Johnny Rivers: HOF?

One of Tommy James’ biggest hits, I Think We’re Alone Now, was banned by one of Detroit’s biggest stations, WKNR Keener 13
It never made one of their playlists
Of course CKLW, which was soon to overtake WKNR, played the shit out of it

 

YES

After all, he's got the rockin' pneumonia and the boogie woogie flu.

 

Tommy James should be in if only for the all-star jam of other artists covering his songs.

 

The classic Guess Who lineup with Burton Cummings fronting the band wrote all their songs. No covers. They were one of the top bands in the world for a few years and are so far ahead of Tommy James or Johnny Rivers, who I like a lot, it’s no contest. Cummings was an amazing rock vocalist, among the best ever, and Bachman is a hell of a guitar player. Re listen to their greatest hits albums, great tunes. They blow 25% of RRHOF inductees away.

 

I remember when I was first learning guitar, just goofing around I stumbled upon the opening chord to "Laughing" ... and eventually figured out how to play it (this was before you could look things like that up on the internet). Believe me, I was no Randy Bachman.
And trying to sing that song, like Burton Cummings can? No chance.
Just about the entire "Best of the Guess Who" album is outstanding.

 

Somehow I had the idea that BTO had several
members in common with the Guess Who, but Bachman is the only carryover, so I guess my combined induction idea wouldn't really fly. Too bad, because each band separately is about 85% to the HOF on their own merits alone.

 

Loved Poor Side of Town and Summer Rain; I say yes.

 

The Veterans Committee of the RNRHOF is going to be very busy the next decade or so, since the eligibility window is now moving past the album-rock era and into the age of mp3s.

I suspect there's also going to be a trend toward inducting groups with at least some of the members still alive and in semi-performing shape. Induction ceremonies with only tearful survivors aren't good teevee.

 

I was about to say that. Whatever streaming service you use. pull up The Best of the Guess Who. There's one clinker track (Bus Rider) but all the rest are solidly crafted and executed pop rock songs.

These Eyes
Laughing
Undun
No Time
American Woman
No Sugar Tonight/new Mother Nature
Hand Me Down World
Bus Rider
Share The Land
Do You Miss Me Darlin'
Hang On To Your Life

 

Johnny Rivers drummer Micky Jones, who also backed up Dylan when he went electric. (After Levon Helm quit)

 

Yes, their music was actually rock and roll. Adding on to your list are slightly lesser lights but still great pop rock:
Albert Flasher
Runnin’ Back to Saskatoon
Rain Dance
Star Baby
Sour Suite
Guns, Guns, Guns
Dancing’ Fool
Of a Dropping Pin
Talisman
Glacé Bay Blues
Hell, I’d put these tunes up against some previous inductees hit catalogue let alone Neutrals list. They were terrific even after Bachman left, not quite as great, and always had the rocking piano/guitar combo that’s tough to beat.

 

Two lists of best Guess Who songs, and no Clap for the Wolfman?