I need a break from the constant drivel of politics running through my head. I was watching a vlog last night before going to bed. It is the Professor of Rock. I find his nostalgia amusing, his countdowns interesting, and his love of music sincere. The particular episode was about underrated women singers. Eva Cassidy was his #1 on this particular episode, but something earlier in the countdown reminded me of a disservice the Rock Hall of Fame in Cleveland, OH has performed. Is it politics? Is it a dislike of the genre, style, or artistry? Is it pettiness.

I have my own countdown of artists deserving of Rock n Roll Hall Fame honors. I feel these artists have been snubbed far too long and are worthy of induction.

#5 – The Tower of Power Horns (Stephen “Doc” Kupka & Emilo Castillo and dozens of others.) Doc and Emilio are the last two founding members of the band Tower of Power to still be kicking that soul/funk groove. The band is older than I am and I keep discovering new stuff that I never knew existed by them. The discography by the TOP Horn section outside of Tower of Power is mind blowing. Here is a sample: Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band Soundtrack (1978,) Even it Up – Heart (1980,) Havana Moon – Santana (1983,) Several Huey Lewis and the News recordings (1985 etc,) We Too are One – Eurythmics (1989,) and Chicago, Aerosmith, Dan Fogelberg, Phish, Spyro Gyra, Stevie Nicks, Fishbone, Eric Clapton, War, and many more… https://towerofpower.com/horn-section-discography These cats have put a lot of sound to tape and digital recording over the years and they have received nada, zip, zero recognition for their hard work. They have been consummate professionals as sidemen for decades. They deserve to be in the hall… While we are at it include Jerry Hey in the mix with TOP. Great players, arrangers, and musicians…

#4 – Gloria Estefan (and the Miami Sound Machine.) Before Selena, Shakira, J-Lo, and every other Latina superstar we had Gloria Estefan. She has recorded 16 albums as a solo artist and 10 albums with the Miami Sound Machine prior to her solo work. Estefan has been a breakthrough artist for Latin Americans. She was the most significant Latina/Hispanic artist to reach my ears outside of Santana in rural white America. Her musical tapestry of danceable and singable Latin inspired pop broke through all of the synthesized brooding pop music of the second British invasion. With or without the MSM Gloria Estefan deserves more from the RRHOF. I personally love her Spanish releases as much as her English releases. Oye Mi Canto was a favorite of mine in my youth. Check it out.

#3- Tears for Fears This British Pop/New Wave Duo has been a part of my life since my freshman year in high school. Even though their catalog consists of seven albums the first three records alone are worthy of hall admission. The Hurting, Songs from the Big Chair, and Seeds of Love are great recordings. Songs from the Big Chair is a perfect record top to bottom. The attention to orchestration on all of their records create underlying drama. I could draw references to how Franz Schubert inspired this use of “tonal painting” in his song cycles, with Tears for Fears orchestration and production. This group is my favorite British Band of the era. They supplant Depeche Mode and the Pet Shop Boys with the richer diversity of musicianship. If we can put Chubby Checker in the Hall for the seventy versions of the Twist. We can put in Tears for Fears… and the other two bands I just mentioned. BTW my students sing Everyone Wants to Rule the World if I play it. I was frankly surprised that they knew it.

#2- Huey Lewis and the News Why have they been neglected? Is it the genre? Is it the quirkiness? Is it the shallow word play overtop a soul band? Huey Lewis and the News were the sound Northern California in the 80’s. They paid tribute to the classics on Four Chords and Several Years Ago. They put a little funk into their step with Small World. They gave us a little Country-Rock and Soul with Sports. It’s Hip to Be Square man!!! They even got a noticed by Bret Easton Ellis in his novel American Psycho. Were they too mainstream for the hall? Why??? They were successful and they brought that Oakland Bay Area sound to the world. When they had the TOP horns play with them it just made them groovier. They made the ordinary cool… just like Buddy Holly… If that isn’t rock n roll… then I’m out of my league.

Honorable Mention – Styx If the original line up stayed together I think they would be in, but the drama of the early 90’s with Dennis DeYoung’s illness and friction with Tommy Shaw and James Young going on without him have kind of soured the brand name that is Styx. Crystal Ball, The Grand Illusion, Pieces of Eight, and Paradise Theatre are the core of a successful inclusion into the RRHOF. Kilroy was Here is cheesy, but more younger people know that record. The records after Kilroy just sputter on seven cylinders. I still love those 1970’s records. I’m not Fooling Myself either.

#1 – Phil Collins Why isn’t Phil Collins in the Hall Already for his solo work. He was in the Top 40 for like five years straight with solo albums, film songs, and of course some work with Genesis. He even appeared in film and television. His solo work is awesome. No Jacket Required is pure gold for the time. His duet with Philip Bailey is one of the greatest of the decade. I think it beats the McCartney/Jackson Say Say Say and even the Parton/Rogers Islands in a Stream by leaps and bounds. It is beyond time for the RRHOF to include the musical mastery of Phil Collins the Solo Artist. Sting is in as a solo artist. Now it is time for Phil Collins…

There you have it…. My Countdown of Hall Snubs… It is my list. It is inspired by Rick Beato and The Professor of Rock. I did teach college like Rick, but I have never produced or recorded anything in popular music. I recorded some concert band works. That was hard enough as a conductor. Thanks for reading…

…so it goes…

Su Su Sussudio….