Billy Joel Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 1999 part 1

Rock Hall Bio: http://rockhall.com/inductees/billy-joel/

Billy Joel was born in the Bronx in 1949. His father was a concert pianist. Joel did not graduate high school because he was helping his family make ends meet. He finally decided if he was not going to Columbia University, he would go to Columbia Records.

He began making music in 1965 and released records with his band. Joel finally recorded solo and hit it big in the early 70s.

Piano Man (1973):

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxEPV4kolz0

The Entertainer (1975):

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozDSk9XUkrc

Just The Way You Are (1977):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPiK_yGG8ag

Movin’ Out (1977):

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-UBpt1dya60

Only the Good Die Young (1977):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhjNm20XbXw

My Life (1978):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3JFEfdK_Ls

Big Shot (1979):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bEea624OBzM

 Honesty (1979):

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7R3GtAnO66o

Charles Brown: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 1999

Rock Hall bio: http://rockhall.com/inductees/charles-brown/bio/

Brown’s slow-paced style helped influence the development of blues in the 1940s and 50s.

Driftin’ Blues:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9E4LQovoUQ

Merry Christmas Baby:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RJJwk-Opw4

Black Night:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pOFLzPnZag

Trouble Blues:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CGtu2gMRIPU

He died in 1999.

Curtis Mayfield: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 1999

Rock Hall bio: http://rockhall.com/inductees/curtis-mayfield/bio/

Official Site: http://www.curtismayfield.com/.

Mayfield pioneered funk and socially conscious music for the black community.

His career started in 1956 when he joined The Roosters. The band became The Impressions in 1958.

Mayfield went solo in 1970.

(Don’t Worry) If There’s a Hell Below, We’re All Going to Go (1970):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2cTc7DofrA

Freddie’s Dead (1972):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9nwcpGZE6A

His signature song…

Superfly (1972):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-cmo6MRYf5g

We Got To Have Peace (1973):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4QglEbgON9o

Kung Fu (1974):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AOgdRVm-zzw

Only You Babe (1976):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hc4fgeORsD4

She Don’t Let Nobody (But Me) (1981):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=42CRTZ_GHV8

Toot An’ Toot An’ Toot (1982):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-mUevmOb1dk

He was paralyzed in 1990 when lighting equipment fell on him.

No One Knows About A Good Thing (1997):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ox7zvqQ5-go

Curtis Mayfield died in 1999 a few months after being elected to the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame.

Del Shannon: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 1999

Rock Hall Bio: http://rockhall.com/inductees/del-shannon/bio/

Official Site:  http://www.delshannon.com/

Shannon was drafted in 1954. When he returned from the army, he worked part time in a band. In 1958, he assumed control of the band and Del Shannon took off.

Runaway (1961): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0S13mP_pfEc

Hats off to Larry (1961): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xk_FR3341bA

The Swiss Maid (1962): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nn27xBY8X68

Little Town Flirt (1962): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9kt5LxwxXg

He fought with his label and switched in 1963.

Handy Man (1964): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gIocqHTnWs

Do You Wanna Dance? (1964): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9V7m9peH8QA

Keep Searchin’ (We’ll Follow the Sun) (1964): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnSpWU8utw4

Shannon moved to Liberty Records in 1966. His success waned, so Shannon moved to producing in 1969.

Alcoholism and changing music scene slowed his career in the 70s.

Sea of Love (1981): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3O6I6CL3lA

He was in line to replace Roy Orbison in the Travelin’ Wilburys.

Depression led to suicide in 1990.

Dusty Springfield: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 1999

Rock Hall Bio: http://rockhall.com/inductees/dusty-springfield/bio/

Dusty began singing at home, joined The Lana Sisters in 1958, and formed The  Springfields with her brother in 1960. She went solo in 1963.

