My Ten Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Snubs: Three Dog Night (#10)
By Four Walls
@FourWalls (86993)
United States
August 8, 2019 9:54pm CST
Hey, if Scott can do it, I can do it too! Recently Scott (@teamfreak16 ) listed his ten biggest Rock and Roll Hall of Fame snubs (to date), so I thought I'd list my ten acts that should be in. As usual, most people won't agree, and some people will probably even say that "that's not rock and roll." However, given the precedents that the Hall of Fame has established (Marvin Gaye wasn't "rock and roll," but he's inducted, and I don't want to hear anyone try to dispute his induction!), I'm sticking by my guns. And, in a lot of these cases, you'll probably go, "What?? They aren't in???" I did, too, with some of these. Here we go.
#10: Three Dog Night
This band pretty much owned the late 60s and early 70s. Yes, they were nothing but a cover band, but they did introduce the world to a lot of songwriters (e.g., Randy Newman wrote "Mama Told Me [Not to Come]," John Hiatt wrote "Sure As I'm Sittin' Here," and Hoyt Axton wrote two of their biggest hits, "Never Been to Spain" and "Joy to the World"). And, let's be fair, thanks to Three Dog Night you have to ask if someone means the Christmas carol or the "Jeremiah was a bullfrog" song when someone says they love "Joy to the World." 
"Joy to the World" was the #1 song for the entire year of 1971, staying at #1 for six weeks.
Their devoted following continued from their early success in 1969 (with their first top ten song, "One" [written by Harry Nilsson]) to this day.
One of my favorite Three Dog Night songs:
"Joy to the World" was the #1 song for the entire year of 1971, staying at #1 for six weeks.
Their devoted following continued from their early success in 1969 (with their first top ten song, "One" [written by Harry Nilsson]) to this day.
One of my favorite Three Dog Night songs:
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6 responses
@JohnRoberts (109841)
• Los Angeles, California
9 Aug 19
We could spend hours tearing apart those who have been inducted. I say no to Three Dog Night. They are like a baseball equivalent of Steve Garvey and Dale Murphy. Above average but not greatness and HOF is supposed to be for exceptional greatness.
2 people like this
@FourWalls (86993)
• United States
9 Aug 19
As I said, precedent. I’ll bet more people know who they are than Tom Waits.....
(And that’s no knock on Waits....thought about his song when I drove into Putnam County last week.....)
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@FourWalls (86993)
• United States
9 Aug 19
@JohnRoberts -- no, but you're warm. And a hint: Scott and I matched on two acts. Including one of those two, I see you agreeing with, at most, three people on my list.
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@JohnRoberts (109841)
• Los Angeles, California
9 Aug 19
@FourWalls Well, Waits is someone I would boot out. It's a hard criteria. Do you go by sales, how many hits, how many #1's, name recognition. Go by those standards Olivia Newton-John is in and God forbid, Helen Reddy gets consideration.
I suspect a certain pair of Carpenters will make your list.
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@Deepizzaguy (122430)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
9 Aug 19
Three Dog Night is one of the best rock and roll bands of their era.
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@FourWalls (86993)
• United States
9 Aug 19
I agree, and the fact that they were, and still are, very well-known makes them a baffling omission.
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@teamfreak16 (43710)
• Denver, Colorado
9 Aug 19
"Well I've never been to the Hall of Fame, but I'd kinda like to go there." 
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@FourWalls (86993)
• United States
9 Aug 19
“Well they tell me I belong there, but I really don’t remember.”
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@dgobucks226 (37621)
•
10 Aug 19
Using chart success as a criteria Three Dog Night would be a consideration. I bought their albums and as you state, the radio play these guys got was incredible in the 60's and 70's and even today. But perhaps other things like being a creative force and songwriting talent should also be considered. Anyway, those Three Dogs sure had their days showcasing the songwriting talents of some terrific lyricists. Much like Elton did for Bernie Taupin. But that is an unfair comparison considering what Sir Reg did musically with Bernie's words!!!
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