Month: February 2025

Just Who Do You Think Are Getting into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2025

Since I am no longer teaching or coaching these days, I am reduced to a dream of getting to vote for artists for induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Since I have been labelled as retired/disable/unable to work by the state of Indiana and the federal governments, my dreams have become less grand with each passing year. When I was coaching, I dreamed of county, conference, sectional, regional and state championships. Unfortunately, those dreams were taken away from me, I have adjusted the dream down to this blog becoming popular enough to get an annual ballot for inductees for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Yet, that remains a pipe dream, which is totally fine.

So, instead, I choose to use this little platform of mine to do a little shouting into the abyss. As you know by now, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame released a list of 14 acts that have been selected by the Hall’s Nomination Committee to be selected into the Hall’s Class of 2025, either as a Performer, or either for Musical Excellence, Musical Influence or as a recipient of the Ahmet Ertegun Award for Contributions to the World of Popular Music (or some other title?). Following the trend of the past few years, we will probably have seven or eight of the nominated acts inducted this year as performers, along with the possibility of any or all of the leftover acts getting inducted through either the Excellence or Influence designation.

As a refresher, here are the Nominees for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’s Class of 2025 up for induction as performers: Bad Company, Billy Idol, Chubby Checker, Cyndi Lauper, Joe Cocker, Joy Division/New Order, Maná, Mariah Carey, Oasis, OutKast, Phish, Soundgarden, The Black Crowes and The White Stripes. Currently, we are probably nearing two weeks since these acts were announced, and I have all ready bitched a little about who was left off the ballot (Iron Maiden, The Smiths, Sinead O’Connor, Motörhead, Thin Lizzy, et. al.).

Those of you who have read this blog for a while know that I have participate in some online discussions about problems with the RRHoF and their nomination/induction processes. The loosely connected group of renegades, radicals, rock journalists and a few self-acknowledged rock experts like me. I’m just an old guy who read too many issues of Creem, Billboard, NME and Billboard during my brain’s developmental years between 1975 and 1995. Now, I have a cornucopia of seemingly useless information that I occasionally spew out on this blog.

Let’s begin with those seven artists who I am currently voting for on the RRHoF’s fan voting page of their website. You can vote once each day until mid-April 2025. Currently, Phish Heads are out in force on this voting site as Phish is in the number one position. Billy Idol is in second place, with Soundgarden, Bad Company, Cyndi Lauper, Joe Cocker and Chubby Checker rounding out the top 7 in the fans’ voting process. Remember, the winner of the fans’ voting tally will receive ONE VOTE in the actual voting process, as opposed to the act receiving the actual number of votes that they got from the fans.

I predict, when the voting settles down and the votes have been counted and verified by Trump’s election committee, that these acts will actually be inducted. I believe there are five Shoo-Ins in this list of Nominees: Bad Company, Cyndi Lauper, Mariah Carey, Oasis and OutKast. Although I am NOT a huge fan of them, Bad Company will be the latest Seventies classic rock band to get the nod to join the other rock immortals in the Hall. The next two are arguably are two of the most influential female singers left to be inducted into the Hall – Cyndi Lauper and “The Queen of Christmas” herself Mariah Carey. Oasis was the biggest band during England’s rock renaissance known as Britpop; plus, the band is reuniting for a well-timed tour that has gotten young Gen X-ers and Millennials going crazy buying up tickets. And finally, there is hip hop’s arguably most innovative duo OutKast. Nearly a decade and a half after Run-DMC and Beastie Boys made their commercial states with the success of their mid-Eighties music, OutKast became the first rap group to win the Grammy for Album of the Year in 2004.

Right behind those acts, I designated three acts as being “On the Borderline.” All that means is I think that two of these three will be the last two getting inducted in 2025. Those artists are Joy Division/New Order, Soundgarden and The White Stripes. Most likely, two out of three of these groups will be inducted. Finally, I think there are yet three more artists who were nominated that I categorize as “Wildcards,” since I would NOT be surprised if they get inducted in one shape or manner. My Wildcards include Billy Idol, Phish and The Black Crowes.

