Althouse: I'd vote for Donovan and Laura Nyro.

September 30, 2010

I'd vote for Donovan and Laura Nyro.

The new Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nominees.

47 comments:

traditionalguy said...: Good picks from a weak field. But only people over 45 should be given the vote.; 9/30/10, 10:05 PM
Unknown said...: I'll go with Neil Diamond, otherwise agree with tg.; 9/30/10, 10:17 PM
Irene said...: Laura Nyro died at age 49. So sad.; 9/30/10, 10:26 PM
NoName said...: Donovan always makes me happy...
(and I just turned 45)

"Come run jump skip a long sam
a very happy man I am
to know you are well and you're doing fine
kind-of puts at rest my mind"; 9/30/10, 10:32 PM
dick said...: Tom waits and Dr John.; 9/30/10, 10:34 PM
SteveR said...: I have little enthusiasm for the R&R HOF, to start with how broadly it defines Rock n Roll. Of course when you consider the whole thing is a naked commercial venture designed to lure people to Cleveland, etc. they'd induct Mozart if he'd draw a crowd.; 9/30/10, 10:43 PM
save_the_rustbelt said...: Alice Cooper and J Geils.

Rock-and-roll, not hippie folk.; 9/30/10, 10:58 PM
AST said...: First, I agree with SteveR.

Second, I'm astonished that Neil Diamond wasn't in it already. Of the others, I guess I'd pick Donovan, but not with much enthusiasm.; 9/30/10, 11:13 PM
Rialby said...: Chic? Really?

But no Stevie Ray. Makes perfect sense. snort...; 9/30/10, 11:13 PM
AST said...: On second thought, I'm too embarrassed to have even offered an opinion in such a bogus poll. Cancel my earlier post.; 9/30/10, 11:15 PM
Revenant said...: Tom Waits?

Tom Waits is a great musician, but I'm pretty sure he has never recorded a rock song in his life.; 9/30/10, 11:43 PM
jamboree said...: Okay, I took another look. Possibly Tom Waits. I've heard of Nyro as the original "weird music woman" but I've never actually delved into her. I know we're all supposed to appreciate how brilliant Donavan was in hindsight, but I don't care.; 9/30/10, 11:49 PM
jamboree said...: Hmm. I posted on another thread apparently. (Tabs.)

Originally I said I wouldn't vote for any of them.; 9/30/10, 11:50 PM
Cedarford said...: Tom Waits. Alice Cooper. Bon Jovi.

No brainers.

Donovan and Laura Nyro = flash in the pan, 60s fads that came and went.
Wouldn't mind Wolf & his J Giels Band getting in at all - if they got in.
I hate Neil Diamond's schlock artist ways, but he was a pretty good songwriter.; 10/1/10, 12:04 AM
William said...: When Lary Doby was finally voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame, everyone was surprised that he was not already a member. I'm surprised that Laura Nyro isn't already a member. She recorded some of the most inventive, happiest music ever.....She died at 49. This was way too early, but she was old enough to be a has been. Still, she wasn't quite young enough to have the kind of tragic death like Gershwin or Morrison that leaves music hanging in the air. I think some of her songs should be standards. Perhaps her installation would renew interest in her work.; 10/1/10, 1:30 AM
Chef Mojo said...: Tom Waits, Alice Cooper and Dr. John. Amazing talents and cultural icons.

I have very broad musical tastes. Can't recall anything by Laura Nyro. Not a thing.

Donovan? Ok, why not.

Neil Diamond? Sure, but he really put out some cheese in his time.

Chic? WTF?; 10/1/10, 1:41 AM
Popville said...: Laura Nyro's Brill Building covers lp with Labelle, Gonna Take A Miracle will always be a favorite.

No surprise of no Todd Rundgren, being RRHOF is Jann Wenner's personal domain.; 10/1/10, 3:25 AM
Bob_R said...: Dr. John from that field. The Motown crowd is still keeping Carol Kaye out. A travesty.; 10/1/10, 6:08 AM
Charles said...: Donovan wrote in his autobiography that he was more influential than Dylan. I think he smoked too many bananas.; 10/1/10, 6:30 AM
TWM said...: More than half of these folks should be ineligible since they are not, nor have they ever been, Rock and Rollers.

