I finally got around to watching the broadcast from last week’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 2010 inductions. The ceremony — honoring inductees ABBA, Genesis, Jimmy Cliff, The Hollies and Iggy Pop & Stooges — was, well, rather tame. Even Iggy Pop, in fine Stooges form, struggled to get a reaction from the crowd.
Now, I’ve always been a bit skeptical of these type of honors. For every deserving artist recognized, there always seem to be several who are repeatedly overlooked. I’ve got my short list, which I’ll share with you next week, but first:
Tell me which artists you would like to see inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2011. Post a comment below to be eligible for a special mystery prize.
A winner will be selected at random when the contest ends on Friday, 2 April 2010 at midnight ET.**
I couldn’t find a clip of my favorite 2010 performance (Jimmy Cliff singing “Many Rivers to Cross”) but here are a few for your viewing pleasure.
**By participating in Twangville contests you agree to allow Twangville to post the winner’s name and city on our web site. We pass along the winning addresses to the artist or promotions company for fulfillment. Twangville will not use your address for any other reason.
About the author: Mild-mannered corporate executive by day, excitable Twangville denizen by night.
I think YES should be inducted. These guys are still playing, winning new fans and making great music. How can you ignore the the pioneers of progressive rock, each a musical virtuoso on his own?
Look no further than the Close to the Edge album for justification.
Two
summers ago, i was visiting NY with no johnny concerts planned..all of
sudden b103 announced a surprise concert in central islip where there was
maybe 40 people ..it was like a private concert as i danced and cried
to my favorite music of all time ..when the show was over i walked over… See More
by the door where they were ..Grace…(johnny’s
wife) said to me”are u waiting for him” i all teary eyed said “yes” she went in and got him for me..he said he liked my tattoos and
couldn’t believe what a young fan i was (21) . we also realized that we lived pretty closed in Florida 😀 we took a very close picture together
and he signed my DVD “to Michelle love ya Johnny Maestro..it was one of
the most important days of my life..Johnny was due to perform at my
wedding this Oct as a surprise from my father but the angels had other plans 🙁 but i
know he will be watching over me that day and we always be in my heart- John Peter Mastrangelo was born May 7, 1939 with songs like “16 candles ” and “worst that could happen”We lost Johnny Wednesday late on March 24th 2010 why isn’t he in!!!!
signed
Michelle
I would like to nominate Johnny Maestro of the Crests and Brooklyn Brooklyn Bridge to be inducted into the class of 2011. Johnny Maestro was a true pioneer performer back in the 50’s with The Crests, with the first intergrated group to perform, and continued on for over 50 years providing high quality songs which sold in the millions to fans around the world. In my opinion his induction has been long overdue.
Respectfully,
Robert Green
There is no doubt they should induct Johnny Maestro. He has brought great songs and memories to the music world.Johnny was one of the best right to the end. Its a shame someone has to past before being really regonized. Johnny and the Crest, Del Satins, and Brookln Bridge, there is no doubt.
johnny maestro.i was at his last concert on january 17th. he didnt look to good. so wedsday at around 2 o clock i found out he had liver cancer. so i wrote to him about a really good hospital. then the next morning i found out he died. im only 14 but i was a really really big fan. i started crying for the whole day
Johnny Maestro without a doubt that is my pick.
JOHNNY MAESTRO, ONE MILLION TIMES! JOHNNY SHOULD HAVE BEEN IN THERE ALREADY! WHY HE ISN’T, IS A MYSTERY TO ALL OF HIS FANS! WE TRIED TO GET THIS DONE MANY YEARS AGO, BUT NO ONE LISTENED TO US, THE FANS WHO BUY THE TICKETS. JOHNNY WAS ONE OF THE MOST HARD WORKING SINGERS, THAT DID NOT USE TRICKS FOR HIS ENHANCEMENT, AND, HE SANG RIGHT UP TO THE END. JOHNNY EARNED IT, DESERVED IT AND HIS FANS DEMAND IT! R.I.P. JOHNNY, KNOWING YOUR FANS AND FRIENDS ARE IN YOUR CORNER AND WILL CONTINUE TO FIGHT FOR YOU!
There isn’t anyone but JOHNNY MAESTRO!!!!
He was the BEST!! He gave us great tunes with a beautiful smooth voice…that will live on…ALWAYS!
God Bless~
Carolyn
Johnny Maestro should be inducted, without question. Johnny had a career of over 50 years, first as lead singer of the Crests and then with the Brooklyn Bridge. It is well documented that his voice got stronger over the years, and his concerts were always well attended and a delight to his audiences. John passed away on March 24th and evidence of his popularity is clear to see from all the Facebook posts from grief-stricken fans. No one deserves induction to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame more than Johnny Maestro. It should have been done years ago while he was alive to enjoy it.
It is beyond my understanding why Johnny has not been inducted in the RRHOF…. What are they thinking?? The man was honestly the most talented performer since Sinatra(and I wouldn’t compare Sinatra to many!!!) God rest Johnny’s soul!!
Johnny belongs in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Long overdue !
