klaatu
Fusionist
I am going to appoach this froma Hall of Fame point of view, Artists who are eligible but not yet inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ...
Donovan
One of the most imaginative Song Writers of the 60's, as well being one of the decades ultimate flower power children. His music explored the counter culture, highlighting his interests of philosophy, spiritual path and rebellion. He was a consistent chart topper.
2
Jethro Tull
From the late 60's until the mid 70's there were 2 bands that led what was known has the hard rock movement. There was Led Zeppelin(fuseing early blues with R&R), Jethro Tull(fuseing Jazz,Blues with R&R) and basically.. all the rest. In the early 70's Progressive Rock hit the mainstream scene(fuseing jazz,classical, blues and R&R), Rock bands used the Arena to go full boar Rock Orchestration, there was Pink Floyd, Yes, Genesis and Jethro Tull and all the rest. Jethro Tull is just as important of a band as Led Zep and/or Pink Floyd, why they are not in the Hall is anyones guess. Listen to some of Tulls music from the late 60's.. and then talk about great musicianship.
3
Tommy James & the Shondells
From the mid 60's until the early 70's this group was a tour deforce, During 1968-69 Tommy James and The Shondells sold more single records (45's) than any artist in the world, including The Beatles. Tommy has had 23 gold singles, 9 gold and platinum albums, and has sold over 100 million records worldwide. Qualifiers? What more can be said?
4
The Moody Blues
When voting for induction into the R&R Hall of Fame, the artist/Nominees should have demonstrable influence and significance within the history of the genre. Does anyone doubt that the Moddy Blues have met this criteria? Enough said, by the way ... who is surprised that The Moody Blues have not yet been inducted?
5
The Guess Who
Canadadian legends and a group that boasts a string of massive world-wide hits that includes "These Eyes", "Laughing", "No Time", "Undun", "Share the Land", "Hand Me Down World", "Clap for the Wolfman", "Albert Flasher", "No Sugar Tonight/New Mother Nature", "Glamour Boy", "Star Baby", and of course, "American Woman", to name but a few. All still getting plenty of radio airtime. Now tell me, why have they not been inducted?
6
Blood, Sweat & Tears
One of the first Rock bands to fuse Jazz into the the ears of main stream fans. BS&T has two incarnations, the Al Kooper period, which is the heavier less commercial more jazzy era and then the David Clayton Thomas era, several top 10 songs. None the less, each era was highly productive and worth Hall recognition.
7
Genesis
Genesis enjoyed a long enduring career, first as a member of rockdoms Royal Progressive Artists under Peter Gabriels influence and then a strong shift towards mainstream R&B, under the heavy hand of Phil Collins. Combine the two era's and you have a highly productive and influential force, a Hall of Fame legacy.
8
Yes
The Original Yes of the 70's, with Rick Wakeman on keyboards was a force to be reckoned with. Like Genesis, a major influence on the progressive Rock front. The group underwent changes in the 80's to the point where they morphed into a pop band, but later reformed with the original lineup.
9
Electric Light Orchestra
Electric Light Orchestra took The Beatles "I am the Walrus" and built an act around the unique sound of that one particular song. That said, they steered classical string instruments to a new level in Rock & Roll. Their first few albums, progressive in nature, built around complex conceptual songs, layed the ground work for what would become one of the biggest hit making machines of the 70's. ELO passes all the tests to qualify as an elected member of the R&R Hall of Fame.
10
Supertramp
Supertramp is another one of those Progressive Rock force rooted in the 70's that get overlooked. This unit, fuseing Jazz and Rock set the world on fire with a series of well recieved Albums from the mid 70's unitl the early 80's. What made this band unique was the vocal stylings of their two lead singers, each had his own charasmatic approach.
11
Carpenters
Ok laugh and ridicule if you want to, but look at the list of inductees and pay close attention to the R&B artists from the 50's and early 60's. The Carpenters stand tall with all of them, if only for Karen Carpenters voice alone, which is in of itself one of the alltime greatest voices of any genre. The Rock & Roll Hall has already set precedent for inducting artists from different branches... R&B, Pop, Country Rock, Metal, Blues..., so the Carpenters, the masters of 70's AM POP have earned a place.
12
Neil Diamond
How does one define Neil Diamonds music, he of tin pan alley song craft? He is a guy that has an impressive history of writing songs for other artists as well as many notables for himself. He has successfully crossed over into several different genres including Rock, Pop, Country and R&B. A long enduring career and his concert tours are still in demand.
13
Laura Nyro
Like Diamond, Laura Nyro was a song writing force for others as well as a legendary performer on her own. Lets compare Laura Nyro and her influence on the genre to Blondie ... if you know anything about music you know this cannot be done. All you need to do is ask Blondie her self.
14
John Cougar Mellencamp
The way I see it, if Bruce Springsteen, Bill Joel and Bob Seger are Hall of Fame worthy, why isnt John Cougar Mellencamp? On a personal note.. I think I may appreciate his music more then the aformentioned 3! Cougar defined the 80's working class picket fence American lifestyle. Great homespun rock and a great career.
15
Dionne Warwick
Im going to use the same logic I used with John Cougar Mellencamp. If Diana Ross, Aretha Franklin and Gladys Knight are in the Hall, where is Dionne? Her legacy is to be viewed in the same scope as these 3. A great voice who dominated the airwaves for nearly 2 decades.