However, the ones who deserve to be honored in this very watered-down version are Alice Cooper, Dr. John, Neil Diamond and maybe Bon Jovi.; 10/1/10, 6:59 AM
Anonymous said...: "I have little enthusiasm for the R&R HOF, to start with how broadly it defines Rock n Roll. Of course when you consider the whole thing is a naked commercial venture designed to lure people to Cleveland, etc. they'd induct Mozart if he'd draw a crowd.'

The standards for this HOF are so weak that it reminds me of today's children's sports...every body plays; every body gets a trophy.

Who isn't getting in?; 10/1/10, 7:12 AM
Old RPM Daddy said...: I'm not too sold on Bon Jovi. I'm not knocking their skill, but none of their work surprised me; it struck me as all paint-by-numbers stuff.

An a lot of the nominees were flashes in the pan, if we didn't live through the eras when they were popular. Donovan seems more like an artifact than an influence. Laura Nyro I've probably heard without knowing it. If I had to decide, I guess I'd induct Diamond, and maybe Alice Cooper, but danged if I know what the criteria are supposed to be.; 10/1/10, 7:17 AM
Tank said...: Boy, Rock and Roll sure is a "big tent" these days. The whole idea of a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is kinda weird.

Of these groups, the only ones I'm interested in are J. Geils and Alice Cooper. J. Geils had one year or so when they were one of the hottest live bands on tour. I saw them open for the Allmans, Yes and Alice Cooper. Man, they were a tough act to come on after. Geils was actually the least of it: it was Wolf and Mr. Magic Dick on the blues harp - ah, let me hear you Dickie.

Cooper I saw once live in Jersey City. No albums. Not my thing overall, but a great great live SHOW. SHOW being the key there. J. Geils opened that show. It was at a stadium and they had folding chairs set up in the field. As soon as J. Geils hit the stage we were all standing on our chairs. But, "some" people were ... thoroughly pre-gamed ... and you could see a person wobble, then they would tilt over... then a whole row of people went over like dominoes. LOL. Great show. They never set up chairs there again.

Damn, those are good memories.; 10/1/10, 7:21 AM
Charles said...: rd, you jogged some old memories there...there was a brief time when Alice Cooper and J. Geils were the two best live acts going....Floyd's Hotel, Detroit Breakdown...they could really shake a stadium!! :); 10/1/10, 7:29 AM
Dave Dexter III said...: I'm shocked that Donovan's not already a member, but then the HOF is such a joke that it makes perfect sense.; 10/1/10, 7:43 AM
Anonymous said...: "Allah kiss me once more. That I may, that I may" Are we ready for this?; 10/1/10, 8:14 AM
MadisonMan said...: Why are Folk Singers like Donovan trying to get into the Rock and Roll HOF?

I'd vote for J. Geils, Donna Summer & the Beastie Boys.; 10/1/10, 8:39 AM
Superdad said...: Alice Cooper is the best of this group.; 10/1/10, 8:54 AM
TMink said...: Alice Cooper, Dr. John, Neil Diamond.

Sorry to say this, but Bon Jovi always struck me as a bar band. Nothing special, kind of like REO Speedwagon.

Sorry.

Trey; 10/1/10, 8:56 AM
Jay Vogt said...: Neil Diamond, Alice Cooper and Tom Waits. Enduring talents of different ilks to be sure.

But, imagine how awesome it would be to see those three do a live jam at the ceremonies.; 10/1/10, 8:57 AM
MadisonMan said...: Sorry to say this, but Bon Jovi always struck me as a bar band. Nothing special, kind of like REO Speedwagon.

I've heard that too. From a friend. Who heard it from a friend. Who heard it from another.

Oops gotta work. Time for me to fly.; 10/1/10, 9:06 AM
Old RPM Daddy said...: "Oops gotta work. Time for me to fly."

Well, roll with the changes, dude.

And remember, you can tune a piano, but you can't tuna fish.

WV: shnersty, which is how you feel the morning after too much schnapps.; 10/1/10, 9:36 AM
Ann Althouse said...: "Donovan always makes me happy..."

Happiness runs in a circular motion...

""Allah kiss me once more. That I may, that I may" Are we ready for this?"

Wear your love like heaven.; 10/1/10, 9:38 AM
paul a'barge said...: LL Cool J?

oh dear ... I believe I threw up in my mouth.; 10/1/10, 10:54 AM
Patrick said...: I like several of these performers, but the RRHOF needs to decide what the hell it is. Really, these, and previous entrants and nominees make it more like the Pop Music HOF or the American Music HOF. Much easier to vote for Tom Waits as a gifter American songwriter and performer than a Rock and Roller. Same with Dr. John. I saw Dr. John in about 1985 at Summerfest. Big ol' head dress on. First time I ever saw (or heard of) a 5 string bass. Chic? I prefer to think of that as an unfortunate fad in American music history.

