This year's inductees to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame were announced last month. The Moody Blues finally got in, nearly 30 years after becoming eligible. Others include rockers Bon Jovi, The Cars, and Dire Straits—groups who established their fame in the 1980s. The remaining inductees are Nina Simone and Sister Rosetta Tharpe.
I had almost given up hope on the Moodies gaining entrance since the Rock Hall hasn't been overly kind to progressive-rock acts. But there was still a glimmer when, in the past couple of years, ELO and Yes were inducted.
But what about the artists from the 1950s, '60s and '70s? Has time run out on them? I've compiled a list of those I think have been overlooked and deserve recognition. You may not agree with the list. And to be honest, there are a few that I didn't especially follow (we all have different music tastes), but still believe they are worthy candidates (with some notes courtesy of artist websites, Wikipedia, All-Music, and other music sites).
Pre-British Invasion (with some overlap):
Paul Anka—The Canadian-American singer and songwriter recorded 31 Top 40 hits over 40 decades including three that reached No. 1 in the U.S.—"Diana" in 1957, "Lonely Boy" in 1958, and "You're Having My Baby" in 1974. Among the song he wrote include "She's A Lady" for Tom Jones and Frank Sinatra's "My Way." He continues to perform today. And he's an author, penning "My Way: An Autobiography" in 2014.
Connie Francis—She recorded 29 Top 40 hits in the 1950s and '60s, including two chart-toppers. Worldwide sales estimated at 200 million. Francis was named the top female artist by various trade publications for six consecutive years, beginning in 1958. And the 80-year-old songstress still performs and has recently published a memoir, "Among My Souvenirs: The Real Story."
Jan and Dean—The California beach sound duo had 15 Top 40 songs including the No. 1 "Surf City" in 1963. Jan Berry and Dean Torrance were the hosts of the "T.A.M.I. Show" in 1964, a movie that included The Rolling Stones, Leslie Gore, James Brown and the Famous Flames, Billy J. Kramer and the Dakotas and several other top acts. Dean wrote a memoir about their career in "Surf City: The Jan and Dean Story."
Cliff Richard—The British musician has sold more than 250 million records worldwide in his 60-year career. The knighted (in 1995) singer has sales of more than 21 million singles in the United Kingdom and ranks as the third-top-selling artist in UK Singles Chart history, behind the Beatles and Elvis Presley. Although Richard hasn't received similar acclaim in the U.S., he had a No. 6 hit in "Devil Woman" in 1978 and No. 7 in 1979 with "We Don't Talk Anymore."
Tommy Roe—He had nine songs in the Top 40 including "Sheila" and "Dizzy" at No. 1. While performing in England in the early 1960s, he was the headliner in a tour that included The Beatles. Roe is often labeled a "Bubblegum" artist but his resume includes songs such as a great rendition of "Stagger Lee" in 1971, a Top 25 hit. And besides, isn't "Bubblegum" a genre that should be recognized as well?
Bobby Rydell—He had 19 Top 40 hits in the '60s including "Wild One" and "Volare." Rydell was a co-star in the movie, "Bye Bye Birdie," the enviable role of Ann-Margret's boyfriend, Hugo Peabody. He received a double-organ transplant in 2012, but that hasn't stopped him from a busy performance schedule that includes "The Golden Boys" tour with Frankie Avalon and Fabian. He's also been a vocal advocate for organ donation.
Neil Sedaka—His career started in 1957, and since that time he has sold millions of records as an artist (20 Top 40 songs and three No. 1 hits). Sedaka has written or co-written over 500 songs (a Brill Building alum) for himself and others including "Stupid Cupid" (Connie Francis) and "Love Will Keep Us Together" (Captain & Tennille). His long and prolific career has spanned seven decades.
The Shadows—They are the third most successful act in the UK singles chart, behind Elvis Presley and Cliff Richard. The Shadows and Cliff Richard & the Shadows each have had four No. 1 selling EPs. Their big instrumental hit was "Apache" in 1960. And Hank Marvin is one helluva guitarist. You might call them the British counterpart of The Ventures (Rock Hall inductees in 2008).
Bobby Vee—According to Billboard magazine, Vee registered 38 Hot 100 chart hits, ten of which reached the Top 20. He had six gold singles in his career including No. 1 "Take Good Care of My Baby." Vee got his big break when he was asked to fill in after Buddy Holly was killed in a tragic plane crash in 1959 that also claimed the lives of the Big Bopper and Ritchie Valens. One of his early, and brief, bandmates was Bob Dylan. Vee, whose last name was Velline, died in 2016 of complications from Alzheimer's disease.
