ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME 2024 NOMINATED INDUCTEES. Continues Monday.

Caffè Lattè examines this year’s 15 Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame contenders:

THE CLASS OF

2024

We argue the case for each of 2024’s 15 nominees for induction into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame…

 

- CHER -

 

Cher’s career began as half of a duo with partner Sonny Bono. Together, they scored hits such as the hippies’ anthem “I Got You Babe”. Before the end of the decade and their marriage, Cher launched her solo career. She recorded a string of hit singles, each one revealing another side of her versatility: “Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)”, “The Way Of Love” and a trio of 70s US #1 singles (“Gypsys, Tramps & Thieves”, “Half – Breed” and “Dark Lady”). Over subsequent decades, Cher has re-invented herself and her sound through hits such as “Take Me Home”, “If I Could Turn Back time” and “Believe”. She still tours, records and charts. With a career of such longevity, Cher is a worthy contender for induction into the Hall Of Fame. Hopefully, this year’s nomination will be successful.

 

WHO IS STILL NOT IN THE HALL OF FAME?*

               *Excludes acts nominated for induction in 2024.

Despite being eligible, the following acts are 60 glaring omissions that are yet to be inducted:

CARPENTERS

If any act embodied the Easy Listening sound of soft rock that was so popular in the early 1970s, it was the duo Carpenters. Consisting of siblings Karen and Richard Carpenter, they topped charts around the world with major hits that included “(They Long To Be) Close To You”, “Top Of The World” and “Please Mr. Postman”. The beauty of their harmonies remain unbeaten, as evidenced on nuggets such as “We’ve Only Just Begun”, “Solitaire”, “Yesterday Once More”, “Hurting Each Other”, “For All We Know” and “Superstar”. While the duo did not rock out in the same way as acts we normally associate with rock and roll, there is no reason that the duo can’t be included alongside others already inducted such as ABBA, Chicago and Whitney Houston.

 

THE STYLISTICS

In recent years, The Hall Of Fame has made a concerted effort to address the absence of many significant African-American acts. There still exist some glaring omissions, one of which is the group The Stylistics. Few groups rivalled the lush, sweet and romantic Philly sound of their signature songs. These include “You Make Me Feel Brand New”, “I’m Stone In Love With You”, “Betcha By Golly Wow”, “You Are Everything”, “You’ll Never Get to Heaven (If You Break My Heart)” and “Can’t Give You Anything (But My Love)”. The Stylistics’ recordings helped usher in the Philadelphia Sound and helped lay the groundwork for disco.  

 

 

LOU REED

The Velvet Underground was inducted in 1996. This was a much-deserved inclusion. Within the Hall Of Fame there are many examples of groups and individual members both recognized. Among them are the likes of Eric Clapton, Ringo Starr, Peter Gabriel, Stevie Nicks and Tina Turner. There is no denying the influence of The Velvet Underground. Lead singer Lou Reed continued to create inspiring work after his former group split. Tracks such as “Walk On The Wild Side”, “Perfect Day” and “Satellite of Love” (all from his amazing ‘Transformer’ album) combined rock music with art. A singer / songwriter as fundamental as Reed deserves an induction in his own right.

 

 

THE MARVELETTES

The Shirelles, Martha & The Vandellas, The Ronettes and Darlene Love (the actual voice behind many of The Crystals’ recordings) are in The Hall Of Fame. Why then are The Marvelettes absent? The Hall Of Fame needs to redress the paucity of females and African-American acts. There is no logical reason not to recognize the importance of this girl group. The Marvelettes gave Motown its first US #1 single: “Please Mr. Postman”. This was followed up by some solid tracks including: “Beechwood 4-5789”, “Locking Up My Heart”, “Too Many Fish In The Sea”, “Danger Heartbreak Dead Ahead”,  and “Destination: Anywhere”. Best of all is the fact that many of the group’s songs possess a strength and confidence lacking in so many other girl group recordings. 

For that matter, where are The Cookies, The Shangri-Las and The Chordettes?