James Taylor: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2000

Rock Hall Bio: http://rockhall.com/inductees/james-taylor/bio/

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

In 1966, he spent 9 months in McLean Hospital suffering from depression. Taylor later admitted the experience was a “life saver.” He checked himself out and moved to New York to start a band. Unfortunately, he began using heroin.  The experience proved an education in music and drugs. He struggled with drugs and decided to go solo.

In 1969, he signed with Warner Brothers.

Carolina in My Mind (1969): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXmgkvIgc0w

His breakthrough:

Fire and Rain (1970): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSqT_PeiV0U

Sweet Baby James (1970): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2EZUw2mvjs

In 1971, he earned a cover story in Time Magazine.

You’ve Got a Friend (1971): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BePDQ5iFi88

Don’t Let Me Be Lonely Tonight (1972): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3C9w9qGQixw

Mockingbird w/Carly Simon (1974): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EeOqD3uMIRs

How Sweet It Is (1975): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Mp0rBHhXMs

Shower the People (1976): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2_0x6TVUJ0

In 1977, he signed with Columbia Records.

Handy Man (1977): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGdWA93e-Ls

Your Smiling Face (1977): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Fsfod891J0

Devoted To You w/ Carly Simon (1978): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nUb9Pcrndso

Up on the Roof (1979): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJBm5TUHf0s

Taylor encountered Mark David Chapman, "The guy had sort of pinned me to the wall and was glistening with maniacal sweat and talking some freak speak about what he was going to do and his stuff with how John was interested, and he was going to get in touch with John Lennon. And it was surreal to actually have contact with the guy 24 hours before he shot John."

Her Town Too (1981): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fEXWECGhVoA

Everyday (1985): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdA4RrYX4Jk

Never Die Young (1988): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-rlN-e3Y_8s

Little More Time With You (1997): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hYdxUwYxdNs

Sailing to Philadelphia w/Mark Knopfler (2001):  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tnCK2LgeIvM

On the Fourth of July (2002): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oe-E921WhSg

It’s Growing (2008): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1mQCO249-iE

In My Life (Oscars 2010): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJ9tJMIQaVI

At the Obama Inaugural (2013): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwbqD3btLiY

Bruce Springsteen: Rock n Roll HOF part 4

911 reinvigorated Springsteen and he reunited the E-Street Band

The Rising (2002):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNnB4dkVRJI

Lonesome Day (2002):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YC5I_22sK4E

Waiting on a Sunny Day (2003):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TiCxqhu9cio

Devils and Dust (2005):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cG8ZQkeZvzc

Radio Nowhere (2007):

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

Girls in their Summer Clothes (2008):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J8PB1a1c9zA

Barack Obama further inspired The Boss.

Working on a Dream (2008):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R3ZMfPXgd_M

The Wrestler (2008):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-6DM6iWKKo

Wrecking Ball (2009):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8DNwaojAJ18

We Take Care of Our Own (2012):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-x8zBzxCwsM

Death to My Hometown (2012):

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

 

Pete Seeger: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 1996

Rock Hall Bio: http://rockhall.com/inductees/pete-seeger/bio/

Pete Seeger is an iconic folksinger whose career spans from the 1940s.

In the 50s, he had a hit with the Weavers with a Leadbelly cover:

Goodnight Irene:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jj3s8qq3kU4

The band got blacklisted during the McCarthy era, but Seeger reemerged in the sixties.

He scored hits as a songwriter:

Where Have All The Flowers Gone?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1y2SIIeqy34

Turn! Turn! Turn! (The Byrds)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6jxxagVEO4

He also popularized We Shall Overcome:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNYeqe3LewE

Seeger was deeply involved in the Civil Rights Movement.

In recent years, he played the Obama Inaugural.

Al Green: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 1995

Rock Hall Bio:

http://rockhall.com/inductees/al-green/bio/

Official Site:

http://www.algreenmusic.com/

Al Green has sold 20 million records and peaked in popularity in the 70s. He formed a group in high school and released his debut LP in 1967.

Back Up Train (1967):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1vfVNGL5Wk

Tired of Being Alone (1971):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dK3IXhAlIuE&ob=av2e

Let’s Stay Together (1971):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YW8qQAe0EcA&feature=relmfu

I’m Still in Love With You (1972):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdWPb5eM9A0

You Ought to be With Me (1972):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yG5-x1CRGIM

Call Me (1973):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6POd4EzHHVs

Livin’ For You (1973):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=235pwiLnMs0

In 1974, he turned to gospel music after a girlfriend dumped boiling grits over him.

