This Week’s Memory Road Trip

Not In - But Should Be! (playlist courtesy of Bill Hayes)

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame was established in 1983 and was the brainchild of Ahmet Ertegun, a greatly respected producer and label executive. He had a board of directors that included Jann Wenner the publisher and founder of Rolling Stone magazine. At that time, Rolling Stone was a respected music journal with a counterculture history. They  were THE publication for young music fans and they also had writers who became cultural icons. And Wenner was king. The artists he liked got positive reviews, those he didn’t, didn’t. His influence was unquestioned and unmatched.
The Rolling Stone we see today is, in my opinion, more about culture than music. It’s a big difference but it shouldn’t be surprising. It’s a very different world.
Now as far as the Rock Hall is concerned, that’s been a problem. There are some artists that have been left out because they didn’t “ fit” the original vision of who should be so honoured. I think it’s long past time to put in some of those artists.
One last thing. I don’t believe that some of these artists will ever get in, so parts of this list are my personal nominees. And some should have been in long ago.
The playlist kicks off with Annie Lennox. She’s in the Hall as a member of Eurythmics but not as a solo artist. The same is true of Lindsey Buckingham. He’s in as a member of Fleetwood Mac but unlike Stevie Nicks, he’s not in solo. And Mark Knopfler in with Dire Straits but not solo.
There are some great bands that were very successful but for one reason or another aren’t in. Rush was one of them until a groundswell of support from fans got them in in 2013. Wenner hated them.
Here are the ones that I think are most deserving. Foremost among them are BTO, The Guess Who, Poco and especially Three Dog Night. Three Dog Night got pigeonholed as a lesser band because they didn’t write their own music. But they were a band, a really good one with a ton of hits. I purposely put in a non hit of theirs to make the point that they were much more than a “ singles “ band. Poco was a feeder band for The Eagles gifting them two bass players and the Guess Who and BTO never got enough credit.
Everyone on this list is deserving so pick your poison! Enjoy!

1. Annie Lennox - Pavement Cracks

2. Atlanta Rhythm Section - Jukin

3. Bachman-Turner Overdrive - Gimme Your Money Please

4. Burton Cummings - You Saved My Soul

5. The Guess Who - Runnin' Back to Saskatoon 

6. Poco - Rose of Cimarron

7. The Tragically Hip - Fifty Mission Cap

8. Leon Russell - Delta Lady 

9. Long John Baldry - Don't Try To Lay No Boogie-Woogie….

10. Lindsey Buckingham - Soul Drifter

11. The Jayhawks - Waiting For the Sun

12. Three Dog Night - Midnight Runaway

13. The Black Crowes - Go Faster

14. Blue Rodeo - Hasn't Hit Me Yet 

15. Talk Talk - Living In Another World 

16. Tears for Fears - Woman in Chains (feat. Oleta Adams)

17. The Waterboys - The Whole of the Moon 

18. XTC - Dear God

19. Manfred Mann's Earth Band - Drowning On Dry Land/Fish Soup

20. The Marshall Tucker Band - Can't You See

21. Mark Knopfler - Seattle

LISTEN on Spotify: 

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3MKPMs6pGyzFQk2MLkf9xX?si=Jpr_m6_bSv-PuhwrVJrrmw

LISTEN on Apple Music:

https://music.apple.com/ca/playlist/not-in-but-should-be/pl.u-zPyLy2Lu9bmr5