THERE ARE MILLION’S OF LIFE LONG JOHNNY MAESTRO FAN’S SUCH AS MYSELF , WHO ARE DISGUSTED AT THE FACT THAT THE GREATEST VOICE IN MUSIC SINCE THE 1950S ,STILL HAS NOT BEEN INDUCTED , BUT MANY WHO DO NOT DESERVE IT , HAVE BEEN INDUCTED , DID I REALLY SEE TOM WAITS LISTED ? ARE YOU FREAKING KIDDING ME ?JOHNNY MAESTRO IS IN AN ELITE CLASS OF ONLY A FEW , SINATRA , ELVIS PRESLEY ,ROY ORBISON ,THE GREATEST VOICES EVER TO GRACE THE STAGE ,BUT JOHNNY MAESTRO’S VOICE HELD THE EDGE ABOVE THE OTHERS,EVEN WHILE DYING OF CANCER , HIS VOICE NEVER ONCE FAILED TO RAISE GOOSEBUMPS ON ANYONE WHO HEARD HIM SING , MY VOTE IS FOR THE MOST AMAZING PERFORMER /SINGER / VOCALIST/ THE ONE AND ONLY…JOHNNY MAESTRO. ALL MY LOVE JOHNNY , REST IN PEACE MY FRIEND !
There are so many groups and artists that should be in that are not, the R&RHOF is almost a joke to me. I will not visit the Hall nor will I watch any of their induction ceremonies until they give credit to the Moody Blues and induct them. They released their first top ten single only 6 months after the Rolling Stones, they still tour and sell out theaters across the USA, yet they are not in the Hall. What a joke.
JOHNNY MAESTRO. AS FAR BACK AS i CAN REMEMBER i LISTENED TO JOHNNY MAESTRO, BECAUSE OF MY PARENTS, THEY BROUGHT ME TO SO MANY OF HIS CONCERTS.. THAT MAN HAD AN AMAZING VOICE. MY DAUGHTER WAS 2YRS OLD WHEN I BROUGHT HER TO A CONCERT AND WHAT A PRECIOUS MEMORY I HAVE OF HER DANCING AND CLAPPING HER HANDS TO GREAT MUSIC.. A VERY SAD LOSS, BUT AMAZING MEMORIES.. THIS MAN DESERVES NOTHING LESS BUT TO BE INDUCTED INTO THE HALL OF FAME HE WAS AND WILL ALWAYS BE A GREAT MAN.. WHO BROUGHT MY FAMILY TOGETHER!
JOHNNY MAESTRO AND THE BROOKYLN .. THE CRESTS
BY LEAPS AND BOUNDS ! SHOULD OF BEEN LONG AGO
Vote Johnny and the BB into Rock´n´Roll Hall of Fame. I feel the same like back then in 1990 when Freddie Mercury died when Johnny did last week, I am a singer and he still is such an inspiration. HE sang with such a strong and brilliant voice right up till two months before his death, saw them live and was thrilled, got goosebumps… such a talented band with strong vocalists!!! This man and his group belong definetly belong in this hall of fame!!!
Definatly Rush..How these 3 btilliantly talented musicians are not in there is beyond belief..
Johnny M and The Brooklyn Bridge better late than never…
I can’t believe that Johnny Maestro is not already in the Hall of Fame. The man WAS Rock and Roll! For over fifty years. Please, better late than ever. Put Johnny is the Hall of Fame.
JOHNNY MAESTRO AND THE BROOKLYN BRIDGE ! a hard working man who had an amazing voice ! once said, “if you love what you do, you will never work a day in your life.” and boy he never worked a day in his life ! i dont no why its taking so long to induct him into the rock and roll hall of fame…it should ave been done years ago ! his voice sounded exactly as his recordings did and no other singer is better than him !
I don’t think its a matter of who is NOT getting inducted but more on who IS getting inducted. Madonna; ABBA, are you kidding me. Yes they both have huge places in pop culture and they both deserve to be in the R n R HOF, but not before more deserving people are inducted.
Here is my list of overlooked bands.
Ten Years After
YES
Jethro Tull
Rush
Emerson Lake & Palmer
Yes, Tull, Rush and ELP all dominated the 70’s and all but ELP are still touring today, though many not in their original forms.
I have seen so many lovely comments about Johnny Maestro and nothing negative. Doesn’t that tell you the caliber of the man and the voice who has left us? The greatest natural voice I have ever heard and one of the quiet people who gave off tons of warmth with just a smile. A man who could melt a woman’s heart with just 1 song. I cried when my dad died and I cried when Johnny died because there are so few people like him in this ugly world and even fewer sweet voices. Please give him his last wish. He will know because he will hear all of us applaud when he is inducted. Please validate all his hard work. Donna Micheli
blue oyster cult
jethro tull
the beastie boys
red hot chilli peppers
dinosaur jr.
bon jovi
sonic youth
afrika bambaataa
kiss
devo
I can’t believe Cheap Trick is not in already.
Todd Rundgren
Cheap Trick
NRBQ