red-hot chance to be the first female dual inductee into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. The mostly-common consensus is that she'll make it. The slightly-less-but-still-relatively common consensus is also that she doesn't really deserve to be inducted a second time.  I know I've been touting that banner.  In all fairness, I know I'm particularly jaded against her by two things: one, her nomination came on the crest of a wave of support from the general public, ignorant of the fact that she's already in as a member of Fleetwood Mac; two, she's far from the figure I wanted to be the first female member of the Clyde McPhatter club, the unofficial name of the list of those inducted more than once, named after the first person inducted a second time.

That's not to say that I haven't at least tried to be open-minded.  After all, I know several members of the hobbyist community don't even think it should have been Clyde McPhatter to be the first person inducted twice. Personally, better him than Clapton.  I said it; deal with it.  Point being, if so many don't think it should have been McPhatter as the first, then it's kind of in line with how the Hall operates to make an unpopular choice the first female double-inductee.  Additionally, as someone who generally considers pecking orders as unimportant compared to the simple question, "Do they deserve induction or not?", it ultimately behooves me to really focus on the merits of Stevie Nicks without comparison or contrast to other female artists.  I've tried to do that, though some suggest I'm being a bit too harsh towards Nicks' candidacy, but again, at least I'm trying.

Nevertheless, the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame is a continual source of things to complain about.  Everyone has lists of snubs, bad calls, and other missteps, so it's perfectly congruous with this hobby for me to post a whiny list of what I wish would be.  Let's do that now.  Here are a baker's dozen women that I would rather see be the first female member of the Clyde McPhatter club than Stevie Nicks.

1. Carole King
First induction: as a songwriter in 1990.
Possible second induction: Her performing career.

Let's get the most popular pick stated right away.  Carole King was nominated once as a Performer for the Class of 1989, but didn't get the votes.  Ever since she was inducted as part of the songwriting duo with her former songwriting and marital partner Gerry Goffin, the word on her evaluation as a solo artist has been mum.  It's a shame, because singer/songwriters are a favorite mine for the Hall to excavate, and other than James Taylor, Carole King is perhaps the most iconic example of that movement of the '70's.  Some naysayers are saying take away Tapestry, and there's no reason to induct her.  Two words: Sex Pistols.  Induct this woman a second time already.


2. Tina Turner
First induction: Ike And Tina Turner in 1991
Possible second induction: Her solo efforts.

If Carole King isn't your top pick for first female double inductee, this woman almost certainly is.  Reputed for having the best legs in the business, those legs stand tall among female soloists not yet in.  Her solo career has something pretty much for everyone.  Whether it's "What's Love Got To Do With It" or "Private Dancer," the Rock Hall really needs to find a way to break away from the typical male attitude and induct this woman a second time.  They'd better be good to her.


3. Darlene Love
First induction: solo artist in 2011
Possible second induction: the Crystals

The induction of Darlene Love in the Performer category definitely ruffled some feathers.  Most think her induction, if any, should be with the Blossoms as recipients of the Award For Musical Excellence.  I'm glad she got in as a solo artist.  And I've posted in the past about the Crystals.  Most hobbyists who want a couple more girl groups enshrined are bigger on getting the Shangri-La's inducted, and that's fine.  They deserve it too.  But I'd really like to see the biggest nail in the coffin in which to bury Phil Spector's pride driven by inducting the Crystals.  And my preferred method to do it is by inducting all three eras: the Barbara Alston lineup, the Lala Brooks lineup, and of course, the Blossoms, who sang as the Crystals on two of their famous songs.  That of course, would naturally include the second induction of Darlene Love.  I say let's do it.


4. Chaka Khan
First induction: None yet
Possible inductions: both her solo efforts and with Rufus

This is one the Hall appears to agree with me on.  Over the past several years, they have nominated both Chaka as a soloist, and the group Rufus multiple times, including a group nomination on this latest ballot.  There's no questioning the value of the genre-crossing group at this point.  And even with what the group has in their favor, more people are bigger on inducting Chaka as a soloist.  Her iconic "I'm Every Woman" stands as a feminist anthem, and would be a great song for her induction set to conclude with if she could have been the first female inductee to be inducted twice.  Right now, getting that second induction has two obstacles: one, even getting that first induction, and two, Small Hall thinkers who believe inducting Rufus should suffice for both careers.  Let's fix that thinking.


