Darlene Love: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2011

Rock Hall Bio: http://rockhall.com/inductees/darlene-love/bio/

Official Site: http://darleneloveworld.com/

Darlene Love began her career in the church choir. She joined a girl group, The Blossoms, which worked with Phil Spector.

She sang lead on...

He's A Rebel by The Crystals (1962): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_SXJ18EkNw


She sang backup on many major hits including:

Be My Baby by The Ronettes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-bcn6Rwn44

The Monster Mash by Boris Pickett: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SOFCQ2bfmHw

That's Life by Frank Sinatra: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3NCN6tl_DY0


Solo:

Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah (1962): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bWyhj7siEY

Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) (1963): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UV8x7H3DD8Y

Wait Til My Bobby Comes Home (1963): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWSlWvheoNg

Basketball Jones (1973): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cu0-j-4TjWg

All Alone on Christmas (1992): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmHbNMCDJyU


She also starred as Trish Murtaugh in the Lethal Weapon movies.

Dr. John: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2011

Rock Hall bio: http://rockhall.com/inductees/dr-john/bio/

Dr. John's work encompasses jazz, zydeco, boogie woogie, rock n roll, and blues. He was a session musician that gained a cult following when he released his own work in the sixties. He incorporated a heavy New Orleans influence into his shows, which expanded his popularity.

Right Place Wrong Time (1973): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5zPqgQ67yo

Top 10 songs of the 2000s #1-10

 
1. BEAUTIFUL DAY- U2

2. The Wickerman- Iron Maiden
3. KRYPTONITE- 3 DOORS DOWN

4. IT'S MY LIFE- BON JOVI

5. IN A LITTLE WHILE- U2

6. YELLOW- COLDPLAY

7. TWO STORY TOWN- BON JOVI

8. NO LEAF CLOVER- METALLICA

9. SOUR GIRL- STP

10. LEADER OF MEN- NICKELBACK

Top 15 songs of the 2000s: #11-15

The further back I go, the easier it becomes to come up with songs...interesting.  These are favorites...

11. OTHERSIDE- RHCP

12. MINORITY- GREEN DAY

13. THINGS HAVE CHANGED- BOB DYLAN

14. BREAKOUT- FOO FIGHTERS

15. Southside- MOBY w/Gwen Stefani

Tom Waits: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2011

Rock Hall Bio: https://rockhall.com/inductees/tom-waits/bio/



Tom Waits has the most distinctive voice in music. He sounds like he drank bourbon while eating sand. Waits combines blues, jazz, vaudeville and other sounds to create his works.

His most popular songs have been covered by other artists.
Jersey Girl by Bruce Springsteen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRXhDQXhdXE

Downtown Train by Rod Stewart: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6yk9wWNB08



and Waits...
Ol 55 (1973): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PejBkU4-1fk

Jersey Girl (1980): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-ROB8kI_fw

Downtown Train (1985): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZhW76LAnTY

Heartattack and Vine (1993): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C49H3aWdiK8

Bad as Me (2011): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6Ta3H-ck6s

Jac Holzman: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2011

Rock Hall Bio: http://rockhall.com/inductees/jac-holzman/bio/



Jac Holzman founded Elektra Records in his dorm room in 1950. He later founded Nonesuch Records. In 1970, he merged everything with Warner.

Holzman signed The Doors, Carly Simon, The Stooges, Harry Chapin, Judy Collins, and Queen.

Art Rupe: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2011

Rock Hall Bio: http://rockhall.com/inductees/art-rupe/



Rupe got involved in music toward the end of World War II. He analyzed records to determine what would sell and what would be a hit. Rupe started Juke Box Records in 1944. Then, he left Juke Box to start Specialty Records. Rupe pioneered R&B, blues, Gospel, and rock. He discovered Lloyd Price and recorded a young Ray Charles.

Leon Russell: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2012

Rock Hall Bio: http://rockhall.com/inductees/leon-russell/bio/

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



Leon Russell began working in nightclubs as a teenager. After graduating, he moved to Los Angeles and became a session musician. He learned to record, arrange, and write. By 1970, he was a master.

