Simon and Garfunkel to Dusty Springfield: A Continued Critique of the Rock Hall of Fame

Simon and Garfunkel are too cool not to be in the rock hall of fame. Without them the silver girls wouldn’t sail so smoothly, Joe Dimaggio may have had a moment of privacy, and we would not have wept at our darkness salutations. Besides, they originally performed under the names Tom and Jerry.

If Paul Simon had only released Graceland he would deserve his membership due to the its American introduction to what sounds like a Sun Records recording of South African rhythms coupled with fantastic lyrics. Yet, Paul had given us so much more. We learned 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover, went Slip Sliding Away, and found out that Dixie Humingbirds sure could harmonize while our baby loved us like a rock. ‘nuff said.

Sly and the Family Stone (Boom – Shakalaka, etc. )took us higher and higher, and apparently he went higher as well or at least he had Hot Fun in the Summertime. Sly rocked and Larry Graham laid some bottom for the dancers. They are not my favorites but, they belong.

Dusty Springfield had an incredible voice on You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me and she fell in love with the Son of a Preacherman and eventually became Justified and Ancient. I just think that she doesn’t belong. Talented, yes. Hall of Fame, yes. Rock Hall of Fame, no.