Obviously, I do not think that “The Twist” singer Chubby Checker, English blues and rock singer Joe Cocker nor the “Mexican Bon Jovi” Maná will be inducted as Performers. I feel that all three will get their induction though one of those special categories, Musical Excellence or Musical Influence. And if not in 2025, all three will eventually be inducted in this manner. I firmly believe that all 14 of the nominees deserve to be inducted for their contributions to rock & roll.

Personally, my ballot is as follows:

1. Billy Idol

2. Cyndi Lauper

3. Joy Division/New Order

4. Mariah Carey

5. OutKast

6. Phish

7. The Black Crowes

You really cannot go wrong with your ballot this year, but since Paul Weller nor either of his two bands, The Jam and The Style Council, were not nominated again this year (along with power pop gods Big Star and Raspberries), I have to go from the names those on the official list.

Now, where’s my beer?

My 125 Favorite Rock & Roll Artists, Day 6: The Top 10!

If any of you have me for any extended period of time or have read this blog several times, none of the following artists should be too much of a surprise that they are in the Top 10. If I have to be honest, the Top 8 are pretty much set in stone with only their order slightly adjusted depending on my mood. Numbers 9 and 10 usually change on a monthly basis and change spots with any other artist in my Top 30. However, I would say that a good 90% of my life on Earth has these artists in my Top 10.

So, in the immortal words of the prophet Casey Kasem, “On with the countdown!”

10. U2* – Best Albums: Achtung Baby (1991), The Joshua Tree (1987), War (1982), How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb (2004), The Unforgettable Fire (1984)

     Album Gem: Zooropa (1993)

     Best Songs: “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” (1987), “Beautiful Day” (2000), “Desire” (1988), “One” (1991), “Where the Streets Have No Name” (1987)

     Deep Cut: “I’ll Go Crazy If I Don’t Go Crazy Tonight” (2009)

9. The Cure* – Best Albums: Disintegration (1989); Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me (1987); Three Imaginary Boys (1979); Pornography (1982); The Head on the Door (1985)

     Album Gem: Seventeen Seconds (1980)

     Best Songs: “In Between Days” (1985), “Boys Don’t Cry” (1979), “A Forest” (1980), “Just Like Heaven” (1987), “Lovesong” (1989)

     Deep Cut: “How Beautiful You Are” (1987)

8. Queen* – Best Albums: A Night at the Opera (1975), A Day at the Races (1976), The Game (1980), Jazz (1978), The Works (1984)

     Album Gem: Hot Space! (1982)

     Best Songs: “Bohemian Rhapsody” (1975), “Don’t Stop Me Now” (1978), “Another One Bites the Dust” (1980), “Fat Bottom Girls” (1978), “Under Pressure” – David Bowie & Queen (1981)

     Deep Cut: “Body Language” (1982)

7. Daryl Hall & John Oates* – Best Albums: Abandoned Luncheonette (1973), H2O (1982), Private Eyes (1981), Voices (1980), Daryl Hall & John Oates (aka The Silver Album) (1975)

     Album Gem: X-Static (1979)

     Best Songs: “She’s Gone” (1976), “Sara Smile” (1975), “Kiss on My List” (1980), “Maneater” (1982), “Everytime You Go Away” (1980)

     Deep Cut: “It’s a Laugh” (1978)

6. Cheap Trick* – Best Albums: Cheap Trick (1977), In Color (1977), Heaven Tonight (1978), At Budokan (1979), Dream Police (1979)

     Album Gem: Cheap Trick (1997)

     Best Songs: “I Want You to Want Me (live)” (1979), “Surrender” (1978), “Dream Police” (1979), “I Can’t Take It” (1983), “Say Goodbye” (1997)

     Deep Cut: “Oh Candy” (1977)

5. Paul Weller/The Jam/The Style Council – Best Albums: My Ever Changing Moods – The Style Council (1984); Sound Affects – The Jam (1980); Heavy Soul – Paul Weller (1997); Wake Up the Nation – Paul Weller (2010); Stanley Road – Paul Weller (1995)

     Album Gem: Fat Pop (Volume 1) – Paul Weller (2021)