He wrote (among others):

Everybody Loves a Clown by Gary Lewis and the Playboys (1965): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RzUbr66ehnc



He performed on (among others):

Day After Day by Badfinger (1971): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-btv-7GkVk0



Solo:

Roll Away the Stone (1970): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1XJaDzI_wVg

Tight Rope (1972): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2Z9qN8R9Bg

If I Were a Carpenter (1974): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JzM4049aXY

Lady Blue (1975): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5xDyq_RcSo8

Back to the Island (1976): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r7MoZuP3JBo

Rainbow in your Eyes (1976): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-L8-6m5q318

No Man’s Land (1992): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QY3ern9X0zA

If It Wasn’t For Bad w/Elton John (2010): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8Or0kDo_SM

Top 10 songs of 2001

My favorites.

1. WALK ON- U2

2. IMITATION OF LIFE- REM

3. JADED- AEROSMITH

4. HASH PIPE- WEEZER

5. SCHISM- TOOL

6. HOLLYWOOD BITCH- STP

7. ISLAND IN THE SUN- WEEZER

8. SOMEDAY- THE STROKES

9. ELEVATION- U2

10. STUCK IN THE MOMENT- U2 

John Mellencamp: Rain on the Scarecrow (1987)

John Mellencamp wanted to shed light on the plight of American farmers. "Rain on the Scarecrow" recounts the trials and troubles of farmers in the modern era. Decreased profits, foreclosures, and empty farmhouses riddle the country. Mellencamp took his efforts a step further when he helped found the Farm Aid charity. The song reached #21 on the charts. Something like this probably would not sniff the Hot 100 today.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joNzRzZhR2Y

Rush: Limelight (1981)

Neil Peart did not feel comfortable with fan adulation. So, he wrote "Limelight" to convey his unease. Lack of privacy, autographs, gossip columns, journalists, etc all invaded his space. He borrowed from Shakespeare as well as his own feelings for the song. "All the world's a stage" is Shakespeare "and we are merely players" is Peart.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EKpn0esJ73w

The Rolling Stones: Mother's Little Helper (1966)

Apparently, valium use skyrocketed amongst housewives in the mid-sixties. The Stones took this from the headlines to write "Mother's Little Helper" about a woman that can't take life's stress any longer. She's older, has to care for kids, make dinner, run the house, and no one appreciates that she "gets tired." Billy Joel incorporates this theme into his video for "We Didn't Start The Fire" in 1989.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tfGYSHy1jQs

John Lennon: Instant Karma (1970)

"Instant Karma" was the first solo record by a Beatle to sell a million copies. Lennon’s solo work actually competed with his band on the charts. "Let It Be" also reached the top 5 in 1970. Phil Specter produced the Lennon hit, which took 10 days to record and release. Two months later, the Beatles split.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqP3wT5lpa4

The Byrds: Turn! Turn! Turn! (1965)

Pete Seeger borrowed heavily from the Book of Ecclesiastes. The Byrds electrified the folk song turning it into an international hit. It reached #1 in the U.S.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4ga_M5Zdn4

ABBA: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2010

ABBA was made up of two couples. They united in 1970.

People Need Love (1972): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dnt9lNhm3Nw

Ring Ring (1973): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TL0EoXdpOqg


ABBA won the Eurovision Song Contest in 1974 propelling them to superstardom. The Swedish band was one of the first from a non-English nation to become stars in the English speaking world.

Waterloo (1974): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sj_9CiNkkn4

Honey, Honey (1974): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vg7ZsOFSV7c

I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do (1975): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tW3HN_pvbE4

SOS (1975): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cvChjHcABPA

Mamma Mia (1975): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=unfzfe8f9NI

Fernando (1976): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8bm6XlxuCY


One of the biggest songs of the period came next…

Dancing Queen (1976): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFrGuyw1V8s

Knowing You Knowing Me (1977): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUrzicaiRLU

The Name of the Game (1977): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uc6-kL78w6k


Take a Chance on Me (1978): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-crgQGdpZR0

The Winner Takes It All (1980): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92cwKCU8Z5c

Super Troupe (1980): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BshxCIjNEjY

Thank You For the Music (1982): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zy35IQjjAeI


They split in 1982.

Their music has been used in a number of films and shows ever since. In 1999, it was adapted for the musical, and later film, Mama Mia.

Mamma Mia (1999): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQKk1nkDa8U