Bobby Vinton—From 1962 through 1972, Vinton had more Billboard No.1 hits (four) than any other male vocalist, including Elvis and Sinatra. He had 29 songs in the Top 40 in his career. The multi-talented musician, a graduate of Duquesne University, is known as "The Polish Prince."
The next installment is Post-British Invasion.
Until the next time. . . .
I had almost given up hope on the Moodies gaining entrance since the Rock Hall hasn't been overly kind to progressive-rock acts. But there was still a glimmer when, in the past couple of years, ELO and Yes were inducted.
But what about the artists from the 1950s, '60s and '70s? Has time run out on them? I've compiled a list of those I think have been overlooked and deserve recognition. You may not agree with the list. And to be honest, there are a few that I didn't especially follow (we all have different music tastes), but still believe they are worthy candidates (with some notes courtesy of artist websites, Wikipedia, All-Music, and other music sites).
Pre-British Invasion (with some overlap):
Paul Anka—The Canadian-American singer and songwriter recorded 31 Top 40 hits over 40 decades including three that reached No. 1 in the U.S.—"Diana" in 1957, "Lonely Boy" in 1958, and "You're Having My Baby" in 1974. Among the song he wrote include "She's A Lady" for Tom Jones and Frank Sinatra's "My Way." He continues to perform today. And he's an author, penning "My Way: An Autobiography" in 2014.
Connie Francis—She recorded 29 Top 40 hits in the 1950s and '60s, including two chart-toppers. Worldwide sales estimated at 200 million. Francis was named the top female artist by various trade publications for six consecutive years, beginning in 1958. And the 80-year-old songstress still performs and has recently published a memoir, "Among My Souvenirs: The Real Story."
Jan and Dean—The California beach sound duo had 15 Top 40 songs including the No. 1 "Surf City" in 1963. Jan Berry and Dean Torrance were the hosts of the "T.A.M.I. Show" in 1964, a movie that included The Rolling Stones, Leslie Gore, James Brown and the Famous Flames, Billy J. Kramer and the Dakotas and several other top acts. Dean wrote a memoir about their career in "Surf City: The Jan and Dean Story."
Cliff Richard—The British musician has sold more than 250 million records worldwide in his 60-year career. The knighted (in 1995) singer has sales of more than 21 million singles in the United Kingdom and ranks as the third-top-selling artist in UK Singles Chart history, behind the Beatles and Elvis Presley. Although Richard hasn't received similar acclaim in the U.S., he had a No. 6 hit in "Devil Woman" in 1978 and No. 7 in 1979 with "We Don't Talk Anymore."
Tommy Roe—He had nine songs in the Top 40 including "Sheila" and "Dizzy" at No. 1. While performing in England in the early 1960s, he was the headliner in a tour that included The Beatles. Roe is often labeled a "Bubblegum" artist but his resume includes songs such as a great rendition of "Stagger Lee" in 1971, a Top 25 hit. And besides, isn't "Bubblegum" a genre that should be recognized as well? 
Neil Sedaka—His career started in 1957, and since that time he has sold millions of records as an artist (20 Top 40 songs and three No. 1 hits). Sedaka has written or co-written over 500 songs (a Brill Building alum) for himself and others including "Stupid Cupid" (Connie Francis) and "Love Will Keep Us Together" (Captain & Tennille). His long and prolific career has spanned seven decades.The Shadows—They are the third most successful act in the UK singles chart, behind Elvis Presley and Cliff Richard. The Shadows and Cliff Richard & the Shadows each have had four No. 1 selling EPs. Their big instrumental hit was "Apache" in 1960. And Hank Marvin is one helluva guitarist. You might call them the British counterpart of The Ventures (Rock Hall inductees in 2008).Bobby Vee—According to Billboard magazine, Vee registered 38 Hot 100 chart hits, ten of which reached the Top 20. He had six gold singles in his career including No. 1 "Take Good Care of My Baby." Vee got his big break when he was asked to fill in after Buddy Holly was killed in a tragic plane crash in 1959 that also claimed the lives of the Big Bopper and Ritchie Valens. One of his early, and brief, bandmates was Bob Dylan. Vee, whose last name was Velline, died in 2016 of complications from Alzheimer's disease.
Bobby Vinton—From 1962 through 1972, Vinton had more Billboard No.1 hits (four) than any other male vocalist, including Elvis and Sinatra. He had 29 songs in the Top 40 in his career. The multi-talented musician, a graduate of Duquesne University, is known as "The Polish Prince."The next installment is Post-British Invasion.
Until the next time. . . .
