Congratulations Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2014

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All of us at Don Kirshner’s Rock Concert would like to congratulate the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2014:

Cat Stevens was one of the most popular singer-songwriters of the ‘60s and ‘70s, responsible for hits such as “Wild World,” “Father and Son,” and “Peace Train.” In the 80s he dropped out of the music business after a public conversion to the Muslim faith and changed is name to Yusuf Islam. For the next several years he would focus on recording devotional music and only recently has he performed and recorded secular tunes.

Daryl Hall and John Oates were the most successful recording duo of their era. With a long string of hits such as “She’s Gone” and “Man Eater,” they released 13 albums that went either gold or platinum. They were even pronounced the most successful rock duo of all time by Billboard Magazine. With their laid back, easy going style, they had long, successful careers that continue to this day.

Nirvana was at once the 90s greatest success story and its greatest tragedy. Led by their inscrutable frontman Kurt Cobain, the band’s music spoke to the youthful angst of Generation X.  One of the most successful acts of the Seattle grunge scene, the band achieved massive fame following the release of their 1991 album Nevermind and its smash hit single “Smells Like Teen Spirit.” After releasing just 3 studio albums, the band dissolved following the shocking death of Kurt Cobain in April of 1994. Surviving members Dave Grohl and Krist Novoselic released the live recording of their MTV Unplugged session, featuring hauntingly restrained renditions of several Nirvana songs as well as covers of some of Cobain’s favorite artists.

Linda Ronstadt was without a doubt one of the top female solo artists of the 70s. She wrote and recorded in a diverse array of styles such as rock, folk, jazz, and country. Her highly successful solo career earned a plethora of accolades including 11 Grammy awards.

KISS changed the perception of what a rock band could be with their trademark makeup, explosive live shows, and their die-hard fans dubbed the KISS Army. The band was founded by Gene Simmons, Ace Frehley, Paul Stanley, and Peter Criss in the early 70s and grew into one of the decade’s most iconic groups. Their affinity for pyrotechnics, body armor, and space-age sets secured their place as one of rock’s top spectacles. In addition, with their own brand of action figures, lunch boxes, and comic books, they become one of the most well marketed bands in rock history since The Beatles.

Peter Gabriel first came to prominence as the lead singer of the popular progressive rock group Genesis. After leaving the group to start a solo career, Gabriel initially struggled to carry on the success he had with his former band. After releasing four self-titled albums, he recorded So, the best selling record of his career. Among several hits was the song “In Your Eyes,” which was immortalized by its use in the signature scene of the 1989 film Say Anything.  In addition, Gabriel found great success among the MTV generation with his innovative use of the music video, which conveyed the experimentalism that had always been present in his music. The video for the song “Sledgehammer” won nine MTV Video Music Awards, a record that stands to this day, and is the most played video in the network’s history. In addition to his music, Gabriel has spent much of his career involved in humanitarian efforts such as Amnesty International and the campaign against apartheid in South Africa. Genesis was inducted into the Hall in 2010, making Gabriel a two-time inductee.

Though a talented group in their own right, The E-Street Band will be forever linked through their work with Bruce Springsteen. Born out of the music scene of Asbury Park, New Jersey, the band was founded by saxophonist Clarence Clemons, bassist Garry Tallent, and keyboardist Danny Federici. Guitarist Steven Van Zandt, keyboardist Roy Bittan, and drummer Max Weinberg would later join to form the classic lineup that would back Springsteen on his first seven studio albums. The band’s big sound would play a major role in shaping some of the Boss’ most memorable albums such as Born to Run, Darkness on the Edge of Town, and Born in the USA.

Brian Epstein is perhaps the most important manager in rock history. In 1961, during a visit to Liverpool’s Cavern Club, Epstein discovered a local foursome named The Beatles. Epstein saw great potential in the group and signed on to represent them. Through the use of his business savvy he was able to successfully market The Beatles’ natural talent and charm, which led to them becoming the UK’s most popular band. Epstein was also instrumental in arranging the group’s first visit to the United States in order to make their debut on The Ed Sullivan Show, sparking Beatlemania. Epstein would continue as The Beatles manager and confidant until his unexpected death in 1967 at the age of 32.

