Discussion: Rock-n-Roll Hall inductees, year four

[SAT-I need more room!!]

1989

Performers

Dion
Otis Redding
The Rolling Stones
The Temptations
Stevie Wonder

Early influences

The Inkspots
Bessie Smith
The Soul Stirrers

Non-performers

Phil Spector



Another strong year, which only makes sense since it's the first few years. You have a doo wop master, a soul master, the number 2 British Invasion band who influenced so many, the lead Motown group, and Stevie Wonder who just is a wonder. No questioning here.

Could they have added more? Hmmmm, maybe. But having The Who the same year as the Stones-would that bring the Stones down a bit? Same thing with the Temps and the Tops. But maybe the Four Seasons should have gone in this year!

I wouldn't take off anyone, but if I HAD to at gunpoint.....I guess I would say Otis. He had a HUGE influence on both black and white acts, but didn't have the singles success the others did.

[Dawn]

Another solid group. It's interesting how the list of inductees got so much smaller so quickly after the first two years. As far as eliminating someone if I had to, for me it would be a tossup between Dion and Otis, but they're both very deserving of their Hall spot.

[KittyKat - RIP Luciano]

One of my favorite years for the Hall inductions. I wouldn't change anyone or add anyone. Like the previous year, the performers are really big deals and would have been watered down by adding another biggie.
If I was forced to take one away it would be Dion. Otis and Stevie are the tops of this list for me.

[djdave]

Great list.

Especially hats off to the early influence of the Ink Spots, who formed the foundation for doo-wop way back in 1939 with "If I didn't care". Timeless. And Bessie Smith was unmatchable for blues singers in the 20's.

[55dodger]

True it's a great list, I wouldn't take any of these performers off. The Four Seasons would have been a great choice here. But in my mind, Johnny Cash should have probably been in with this group. As Adam said, there was de-wop, soul, British invasion, Motown, & a Wonder, but no country. And still no Dick Clark in the non-performer section.

[lora]

Dion? Come on! Not yet.

[H2IZCOOL]

Good group, but I think they played a bit of the Death Card for Otis (although he certainly did deserve to go in eventually), and Dion --- I'm not so sure. You really can't call him the top doo wop act, just the top WHITE doo wop act. -- and he went away from his roots pretty quickly.

[SAT-I need more room!!]

H2IZCOOL said:

Good group, but I think they played a bit of the Death Card for Otis (although he certainly did deserve to go in eventually), and Dion --- I'm not so sure. You really can't call him the top doo wop act, just the top WHITE doo wop act. -- and he went away from his roots pretty quickly.

Well, I never knew what was the big thing about Otis because all I ever heard was Dock and Tenderness, but I've heard tons of artists put him on a pedestal, and everyone says he "lit up" Monterey.

As far as Dion, you don' think he is the top doo wop act as far as hits and recognition? Even if he isn't, I thought his placement was pretty good!