Discussion: Rock-n-Roll Hall inductees, year 12

[SAT-I need more room!!]

1997

Performers

The (Young) Rascals
The Bee Gees
Buffalo Springfield
Crosby, Stills and Nash
The Jackson Five
Joni Mitchell
Parliament-Funkadelic

Early influences

Mahalia Jackson
Bill Monroe

Non-performers

Syd Nathan



The first year the ceremonies were shown on TV, and a strong year to do so. The first 4 artists were all on Atlantic Records which was run by Ahmet Ertegun, who also runs......The Rock-n-Roll Hall of Fame! It's ok though, they all deserve it. Actually that year I wasn't into Buffalo Springfield yet so it surprised me they were going on base on "one hit". Of course now I recognize them as the origins of Country-Folk-Rock. The Rascals were ones I hadn't thought about before then, but they do deserve it for blue-eyed soul. But I STILL say The Righteous Brothers should've went in before them! The Bee Gees was a good choice, but I'm actually a bit surprise just because disco is so frowned upon and I think people forget their early years. Must just be the harmonies and Barry's writing talent. With CSN going in, it marked the first (and so far only) time an artist went in twice the same night (Stephen Stills). Very happy for him since he is a big fave of mine. Like Macca and Clapton a few years later, I felt they waited too long to induct them. I have no prob with the J5 either, except for the sex offender. Joni is another good choice as any female singer-songwriter since then (so many in the past decade or so) has taken something from her. Parliament isn't my style, but they were biggies for funk. But if I had to eliminate one, it'd be them.

[Ken]

A great group of performers. Of course I'm a big fan of The Rascals so it was real nice to see them included. At first I wasn't sure about Parliament Funkadelic's place in the hall. They had some great tunes from what little i've heard but then discovered later on just how influential they were to many artists over the years.

Great to see Bill Monroe inducted as an early influence.

[djdave]

Back in 1997, I woulda took away Buffalo Springfield, but today, I feel even P-Funk was LOTS more influential than the J5, so I'd take out the brothers if I had to choose one today.

Another strong line-up!

[55dodger]

Buffalo Springfield and Crosby, Stills, & Nash will forever be two of my favorite artists. Interesting though to see Stills go in twice on the same night. Joni Mitchell may be a year or two late, considering her influence & songwriting abilities. The Rascals & Bee Gees definately belong, maybe the Bee Gees a little late as well. The J5 had such a string of hits, but I was never really a fan. P-Funk, yeah, need some funk in the Rockhall. Great group.

Strong line-this year.

[Dawn]

A solid class, and a great mix of musical styles represented. I agree with Woody about The Bee Gees and Joni going in a few years late. It's hard to eliminate one, as they're all Hall worthy, but if I had to, I'd hold the J5 back a year or two.

[Pete70s]

The two highlights of this year, to me, are the four original Rascals putting aside their differences to perform together (too bad John Fogerty couldn't do the same in '93), and the Bee Gees (who had finally been getting back the respect they'd lost in the early 80's) being inducted by none other than Brian Wilson!

[H2IZCOOL]

Rascals. Great group with a unique sound. I think you need a little more than that.

Bee Gees - What the hell took so long! Should have gone in 2 years after the Beatles.

Springfield -- OK I guess.

CS&N. - Yes...but it's getting confusing. Colllectively, individually w/ or w/o Y?

J5 Back in the days when Michael was a molestee rather than a molester, they evolved into a great group. Deserve to be in.

Joni - What sets her apart from Joan Baez and Judy Collins?

Parliament/Funkadelic - I must have been on vacation that week.

Mahalia Jackson - A fantastic gospel singer in her day, but I don't see her specific influence on Rock. Why not elect Beethoven while you're at it?

[lora]

I have no clue who Syd Nathan is, but I am pleased with the inductees. Actually, I'm a little surprised that the Jackson Five weren't put in sooner.