Rock Bands Re-mastered At The Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame

By William Kallay

11-Mar-03

High society and punk rockers clashed under the lights of the Grand Ballroom of New Yorkís landmark Waldorf-Astoria Hotel last week. Select classic rock groups, whose music dominated once adventuresome radio programming from the mid-seventies through the early eighties, were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame on March 10th during an induction ceremony. The Police, The Clash, AC/DC, Elvis Costello and the Attractions, The Righteous Brothers, and record maven Mo Ostin were this yearís selections. Sidemen Benny Benjamin, Floyd Cramer and Steve Douglas were also inducted.The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation recognizes individuals and groups for their significant contributions to the artistry of rock music. Though the Foundation is located in New York City, it has a permanent museum in Cleveland, Ohio to house numerous rock artifacts, history and audio/visual presentations. Past inductees include Elvis Presley, The Beatles, The Jimi Hendrix Experience, The Eagles, and many others.Old Time Rock & RollersThe evening opened with The Righteous Brothers being inducted by Billy Joel. The í60s hit-makers, comprising of Bill Medley and Bobby Hartfield, recorded a number of hit songs, including ìYouíve Lost That Loviní Feeliníî (1965) and ì(Youíre My) Soul and Inspirationî (1966), both of which went to Number One on Billboardís hit chart. Their career skyrocketed when they were introduced to listeners by a black disc jockey in Philadelphia.""When he found out that we were white, he started calling us ìBlue-Eyed Soul BrothersÇî said Hartfield.The Righteous Brothers have endured for over 40 years in the music industry. Instantly recognizable, their songs continue to be heard around the country on ìoldiesî radio stations. But their popularity has also remained strong due to featured roles in the movies. ìYouíve Lost That Loviní Feeliníî was featured in ìTop Gunî (1986) and ìUnchained Melodyî was a key song in ìGhostî (1990). Audiences could instantly sing most, if not all, of the words to those Righteous Brothers tunes while sitting in a darkened theatre.Elvis and EltonVariety could be used to describe the musical style of Elvis Costello and the Attractions. Influenced by such artists ranging from Frank Sinatra to The Beatles, Costello forged a unique blend of music and politics into his music. Songs include ìAlisonî (1977), ìRadio, Radioî (1978) and ìEvery Day I Write the Bookî (1983). Though commercially not a huge seller of albums, at least in the United States, Elvis Costello and the Attractions earned a strong following among fans who preferred ìalternativeî music. The reputation of the band was solidified with Costelloís strong stage persona and excellent song writing abilities.As a solo artist, Costello teamed with some of the heavyweights of the musical world. In 1989, Paul McCartney teamed with Costello on the album ìSpikeî on two hits, ìVeronicaî and ìThis Town.î That same year, Costello helped McCartney on his underrated album ìFlowers In The Dirt.î In 1998, he worked with Burt Bacharach on ìPainted From Memory.î Interestingly enough, actor Mike MyersÇ appreciation of Costelloís musical talent earned the musician a role in ìAustin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Meî (1999), along side Mr. Burt Bacharach. In 2001, Rhino Records re-issued a double re-mastered CD set of ìThe Best Of Elvis Costello and the Attractions.îElton John inducted Elvis Costello and the Attractions into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. The Attractions include Steve Nieve, Bruce Thomas and Pete Thomas.More MoWarner Bros. Records was a dominant force from the 1960s through the í90s under the guidance of Mo Ostin. He was one of the rare examples of a record executive who had the respect of musical artists. Under his tenure, he helped foster the careers of Neil Young, Paul Simon, Randy Newman, Talking Heads, Van Halen, ZZ Top, and Bonnie Raitt, and saw talent in younger artists like Prince and Madonna. And if that wasnít enough for material on his resume, he helped Frank Sinatra start the Reprise record label. Ostin was inducted by Lorne Michaels and Paul Simon.The ClashìThe bands who came in The Clashís wake, from Rage Against The Machine, to U2, to Audioslave, to the countless other bands, this band was the most influential band in our lives,î said Tom Morello (Rage Against The Machine, Audioslave).No doubt about it, the British punk bandís highly charged concerts and political stance set them apart from most other punk bands of the day. Unlike many of the late í70s-era garage bands with little or no talent, The Clash continually refined themselves. Led by the late Joe Strummer (who passed away in 2002) and Mick Jones, the band released several albums in their short tenure (1976-1986), the most acclaimed being ìLondon Callingî (1979). Voted by Rolling Stone magazine as the Best Album of the í80s, the double album contained songs like ìDeath or Gloryî and ìTrain In Vain (Stand By Me).îThe Edge of U2 inducted the band. Surviving members include Mick Jones, Paul Simonon and Topper Headon.Rockiní With AC/DCThe Australian band AC/DC finally made it into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame this year. The bands record catalog has recently been re-mastered on CD for better sound. But nothing compares to being present at an AC/DC show. They performed and literally shook the foundation of the Waldorf-Astoria.Fronted by lead singer Brian Johnson, the band has been performing since the mid-í70s. Their 1980 album ìBack In Blackî solidified AC/DC as one of the ultimate good time hard rock bands. Songs like ìYou Shook Me All Night Longî and ìBack In Blackî are standards on album oriented radio stations.AC/DC, including members Brian Johnson, Phillip Rudd, the late Bon Scott, Cliff Williams, Angus Young, and Malcolm Young, was inducted into the Hall of Fame by Aerosmithís lead singer, Steven Tyler.The Police Have ArrivedOne of the most creatively talented bands in rock, The Police, also had a brief career. Formed in 1977, the band produced only five albums in six years. But it was a great six years. From the raw, punk-oriented and low budget roots of the album ìOutlandos díAmourî (1978), which produced ìRoxanneî and ìCanít Stand Losing You,î to the polished and refined excellence of 1983ís ìSynchronicityî album, The Police broke up at the peak of their popularity. The band was also on the crest of innovation. They were one of the first bands to embrace the power of music videos on MTV. Over the course of their brief career as a band, they were featured in a number of now classic music videos, which have been re-issued on DVD. In addition, their album catalog has been re-mastered on SACD.The Police, with members Sting, Stewart Copeland and Andy Summers, were inducted by No Doubtís Gwen Stefani.Selected Music CreditsTHE RIGHTEOUS BROTHERSA Night With The Righteous Brothers ìLiveî (2003)The Moonglow Years (1991)The Very Best of the Righteous Brothers: Unchained Melody (1990)ELVIS COSTELLO AND THE ATTRACTIONSWhen I Was Cruel (2002)The Very Best of (2001)Painted From Memory (1998) (HDCD)Spike (1989) (Re-mastered)Imperial Bedroom (1982) (Re-mastered)THE CLASHEssential Clash (2003)Combat Rock (1982) (Re-mastered)Sandinista! (1980) (Re-mastered)London Calling (1979) (Re-mastered)AC/DCHigh Voltage (1976) (Re-mastered)Highway To Hell (1979) (Re-mastered)Back In Black (1980) (Re-mastered)The Razorís Edge (1991) (Re-mastered)THE POLICEOutlandos díAmour (1978) (SACD)Reggatta de Blanc (1979) (SACD)Zenatta Mondatta (1980) (SACD)Ghost In The Machine (1981) (SACD)Synchronicity (1983) (SACD)Every Breath You Take: The Classics (SACD Hybrid and DTS-CD)Special thanks to Elizabeth Fruend, Gary Reber, Michael Coate, Loretta Kallay, Michael and Loni KallayNote-AC/DC, Elvis Costello and the Attractions, and The Police did not show up for photos at the press conference for reasons unexplained.