5. Cher
First induction: None yet
Possible inductions: both in Sonny And Cher and her solo efforts.

I make no secret that I love the music of the '50's and '60's.  The 1960's were such a fertile time of artistry and imagination, and not just due to the Beatles, and I would dare say not because of the copious amounts of drugs taken.  Rock and roll was still a relatively young style, in its adolescence, and just as with human puberty, hitting the teenage years is when it went in several spiraling and unpredictable directions.  To that end, I'm much more in favor of inducting artists like the Grass Roots, the Buckinghams, Paul Revere And The Raiders, Jan And Dean, etc. than I am towards artists of the '80's, such as Tears For Fears, Thompson Twins, Heaven 17, etc.  So I would absolutely give the green light to the duo of Sonny And Cher for their catalog full of catchy melodies and imperfectly perfect harmonies, replete with lyrics that are whimsical, profound, and almost hopeful while remaining grounded in social realism.  And as for Cher as a soloist, I really don't think that needs much explanation.  The only real strike against her that would have any legs is her introducing the world to AutoTune with "Believe," but even then I'm inclined to forgive her because it was used as much as a special effect as it was a crutch for those parts where she struggled during the recording of it.  With not even a nomination to her name yet, the Dark Lady is a dark horse to ever be inducted once, let alone twice, but I would be cheering along with all her fans if she made it in for both of those things.


6. Carol Kaye
First induction: None yet
Possible inductions: as an individual Sideman and as a group induction of the Wrecking Crew

The trouble with inducting the entirety of the Wrecking Crew is twofold: one, the Hall has already inducted at least two members of it as individuals; two, the ensemble has supposedly never officially been known as that, being dubbed so retroactively by Hal Blaine.  Whether or not there's any truth to that, the band was the mortar for that famous Wall Of Sound,and are perhaps more deserving of being called the "true artist" than Phil Spector.  The way they challenged the limits and elevated rock and roll prior to the British Invasion and even in its early goings are something that should be truly honored and recognized with a group induction for this outfit.  Likewise, before and after the Phil Spector sessions, Carol was a very busy woman playing bass for artists across multiple genres.  For a part-time session musician, she's a double full-time contributor to rock and roll and should be honored twice.


7. Jody Watley
First induction: None yet
Possible inductions: both with Shalamar and solo

We're starting to get into the murkier territory, where the sells are going to get a bit harder.  This one is going to be particularly difficult because the cache for both Shalamar and Jody Watley are in the R&B and dance music realms, which the Hall has not been particularly kind to over the past decade.  Watley also stands in the shadow of Janet Jackson, and if Janet is struggling to get inducted, what hope does Jody have?  Still, if one just takes the time to just listen to the music of both entities, there's a catchy, danceable, grooving trove that awaits, and both presences across the various charts are more than enough to answer the question of whether or not they were big enough.  She may not be a dead giveaway at first glance, but if the Hall is lookin' for a new love to induct twice, they could do a lot worse than Jody Watley.


8. Patti Labelle
First induction: None yet
Possible inductions: Labelle and solo

Arguably, one could say that Patti Labelle should have three inductions: Patti Labelle And Her Blue-Belles, Labelle, and as a soloist.  However, I think the line between the former two is so straight and direct, it's almost more like a renaming of an existent group.  The hardship of this one of course, is very akin to the problem Devo faces on this current ballot.  Despite the somewhat long history of the group, they are ultimately regarded for having one big song.  They were of course much more than just "Lady Marmalade," but good luck getting that message through to certain sections of the voting body.  Her solo career is substantial, but a lot of the upbeat stuff has a very '80's synth sound to it, and includes a lot of softer stuff, which the Hall is rather disdainful of, especially softer R&B.


9. Diana Ross
First induction: the Supremes, in 1988
Possible second induction: solo

Personal bias comes into play here for me.  Diana Ross as a solo artist is actually a much easier sell than Jody Watley, or even Darlene Love as a Crystal, but this list ranks the order I'd like to see them inducted.  I'm not particularly a fan of Diana Ross.  At all.  I think the Supremes sounded better before after Jean Terrell replaced Diana Ross, and before "Baby Love," after which all the major songs showcase Diana's ego bursting through every note she sang.  As a soloist, I don't care for "Upside Down" or "Endless Love" or much else.  Fans of Motown like to blame the affair between her and Berry Gordy, Jr. as one of the leading causes for the decline of the label during the '70's, including the departure of the Temptations, Four Tops, and Gladys Knight And The Pips; not to mention the eventual folding of their "Mowest" subsidiary, which was an attempt to reach more White listeners, most famously popularized by Rare Earth and at one time included the Four Seasons.  Nevertheless, you cannot deny what a juggernaut she was throughout the '70's.  Her album The Boss is a dance music classic of its time, she's an undeniably influential diva, and her name still carries clout.  And hey, as I've repeatedly pointed out, good behavior and the Rock Hall aren't exactly the closest of friends.  I doubt they're even Facebook friends. 


