DEREK WOLFFORD
  • HOME
  • DRUMS
  • PEARL
  • BIO
  • CONTACT
  • BLOG

2008 Musicians Hall of Fame Induction Part I

10/28/2008

0 Comments

 
Picture
First thing.... tonight was one of the best nights of my life.  How’s that for a set-up?

The Musicians Hall of Fame inducted its 2008 honorees at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center and needless to say that the inductees are some of the most influential musicians in recording history. 

Picture
The first half was hosted by Barbara Mandrell (who’s also a happening steel player)
The Memphis Horns - Wayne Jackson (trumpet) and Andrew Love (tenor saxophone) Famous for their many appearances on Stax Records, they have been called "arguably the greatest soul horn section ever." The Memphis Horns appeared on nearly every recording for Stax — with Isaac Hayes, Otis Redding, Rufus Thomas, Sam and Dave and others — as well as on other releases, including The Doobie Brothers' What Were Once Vices Are Now Habits, U2's Rattle and Hum as well as a few solo records.
Picture

Wayne Jackson (l) and Andrew Love (r)
The Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section and Friends - Jimmy Johnson (guitar), Roger Hawkins (drums), David Hood (bass), and Barry Beckett (keyboards) along with friends Spooner Oldham, Clayton Ivey, Randy McCormick, Will McFarlane and Pete Carr.  Formed in 1967, the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section is considered one of the finest studio rhythm sections in the world, playing sessions in New York, Nashville, and Muscle Shoals.  They became world renown as the musicians, and or producers, on such classics as "Respect" by Aretha Franklin, "Mustang Sally" by Wilson Pickett, "Kodachrome" by Paul Simon, "I'll Take You There" by The Staple Singers,  "Old Time Rock and Roll" by Bob Seger, and many others. They have played on over 500 LPs, garnering over 75 gold and platinum LPs.  They were inducted by Ed King (Lynyrd Skynyrd) cause remember the line “Now Muscle Shoals has got the Swampers”
Picture
The Crickets - Jerry “J.I.” Allison (drums), Joe B. Mauldin (bass), Sonny Curtis (guitar/lead vocal)

Founded in 1957, the Crickets have influenced virtually every major rock performer in the United States and abroad – from Bruce Springsteen and Bob Dylan to the Rolling Stones and The Beatles (whose name was even Crickets-inspired). Their hits have included some of rock’s historical classics, “That’ll Be The Day,” Peggy Sue,” “Oh Boy,” “Not Fade Away,” “Maybe Baby,” “It’s So Easy,” “I Fought The Law“ and “More Than I Can Say.”
Picture
Al Kooper - Best known for his striking organ riff on “Like a Rolling Stone” with Bob Dylan in concert in the 60’s and produced the first three albums of the band Lynyrd Skynyrd, including the single, "Sweet Home Alabama" and the iconic "Free Bird". He wasn’t there as he was sick... would’ve been cool to hear him play.

Billy Sherrill (Producer Award) – Record producer and arranger who has been regarded as the defining influence of the countrypolitan sound, Sherrill is famous for his association with a number of country artists including Tammy Wynette, Charlie Rich, Elvis Costello, George Jones, Johnny Paycheck, Tanya Tucker, Johnny Cash, Barbara Mandrell, David Allan Coe, Ray Conniff, Joe Stampley, Charlie Walker, Ray Charles and many others. He was inducted by George Jones who sang “He Stop Loving her Today”... pretty cool!
Picture
Duane Eddy - Grammy Award winning guitarist, member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and the Number One Rock and Roll Instrumentalist of All Time. Beginning with his first release, in 1958, his distinctively low, twangy riffs would be featured on an unprecedented string of thirty four chart singles, fifteen of which made the Top Forty, with sales of over 100 million worldwide. Best known for such hits as "Rebel Rouser," "Forty Miles of Bad Road," "Peter Gunn," "Because They're Young," "Cannonball," "The Lonely One," "Shazam," and "Some Kind-a Earthquake."  
Picture
Booker T. and the MGs - Booker T. Jones (organ, piano), Steve Cropper (guitar), and Donald "Duck" Dunn (bass) and posthumously Al Jackson (drums)
Best remembered historically as the studio band for Stax-Volt Records during the 60s, Booker T. and the MGs created the "Memphis Sound” behind the hit recordings by Carla Thomas (“Gee Whiz”), Rufus Thomas (“Walkin’ the Dog”), Otis Redding ("Dock of the Bay"), Sam and Dave, among others.  The reputation as a band in their own right was established in 1962 with their instrumental hit "Green Onions."  On their own Booker T. and the MGs had rhythm and blues hits with "Hip Hug-Her," "Groovin'," "Soul Limbo," and "Time Is Tight." 
Picture
I knew I was going to be floored by all of this but @#*!.... I’m speechless... but can still type. It was surreal to see The Crickets (who without them there would probably be no Beatles or Stones) play the songs that made them famous. Aside from the fact that you’d ever be lucky enough to successfully play with the same guys for 50+ years, watching J.I. Allison play those famous sixteenth notes in “Peggy Sue” was like watching Edison recreate the light bulb.  You couldn’t help but snarl your upper when Duane Eddy launched into “Peter Gunn”.  
Picture
Melinda Doolittle sang “Respect” with The Muscles Shoals Rhythm Section and it was the only act that Booker T. took notice of.... he was bobbing his head and craning his neck to see “that girl”
The house band had some familiar faces too.... percussionist Tom Rhoady, original Toto bassist David Hungate, and Roger Hawkins’ son on drums.... A touching moment was when Steve Cropper told the story of saving his money as a kid a buy a $17 Sears guitar. His father promised that if he learned to play it, then he’d get him a real guitar. “And he kept his word” he remarked before introducing his father to the audience. Duck Dunn told a similar story where thanked his brother for co-signing a loan for his first bass. 
Picture

