Posted on 12/15/2010 10:14:36 AM PST by JoeProBono
Pretty good rocker back in the '60s...great writer, too.
This Rock Hall of Fame is nothing but shit.
I think that as Rock was ‘reinvented’ in the 80’s (new wave, punk, alternative) the early connections to Pop music weakened. It got progressively weaker in the 90’s with grunge. To make matters worse a lot of the popular acts from the 60’s & 70’s got somewhat cartoonish or became Vegas lounge acts (Barry Manilow anybody?).
The Rock ‘N Roll Hall of Fame should properly be called the “American Music Hall of Fame. That name would seem to better match its induction criteria. But then I guess we’d run afoul of the “Country Music Hall of Fame” and who knows what else.
Yeah, shame that that's his image. Truth is even past "rock acts" are becoming mere "Lounge" shows at some venues.
Pretty good rocker back in the '60s...great writer, too.
For those of us who remember such things, absolutely right on both counts. From his peak (about '65-'70) Diamond was doing it all. Some people seem to want to remember him as solely as the 'Jazz Singer' and some old guy with fans who are in their late 50s and 60s.
While we're back in the 60s, at this time I'd like to nominate Tommy James.
Three great, albeit not very well known, tunes.
My favorite lesser-known Waits albums are Bone Machine and The Black Rider, both from the early '90s. Seemed he finally resolved the drastic change of style he initiated in the mid-'80s with the best of his '70s material.
It's amazing he still has a voice as much as he abuses it.
No, I'm talking about Mr. "Good Solid B+".
(Cough) Rolling Stones... especially Mick Jagger. Still like Keith Richard's solo stuff.
Fair assessment.
I always felt "Rock" died in the early 90's, peaking from 1972-1980. Then came disco, and a few good years from '80-'87 and then the bottom of "rock" dropped out.
I also thought Manilow "came and he gave without taking...but then he sent us away." ;-)
I just ran into a lady (mid-50s?) at the drug store who told anyone who would listen she was on the way to the airport afterward...to see Barry Manilow. I asked, "Vegas??" Yep.
Especially Talk is Cheap ('88). ...the best album since Some Girls ('78).
He should be banned from the HoF for Turn On Your Heart Light and You Don't Bring Me Flowers specifically.
Actually, I don't care at all, but it's fun to dissect the selections!
What’s with the lapel pin Dr. John is wearing?!
Saw him recently on one of those music infomercials confirming that he was invited to perform at some outdoor concert at a New York pig farm back in '69, and decided he had better things to do :0)
BTW (and I'm guessing you're of similar age), I caught Alice Cooper at his peak back in '72, and maintain to this day it was the best live rock (emphasis on ROCK) performance I ever saw/heard...and I've seen most of the "biggies."
I hope his band is part of this induction.
For me, rock’s peak was when Nixon was Prez. ...from ‘68 to Watergate. It fell off the chart in the early ‘80s sometime.
I hoid Lebron James is a big fan of Manilow. ...which is about the nicest thing I can say about the guy (James).
I wholeheartedly concur with your assessment, Dr. Mojo. Diamond's really had about three distinct careers.
He went chasing the bucks eventually instead of promoting and creating his art to higher aspirations. But who could blame him? LOL @ "cheeziest, schmaltziest." It was.
But as in the case of Mickey Mantle, I'd rather not stress his 1965-1968 performance either ;-)
I personally date the ‘death’ of Rock N’ Roll at 1975 or thereabouts. Everything after that is derivative... copies of copies. Many of the classic rock acts kind of went into hibernation as Disco took hold.
Rock n Roll’s been going downhill ever since Buddy Holly died.
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