10. Janis Joplin
First induction: solo artist in 1995
Possible second induction: Big Brother And The Holding Company

Getting back to the harder sells, the case for Big Brother And The Holding Company is a bit of a mixed bag.  Joplin by herself is a much more celebrated name, and because she died so young, the compilation of her legacy, in terms of marketed products, lumps the two efforts as a single entity.  Small Hall thinkers are happier with it being that way, too.  Was the band anything without Janis?  I say, does that really matter?  "Piece Of My Heart" is still an iconic song, Cheap Thrills is still considered a landmark of psychedelic rock, and their appearance at the Monterey Pop festival really should be the clincher.  The Hall has inducted artists with fewer credentials.  The group has been previously considered, but the odds of them even getting nominated gets slimmer by the year, as arena bands have dominated recently, and as critics want to see the Hall move forward in time.


11. Sylvia Robinson
First induction: None yet
Possible inductions: Mickey And Sylvia, Ahmet Ertegun Award

And now we're getting into the pipe dream territory, but I'd still consider these final three worthier of double induction than Stevie Nicks.  Similar to Carole King, Sylvia Robinson's better shot may in the Non-Performer category, now christened the Ahmet Ertegun Award.  As a record executive, she helped bring hip-hop to America as a whole.  Whereas hip-hop emerged out of block parties and the deejay scene, Robinson was one of the earliest figures who saw its potential as a marketable commodity, and more than that, an artistic form.  She's the reason we know "Rapper's Delight" and why it became the first hip-hop single to make the Top 40 pop charts.  Though her legacy in that regard peaks with the formative years of hip-hop, being involved with the formative efforts tends to be a huge asset with the Hall.  As for her recording legacy, it's an even tougher sell.  Mickey And Sylvia are really remembered for one song, and one song only.  "Love Is Strange" was the only song of theirs to make the Top 40; so despite their handful of other Hot 100 hits, it'll often come back to that one song.  But what a song.  It's been widely covered, including versions by the Everly Brothers and Peaches And Herb, but Mickey And Sylvia's original is still the one that people think of first, and is the version used most in movies, commercials, and even in animated shows that create six episodes but only get two aired.  Other hobbyists would probably prefer that "Love Is Strange" by Mickey And Sylvia simply be enshrined in the newly created Singles category.  Given the social background that Mickey "Guitar" Baker and Sylvia Robinson were up against when they released that landmark song, I think that even the fact they're both dead shouldn't be a detraction from inducting them in the Performer category at some point.


12. Tina Weymouth
First induction: Talking Heads in 2002
Possible second induction: Tom Tom Club

The big issue for Tom Tom Club is that it's treated as an afterthought of Talking Heads, very similar to the way New Order is treated in relation to Joy Division.  Comprised of half the members of Talking Heads, Tom Tom Club has always been in the shadow of Talking Heads, particularly because of the iconic voice and nature of David Byrne.  Tom Tom Club certainly weren't as big as Talking Heads either in a commercial or critical sense, but that doesn't mean this outfit was a slouch or an afterthought either.  And even when measuring with my I-Five system, this act might even come up a little shorter than Nicks, but I'd still rather give my vote for dual induction to Tina than Stevie.


13. Cass Elliott
First induction: The Mamas And The Papas, 1998
Possible second induction: solo

The Hail Mary of this list, the first member of this legendary quartet to pass away.  And that's the biggest hurdle for her to clear.  Much like Ritchie Valens, she died before she was able to fully realize a fruitful and euphonious career.  Additionally, her first and biggest hit included "Of The Mamas And The Papas" to the label credit.  So getting any recognition and respect for her as a solo artist will never happen.  Even so, I'd argue that "Dream A Little Dream Of Me" is iconic, and I'd even argue for the musical excellence of "Make Your Own Kind Of Music."  Still, I recognize the reality, and would be willing to agree to disagree with those who think I've just plain lost my marbles at this point, or that I'm being argumentative for its own sake.  It could even boil down to my belief that Cass Elliott was a better singer than Stevie Nicks.  Those would be valid critiques.  But again, I'm just spouting off women I'd rather see inducted twice before Stevie Nicks.


There are of course more possibilities.  A couple include Grace Slick and Gloria Estefan. Grace Slick could ostensibly be inducted for "Jefferson Starship" and "Starship."  I think some would be okay with Jefferson Starship getting its own recognition, but I think few, if any would like to see Starship get the nod.  It's a similar question that presented itself with Small Faces/Faces, and while the Hall answered that question, that answer, and especially the explanations and rationale, sat very unsatisfactorily with most of the Hall-watching community.  As for Gloria Estefan, outside of singer/songwriters of the '70's, the Hall hasn't really shown any love for soft-rock.  If that's the paradigm that the Hall wishes to operate under, then an induction for the Miami Sound Machine would be sufficient.  If you other hobbyists have other women for whom you'd care to make an argument for double induction, I welcome your comments below.