2008 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction WITHOUT ROCK ACTS
Tonight (March 10th), the 23rd annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony takes place at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City. The honorees include Madonna, John Mellencamp, the Dave Clark Five, the Ventures, Leonard Cohen, Little Walter, and Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff.
The show airs live on VH1 Classic beginning at 8:30 pm.
2008 ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES
MADONNA
Madonna is one of rock and roll's most recognized icons. Through her acrobatic dance-oriented live shows and string of hits singles beginning in the early 1980s, Madonna came to redefine the role and span of the female pop singer. Along with Michael Jackson, Prince, among others, Madonna's music, choreography and image have come to embody the 1980s MTV generation.
In 2003, Madonna told the Today show that she'd like her music to appeal to as many people as possible because the more albums she sells -- the more money she'll be able to raise to help others through her humanitarian efforts: "Would I like people of all ages to be interested in my music? Yes. For one reason and one reason only -- no, for two reasons. One is I feel like I have a lot of pertinent and important messages that I would like to get across and if young kids hear it then that's great. Two is -- the more records I sell, the more money I make. And the more money I make, the more I can help other people."
Madonna will be inducted by Justin Timberlake, with fellow Detroiters the Stooges, featuring Iggy Pop, performing for her.
JOHN MELLENCAMP
Since launching his career over 35 years ago, John Mellencamp has brought a voice to the Midwest working man. Since his breakout as a singles artist in the late 1970s, Mellencamp was among the few "heartland rockers" to consistently crossover onto the Top Ten charts. His grassroots brand of rock and roll has come to embrace the various social and political issues that continue to confront Americans of his generation and those that have followed. In 1985 Mellencamp helped organize Farm Aid with Willie Nelson and Neil Young.
Mellencamp says that he's always aimed for the higher ground when writing his songs: "I have been trying to write inspirational songs, in the way of... not Irving Berlin, but more in the way of Woody Guthrie, to try to make people feel good about themselves."
Billy Joel will induct Mellencamp into the Hall tonight.
DAVE CLARK FIVE
The Dave Clark Five were the second British invasion act to infiltrate the U.S. shores, after the Beatles. The group was best known for their string of 1960s hits including "Glad All Over," "Bits And Pieces," "Because," "Any Way You Want It," "Catch Us If You Can," "Over And Over," and "Having A Wild Weekend." Their sound differed from many of their British counterparts, with the organ and saxophone, rather than the guitar, forming the primary sound of their records. All told, the group racked up a total of 18 appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show, more than any other musical act.
Dave Clark Five lead singer, keyboardist and main songwriter Mike Smith died on February 28th of pneumonia, Smith's illness stemmed from a complication from a spinal cord injury he suffered in September 2003 when he fell from his roof in Spain. The accident left him paralyzed below the ribs. Smith had been hospitalized since the fall and was just released this past December. Prior to his recent illness had been planning to make the trip to the induction ceremony.
Beatlefan magazine's executive editor Al Sussman says that most people don't realize that although the Dave Clark Five are synonymous with the British Invasion, they were always far more popular in the U.S. than they were in their native Britain: "What happened was, it became apparent very quickly to Dave Clark that they were much bigger here than they were in England. Because after 'Glad All Over' and 'Bits And Pieces,' they didn't have another big hit until 'Catch Us If You Can.' They appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show more than any other band at that time."
Tom Hanks will induct the band into the Hall at the ceremony. Hanks utilized the Dave Clark Five's visual style for the fictional band the Wonders in his 1996 directorial debut That Thing You Do.
Joan Jett will perform for the Dave Clark Five, backed by the all star Beatles cover band, the Fab Faux, featuring musicians from The Late Show With David Letterman and Late Night With Conan O'Brien.
THE VENTURES
The 1960s surf-instrumental legends the Ventures scored a Top Ten hit twice with their song "Walk, Don't Run," in 1960 and again in 1964. In 1969 the band went on to hit the Top Ten again with their version of "Hawaii Five-O." The group, who were among the first to professionally endorse both Fender and Mosrite guitars, influenced literally hundreds of thousands of aspiring guitar players with their unique brand of West Coast rock. Throughout the years guitarists such as George Harrison, Jeff Beck, Peter Frampton, and Stephen Stills, among many others, have name checked the Ventures as among their early influences.
Cofounder and rhythm guitarist Don Wilson feels that the band's induction tonight is a long time coming: "I think it's way overdue, because we've been passed by for 22 years of eligibility. And I'm happy about it -- I will say that. So like I say, I don't like the word 'posthumously.' So I did get it in my lifetime. I'm satisfied and I'm happy."
The Ventures will be inducted by longtime fan John Fogerty, who is expected to perform with the band.
LEONARD COHEN
Singer-songwriter Leonard Cohen best known for such classics as "Suzanne," "Bird On The Wire," and "Hallelujah" will be inducted by Lou Reed.
LITTLE WALTER
Blues legend Little Walter will be inducted as part of the sideman category for his seminal harmonica work in the late 1950s with Muddy Waters. Little Walter will be inducted by Ben Harper.
KENNY GAMBLE AND LEON HUFF
Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff co-founded Philadelphia International Records, and are responsible for writing and/or producing such legendary hits as Lou Rawls' "You'll Never Find Another Love Like Mine," "Groovy People" and "Lady Love"; the O'Jays' "Love Train," and "For The Love Of Money"; Billy Paul's "Me And Mrs. Jones"; Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes' "If You Don't Know Me By Now"; the Jacksons' "Enjoy Yourself"; and many, many other classics.