Donovan
One of the most imaginative Song Writers of the 60's, as well being one of the decades ultimate flower power children. His music explored the counter culture, highlighting his interests of philosophy, spiritual path and rebellion. He was a consistent chart topper.
2
Jethro Tull
From the late 60's until the mid 70's there were 2 bands that led what was known has the hard rock movement. There was Led Zeppelin(fuseing early blues with R&R), Jethro Tull(fuseing Jazz,Blues with R&R) and basically.. all the rest. In the early 70's Progressive Rock hit the mainstream scene(fuseing jazz,classical, blues and R&R), Rock bands used the Arena to go full boar Rock Orchestration, there was Pink Floyd, Yes, Genesis and Jethro Tull and all the rest. Jethro Tull is just as important of a band as Led Zep and/or Pink Floyd, why they are not in the Hall is anyones guess. Listen to some of Tulls music from the late 60's.. and then talk about great musicianship.
3
Tommy James & the Shondells
From the mid 60's until the early 70's this group was a tour deforce, During 1968-69 Tommy James and The Shondells sold more single records (45's) than any artist in the world, including The Beatles. Tommy has had 23 gold singles, 9 gold and platinum albums, and has sold over 100 million records worldwide. Qualifiers? What more can be said?
4
The Moody Blues
When voting for induction into the R&R Hall of Fame, the artist/Nominees should have demonstrable influence and significance within the history of the genre. Does anyone doubt that the Moddy Blues have met this criteria? Enough said, by the way ... who is surprised that The Moody Blues have not yet been inducted?
5
The Guess Who
Canadadian legends and a group that boasts a string of massive world-wide hits that includes "These Eyes", "Laughing", "No Time", "Undun", "Share the Land", "Hand Me Down World", "Clap for the Wolfman", "Albert Flasher", "No Sugar Tonight/New Mother Nature", "Glamour Boy", "Star Baby", and of course, "American Woman", to name but a few. All still getting plenty of radio airtime. Now tell me, why have they not been inducted?
6
Blood, Sweat & Tears
One of the first Rock bands to fuse Jazz into the the ears of main stream fans. BS&T has two incarnations, the Al Kooper period, which is the heavier less commercial more jazzy era and then the David Clayton Thomas era, several top 10 songs. None the less, each era was highly productive and worth Hall recognition.
7
Genesis
Genesis enjoyed a long enduring career, first as a member of rockdoms Royal Progressive Artists under Peter Gabriels influence and then a strong shift towards mainstream R&B, under the heavy hand of Phil Collins. Combine the two era's and you have a highly productive and influential force, a Hall of Fame legacy.
8
Yes
The Original Yes of the 70's, with Rick Wakeman on keyboards was a force to be reckoned with. Like Genesis, a major influence on the progressive Rock front. The group underwent changes in the 80's to the point where they morphed into a pop band, but later reformed with the original lineup.
9
Electric Light Orchestra
Electric Light Orchestra took The Beatles "I am the Walrus" and built an act around the unique sound of that one particular song. That said, they steered classical string instruments to a new level in Rock & Roll. Their first few albums, progressive in nature, built around complex conceptual songs, layed the ground work for what would become one of the biggest hit making machines of the 70's. ELO passes all the tests to qualify as an elected member of the R&R Hall of Fame.
10
Supertramp
Supertramp is another one of those Progressive Rock force rooted in the 70's that get overlooked. This unit, fuseing Jazz and Rock set the world on fire with a series of well recieved Albums from the mid 70's unitl the early 80's. What made this band unique was the vocal stylings of their two lead singers, each had his own charasmatic approach.
11
Carpenters
Ok laugh and ridicule if you want to, but look at the list of inductees and pay close attention to the R&B artists from the 50's and early 60's. The Carpenters stand tall with all of them, if only for Karen Carpenters voice alone, which is in of itself one of the alltime greatest voices of any genre. The Rock & Roll Hall has already set precedent for inducting artists from different branches... R&B, Pop, Country Rock, Metal, Blues..., so the Carpenters, the masters of 70's AM POP have earned a place.
12
Neil Diamond
How does one define Neil Diamonds music, he of tin pan alley song craft? He is a guy that has an impressive history of writing songs for other artists as well as many notables for himself. He has successfully crossed over into several different genres including Rock, Pop, Country and R&B. A long enduring career and his concert tours are still in demand.
13
Laura Nyro
Like Diamond, Laura Nyro was a song writing force for others as well as a legendary performer on her own. Lets compare Laura Nyro and her influence on the genre to Blondie ... if you know anything about music you know this cannot be done. All you need to do is ask Blondie her self.
14
John Cougar Mellencamp
The way I see it, if Bruce Springsteen, Bill Joel and Bob Seger are Hall of Fame worthy, why isnt John Cougar Mellencamp? On a personal note.. I think I may appreciate his music more then the aformentioned 3! Cougar defined the 80's working class picket fence American lifestyle. Great homespun rock and a great career.
15
Dionne Warwick
Im going to use the same logic I used with John Cougar Mellencamp. If Diana Ross, Aretha Franklin and Gladys Knight are in the Hall, where is Dionne? Her legacy is to be viewed in the same scope as these 3. A great voice who dominated the airwaves for nearly 2 decades.