Donna Summer: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2013

Rock Hall Bio: http://rockhall.com/inductees/donna-summer/bio/

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



Donna Summer moved to Munich, where she was discovered. Eventually, she became the "Queen of Disco."

Wasserman (1968): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1GL-86DifmY



She was signed in 1974 and broke out in 1975.

Love to Love You Baby (1975): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V5AztWseIdU



Then, disco stardom...

I Feel Love (1977): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2q2bis6eLE

Last Dance (1978): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jOpUfTi1keI

MacArthur Park (1978): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6uKEu82PRLo

Heaven Knows (1978): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QO-y1cgLg3s

Hot Stuff (1979): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPlV2dzXWCw

Bad Girls (1979): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HzxW4eu9heY

No More Tears w/Barbara Streisand (1979): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQc_90maEqk

On the Radio (1979): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q33MM5JGzGM

The Wanderer (1980): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRuv7Dlyh1k

Love Is In Control (1982): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lkMpQsVux3g

She Works Hard for the Money (1983): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MX7MbG6MiQs

Summer performed at the Reagan Inaugural (1984): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=53eYRLs-aX4

Dinner With Gershwin (1985): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1P5lHH9fx8

This Time I Know It's For Real (1989): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DCtDAAPO-j4

Melody of Love (1994): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CaErMN9dwXk



In the 90s, she appeared in Family Matters as Urkel's aunt.

I'm a Fire (2008): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yIqN7vXvYbs

To Paris With Love (2010): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGoZNmtlOt0



Donna Summer died of cancer in 2012. She blamed her cancer on 911.

R.E.M.: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2007 part 2

R.E.M. (1987-1997)

REM broke into the mainstream in 1987.

Document (1987)

Stipe worried that their breakthrough single was too mean spirited. At the same time, he wanted to write a song with the word love in it without it being a typical love song.

The One I Love (1987): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7oQEPfe-O8

It's The End of the World As We Know It (1987): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0GFRcFm-aY

Finest Worksong (1988): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=559eWB93jW4

The album also featured the band's most overtly political lyrics, which evolved in reaction to Ronald Reagan.

Welcome to the Occupation (1987): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eb6gsv3F3Ek

Their success led Rolling Stone magazine to declare REM "America's Best Rock n Roll Band."

REM left IRS for Warner Brothers when their contract expired.

IRS released a "Best of" album Eponymous (1988) before REM left the label.

Green (1988)

Orange Crush (1988): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_mSmOcmk7uQ

Stand (1988): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AKKqLl_ZEEY

Pop Song '89 (1989): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xjMwfDFypa4

Then, everything changed. REM became one of the biggest bands in the universe.

Out of Time (1991)

Losing My Religion (1991): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=if-UzXIQ5vw

Shiny Happy People (1991): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCQ0vDAbF7s

REM won a boat load of awards for Out of Time, but did not tour.

Unplugged (1992): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FdgLC0-03tY

Led Zeppelin's John Paul Jones helped do some arraignments on REM's next album, which focused on death and mortality.

Automatic For The People (1992)

Drive (1992): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQN7A6Vl1H4

Man on the Moon (1992): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hKSYgOGtos

Everybody Hurts (1993): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijZRCIrTgQc

Nightswimming (1993): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ahJ6Kh8klM4

Clinton Inauguration (1993): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLucca7rt_8

REM decided not to tour and recorded another album, which was more guitar oriented.

Monster (1994)

What's The Frequency Kenneth (1994): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWkMhCLkVOg

Bang and Blame (1994): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FNfB6WfwM4

Crush with Eyeliner (1995): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ycvJHQUqU1M

Star 69 (1995): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1dLr9uyfM0

They finally toured and recorded as they went along. The music industry, and REM, was at its height. They signed the most lucrative contract in recording history. The music industry would not survive the new millennium.

New Adventures in Hi-Fi (1996)

Bittersweet Me (1996): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-R2hvKDFLHE

Touring proved amazingly taxing on REM. Bill Berry suffered from an aneurysm and collapsed on stage. Michael Stipe had emergency hernia surgery. Mike Mills had abdominal surgery. They also fired their manager after a sexual harassment charge. In 1997, Berry decided to retire.  In the wake of Berry's announcement, Stipe compared REM to a three-legged dog.

 

R.E.M.: Welcome to the Occupation (1987)

“Welcome to the Occupation” is critical of the Reagan Administration’s Central American policy. “Fire on the Hemisphere below” is a direct link to the region as is references to sugar and coffee. At the time, the U.S. had been engaged in attempts to overthrow the communist regime in Nicaragua. The Administration went as far as selling arms to Iran and using the funds to help the rebels. It was a major controversy for a brief spell before dissipating.

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

Jackson Browne: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 1971

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

Rock Hall Bio: http://www.rockhall.org/inductees/jackson-browne/bio/

Jackson Browne began as a songwriter for a number of artists including The Eagles, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, The Byrds, Linda Rondstadt, and Gregg Allman. He released his own album in 1972.

Doctor My Eyes (1972): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pCTYxIsLThA

Take It Easy (1973): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FMA3lIeqV8M

The Pretender (1977): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fY0Pg2Gu5uM

He became involved in the anti-nuclear and environmental movements of the late 70s and 80s.