Jerry Butler will induct Gamble and Huff, and Patti Labelle will perform for them.
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The show airs live on VH1 Classic beginning at 8:30 pm.
2008 ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES
MADONNA
Madonna is one of rock and roll's most recognized icons. Through her acrobatic dance-oriented live shows and string of hits singles beginning in the early 1980s, Madonna came to redefine the role and span of the female pop singer. Along with Michael Jackson, Prince, among others, Madonna's music, choreography and image have come to embody the 1980s MTV generation.
In 2003, Madonna told the Today show that she'd like her music to appeal to as many people as possible because the more albums she sells -- the more money she'll be able to raise to help others through her humanitarian efforts: "Would I like people of all ages to be interested in my music? Yes. For one reason and one reason only -- no, for two reasons. One is I feel like I have a lot of pertinent and important messages that I would like to get across and if young kids hear it then that's great. Two is -- the more records I sell, the more money I make. And the more money I make, the more I can help other people."
Madonna will be inducted by Justin Timberlake, with fellow Detroiters the Stooges, featuring Iggy Pop, performing for her.
JOHN MELLENCAMP
Since launching his career over 35 years ago, John Mellencamp has brought a voice to the Midwest working man. Since his breakout as a singles artist in the late 1970s, Mellencamp was among the few "heartland rockers" to consistently crossover onto the Top Ten charts. His grassroots brand of rock and roll has come to embrace the various social and political issues that continue to confront Americans of his generation and those that have followed. In 1985 Mellencamp helped organize Farm Aid with Willie Nelson and Neil Young.
Mellencamp says that he's always aimed for the higher ground when writing his songs: "I have been trying to write inspirational songs, in the way of... not Irving Berlin, but more in the way of Woody Guthrie, to try to make people feel good about themselves."
Billy Joel will induct Mellencamp into the Hall tonight.
DAVE CLARK FIVE
The Dave Clark Five were the second British invasion act to infiltrate the U.S. shores, after the Beatles. The group was best known for their string of 1960s hits including "Glad All Over," "Bits And Pieces," "Because," "Any Way You Want It," "Catch Us If You Can," "Over And Over," and "Having A Wild Weekend." Their sound differed from many of their British counterparts, with the organ and saxophone, rather than the guitar, forming the primary sound of their records. All told, the group racked up a total of 18 appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show, more than any other musical act.
Dave Clark Five lead singer, keyboardist and main songwriter Mike Smith died on February 28th of pneumonia, Smith's illness stemmed from a complication from a spinal cord injury he suffered in September 2003 when he fell from his roof in Spain. The accident left him paralyzed below the ribs. Smith had been hospitalized since the fall and was just released this past December. Prior to his recent illness had been planning to make the trip to the induction ceremony.
Beatlefan magazine's executive editor Al Sussman says that most people don't realize that although the Dave Clark Five are synonymous with the British Invasion, they were always far more popular in the U.S. than they were in their native Britain: "What happened was, it became apparent very quickly to Dave Clark that they were much bigger here than they were in England. Because after 'Glad All Over' and 'Bits And Pieces,' they didn't have another big hit until 'Catch Us If You Can.' They appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show more than any other band at that time."
Tom Hanks will induct the band into the Hall at the ceremony. Hanks utilized the Dave Clark Five's visual style for the fictional band the Wonders in his 1996 directorial debut That Thing You Do.
Joan Jett will perform for the Dave Clark Five, backed by the all star Beatles cover band, the Fab Faux, featuring musicians from The Late Show With David Letterman and Late Night With Conan O'Brien.
THE VENTURES
The 1960s surf-instrumental legends the Ventures scored a Top Ten hit twice with their song "Walk, Don't Run," in 1960 and again in 1964. In 1969 the band went on to hit the Top Ten again with their version of "Hawaii Five-O." The group, who were among the first to professionally endorse both Fender and Mosrite guitars, influenced literally hundreds of thousands of aspiring guitar players with their unique brand of West Coast rock. Throughout the years guitarists such as George Harrison, Jeff Beck, Peter Frampton, and Stephen Stills, among many others, have name checked the Ventures as among their early influences.
Cofounder and rhythm guitarist Don Wilson feels that the band's induction tonight is a long time coming: "I think it's way overdue, because we've been passed by for 22 years of eligibility. And I'm happy about it -- I will say that. So like I say, I don't like the word 'posthumously.' So I did get it in my lifetime. I'm satisfied and I'm happy."
The Ventures will be inducted by longtime fan John Fogerty, who is expected to perform with the band.
LEONARD COHEN
Singer-songwriter Leonard Cohen best known for such classics as "Suzanne," "Bird On The Wire," and "Hallelujah" will be inducted by Lou Reed.
LITTLE WALTER
Blues legend Little Walter will be inducted as part of the sideman category for his seminal harmonica work in the late 1950s with Muddy Waters. Little Walter will be inducted by Ben Harper.
KENNY GAMBLE AND LEON HUFF
Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff co-founded Philadelphia International Records, and are responsible for writing and/or producing such legendary hits as Lou Rawls' "You'll Never Find Another Love Like Mine," "Groovy People" and "Lady Love"; the O'Jays' "Love Train," and "For The Love Of Money"; Billy Paul's "Me And Mrs. Jones"; Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes' "If You Don't Know Me By Now"; the Jacksons' "Enjoy Yourself"; and many, many other classics.
Jerry Butler will induct Gamble and Huff, and Patti Labelle will perform for them.
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