WV Joblesse. I was that for awhile. Maybe because I couldn't spell.; 10/1/10, 11:09 AM
buttondickbuttons said...: i'd like to see the smiths in..
but i cry alot and am easily confused; 10/1/10, 11:24 AM
Amartel said...: This is the "rock and roll" hall of fame, no?

1. Alice Cooper
2. J. Geils Band; 10/1/10, 11:31 AM
buttondickbuttons said...: alice coopers first couple of albums
had them guitar guys who where on lou reeds live
and rock.n'roll animal..
don't recall their name
but y'know/ sweet jane/rock'n'roll
heroin..
them songs...
so just for being a teeny and driving
my mom up the wall/ /and making her insaneinsane!..
that's rock 'n' roll...
of course we made up/bonded etc..
but as a nasty teen ..
nothing says f u like the end of heroin version on r'n'r animal..
steve hunter and dickie wagner; 10/1/10, 11:46 AM
former law student said...: Yep. Save Donovan and Nyro (New York Tendaberry) for the Pop Music Hall of Fame. J. Geils all the way, baby:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHo43B6nu60

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgYPn2-aloo; 10/1/10, 12:14 PM
ndspinelli said...: J Geils[I'm from New England..it's a provincial vote] and Tom Waits.; 10/1/10, 12:21 PM
Mr. D said...: You have to understand what the Rock HOF is about -- it's not just commercial success. They pay a lot of attention to musicians who are influential in larger trends. So when you look at it in those terms:

Yes, Chic belongs. It's easy to forget since they were part of the much reviled disco scene, but Chic was the most influential rhythm section of the 1970s -- the bassline from "Good Times" has probably been ripped off more often than anything other than James Brown. Hip-hop might not be your thing, but the musical DNA of Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards is everywhere.

I agree about Laura Nyro, too -- her influence extends way beyond her modest record sales and she was one of the best singer-songwriters going. That genre has fallen out of favor now, her late 60s-early 70s moment was a big one.

Alice Cooper was actually pretty influential, too -- sort of the American version of glam rock and the stagecraft of the Cooper band is still a major touchstone.

A commenter mentioned Stevie Ray Vaughan -- I agree, he's a glaring omission.; 10/1/10, 12:45 PM
yes said...: Yes! 2 artists whose CDs I have every one of! (I know that's ungrammatical) and loved since high-school (1970).; 10/1/10, 12:58 PM
yes said...: JGeils was not a flash in the pan?

OTOH I could go for Tom Waits, but he is no more a rocker than Nyro or Donovan. Waits is more folky than Nyro.

OK gotta put "New York Tendaberry" on the CD player now....; 10/1/10, 1:06 PM
former law student said...: JGeils was not a flash in the pan?

They had top ten hits over a decade (1971-1981) an eternity in rock years. Laura Nyro's impact was compressed into just three years.; 10/1/10, 1:49 PM
Pastafarian said...: This is a "Hall of Fame" that inducted "Clyde McPhatter" (now there's a legend) TWICE, several years before inducting Black Sabbath and Lynyrd Skynyrd.

Led Zeppelin, Janice Joplin, and the Allman Brothers all had to wait until after the induction of those much more important and "famous" Duane Etty, Doc Pomus, and Allan Freed.

After over 20 years, no Stevie Ray Vaugn, no Rush, no Moody Blues, no Peter Frampton, no Bad Company. No Jethro Tull. War; The Hollies; Heart; Steppenwolf; The Guess Who; Three Dog Night; Yes; none of them are in. No Motorhead.

But Madonna is.

Think about that. Let that one sink in.

I'll never pay for a fucking ticket for this joke, I'll never watch a single ceremony.; 10/1/10, 6:00 PM
Trooper York said...: Well what do you expect.

Loafing Oaf runs it out there in Cleveland.

Need I say more?; 10/2/10, 5:07 PM
Focko Smitherman said...: Where's Bloodrock, maaaaaaaan? (Greatest video ever made, too.)

wv: spesshla. spesshla when I'm so stoned I can't talk.; 10/2/10, 9:58 PM