     Best Songs: “You’re the Best Thing” – The Style Council (1984); “Going Underground” – The Jam (1980); “Peacock Suit” – Paul Weller (1997); “Sweet Pea” (2000); “Wake Up the Nation” – Paul Weller (2010)

     Deep Cuts: “Man in the Corner Shop” – The Jam (1980); “How She Threw It All Away” – The Style Council (1988); “All I Wanna Do (Is Be with You)” – Paul Weller (2008)

4. R.E.M.* – Best Albums: Life Rich Pageant (1986), Murmur (1983), Automatic for the People (1992), Reckoning (1984), Document (1987)

     Album Gem: Up (1998)

     Best Songs: “It’s the End of the World (And I Feel Fine)” (1987), “Losing My Religion” (1991), “The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonite” (1992), “Radio Free Europe” (1983), “Everybody Hurts” (1992)

      Deep Cut: “Nightswimming” (1992)

3. Bruce Springsteen* – Best Albums: Born to Run (1975), Born in the U.S.A. (1984), Darkness on the Edge of Town (1978), The Rising (2002), Nebraska (1982)

     Album Gem: Wrecking Ball (2012)

     Best Songs: “Born to Run” (1975), “Dancing in the Dark” (1984), “Badlands” (1978), “Thunder Road” (1975), “Rosalita” (1973)

     Deep Cut: “One Step Up, Two Steps Back” (1987)

2. Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers* – Best Albums: Damn the Torpedoes (1979), Hard Promises (1981), Full Moon Fever (1989), Wild Flower (1994), Highway Companion (2006)

     Album Gem: Echo (1999)

     Best Songs: “The Waiting” (1981), “You Don’t Know How It Feels” (1994), “Don’t Come Around Here No More” (1985), “Mary Jane’s Last Dance” (1993), “Free Falling” (1989)

     Deep Cut: “Honey Bee” (1994)

1. Prince* – Best Albums: Dirty Mind (1980), 1999 (1982), Purple Rain (1984), Sign ‘o’ the Times (1987), Diamonds & Pearls (1991)

     Album Gem: The Gold Experience (1995)

     Best Songs: “When Doves Cry” (1984), “Kiss” (1986), “The Most Beautiful Girl in the World” (1995), “Cream” (1991), “7” (1992)

     Deep Cut: “Endorphinmachine” (1995)

And that’s a wrap! Next week, hopefully, I will something more substantial.

The RRHoF Announced Their Nominee List for the Class of 2025

(c) WKYC and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

 

By now, I should know that the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame would announce their nominees at a moment when I least expect it.  Naturally, today was a perfect moment for this announcement as its been a ten days since the Grammys and a few days after the Super Bowl and the perplexing arguments happening after Kendrick Lamar’s halftime performance (Why must white people have to complain all the time about a black person expressing their lives through their perspectives that may contradict a white person’s? Hell, their collective history in this country generally began with their ancestors being forced to come here, as opposed to my ancestors wanting to come to America to hopefully begin a better life for them and their progeny.). Is it so difficult to understand? To me, humans are human. Our appearances are part of our genetic gifts. And we cannot control the gene pool from which we came.

By now, many of you have heard the list of nominees for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s Class of 2025. For those who are still uninformed, here is the list: classic rock supergroup Bad Company, southern boogie band The Black Crowes,  pop chanteuse and Queen of Christmas Mariah Carey, early-Sixties pop singer Chubby Checker, Woodstock blues sensation Joe Cocker, punk-turned-new wave dance-metal icon Billy Idol, Gothic progenitors-cum-synth dance sensations Joy Division/New Order, Eighties MTV pop girl power pioneer Cyndi Lauper, Mexican pop gods Maná, Britpop gods Oasis, hip hop innovators OutKast, Nineties jamband originators Phish, the third of Grunge’s Big Four Soundgarden, and early-21st century garage band with a minimalist blues sound The White Stripes. Out of the fourteen artists nominated for the Hall, I had earlier picked five of these artists in MY sixteen nominees for the Class of 2025. I had picked Mariah, Joy Division/New Order, Oasis, OutKast and Soundgarden.

