More on the Rock Hall of Fame - Darin, Diddley, and Dion

Bobby Darin's music, at times, was much like the music that came out during the interval between Elvis Presley’s induction in the army and the Beatles’ invasion when music became cleaner cut than the all out rock before and after. Although Bobby came out rocking with Splish Splash and Queen of the Hop, his later hits Beyond the Sea and Mack the Knife were typically more conservative, traditional pop. To Bobby’s credit his charisma outshone Frankie Avalon, Fabian, and other sweater clad pop stars. Bobby’s cover of Tim Hardin’s If I were a Carpenter for his last hit was a wise choice. Perhaps that aided Bobby's induction.

Bo Diddley had his "Bo Diddley", become an R&B hit in 1955. Before long, Diddley's distorted, amplified, custom-made guitar, with its rectangular shape and pumping rhythm style became a familiar, much-imitated trademark, as did his self-referential songs with such titles as "Bo Diddley's A Gunslinger", "Diddley Daddy" and "Bo's A Lumberjack". His jive-talking routine with "Say Man". The Bo Diddley beat became an instantly recognized part of every capable artist’s repertoire. Compare the tune with the Strangeloves I Want Candy and the Dovells’ Bristol Stomp. Bo knows rock and roll.

Dion made doo-wop street rock. Dion and the Belmonts were the leather wearing tough guys that people like Lou Reed, Bruce Springsteen, and even the Fonz idolized. Dion’s exterior was tough. He was the Wanderer who hung out with Runaround Sue. Yet, on the inside, Dion was a tender soul who sang about being a Teenager in Love. Dion’s tribute to Abraham Lincoln, John Kennedy, Bobby Kenedy, and Martin Luther King, Abraham, Martin and John, ranks amongs the best tributes in rock history. Dion’s entrance into the hall is a no-brainer.