Guess Who is STILL not in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame?
L-to-R: Garry Peterson, Burton Cummings, Randy Bachman, Donnie McDougall, Jim Kale,
These Eyes; American Woman; Laughing; Bus Rider; Albert Flasher; No Sugar Tonight/New Mother Nature; No Time; Clap for the Wolfman; Share the Land; Hand Me Down World; Undun; Hang on to Your Life. All of these songs came to us from our neighbor to the north, Canada. They also came from the same band, The Guess Who.
The Guess Who were the first Canadian rock band to score a #1 hit on the US Charts. They hit the Top 40 in the US with an astounding 14 songs. They were even in the Top 10 with six songs. Their signature tune, American Woman has been covered by the likes of Lenny Kravitz, The Butthole Surfers and Krokus. Yet, this band, a band that I would consistently put in my top 20 favorites is still not in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Last year, I wrote about this in my now defunct music blog, Groovy. Most of those commenting were shocked that the band wasn’t already in the Hall.
Spooner Oldham
This years inductees include Muscle Shoals studio keyboardist and sideman, Spooner Oldham, Jeff Beck, Elvis Presley’s original rhythm section of Bill Black and D.J. Fontana, R&B guitarist and singer, Bobby Womack and ’50s Doo-Wop group, Little Anthony & the Imperials. All great selections. While I’m not, nor have I ever been, a fan of Metallica, I can understand why many are excited about their inclusion.
However, will someone please tell me what it is about Run D.M.C. that screams Rock and Roll? (And the Aerosmith collaboration doesn’t count)
I felt the same way about Grandmaster Flash. Come on, it’s not like there are not other deserving “rock” acts out there they could induct first. Once you run out of deserving “rock” acts, then I can see scrounging around for other forms of music.
Now before anyone starts razzing on me about Professor Longhair, Johnny Cash, Hank Williams and Jimmie Rodgers being in the Hall and not being “rock”, I can easily argue that these performers were major influences on several rock acts. Country, Jazz, Bee Bop, and classical music all played a major part in the development of rock and roll (remember, this is the ROCK and ROLL Hall of Fame). However, neither Grandmaster Flash nor Run D.M.C. can make the same claim. Trust me when I say that the Gospel Music Hall of Fame will never induct Frank Zappa.
There are several inductees who have had nowhere near the chart success of the Guess Who. And you can “betcha” that Sarah Palin’s Joe Sixpack is more likely to recognize the name of the Guess Who over an even larger number of inductees.
Here are a couple of great samples of their music.
Give me a fucking break!!!
The nominees for next year are ABBA, The Chantels, Jimmy Cliff, Genesis, The Hollies, KISS, LL Cool J, Darlene Love, Laura Nyro, Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Stooges, and Donna Summer. LL Cool J? Really????
Something must be done, and it requires snail mail. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame does not make the decisions regarding nominees, that “honor” falls on the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation. This place, these “people???”, do not have an email address. However, they do have a mailing address.
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation
1290 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10104
Let’s start a campaign to get the Guess Who inducted in the Hall of Fame where they belong. For Heaven’s sake, they’re already trying to induct the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
I couldn’t agree more! The Guess Who should definitely be in the Hall of Fame! I liked all of their stuff, but particularly liked Undun. I think it was on the flip side of the 45 that had These Eyes on it, if I’m remembering correctly!
Well that friggin sucks. I love those guys!
Mauigirl, I’ve been complaining about this for years. Perhaps the Hall moves at a slower pace depending on popularity. It took them three years before they inducted The Beach Boys, Bob Dylan, The Supremes, and The Beatles!
Dusty, it doth sucketh the mosteth!
What are those people smokin’????
New Mother Nature & Share the Land…. come on! Those are classics.
Fran, they’re obviously not smoking the “right stuff” or they’d better understand “Share the Land”.
What about Genesis, Yes, ELO and Supertramp, probably could research a pretty long list of deserving acts.
Good call on the Guess Who – let’s hear it for Canadian bands! Right now I am keeping my fingers crossed for the Hollies (Love that Nash). I can’t believe the Guess Who aren’t in yet, either.
[...] to help get Arnie inducted in to the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, and she needs your help. …Guess Who is STILL not in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame …These Eyes; American Woman; Laughing; Bus Rider; Albert Flasher; No Sugar Tonight/New Mother Nature; [...]
I am an old Canadian hippy type person and if I remember correctly the Guess Who had alot of anti American songs from this era. American woman is really about the U.S.A. in general, guns, guns, guns, etc. Maybe the American Rock and Roll committee takes this into consideration? Anyways they should put politics aside and realize that the Guess Who belong in the Hall.
Stop being assholes!
Windsor, I considered that too. They allowed The Clash in even with Anarchy in the UK. I think it’s pure Bullshit the GW are not in the Hall.