Let me just state that I would have NEVER had bet on Chubby Checker or Maná to be on the list of nominees. I felt that Checker would be inducted through Musical Influence or Excellence, not specifically as a performer. I simply felt that his peers had been inducted and the Nomination Committee had moved on. On the other hand, I know absolutely nothing about Maná. I just read a little bit about them and discovered that they are held in very high esteem in their native Mexico following 40+ years of commercial success. I understand the Hall’s desire to recognized artists throughout the world (Hence, the recent nominations of Nigerian funkateer Fela Kuti.). Yet, I think the Hispanics here in the U.S. might have been happier with either funk band War, Eighties pop sensation Gloria Estefan, my personal favorites Los Lobos or Tex-Mex hitmaker Selena on the list; however, I am a white man, so what do I know what my Hispanic friends want. Once again, I feel like this band may be destined for Musical Influence or Excellence as well.

What I do NOT understand is the lack of metal and punk artists on the list. Just from those two genres, I can name several artists who need to be inducted. Artists like Iron Maiden, Motörhead, The Jam, The Damned, Dead Boys, Dead Kennedys, Black Flag, Bad Brains, New York Dolls, Mötley Crüe, Suicide and Thin Lizzy all should have minimally multiple nominations by now. Then again, you can simply read my previous post on this topic for all of those deserving artists.

The other dozen artists are all listed in my countdown. This is a list of the nominees’ ranking on my list of importance: OutKast (2), Mariah Carey (3), Joy Division/New Order (4), Oasis (11), Cyndi Lauper (15), Soundgarden (16), Phish (50), Bad Company (62), The White Stripes (70), Joe Cocker (85), Billy Idol (115) and The Black Crowes (124). While I do believe this is basically a good list of nominees and that all deserve eventual induction one way or another. But, I remain adamant that we have several other artists we should be inducted before some of these artists.

On a personal note, I am so glad that the Black Crowes, Billy Idol and Phish had been forgotten by those on the Nominating Committee. Hopefully, we will actually have OutKast, Lauper, Carey, Joy Division/New Order and Soundgarden will all get an inductee trophy. Additionally, watch for Phish to win the voter’s count. The band’s fans will be out in force, much like the Dave Matthews Band’s fans had done during their two nominations.

As my older son has always said, “Only time will tell.” (I will blog about my inductees later

My 125 Favorite Rock & Roll Artists, Day 5

Today, let’s cover the next 15 artists on my personal list. I feel that we are in an area in which this will get to be pretty predictable. Onwards and upwards.

25. Electric Light Orchestra – Best Album: New World Record (1976)

     Album Gem: Zoom (2001)

     Best Song: “Mr. Blue Sky” (1977)

     Deep Cut: “Rock and Roll Is King” (1983)

24. Bob Mould/Hüsker Dü/Sugar – Best Album: Workbook – Bob Mould (1989)

     Album Gem: Flip Your Wig – Hüsker Dü (1985)

     Best Song: “Makes No Sense at All” – Hüsker Dü (1985)

     Deep Cut: “If I Can’t Change Your Mind” – Sugar (1992)

23. AC/DC* – Best Album: Back in Black (1980)

     Album Gem: Black Ice (2008)

     Best Song: “You Shook Me All Night Long” (1980)

     Deep Cut: “The Jack” (1975)

22. Big Star – Best Album: #1 Record (1972)

     Album Gem: Third/Sister Lovers (1978)

     Best Song: “Thirteen” (1972)

     Deep Cut: “The Ballad of El Goodo” (1972)

21. Todd Rundgren*/Utopia – Best Album: Something/Anything? (1972)

     Album Gem: Utopia – Utopia (1982)

     Best Song: “We Gotta Get You a Woman” (1970)

     Deep Cut: “The Very Last Time” – Utopia (1982)

20. Elton John* – Best Album: Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (1973)

     Album Gem: Songs from the West Coast (2001)

     Best Song: “I Guess That’s Why They Call It the Blues” (1983)

     Deep Cut: “This Train Don’t Stop Here Anymore” (2001)

