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

[SAT-I need more room!!]

1992

Performers

Bobby "Blue" Bland
Booker T. and the M.G.'s
Johnny Cash
The Isley Brothers
The Jimi Hendrix Experience
Sam and Dave
The Yardbirds

Early influences

Elmore James
Professor Longhair

Non-performers

Leo Fender
Bill Graham
Doc Pomus


Second year in a row with the odd number of 7 inductees. Not a hugely strong year, but an improvement on the previous year, IMO. With Jimi & the Yardbirds, this was the year of the guitar! In fact Rolling Stone put a cool ass posed pic from this night with about a dozen guitarists in their magazine. Cool that Jimi went in as the Experience so Noel and Mitch could celebrate for Jimi. No questioning them, the Yardbirds, Booker T, Isleys, Sam & Dave. I don't question Johnny Cash either, his influence is felt today, even with fans like U2. But his presence wasn't in the Rock world-it was FELT by the Rock world, but he wasn't big on rock radio or charts. My suggestion: a new category-Outside influences. Then Country could do the same thing. Country talks about the Eagles all the time and obviously Graham Parsons had a huge effect on Country, but they had no hits there. So should they go in the Country Hall? They too could be "Outside influences". Never heard a song by Bobby "Blue" Bland and I still question him going in at this point.

[Dawn]

A nice range of musical styles represented here, and definitely some deserving candidates. I'm not as familiar with Bobby "Blue" Bland as the others, so it's hard to say, but if I had to eliminate one, it would probably be him.

You bring up a good point about Johnny Cash. Definitely a major musical talent, especially in the country genre, but like you I'm not sure about him being considered a rock performer. The Outside Influences category you suggested would be a better fit for him, I think. There's been quite a bit of crossover between the genres since the late '60s especially, and a category like that would be a good way to acknowledge those influences.

[djdave]

Great year here.

Had waited a couple years for the Isleys finally getting in.

Bobby Bland's a MAJOR rock era (60's primarily) blues performer. LOVE his 1957 debut single "Farther Up the Road".

I'd actually take out Sam & Dave if I had to choose one. Not that many important hits, despite shaping the Memphis "Stax" soul sound.

And Johnny Cash DEFINITELY belongs. His early hits were almost as rockabilly sounding as country.

[55dodger]

Nice group of performers.

1st comment on Johnny Cash. 17 Top 40 hits on the Billboard pop chart is hard to argue. He was all part of the late 50s Sun records group. My feeling is he should have been in the Rockhall a couple of years previous to this.

Yarbirds & Hendrix are great choices. Love 'em both.

I'd have to agree with Dave on both his comments on the Isley's & Sam & Dave.

Booker T, good choice, maybe a bit earlier, but he & his MGs belong.

I've probably heard some stuff by Bobby Bland, but it must not have stuck wtih me.

Elmore James is a great old blues performer, & Bill Graham's inclusion is well deserved.

[lora]

Not a bad list. I'm surprised Hendrix hadn't gotten in yet, quite frankly. I'm not particularly a fan of his, but you can't deny his influence nor his talent. With all the clout the Hendrix name holds, I would've thought he would've gotten inducted sooner.

[H2IZCOOL]

Interesting year.

Johnny Cash should have gone in years earlier as a major influence from the country side. Why is it OK to admit all the R&B musicians in the world but leave Johnny out? I feel the influences on rock by R&B and by country are about equivalent.

Jimi? Most definitely. Ditto for the Yardbirds.
Isleys? Great group, but HOF? Not so sure.

Sam and Dave ? Only if there is a special category called "Influence on the Blues Brothers"

Booker T - I don't see it.

Bobby "Blue" Bland - Who the heck is he? I would think that for a guy to be Hall worthy, one would at least would have had to HEAR of him. Not necessarily be familiar with his music, but at least heard his name SOMEWHERE, ANYWHERE.