Dr. John is another Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee who made it in on his first ballot, though he had to wait 17 years after his initial eligibility.
The singer-songwriter was a staple of the New Orleans music scene, blending traditional jazz and R&B with modern soul and funk. He won six Grammys and released dozens of albums as both a band leader and a supporting artist. His biggest hit was ‘Right Place Wrong Time,’ which made it to #9 on the Billboard Hot 100.
The next inductee into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2011 is singer-songwriter Neil Diamond.
Diamond was first eligible for the Hall in 1989 but went unnominated until the year he got in. At least he made it on his first ballot, though I’d argue it was a couple of decades late. Say what you will about Diamond — bemoan his corniness and the schlocky quality of some of his material — but the man is a beloved hitmaker whose songs have been performed by artists of all genres.
Four months ago I featured the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2012, and this week I’ll continue my journey back in time by focusing on the Class of 2011. Seven inductees were named that year and I’ll cover each of them in alphabetical order.
First up is Alice Cooper, the heavy metal provocateur considered the “Godfather of Shock Rock.’ Cooper is the stage name of Vincent Damon Furnier, and also the name of the band he fronted for several years in the early 70s before he embarked on a decades-long solo career.
Duran Duran held on to the top spot of the Hot 100 the week of July 20, 1985, with ‘A View to a Kill,’ but hot on their heels was Prince with ‘Raspberry Beret.’ The song peaked there, one of three Prince songs to stall out one slot short of #1 (‘Purple Rain’ and ‘U Got the Look’ are the other two).
This is one of 18 top ten songs for Prince, and one of 13 in his signature decade. The 80s also accounted for four of his five #1 hits.
The week of July 19, 1975, found Wings atop the Billboard Hot 100 with ‘Listen to What the Man Said,’ the leadoff single from the album Venus and Mars. This was the third of five #1 hits by Wings during the 70s.
This is the song I know least of those five, which include ‘My Love,’ ‘Silly Love Songs,’ ‘Band on the Run,’ and ‘With a Little Luck.’ I’m sure I’ve heard this before but it doesn’t exactly ring a bell.
Meet Me In Montauk 