19. Elvis Costello* – Best Album: Armed Forces (1979)

     Album Gem: Painted from Memory – Burt Bacharach & Elvis Costello (1998)

     Best Song: “Alison” (1977)

     Deep Cut: “The Only Flame in Town” – Elvis Costello & the Attractions ft. Daryl Hall (1984)

18. The Cars* – Best Album: The Cars (1978)

     Album Gem: Panorama (1980)

     Best Song: “Bye Bye Love” (1978)

     Deep Cut: “Touch and Go” (1980)

17. David Bowie* – Best Album: The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders of Mars (1972)

     Album Gem: Let’s Dance (1983)

     Best Song: “Heroes” (1977)

     Deep Cut: “Ashes to Ashes” (1980)

16. Michael Jackson*/The Jacksons*/Jackson 5* – Best Album: Thriller – Michael Jackson (1982)

     Album Gem: Destiny – The Jacksons (1978)

     Best Song: “Billie Jean” – Michael Jackson (1982)

     Deep Cut: “The Place Hotel” – The Jacksons (1980)

15. The Rolling Stones* – Best Album: Sticky Fingers (1971)

     Album Gem: Some Girls (1978)

     Best Song: “Can’t You Hear Me Knocking” (1971)

     Deep Cut: “She’s So Cold” (1980)

14. The Beatles*/John Lennon*/Paul McCartney*/George Harrison*/Ringo Starr* – Best Album: Abbey Road (1969)

     Album Gem: Flowers in the Dirt – Paul McCartney (1989)

     Best Songs: “A Day in the Life” (1967)

     Deep Cut: “Watching the Wheels” – John Lennon (1980)

13. Fleetwood Mac*/Stevie Nicks*/Lindsey Buckingham/Christine McVie/ Mick Fleetwood’s Zoo/ Buckingham/Nicks / Buckingham/McVie – Best Album: Rumours – Fleetwood Mac (1977)

     Album Gem: Tusk – Fleetwood Mac (1979)

     Best Song: “The Chain” (1977)

     Deep Cut: “Leather & Lace” – Stevie Nicks (1981) 

12. The Police*/Sting – Best Album: Synchronicity – The Police (1983)

     Album Gem: The Dream of the Blue Turtles – Sting (1985)

     Best Song: “Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic” – The Police (1981)

     Deep Cut: “The Bed’s Too Big Without You” – The Police (1979)

11. Talking Heads*/Tom Tom Club/David Byrne/Jerry Harrison – Best Album: Remain in Light – Talking Heads (1980)

     Album Gem: Tom Tom Club – Tom Tom Club (1981)

     Best Song: “Life During Wartime” – Talking Heads (1979)

     Deep Cut: “The Man with  the 4-Way Hips” – Tom Tom Club (1983)

Next time, The Top 10!

My 125 Favorite Rock & Roll Artists, Day 4

It’s basketball season, the time of the year that I used to love, with the college seasons for both men and women are heating up for conference championships and tournament seedings. In Indiana, high school for girls began their tournament to determine the four classes’ champions (I honestly am conflicted by class basketball even though that argument has been long settled of the decades. And the boys are gearing up for their own tournament for State Champions in the four classes. It’s usually an exciting time, but since I have been removed from the excitement, I no longer harbor my intensity for the game. Unfortunately, I may have lost my life or death competitive nature in the intervening years of disability due to my back issues.

This is a double-edged sword. I am kind of relieved by this lack of competitive drive while kind of depressed due to my missing the sport. No pressure, no fight back, no care. That’s why I trying to get back in the habit of writing so I can help myself.

With the “woe-is-me” garbage out of the way, here is the next 25 (!) artists in my countdown. Peace!