House band percussionist & Nashville buddy Tom Rhoady had the time of his life tonight
There were a few unfortunate moments.... an absent Al Kooper, drummer Roger Hawkins played percussion instead of drums (I’m sure there’s a good reason), Memphis Horn saxophonist Andrew Love was confined a wheelchair and couldn’t perform (although I’m not sure why someone didn’t give him a microphone to accept his award), an absent Ronnie Milsap, an absent surprise guest that would’ve brought sexy back, Steve Cropper’s award breaking during his speech, and the house band stepping on Booker T’s ending of the show during “Soul Man”.  
Picture
0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    RSS Feed

    Categories

    All
    Alan Evans
    Al Kooper
    Andrea Young
    Batman
    Bill Brasky
    Bill Finger
    Bill Hicks
    Billy Sherrill
    Birthday
    Bo Bice
    Booker T. And The MGs
    Brian Frasier Moore
    Brothers Of The Southland
    Bruno Mars
    Buddy Harman
    Calvin Rodgers
    Casey Cooper
    Chad Sexton
    Chevelle
    Chris Dave
    Chris Kent
    Chris Mitchell & The Collection
    Christmas
    Cody Hanson
    Comics
    Concert
    Craig Morgan
    Dante’ Roberson
    Disturbed
    Dj Misphet
    Dr Hook
    Drummers Live
    Drums
    Duane Eddy
    Dungeons And Dragons
    Eddie Kramer
    Eric Herandez
    Fantasy Football
    Fatherhood
    Friday Night Videos
    Garth
    Gary Forkum
    Gavin Degraw
    George Jones
    Hinder
    Huey Lewis & The News
    Incubus
    Influences
    Interview
    James Wesley
    Jeff Porcaro
    Johnny K
    Jose Pasillas
    Karate
    Keith Richards
    Kelley Norris
    Kid Rock
    Kim Thompson
    Lasers
    Led Zeppelin
    Leon Redbone
    Living Colour
    Longstrap
    Marcel Chagnon
    Marc Quinones
    Marc Tyler Nobleman
    Mark Ortmann
    Mark Wehner
    Marvin Mcquitty
    Melinda Doolittle
    Michael Baroody
    Mike Mangini
    Mike Wengren
    Modern Drummer
    Movies
    Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section
    Musicians Hall Of Fame
    Ned Zeppelin
    Night Flight
    Night Tracks
    Omar Hakim
    Pearl
    Percussion
    Percy Sledge
    Phil Everley
    Project 108
    Rap
    Red Solo Cup
    Rick Goodwin
    Rick Patin
    Robert Searight
    Rodney Howard
    Sam Loeffler
    Scott Holt
    Scott Johnson
    Sean Bates
    Snarky Puppy
    Social Media
    Society
    Soulive
    Sput
    Stanton Moore
    Star Trek
    Star Wars
    Steve Potts
    Styx
    Suzanne Morissette
    Suzi Oravec
    Television
    Terence Higgins
    Thanksgiving
    The Beatles
    The Bottle Rockets
    The Crickets
    The Memphis Horns
    The Wayback Machine
    This Day In History
    Time Machine
    Todd Sucherman
    Tom Roady
    Tom Tom Magazine
    Trent Willmon
    Trial By Fire
    Trypta-phunk
    Twitter
    Umphrey's McGee
    Vic Danger
    Vine
    Virgin
    Wilson Phillips

    Archives

    July 2022
    June 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    September 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    February 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    March 2020
    December 2019
    September 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    November 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    July 2017
    May 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    April 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    October 2014
    September 2014
    June 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    February 2011
    January 2011
    December 2010
    November 2010
    October 2010
    September 2010
    August 2010
    July 2010
    May 2010
    April 2010
    March 2010
    February 2010
    January 2010
    December 2009
    November 2009
    September 2009
    August 2009
    July 2009
    June 2009
    May 2009
    March 2009
    January 2009
    December 2008
    November 2008
    October 2008
    September 2008
    August 2008

    View my profile on LinkedIn
  • HOME
  • DRUMS
  • PEARL
  • BIO
  • CONTACT
  • BLOG