I Only Want To Be With You (1963): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5LS---oX7Y

Wishin’ and Hopin’ (1964): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ycbgHM1mI0k

I Just Don’t Know What To Do With Myself (1964): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EA48IL6bQQU

You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me (1966): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9NY3P1QwWw

Goin’ Back (1966):  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XvWiiUgT8Nk

I’ll Try Anything (1967): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubdAfuBIvLU

Son of a Preacher Man (1968): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dp4339EbVn8

By this point, she was the biggest female act on Earth.

She struggled to reach the charts after 1970.

What Have I Done to Deserve This? w/Pet Shop Boys (1987): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wn9E5i7l-Eg

Wherever Would I Be w/Daryl Hall (1995): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ivXQtAjHJs

She died in 1999.

George Martin: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 1999

Rock Hall Bio: http://rockhall.com/inductees/george-martin/bio/

After graduating from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, Martin worked at the BBC. During the fifties, he produced comedy and novelty records.

Martin began working with the Beatles in the early 60s and achieved his greatest fame and success.

A Day in the Life: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-Q9D4dcYng

He worked with several other artists such as Jeff Beck, America, Cheap Trick, and Kenny Rogers.

In the 90s, he worked on The Beatles Anthology. However, he left the two new songs to Jeff Lynne to produce. By this point, hearing loss made work on the new tracks problematic for Martin.

Martin also produced two James Bond theme songs:

Goldfinger: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MagCoUYvIXE

Live and Let Die: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7aGAIWe3uE

Bob Willis and the Playboys: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 1999

Rock Hall Bio: http://rockhall.com/inductees/bob-wills-and-his-texas-playboys/bio/

Bob Willis founded Country Swing music.

He was in several bands before forming the Playboys in 1934.

Steel Guitar Rag (1936): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hxzxH6wIPCY

New San Antonio Rose (1940): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mw2k8VfX83o

Smoke on the Water (1945): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmzN5-7699Q

Stars and Stripes on Iwo Jima (1945): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OvveaI4RG1Q

New Spanish Two Step (1946): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aiXoOFKk4kg

Willis influenced Merle Haggard and Buck Owens among others.

He died in 1975.

Ida Red ( 1951 and 1976):  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xvw4_YOWNXM

The Staples Singers: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 1999

http://rockhall.com/inductees/the-staple-singers/bio/

The act started in 1948 and signed a contract in 1952. Originally, they were a gospel/folk band, but grew mainstream by the late 60s as they moved toward a pop sound.

For What It’s Worth (1967):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2n9Rgkpz7yE

They signed with Stax in 1968 and did not hit it big until 1971.

Respect Yourself (1971):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oab4ZCfTbOI

I’ll Take You There (1972):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uY3vgBzgYn4

If You’re Ready (Come Go With Me) (1973):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXQeZCGwZTY&feature=fvst

Stax went bankrupt and the band moved to Curtom Records.

Let’s Do It Again (1975):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=etITOxv9x4w

I Honestly Love You (1978):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=etITOxv9x4w

In 1994, “Respect Yourself” appeared in Spike Lee’s Crooklyn. A few years earlier, Bruce Willis scored a hit with the tune.

Songs of 2012 part III

The final installment...

The best Bond theme in a couple decades...

Skyfall-Adele

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

Song of the year....

These Days-Foo Fighters

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNLhxlEU52c

Charlie Brown-Coldplay

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTFBJgnNgU4

 

The last 2 are just super catchy....

Little Talks- Of Monsters and Men

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghb6eDopW8I

 Drive By- Train

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxqnFJ3lp5k

 

Songs of 2012 part 2

Continuing the look back at 2012...Big year for the Foos and Black Keys, Soundgarden returned, and Shawn Colvin has a song that is all over Austin radio...

Walk- Foo Fighters

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4PkcfQtibmU

Lonely Boy-Black Keys

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_426RiwST8

Live to Rise- Soundgarden

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3ZNtOcY_1A

Little Black Submarines-Black Keys

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6k8es2BNloE

All Fall Down Shawn Colvin

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nHGZF8alJ9E