50. Aerosmith* – Best Album: Toys in the Attic (1975)

        Album Gem: Pump (1989)

        Best Song: “Walk This Way” (1975)

        Deep Cut: “Seasons of Wither” (1974)

49. Parliament*/Funkadelic*/Bootsy’s Rubber Band/George Clinton’s empire

        Best Album: Mothership Connection – Parliament (1975)

        Album Gem: Maggot Brain – Funkadelic (1971)

        Best Song: “Flashlight” (1977)

        Deep Cut: “Mommy, What’s a Funkadelic?” – Funkadelic (1970)

48. Rush * – Best Album: Moving Pictures (1981)

        Album Gem: Snakes & Arrows (2007)

        Best Song: “The Spirit of Radio” (1980)

        Deep Cut: “La Villa Strangiato” (1978)

47. Chic – Best Album: Risqué (1979)

        Album Gem: It’s About Time (2018)

        Best Song: “Le Freak” (1979)

        Deep Cut: “My Feet Keep Dancing” (1979)

46. Neil Young* – Best Album: Rust Never Sleeps (1979)

        Album Gem: Homegrown (2020)

       Best Song: “Harvest Moon” (1992)

       Deep Cut: “This Old Guitar” (2005)

45. Tina Turner* – Best Album: Private Dancer (1984)

       Album Gem: Foreign Affair (1989)

       Best Song: “Let’s Stay Together” (1983)

       Deep Cut: “Steamy Windows” (1989)

44. The Who* – Best Album: Who’s Next (1971)

       Album Gem: Quadrophenia (1973)

       Best Song: “Won’t Get Fooled Again” (1971)

       Deep Cut: “Sister Disco” (1978)

43. The Beach Boys* – Best Album: Pet Sounds (1966)

       Album Gem: The SMiLE Sessions (2011)

       Best Song: “Good Vibrations” (1967)

       Deep Cut: “Surf’s Up” (1971)

42. Stevie Wonder* – Best Album: Songs in the Key of Life (1976)

       Album Gem: Hotter Than July (1980)

       Best Song: “Sir Duke” (1976)

       Deep Cut: “I Ain’t Gonna Stand for It” (1980)

41. Duran Duran*/The Power Station/Arcadia/Andy Taylor – 

       Best Album: Rio (1982)

       Album Gem: Danse Macabre (2023)

       Best Song: “The Reflex (The Nile Rodgers Remix)” (1984)

       Deep Cut: “The Chauffer” (1982)

40. Kiss* – Best Album: Destroyer (1976)

       Album Gem: Creatures of the Night (1982)

       Best Song: “Rock & Roll All Nite (live)” (1975)

       Deep Cut: “Rocket Ride” (1977)

39. Heart* – Best Album: Dreamboat Annie (1975)

       Album Gem: Fanatic (2012)

       Best Song: “Crazy on You” (1975)

       Deep Cut: “How Can I Refuse” (1983)

38. Styx* – Best Album: The Grand Illusion (1977)

       Album Gem: Crystal Ball (1976)

       Best Song: “Renegade” (1978)

       Deep Cut: “Mademoiselle” (1976)

37. Pink Floyd – Best Album: The Dark Side of the Moon (1973)

       Album Gem: Piper at the Gates of Dawn (1967)

       Best Song: “Wish You Were Here” (1975)

       Deep Cut: “When the Tigers Broke Free” (1982)

36. Donna Summer* – Best Album: Bad Girls (1979)

       Album Gem: The Wanderer (1980)

       Best Song: “I Feel Love” (1977)

       Deep Cut: “Love Is in Control (Finger on the Trigger)” (1982)

35. Madonna* – Best Album: Like a Prayer (1989)

       Album Gem: Ray of Light (1998)

       Best Song: “Borderline” (1983)

       Deep Cut: “Justify My Love” (1990)

34. John (Cougar) Mellencamp* – Best Album: The Lonesome Jubilee (1987)

       Album Gem: No Better Than This (2010)

       Best Song: “Cherry Bomb” (1987)

       Deep Cut: “Play Guitar” (1983)

33. George Michael*/Wham! – Best Album: Faith (1987)

       Album Gem: Listen Without Prejudice, Vol. 1 (1990)

      Best Song: “Father Figure” (1987)

       Deep Cut: “Fastlove” (1996)

32. Chicago* – Best Album: Chicago II (1970)

       Album Gem: Chicago 17 (1984)

       Best Song: “Saturday in the Park” (1972)

       Deep Cut: “Dialogue Parts 1 & 2” (1972)

