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Song of the Day #6,231: ‘Tight Rope’ – Leon Russell

Returning to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2011, our next featured inductee is singer-songwriter and highly sought after session musician Leon Russell.

Russell was born in Lawton, Oklahoma, where an injury during childbirth led to minor paralysis on the right side of his body. His piano playing had to favor his left hand, resulting in his distinctive sound. He moved to Los Angeles in the 60s and played with a laundry list of artists way too long to name here. Think of somebody famous and he likely showed up on at least one of their songs.

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Song of the Day #6,230: ‘What’s New Pussycat?’ – Tom Jones

The week of July 27, 1965, saw a couple of repeats atop the Billboard Hot 100: The Rolling Stones’ ‘(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction‘ and Herman’s Hermits’ ‘I’m Henry VIII, I Am.’

In third place that week was the titular theme song from the film What’s New Pussycat?, written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David, and performed by Tom Jones. Jones was reluctant to sing this crazy tune but was convinced by Bacharach that it could work only with a boisterous voice like his.

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Song of the Day #6,229: ‘If I May’ – Nat King Cole

Throwing back to the week of July 26, 1955, we find Bill Haley and the Comets holding on to the top spot with ‘Rock Around the Clock.’ And really, that’s how it should be… imagine when a song that iconic and genre-defining was just a new release.

Nat King Cole held the #2 spot, with both sides of his ‘A Blossom Fell‘ single designated as the runner-up that week. This was during a time when Billboard would combine the performance of a double-sided hit and assign the results to both songs.

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Song of the Day #6,228: ‘He’s a Rebel’ – The Blossoms (credited to The Crystals)

Darlene Love’s induction on the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’s Class of 2011 raised a few eyebrows. While nobody questioned her vocal talent, her lack of credits as a solo artist prompted some to suggest she was included primarily due to her connections (having Bruce Springsteen in your corner can’t hurt).

Love was lead singer of The Blossoms (not in the Hall) and a background vocalist for scores of major artists, including Frank Sinatra, The Beach Boys, Elvis Presley, Tom Jones, Dionne Warwick, and Sam Cooke. I suppose it’s fair that a prolific background singer deserves recognition, but it’s a bit odd that she made it in 13 years before, say, Warwick.

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Song of the Day #6,227: ‘Light My Fire’ – The Doors

The next Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee from the Class of 2011 is not The Doors, but rather the man who signed them (along with many other artists) to his Elektra Records label — Jac Holzman.

Holzman was one of two recipients of 2011’s Ahmet Ertegun Award, given to non-performers who have made a substantial behind-the-scenes contribution to popular music.

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