Andrew Loog Oldham started off as a publicist working on promoting acts such as The Beatles and Bob Dylan, which led to him crossing paths with a burgeoning London rhythm and blues band called the Rollin’ Stones. Though only 19, he was signed on to be their manager. Under his advice, they altered their name to The Rolling Stones and obtained a recording contract with Decca Records, who were still reeling from their failure to sign The Beatles. He is also widely credited with promoting the Stones’ bad boy image, which was a marked contrast from many of the other “clean cut” bands of the subsequent “British Invasion.”

Bands

Bob Marley & The Wailers on Don Kirshner’s Rock Concert

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There are very few artists who even after their death continue to influence and captivate millions of people with their music. Bob Marley is one of those artists.  Today, May 11th, marks the 31st anniversary of the passing of the Jamaican reggae superstar Robert Nesta “Bob” Marley, who sadly lost his battle to cancer and died at only 36 years of age.

Despite having died so young, Marley left behind an enduring legacy that extends across all musical genres, ages and cultures around the world. Not only did his music make an impact that will last forever, but his philosophies, beliefs and way of being, transcended class, race and art around the globe.

On November 20th 1977, like almost every other big act of the 1970’s, Bob Marley & the Wailers (including Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer) appeared on Don Kirshner’s Rock Concert. Before their performance, Don Kirshner gave a long introduction stating the following: “Marley is the most important arrival in rock since Bruce Springsteen. Marley is a provocative songwriter, a highly convincing vocalist and a stunning performer. Bob Marley transcends reggae music and makes him a vital part of the pop-rock mainstream.”

Bob Marley and The Wailers began their performance performing “No Woman, No Cry.”  Marley started off singing an intro of just vocals while running around the stage with his trademark energy and passion.  As soon as they started performing, Marley, the Wailers and everyone on the stage were all moving to the catchy reggae beat.  Later that night, the band performed some of their other hits including, “Jammin’,” “Exodus,” “Crazy Baldhead” and “Running Away.”

Kirshner was right by saying that Marley was a stunning performer. He truly was, and he passed on his great energy to the rest of his band, which help make all of their performances lively, captivating and engaging.

What made Bob Marley an outlier from most music icons from the 20th century is that he was an everyman with whom many identified.  He was kind and humble, yet revolutionary. He managed to convey political and social messages across through his music with songs like “I Shot the Sheriff” and “Get Up Stand Up.”  Both songs still resonate with audiences and provide calls to action.

Marley’s songs of faith, devotion, and revolution created a legacy that has remained strong over the years. Through the music of his extended family, as well as the music of many artists from different music genres, who for generations have incorporated Bob Marley’s influence in their music and lifestyles.

Bands

Rod Stewart on Don Kirshner’s Rock Concert

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This week in 1971, Rod Stewart topped the charts with the release of his acclaimed song “Maggie May.”  Initially a B-side to the single “Reason to Believe,” the song went No. 1 in the U.S., U.K., and Australia. Every Picture Tells A Story, the album containing the hit, went No. 1 upon its initial release as well.  Maggie May was ranked #130 in Rolling Stone magazine’s list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.  A performance of Maggie May, filmed in England, was featured on Don Kirshner’s Rock Concert in 1974.

Rod Stewart was highly regarded in his early career for combining folk, blues, country, and rock influences into his own unique musical style.  With a career spanning over 50 years, he has become one of the best selling artists of all time.  He has sold over 100 million records, achieved six No. 1 albums, and sixteen Top 10 singles.  He has been ranked #17 on Billboard magazine’s Hot 100 Top All-Time Artists and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994.   Stewart was also given a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in February 2006 and to this day continues to produce soul driven music and tour around the world.