31. Guns N’ Roses* – Best Album: Appetite for Destruction (1987)

       Album Gem: Chinese Democracy (2008)

       Best Song: “Sweet Child o’ Mine” (1987)

       Deep Cut: “Catcher in the Rye” (2008)

30. Paul Simon*/Simon & Garfunkel* – Best Album: Graceland (1986)

       Album Gem: So Beautiful or So What (2011)

      Best Song: “Bridge Over Troubled Water” – Simon & Garfunkel (1970)

      Deep Cut: “Late in the Evening” (1980)

29. The Band* – Best Album: The Band (1969)

       Album Gem: Before the Flood – The Band with Bob Dylan (1974)

       Best Song: “The Weight” (1968)

       Deep Cut: “Stage Fright” (1970)

28. The Clash*/Big Audio Dynamite/B.A.D. II – Best Album: London Calling (1979)

       Album Gem: Sandinista! (1980)

       Best Song: “Train in Vain (Stand by Me)” (1979)

      Deep Cut: “Straight to Hell” (1982)

27. Bee Gees*/Andy Gibb – Best Album: Main Course (1975)

       Album Gem: Odessa (1969)

       Best Song: “Run to Me” (1972)

       Deep Cut: “One” (1989)

26. Billy Joel* – Best Album: The Stranger (1977)

       Album Gem: Songs in the Attic (1981)

       Best Song: “Sometimes a Fantasy” (1980)

       Deep Cut: “Captain Jack” (1973)

We are getting closer to the end! Only two more entries for this topic.

My 125 Favorite Rock & Roll Artists, Day 3

I am back today for Day 3 of this narcissistic countdown. While I acknowledge how lame this series ultimately is, I needed it to rediscover my writing muse. Slowly, it is coming back to me as I have found new ideas to explore including my wanting to do an interview of an artist. The only thing keeping me from the interview right now is that I am still trying to attempt to write the kind of questions I would love to read artists reply to. I have a fear of failure that keeps me from doing things unless I am prepared to do them. For example, I was ready to coach from high school onward intellectually, but I needed to mature into being a leader.

Right now, I could conduct a high school journalism level of an interview, but I would love to be better than that, as to both introduce an artist to you my readers that conveys both their artistic vision and the obstacles in their way, all the while paying homage to my rock journalistic heroes.

Additionally, I would love to write a book. I have an idea that seems pretty good to those in my inner circle. The adage one usually hears is to write about which you know. So, it will probably involve track, music, education, coaching and science , not necessarily in that order.

Back in reality, I have a blog entry to write, so on with the show!

75. The Replacements – Best Album: Pleased to Meet Me (1986)

          Album Gem: Hootenanny (1983)

          Best Song: “Alex Chilton” (1986)

          Deep Cut: “I Will Dare” (1984)

74. Tears for Fears – Best Album: Songs from the Big Chair (1985)

          Album Gem: The Hurting (1983)

          Best Song: “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” (1985)

          Deep Cut: “Advice for the Young at Heart” (1989)

73. Steely Dan* – Best Album: Aja (1977)

          Album Gem: Countdown to Ecstasy (1972)

          Best Song: “Deacon Blues” (1977)

          Deep Cut: “Dirty Work” (1972)

72. Pearl Jam* – Best Album: Ten (1991)

          Album Gem: Backspacer (2009)

          Best Song: “Black” (1991)

         Deep Cut: “Yellow Ledbetter” (1991)

71. Van Halen* – Best Album: Van Halen (1978)

          Album Gem: OU812 (1988)

          Best Song: “Dreams” (1986)

          Deep Cut: “Atomic Punk” (1978)

70. The Doors* – Best Album: The Doors (1967)

          Album Gem: L.A. Woman (1971)

          Best Song: “People Are Strange” (1967)

          Deep Cut: “Unknown Soldier” (1968)

69. Nirvana* – Best Album: Nevermind (1991)

          Album Gem: Bleach (1989)

          Best Song: “Smells like Teen Spirit” (1991)

          Deep Cut: “School” (1989)

68. Foo Fighters* – Best Album: There Is Nothing Else to Lose (1999)

          Album Gem: But Here We Are (2023)