Running on Empty (1978): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJYRtOPUonA

Stay (1978): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3bUg8wsgVE

Boulevard (1980): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7QgNbtOTeRU

That Girl Could Sing (1980): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ddvJGDwOGj0

Somebody’s Baby (1982): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-3TZiyY9Sk

Lawyers in Love (1983): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6NR9cH8TD5M

Tender is the Night (1983): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xC24h8lgfL0

You’re a Friend of Mine w/Clarence Clemons & Darryl Hannah(1985): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=knVbfhmME1g

His 1986 album, Lives in the Balance, was a repudiation of Reaganism.

For America (1986): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JxKBRVGnfWM

In The Shape of a Heart (1986): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWIJ8RAcsHQ

World in Motion (1989): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eErMMIsB2-Y

I’m Alive (1993): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRq5bfiiPl8

The Night Inside Me (2002): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZ9mguK9ldM

You Know the Night (2011): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxiIEja-J4E

Bruce Springsteen: Rock n Roll HOF part 2

In 1980, Bruce released a double album featuring ballads and rockers.

Hungry Heart (1980):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxptQ_75mQw

The River (1980):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utVR3EgQkHs

He followed The River with a critical look at America in the Reagan years…although Reagan policies truly had not yet impacted the economy.

Atlantic City (1982):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3eu1gW-bQ8

In 1984, he became a major pop sensation.

Dancing in the Dark (1984):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=129kuDCQtHs

Born in the USA (1984):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=St_ppgWT8I4

I’m On Fire (1985):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrpXArn3hII

Glory Days (1985):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vQpW9XRiyM

Another shot at Reagan…

My Hometown (1985):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=77gKSp8WoRg

Santa Claus is Coming to Town (1985):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eg4ys5whesE

Covering Edwin Starr:

War (1986):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mn91L9goKfQ

Bruce altered direction rather than do Born in the USA 2. He created a more personal record in 1987.

Brilliant Disguise (1987):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=idnJnjV_8rg

Tunnel of Love (1987):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nw2OnNoy5JQ

Def Leppard: Gods of War (1987)

Most pop metal bands of the era avoided politics. Def Leppard eschewed this and critiqued Reagan-Thatcherism in "Gods of War." The song appears on their seminal album, Hysteria, and features soundbites from both Reagan and Thatcher. By the time the album was released, the Cold War seemed to be thawing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EBZbO-SS-3Q
 

The Beach Boys: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 1988

Rock Hall Bio:
http://rockhall.com/inductees/the-beach-boys/bio/

Official Site:

http://thebeachboys.com/

The Beach Boys formed in 1961 and signed a record deal the following year. They began as part of the surf craze, but expanded their horizons to challenge the Beatles by the mid-60s.

Surfin’ Safari (1962):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FS7SUFz36lg

Surfin’ USA (1963):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Grj7sjQ0_p4

Be True To Your School (1963):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ijkYkJfg0s

Fun, Fun, Fun (1964):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HgS_Wf5i38k

Their first #1: I Get Around (1964):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mN7Xs9WVNBU

Help Me Rhonda (1965):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7mZ0ApTA-y4

California Girls (1965):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJ1UqDnY7as

Barbara Ann (1965):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2wbMqRO6lnc

Sloop Johnny B (1966): Antiwar song. Brian Wilson is moving away from the beach.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fdov2UIjUpY

Wouldn’t It Be Nice (1966):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L--cqAI3IUI

God Only Knows (1966):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AOMyS78o5YI

　

Good Vibrations (1966): A true masterpiece that cost more than most albums to make.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nC2gZMNkyJo

After Good Vibrations, Brian Wilson began working on Smile. However, the pressure to succeed, drug abuse, a breakdown, and a falling out with Mike Love nearly destroyed Wilson. The 1967 album Smiley Smile was a disaster.

Sail on, Sailor (1973):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FfnZdGUVSGw

Their best days appeared behind them, but at the same time developed a large concert audience following. The Beach Boys in Concert went gold and people flocked to their shows. In 1974, they released a greatest hits package, Endless Summer, went to #1. Brian Wilson returned to the band in 1976.

In 1983, Secretary of the Interior James Watt banned Independence Day concerts because rock bands "brought out the wrong element." The Beach Boys responded by reminding people the Soviets invited them to perform in 1978. Vice President George Bush defended the concerts and the Beach Boys. When Watt discovered President Reagan liked the band, he backed down.

1983: Dennis Wilson dies

On July 4, 1985, they performed in front of 1,000,000 people in Philadelphia and then 750,000 at the National Mall.

Live Aid:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pf6vVt0cLnM

They teamed with the Fat Boys in 1987 for a bizarre song:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gt0LBlH3dAc

In 1988, they scored their first #1 in 22 years.

1988: Elected to Rock n Roll Hall of Fame

Kokomo (1988):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_5_AD9wXuY

Long Tall Texan w/Doug Supernaw (1996):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hhDWKUaBv10

1998: Carl Wilson dies

Don’t Fight the Sea (2011):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCUUBkFTnwE

2011: Brian Wilson indicated he would like to get the surviving band back together for their 50^th anniversary in 2012.

803. The End of the Innocence by Don Henley (1989)

Don Henley laments the loss of youth and innocence. The song is a bittersweet and melancholy remembrance. At the same time, Henley takes shots at Ronald Reagan and the 80s arms buildup ("they're beating plowshares into swords, for the tired old man that we elected king"). There's also references to divorce and personal turmoil. Essentially, it is a baby boomer looking back to simpler times.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLONgF8a_Ig