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

[SAT-I need more room!!]

1991

Performers

LaVern Baker
The Byrds
John Lee Hooker
The Impressions
Wilson Pickett
Jimmy Reed
Ike and Tina Turner

Early influences

Howlin' Wolf

Lifetime Achievement

Ahmet Ertegun

Non-performers

Dave Bartholomew
Ralph Bass



Here's where things get iffy. Dominated by soul & R&B artists (That's not why it's iffy. It's the particular choices, not the style itself). The Byrds had to feel out of place! LOL! Is it me or do soul singers get thrown in immediately? I don't know LaVern Baker other than by name-does she really deserve to be in, especially this early? I DO know Ike and Tina Turner and cannot understand how they went in with basically one hit, especially this early on, and there are SO many still pounding on the door. John Lee Hooker I woulda figured for an early influence and I don't know enough about Jimmy Reed-was he blues too? At the time I even questioned the Byrds. Although I liked them, I didn't see the influence. I do now. Wilson and the Impressions are good as well, but I think this is probably the weakest year. It musta just been a year where 25 years earlier there were no good new artists popping up.

Ahmet gets the first Lifetime Achievement award. What a surprise-Ahmet is basically in charge of the Hall.

[djdave]

Good, but not the best line-up.

If I could choose only one, I'd take out LaVern Baker, though indeed a fine R & B singer. Ike & Tina had LOTS of 60's R & B hits, including "A fool in love", "It's gonna work out fine", and the much underappreciated (at least for 1966) "River deep mountain high". Though I prefer his later hits, Wilson's very worthy, as are the Byrds with their folk-rock style. John Lee, Jimmy Reed, and influence Howlin' Wolf are all excellent blues performers. And Dave Bartholomew had a major hand in Fats Domino's career.

[Ken]

I agree 100% with this list - A blues great such as Muddy Waters certaintly should have a place in the hall.

Great to see The Byrds - I remember seeing a clip on TV of them accepting the award, Jimmy Reed , Ike & Tina and Ahmet.

[SAT-I need more room!!]

Ken said:

I agree 100% with this list - A blues great such as Muddy Waters certaintly should have a place in the hall.

Great to see The Byrds - I remember seeing a clip on TV of them accepting the award, Jimmy Reed , Ike & Tina and Ahmet.

Was surprised to see you agree so totally with this list!

But Muddy isn't on this list!

[Dawn]

Not as strong a group as the previous years, but there are some worthy contenders. John Lee is a legend, although like you I would have classified him more as an early influence along with Howlin' Wolf. Though talented, LaVern Baker seems kind of an iffy choice for this early on in the inductions.

[55dodger]

The Byrds are my favorites from this group & I feel this was just about right for them.

I'm glad John Lee Hooker went in as a performer, but he easily could have been in year 1or2 as an early influence. John Lee Hooker is one of my top two or three blues artists.

Ike & Tina & The Impressions belong, maybe not year six.

Not all that familiar with Lavern Baker or Jimmy Reed

[lora]

I've never heard anything by the Impressions OR LaVern Baker. I know the names, of course, but there are far more influential artists that could have been included here if you ask me.

Is Tina in solo? I know she's not up to this point, but is she by now?

[H2IZCOOL]

I agree with some, not others.

LaVern Baker - She was one of the top R&B singers in the mid fifties. Every one of her hits, it seemed was covered by some white woman singer or other. Easily deserves to be iin - but as an influence.

Byrds - WAY too early

Hooker - Influence also

Impressions - Definitely - But Curtis Mayfield deserves some individual recognition. (Which he got, but not till years later)

Wilson Pickett - For sure

Jimmy Reed - really not familiar with him. - But it seems he should be an influence.

Ike and Tina - Not really.