Rock Hall of Famers Bonnie Raitt, the Ramones, and Otis Redding
Bonnie Raitt is an unlikely hall member. She represents determination, and it is perhaps this long-term dedication from her 1971 debut until her 1986 blockbuster Nick of Time that assured her nomination. It’s the old underdog that makes it big story. Nick of Time is a very good album particularly the title track and the John Hiatt penned Thing Called Love. 1991’s Luck of the Draw gave us Something to Talk About and I Can’t Make You Love Me continued her success. Bonnie was a cult artist, critic darling that made it. But then again, it could have been critically acclaimed frequent collaborators John Hiatt or Delbert McClinton in the same role.
Although bands like the Stooges and the MC5 were early punk rockers, The Ramones made punk rock cool. They were the kings of CBGB’s, but their works garnered more acclaim in England than the U.S. initially. Blitkrieg Bop, Sheena is a Punk Rocker, Rock & Roll High School, and Do You Wanna Dance were fast-paced frenetic rock. We needed that. They deserve their membership.
Otis Redding was a southern soul man who could let it all hang out. His original version of Respect, cover of Satisfaction, and Hard to Handle, and I Can’t Turn You Loose are turbo-charged rock and soul classics. You can just hear the sweat pouring out of them. I’ve Been Loving You Too Long is an essential slow ballad that is often overlooked on oldies stations. Try a Little Tenderness starts out slow and keeps getting faster and faster until it seems like it will burst out of your speakers. Otis died too soon at 26. He left us (sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay. Otis is the rubric by which all soul artists should be judged for membership. If you don’t believe me watch his performance from D. A. Pennebaker’s Monterey Pop or Shake! Otis at Monterey.
posted by Randy Black @ 12:47 PM
3 Comments:
Can't say I ever "got" the Ramones, but Bonnie Raitt and Otis Redding always did it for me.
Regarding "Respect," I read somewhere that when Redding heard Aretha Franklin's cover of that song, he exclaimed, "That little girl has taken my song" meaning that after Aretha's version, his would not get nearly as much attention.
I seem to listen much more to music I liked before the nineties than anything since. I guess I am old. LOL
Your age is not the problem. It is the record companies abandonment of quality for quantity. They want the fast buck. It is interesting to note that every once in a while an artist realizes that they never should have turned their back on their defining style for the trends of the day or quit performing. When this happens with artists such as Johnny Cash, Loretta Lynn, and Roy Orbison, their careers are ressurected. One would hope that Stevie Wonder, Paul McCartney, and other legends would take note.
Your age is not the problem. It is the record companies abandonment of quality for quantity. They want the fast buck. It is interesting to note that every once in a while an artist realizes that they never should have turned their back on their defining style for the trends of the day or quit performing. When this happens with artists such as Johnny Cash, Loretta Lynn, and Roy Orbison, their careers are ressurected. One would hope that Stevie Wonder, Paul McCartney, and other legends would take note.
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