My Ten Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Snubs: Neil Sedaka (#1)

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Don’t worry, I’m not finished beating up on the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame yet. But for now, this is the end of my list of the most glaring omissions in my eyes. I stole this idea from @teamfreak16 ; and, while I’m sure he won’t agree with this, he hopefully appreciates the influence he’s having. Here’s my biggest omission. #1: Neil Sedaka As I said yesterday, I know he’s “pop” and not “rock.” And, to his credit, Sedaka has never attempted to be one of these teenybopper “Oh, I’m done with that fluff now, I’m gonna rawk!!!! from here on out!” clowns. However, as I also mentioned early on, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has a track record of inducting pop acts. I don’t think anyone’s going to mistake inductees the Platters, Abba, the Flamingos, or Brenda Lee for Led Zeppelin. There’s something we also have to remember: as with other genres of entertainment, “rock and roll” has evolved from its origins. People listening to death metal would take one listen to the Everly Brothers and go, “Eww, that’s not rawk and roll, dood!” (A friend of mine had no clue who the Everly Brothers were until Green Day front man Billie Joe Armstrong did the Foreverly album with Norah Jones!) And hey, I’m guilty of it, too, when it comes to country music. So enough of the preface. Sedaka has had three distinct careers: songwriter (“Stupid Cupid,” “Love Will Keep Us Together,” “Solitaire”), 60s pop sensation (“Calendar Girl,” “Happy Birthday Sweet 16”), and 70s pop statesman (“Laughter in the Rain,” “Bad Blood”). Would his 70s comeback have happened without Elton John’s help? Maybe only in America: Sedaka was already enjoying his “comeback” in Europe (which is how Elton got involved in re-introducing Sedaka to the US). Sedaka is 80 now. Induct him as a performer; or, like his friend Carole King (for whom he wrote “Oh! Carol”), induct him as a songwriter. Just INDUCT HIM! Thanks for reading. One of my favorite “first-career” Sedaka songs: