Daily Dirt: Scrutinizing this year’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame selections

Lionel Richie is probably my favorite selection of the 2022 class … Welcome to today’s three thoughts that make up Vol. 277 of The Daily Dirt.

1. Earlier this week, the Rock and Roll of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio, announced its 2022 class of inductees.

Selected in the Performer Category — the one we all care about most — were the following:

• Pat Benatar: Excellent choice, just enough edge to her music to broaden her appeal over several different genres. “Hit Me With Your Best Shot” is my Pat Benatar favorite.
• Duran Duran: I don’t question the validity of this selection, I have just never been a fan, so I don’t really have a favorite song by the group.
• Eminem: Seriously? Rap music deserves its own hall of fame, but it certainly doesn’t belong in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
• Dolly Parton: I have enjoyed a wide variety of her songs, but I’m still not sure how the country music legend qualifies for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
• Eurythmics: A long string of hits and a strong fan base. “Would I Lie To You” was my favorite. Annie Lennox is one of the all-time great female voices. She has always had interesting hair, too.
• Lionel Richie: A great, great voice, both as front man for the Commodores and as a solo artist. This might be my favorite overall 2022 selection. My personal favorites from Richie, who is now 72, will always be “Penny Lover” and “Stuck On You”.
• Carly Simon: My favorite Carly Simon effort? Obviously, “You’re So Vain”. It’s hard to believe she is now 76. I bought my first Carly Simon album in 1971.

2. Speaking of the Rock and Roll of Fame, here is my updated list on the most deserving omissions. It’s a travesty these acts remain on the outside looking:

1. Grass Roots: One of the super groups from late 1960s and much of the 1970s, the Rob Grill-fueled sound was always a perfect fit for AM radio. Favorite song: “Midnight Confessions”. (Years having been eligible: 31.)

2. Three Dog Night: This group could easily be No. 1 on this list. How in the world these guys have been denied for almost three decades is beyond common sense. Favorite song: “Joy To The World”. (Years having been eligible: 29.)

3. Barry White: There will never another Barry White, whose lifestyle helped take him from us at the relatively tender age of 58. That deep, sensual bass/baritone voice earned two Grammys and won over the hearts of millions. Once again, what do these voters consider before filling out their ballots? Favorite song: “Can’t Get Enough Of Your Love Babe”. (Years having been eligible: 35.)

4. The Monkees: Only drummer/sometimes lead singer Mickey Dolenz remains from the original four. It would be such a shame if they are not inducted before all have passed. Favorite song: “Daydream Believer”. (Years having been eligible: 32.)

5. The Spinners: So many years, so many hits, so popular. What’s the deal, voters: Favorite song: “Working My Way Back To You”. (Years having been eligible: 37.)

6. Cher: Either as part of the Sonny & Cher duo, or as an individual artist, Cher should be enshrined in Cleveland. Favorite song: “I Found Someone (To Take Away The Heartache)”. (Years having been eligible: 33.)

7. Carpenters: Until Karen Carpenter’s tragic passing in 1983 at age 32, she and her brother, Richard, set the standard for romantic rock. We’ll never know what this gifted artist might have accomplished. Paul McCartney has said Karen Carpenter had “the best female voice in the world”. Sir Paul was right. Favorite song: “Superstar”. (Years having been eligible: 29.)

3. Keeping with today’s music theme, 50 years ago (that would be 1972 for those mathematically challenged), I think it would be safe to say “soft rock” was the voice of the nation.

These were the songs that held the No. 1 Billboard position for the longest that year:

“Alone Again (Naturally),” Gilbert O’Sullivan: For those who remember this song, you probably also remember it was also the song that would never, ever, ever end. Somehow, it was No. 1 for 6 (long) weeks.

“The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face,” Roberta Flack: The slowest song in history. I. Hated. Every. Second. Of. It. And it was also No. 1 for 6 weeks. Might as well have been 6 years.

“I Can See Clearly Now,” Johnny Nash: I actually liked this song quite a bit, but after awhile it just needed to go away. It held the No. 1 position for 4 weeks.

“Without You,” Harry Nilsson: No. 1 for 4 weeks. A terrible song. 

“American Pie,” Don McLean: One of rock’s all-time classics, even at 8 minutes, 37 seconds. To this day, every time I listen to this song I discover another meaning or intention within those marvelous lyrics. It was No. 1 for 4 weeks. Should have been 104.

Steve Thought O’ The Day — Steve loves all American pies.

Steve Eighinger writes daily for Muddy River News. Get this man some pie!