I really thought the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame would have made their Class of 2019 yesterday, but NOOOO! No, they made it today, when, of course, I’m having a high pain day and did not check my news app. And, then, my older son comes through with a text message to take a look at the names of those being inducted. Immediately, I noticed that the RRHOF was NOT inducting Todd Rundgren! Are you kidding me? The man hit a commercial peak in the early 70s, though he has followed his muse into a rich cult artist status as he traveled through blue-eyed soul and power pop into prog rock and arena rock. Additionally, the man engineered The Band’s Stage Fright, which helped him move into production work with the likes of Meat Loaf (Bat Out of Hell), Cheap Trick (Next Position Please), Grand Funk (“We’re an American Band” & “The Locomotion”), the New York Dolls (their debut), XTC (their classic Skylarking LP), among many others.
Still, this class has seven members: The Cure, Def Leppard, Janet Jackson, Stevie Nicks, Radiohead, Roxy Music and The Zombies. Overall, it’s a good class, and I’m especially excited by Roxy Music and The Cure and Janet Jackson. While, I am perplexed by Stevie Nicks being inducted as a solo artist, who has all ready been inducted as a member of Fleetwood Mac with whom she has arguably at her most artistic. Sure, she finished second in the Fan Voting behind Def Leppard, but Todd Rundgren finished third yet was left off the induction list. But, that, honestly, is my one complaint about this class. Anyway, with Roxy finally getting in, maybe my son will be right and Roxy Music will reform with original lead singer Bryan Ferry and “noise manipulator” and über producer Brian Eno. Now, that would be a great tour! I’m excited by The Cure, one of my favorites from my twenties, Janet Jackson and The Zombies. And, I will not bitch about Radiohead, even though they are not my cup of tea.
So, I am NOT going to let Rundgren’s SNUB ruin my Christmas countdown, though it will be difficult. Now, we are in the my Top 40 of modern Christmas songs. And, no, Todd Rundgren, who does NOT have a Christmas song, is NOT on my list today! So, let’s get this countdown rolling!
40. Band of Merrymakers – “A Very Merry Medley” [2016]
39. Eagles – “Please Come Home for Christmas” [1978]
38. Kenny Loggins – “Celebrate Me Home” [1977]
37. Bryan Adams – “Run Rudolph Run” [1987]
36. Darlene Love – “A Marshmallow World” [1963]
35. John Cougar Mellencamp – “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus” [1987]
34. CeeLo Green ft. The Muppets – “All I Need Is Love” [2012]
33. Dan Fogelberg – “Same Old Lang Syne” [1980]
32. Vince Vance & the Valiants – “All I Want for Christmas Is You” [1989]
31. Billy Squier – “Christmas Is the Time to Say I Love You” [1982]
30. Whitney Houston – “Do You Hear What I Hear?” [1987]
29. Weezer – “Christmas Celebration” [2000]
28. Queen – “Thank God It’s Christmas” [1984]
27. U2 – “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” [1987]
26. The Ronettes – “Sleigh Ride” [1963]
25. The Band – “Must Be Christmas Tonight” [1977]
24. The Kinks – “Father Christmas” [1977]
23. The Pretenders – “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” [1987]
22. Fitz & the Tantrums – “Santa Stole My Lady” [2010]
21. Darlene Love – “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” [1963]
And, there you go! Tomorrow, we will finish this whole countdown. Hopefully, your favorite song has not been listed. And, hopefully, your favorite Christmas song will NOT be snubbed like Todd Rundgren was by the RRHOF. That would be criminal.
If My Records Could Talk 