Posted to OGR on 03/14/2010
March 15th, also known as the Ides of March was a very bad day for Julius Caesar; for it was on the Ides of March Caesar was killed in 44 B.C. by his pal Brutus and other Roman senators. Fast forward 2,054 years and the Ides will be a much better day for some boomers. On Monday, March 15, 2010, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is celebrating this year’s class of inductees. The five performers will be; ABBA, Genesis, The Hollies, Jimmy Cliff, and The Stooges. The non-performers will be; David Geffen, Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil, Ellie Greenwich and Jeff Barry, Jesse Stone, Mort Shuman and Otis Blackwell. Baby Boomers will easily recognize most of these artists. Congratulations to the 2010 inductees.
But Wait! When I look over the list of “Non-Performers” a name jumps out at me; Barry Mann! While it is true that he and his wife, Cynthia Weil penned many a hit in the boomer’s jukebox. Just to name a few; "Blame It on the Bossa Nova" - Eydie Gorme, "Here You Come Again" - Dolly Parton, "He's Sure the Boy I Love" - The Crystals, "I Just Can't Help Believin'" – B. J. Thomas, "(Walking) In the Rain" - The Ronettes, "Kicks" - Paul Revere & the Raiders, "On Broadway" - The Drifters, "Only in America" - Jay and the Americans, "Saturday Night at the Movies" - The Drifters, "Shades of Gray" - The Monkees, "We Gotta Get Out of This Place" - The Animals, "(You're My) Soul & Inspiration" - The Righteous Brothers and "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'" - The Righteous Brothers. In 1961 Mann also sang a novelty song which he and Weil wrote that made the Top 10 with "Who Put The Bomp", which parodied the nonsense words of the songs of the doo-wop genre. Yes, this year’s group of inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is a boomer’s delight.
Copyright 2010 Rick Wrigley
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