          Best Song: “Time like These” (2002)

          Deep Cut: “Making a Fire” (2021)

67. Carpenters – Best Album: Close to You (1970)

           Album Gem: A Song for You (1971)

           Best Song: “Superstar” (1971)

           Deep Cut: “This Masquerade” (1973)

66. The Monkees – Best Album: More of The Monkees (1967)

          Album Gem: Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones Ltd. (1967)

          Best Song: “Pleasant Valley Sunday” (1967)

          Deep Cut: “(I’m Not Your) Steppin’ Stone” (1966)

65. Eagles* – Best Album: Hotel California (1976)

          Album Gem: One of These Nights (1975)

          Best Song: “One of These Nights” (1975)

          Deep Cut: “In the City” (1979)

64. The J. Geils Band – Best Album: Freeze-Frame (1981)

          Album Gem: Nightmares…And Other Tales from the Vinyl Jungle (1974)

          Best Song: “Love Stinks” (1980)

          Deep Cut: “Flamethrower” (1981)

63. Eurythmics* – Best Album: Touch (1983)

          Album Gem: Revenge (1986)

          Best Song: “Love Is a Stranger” (1982)

          Deep Cut: “Missionary Man” (1986)

62. Supertramp – Best Album: Breakfast in America (1979)

          Album Gem: Crime of the Century (1974)

          Best Song: “Take the Long Way Home” (1979)

          Deep Cut: “My Kind of Lady” (1982)

61. Depeche Mode* – Best Album: Violator (1990)

          Album Gem: Songs of Faith and Devotion (1993)

          Best Song: “Personal Jesus” (1990)

          Deep Cut: “Behind the Wheel” (1987)

60. Bob Marley & the Wailers* – Best Album: Exodus (1977)

          Album Gem: Uprising (1980)

          Best Song: “Stir It Up” (1978)

          Deep Cut: “War” (1976) 

59. Peter Gabriel* – Best Album: Peter Gabriel (aka III or Melting) (1980)

          Album Gem: Peter Gabriel (aka IV or Security) (1982)

          Best Song: “Sledgehammer” (1986)

          Deep Cut: “And Through the Wire” (1980)

58. Squeeze – Best Album: East Side Story (1981)  

          Album Gem: Cradle to the Grave (2015)

          Best Song: “Tempted” (1981)

          Deep Cut: “She Doesn’t Have to Shave” (1989)

57. Johnny Cash* – Best Album: At Folsom Prison (1968)

          Album Gem: American II: Unchained (1996)

         Best Song: “Sunday Morning Coming Down” (1972)

          Deep Cut: “The Wanderer” – U2 feat. Johnny Cash (1993)

56. Earth, Wind & Fire* – Best Album: That’s the Way of the World (1975)

          Album Gem: I Am! (1979)

          Best Song: “September” (1978)

          Deep Cut: “Reasons” (1975)

55. The Smiths – Best Album: The Queen Is Dead (1986)

          Album Gem: Hatful of Hollow (1984)

          Best Song: “Girlfriend in a Coma” (1987)

          Deep Cut: “Nowhere Fast” (1985)

54. My Morning Jacket – Best Album: Z (2005)

          Album Gem: Evil Urges (2008)

          Best Song: “One Big Holiday” (2002)

          Deep Cut: “Librarian” (2008)

53. Black Sabbath* (Ozzy Osbourne*) – Best Album: Paranoid (1970)

          Album Gem: Heaven or Hell (1980)

          Best Song: “Crazy Train” – Ozzy Osbourne (1980)

          Deep Cut: “Changes” (1974)

52. Led Zeppelin* – Best Album: IV (1971)

          Album Gem: In Through the Out Door (1979)

          Best Song: “Stairway to Heaven” (1971)  

          Deep Cut: “Achille’s Last Stand” (1976)

51. Joy Division/New Order – Best Album: Unknown Pleasures – Joy Division (1979)

          Album Gem: Technique – New Order (1989)

          Best Song: “Love Will Tear Us Apart” – Joy Division (1980)

          Deep Cut: “Bizarre Love Triangle” – New Order (1986)

And 50 more to go!