Take Me To The River (1974):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vGD8aQ2GKr0

L-O-V-E (Love) (1975):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DpAbAFJ4MJI

Full of Fire (1975):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVf20HsQEUg

Belle (1977):

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

Green returned to soul in 1988 with his duet with Annie Lennox.

Put a Little Love in Your Heart w/Annie Lennox (1988):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8X15j3CDmSs&feature=fvst

Lay It Down (2008):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wz2_N_9ggHI

Let’s Stay Together (w/David Gilmour) (2010):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKkUJs0pxMM

President Obama channels Al Green (2012):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6uHR90Sq6k
　

Stevie Wonder: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 1989

His career in links.

Rock Hall Bio:

 http://rockhall.com/inductees/stevie-wonder/bio/

Born: May 13, 1950
He went blind shortly after birth.
1961: He was discovered by Ronnie White of the Miracles. He introduced Stevie Wonder to Berry Gordy, who was impressed and signed him.

Fingertips Pt 2 (1963):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iioFz1wA1pY

Uptight (1966):

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

I Was Made to Love Her (1967):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pYux5-d1Es

For Once in My Life (1968):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vxVyaYuGYE

Signed, Sealed, Delivered I’m Yours (1970):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inXC_lab-34

From 1972-1976: Stevie Wonder released some of the greatest albums of all time with Music of My Mind, Talking Book, Innervisions, and Songs in the Key of Life.

Superstition (1972):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDZFf0pm0SE

Living for the City (1973):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rid-xkNS67Q

You Are the Sunshine of My Life (1973):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPyq4iqt6Go

Higher Ground (1973):

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

A shot at Richard Nixon...

You Haven’t Done Nothin’ w/the Jackson 5 (1974):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ji2ma2mfyhU

I Wish (1977):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hYKYka-PNt0

Sir Duke (1977):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tH36ugGsy4M

Send One Your Love (1979):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMvVYCV-d8E

Master Blaster (Jammin’) (1980):

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

Ebony and Ivory w/Paul McCartney (1982):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmALA8miQY8

I Just Called to Say I Love You (1984):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwOU3bnuU0k&ob=av2e

Part Time Love (1985):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ll6LLGePYwM

That’s What Friends Are For w/Elton John, Dionne Warwick, and Gladys Knight (1985):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGbnua2kSa8

My Eyes Don’t Cry (1988):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgH2yswwywI

Fun Day (1991):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Uk5f8ZGz1o

Gotta Have You (1991):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ev_-RfTmAl0

So What The Fuss (2005):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6dvy4m-LyE

Superbowl XL Pregame Show (2006):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvyZsIbX9jE

Obama Inaugural (2009):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gTA_J37kKx4

Special Olympics in Greece (2011):

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

Aretha Franklin: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 1987

Her life and career through links:

Rock Hall Bio:
http://rockhall.com/inductees/aretha-franklin/bio/

Her first hit single (#10 R&B charts-1960):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1CyBVoWIJk

Aretha struggled and decided to change labels moving to Atlantic.

In 1967, she hit the big time:

Her breakthrough hit:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9kn9WF4oLRE

Respect:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0XAI-PFQcA

Baby I Love You:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bScWLXAN1v8

You Make Me Feel Like a Natural Woman:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yi6dqhi8Ptw

Chain of Fools:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGAiW5dOnKo

By the end of the sixties, Aretha was the Queen of Soul.

1970s:

Rock Steady: 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXJx2NnnxA0

From 1972’s Amazing Grace:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIX6btGIn8w

Aretha struggled for most of the seventies and made a comeback in the eighties.

The Blues Brothers:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=poBGgBKpqQw

Freeway of Love (with Clarence Clemons):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ip_pjb5_fgA

Sisters Are Doin’ It For Themselves (with Annie Lennox):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Pu0Fn1oRN4

I Knew You Were Waiting for Me (with George Michael):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AuU0cJ_iW8w

1990s and Beyond:
A Rose is Still a Rose:

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

The Obama Inauguration hat caused a stir:
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/alltherage/2009/01/inahttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gtMUQbnT_Lougural-hat-t.html

Health Scare:

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/aretha-franklin-opens-up-about-her-health-scare-on-wendy-williams-20110301