God of Thunder

New York, New York, November 20, 2003 -The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation is proud to announce the 2004 Inductees in the “Performer” category. The announcement was made today by Suzan Evans, Executive Director of the Foundation.


The following artists will be inducted at the Nineteenth Annual Induction Ceremony, which will be held Monday, March 15th in New York at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel:


Jackson Browne -- For more than three decades, Jackson Browne has been one of rock’s consummate singer-songwriters. Writing intricately crafted, deeply personal songs, he made his mark as a master chronicler of the affairs of the heart.


The Dells -- The Dells began recording in 1953 and still perform today with virtually all original members. They have performed and charted in every decade since the Fifties, making them one of the most influential vocal groups of all time.


George Harrison -- Post-Beatles, George Harrison’s career spanned three decades during which he not only furthered his artistry as a musician, songwriter, and producer (of music and numerous films), but as a humanitarian on the world stage.


Prince – Self-produced since his debut at age 20, Prince is one of the most unpredictable as well as one of the most magnificently charismatic figures in the entire pop landscape. His fusion of rock, funk, soul, metal and punk has defied all stereotypes.


Bob Seger – Detroit’s standard-bearer of rock and soul began his multi-platinum streak in 1975, followed by a decade of nearly 20 consecutive top 40 singles, all of which celebrated Bob Seger’s allegiance to and love affair with the music that provided his escape from an impoverished childhood.


Traffic -- Nurtured in the communal flush of the British Invasion, Traffic outgrew its
psychedelic pop roots to become a true fusion group – melding a folk-inspired simplicity with bluesy jazz improv that was given plenty of space on its extended compositions.


ZZ Top -- With the Texas soul, outlaw boogie, and souped-up hot rod funk served up by the durable power trio of Billy Gibbons, Dusty Hill and Frank Beard – ZZ Top – is literally the last word in rock. Three-plus decades on, these Funky Kings might just go on forever.


In commenting on this year’s inductees, Evans said, “These inductees represent many influential genres of rock and roll, including pop, funk, soul, boogie and psychedelia. We expect this year’s show to be unique and exciting with highly anticipated moments.”


Artists become eligible for induction 25 years after the release of their first record. Criteria considered includes the influence and significance of the artist's contribution to the development and perpetuation of rock and roll.


The Foundation's nominating committee, composed of rock and roll historians, selects nominees each year in the "artist" category. Ballots are then sent to an international voting body of about 700 rock experts.


The honoree in the Lifetime Achievement Award in the Non-Performer Category will be announced shortly.


The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation was formed in 1983 and the first induction ceremony was held in 1986. All inductees are represented in the "Hall of Fame", a permanent exhibit at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame & Museum, in Cleveland Ohio.

__________________
I reject your reality, and substitute my own

-- Adam Savage

perripken

It's a shame they waited until after George was dead to honor him.

__________________
And in the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.
Abraham Lincoln

God of Thunder

Yes it is, but as a Michigander, I'm thrilled to see Bob Seger finally get inducted.

He has been working his ass off in this area since the 60's. Unfortunately no one outside of this area had really heard of him until the mid to late 70s.

__________________
I reject your reality, and substitute my own

-- Adam Savage

perripken

Oh yeah, Mr. Seger would've been on my Hall of Fame list a long time ago...Man...I wish he'd tour again!

__________________
And in the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.
Abraham Lincoln

JohnnyRock

Jackson Browne?!!?!!?!?

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Not only do I not know the answer...I don't even know what the question is!!!

Conclamo Ludus

Heavy music, heavy music, heavy music, heavy music, heavy music...

Seger rocks. Smokin' OPs is the best. I'm glad to see George in there and ZZ Top, and Prince too. Its good crew. I have know idea about Jackson Browne though. Never heard his music that I know of.

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Lord, have mercy on my wicked soul
I wouldn't mistreat you baby, for my weight in gold.
-Son House, Death Letter Blues

onetime2

It's rare that I don't object to at least someone on the list going into a hall of fame. This is one of those rare times. All good choices.

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Strive to be more curious than ignorant.

God of Thunder

Rumor has it he will to promote his new album.

/me crosses fingers.

Here is his bio on Allmusic.com.

He's best known for "Somebody's Baby", "Tender is the Night" & "Running on Empty"

__________________
I reject your reality, and substitute my own

-- Adam Savage

paddyjoe

Some nice choices here, and very pleased to see Traffic get the call. During my say, 'formative years' was nothing finer than to fire one up and groove to Steve Winwood and company. Really lengthy, involved rock-jazz jams. Find yourselves a copy of Traffic's 'Low Spark of High Heeled Boys', put yourself in a peaceful state of mind, and you'll see why they finally made the Hall.

damianjames

I just watched some of the R&R Hall of Fame ceremony on VH1 tonight. I always knew Prince was a talented musician, but I never realized just how good a guitar player he is. My jaw was literally dropping on some of the solos he performed. Absolutely stunning!

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Visualize Whirled Peas.

nash

All I know about Jackson Browne is that he wrote "Take it Easy" which the Eagles covered. I'm still kind of young and he may be beyond my time

God of Thunder

I've always said Prince is one of the most under-rated guitarists of all time. George Harrison is the other.

Actually he co-wrote it with Glenn Frey.
Jackson co-wrote quite a few things with the Eagle in the early days. He also worked a lot with J.D. Souther, who co-wrote with the Eagles as well.

This year's class was a big nod to the under-rated singer/songwriters and musicians. ZZ Top also fits into that bill. So much is made of the beards, cars and girls, that we forget that Billy Gibbons can play a mean guitar.

__________________
I reject your reality, and substitute my own

-- Adam Savage

Derwood

everyone who wonders why artists didn't get in sooner:

an artist's first album must have been released at least 25 years before they are eligible for the HOF. So they didn't wait till harrison was dead, they just followed the rules.

Amazing to think that Van Halen, Metallica and the like will be eligible soon...man do i feel old

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"You can't shoot a country until it becomes a democracy." - Willravel

God of Thunder

Actually it's from the time their first "record" is released, which includes singles. Harrison released "All Things Must Pass" in 1970 so he was first eligible in 1995, which was before any of the other Beatles.

Prince was the only one from this class, and for a great while, to be inducted in his first year of eligibility.

Van Halen is already eligible.

Those eligible for the class of 2005 would had to have released a record in or before 1980.

Van Halen released their first album in 1974. Metallica's first release came in 1983

__________________
I reject your reality, and substitute my own

-- Adam Savage

wordssmith22

anyone else happy to see the dells on the list? the performance they gave was awesomely cool.

perripken

For those of you who don't know Jackson Browne's music, I highly recommend both the "The Pretender" album and "Runnin on Empty" Not a bad song on either album!

__________________
And in the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.
Abraham Lincoln

perripken

Ah yes, "Low Spark" one of my favorite all time tunes. Some great lyrics also:

if you had just a minute to breathe
and they granted you one final wish
would you ask for something like another chance

__________________
And in the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.
Abraham Lincoln