Mellencamp deserves induction
September 29th, 2007, 10:39 am · 1 Comment · posted by davis
Did you see where the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has another chance to correct an error?
No, not it;s location. We’re stuck with Mistake By The Lake 2. Cleveland? Ohio? What were they thinking?
Thanks for reading my blog, and thanks for logging on to TribTown.com.
But I digress.
The mistake at hand is the Hall’s failure to elect Seymour native John Mellencamp to its membership on two earlier occasions in voting that should have elected him in either the induction class of 2002 or 2006.
The Hall reported Friday that Mellencamp is again on its induction ballot, for the class of 2008.
The competition? Madonna (puh-leeeeze, she may be the queen of pop tarts, but she should be no competition for the Coug).
The others?
The Beastie Boys (who?), the Dave Clark Five, Donnad Summer, Chic (what?), Leonard Cohen, the Ventures and Afrika Bambaataa (for the ROCK hall of fame?).
To be on this year’s ballot, a performer or group had to have had their first single released by 1982. Apparently that was the only requirement, given the list of nominees. (That was a little catty, wasn’t it?)
Staying power and influence — and talent — doesn’t appear to have been much of a consideration.
If those factors do mean something to those casting ballots, however, John should be in this year. Of course, I thought that in 2002 and 2006, too.
Do I like all of his music? No. There are lots of Stones tunes I don’t care for, either, but I still consider myself a fan of that ageless though aging rock group.
But I think songs like “Jack and Dianne,” “Small Town” and “Rain on the Scarecrow” far outnumber “Buy A Chevy” from his newest album and others I’ve not particularly enjoyed.
I think the range and influence that John’s traveled and offered over the years speak well of his music, art and talent.
John Mellencamp deserves to be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. I wish him good luck come January, when inductees will be announced.
The induction ceremony is set for March 10 in New York City. See, even the Hall of Fame recognizes the folly of the Mistake by the Lake 2.
September 29th, 2007 at 2:01 pm
From CATHY HAMMETT ERICKSON
Since I am a Small Town girl, I was very excited to see Johnny nominated again for the Hall of Fame! I have been a fan of John since high school days and have enjoyed his music since then! I graduated in 1969 and John in 1970. I always knew way back then that he had the drive and the determnation to make something of himself! I remember him standing around the railroad tracks downtown or riding the loop in friend’s cars, mine being one of them at times. I remember him hanging out with the guys in front of the bookstore. I remember hooking him up with Margy Jones! I remember when his brother Ted went with Jana Sciarra. I remember his brother Joe’s beautiful voice! Yes, I remember you Johnny! You deserve to be in that hall of fame as much as anyone else on that list and even more! You did good , John, you make me proud! Those were the days, weren’t they?