Merriam-Webster defines a snub as treating something with contempt or neglect; keeping this definition close in mind, here are 3 rock artists who I think have been neglected, contempted, and well for that matter, snubbed, when regarding their lack of induction into the Rock Hall. In this article, I will try my best to convince you why rock icons such as Jim Croce, Poco, and Warren Zevon, deserve to find their rightful spot on the walls of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Jim Croce has been eligible for induction since 1992. His first release was in 1966 and since then he has had 11 US charting songs, two number-one singles, and one number-one album. Furthermore, in 1990 he was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame; 10 years before James Taylor who is in the Rock Hall. According to his website, his legacy has impacted everyone “from Dolly Parton to the Wu-tang Clan”. The most impressive part of Jim Croce’s music was his storytelling, in his song “Working at The Car Wash Blues” he came up with the idea for the song while he was running telephone cables. This mundane action led to his discovery that he should’ve been doing something else in his life and wondering how exactly he got to that very position. In “Bad, Bad Leroy Brown” the character of Leroy Brown was based on a guy that Croce served in the army with who was super strong, but frankly dumber than a box of bricks. The way he takes his life experiences and transforms them into songs that paint vivid pictures of characters within cinematic scenes has left me dumbfounded as to why he is not in the hall.
Poco has been eligible for the Rock Hall since 1995. Their first recording came in 1969 and despite not having chart-topping success, they were the foundation for the southern rock sound of the 70s and created fundamental stepping stones on what rock music could be for countless bands well after them. This band would go on to produce 3 members who are currently in the Rock Hall, Richie Furay with Buffalo Springfield, as well as Randy Meisner and Timothy B. Schmit with the Eagles. A snubbed member from the band was Jim Messina, who not only had success with Buffalo Springfield but in a duo with Kenny Loggins. Loggins and Messina would find success on radio stations making yacht rock music. Other members would go on to join other bands or pass away but the sound that is Poco influenced it all and lives forever within the sweet melodies they inspired. The sounds of Randy Meisner and Timothy B. Schmit’s bass and high backing vocals would later be a defining factor in the sounds of the Eagles–which were originally fostered in Poco. Richie Furay’s country sound with a twanging guitar and songwriting led to one of my favorite Buffalo Springfield tunes of all time “Hickory Winds”. Their song “You Better Think Twice” is one that can pick me up any time with its infectious rhythm and southern sounds.
Warren Zevon has been eligible since 1995 and was finally nominated this year but despite this, he is still not inducted. His first recording like Poco was released in 1969. While doing research for this article I found a quote regarding him being snubbed this year by David Letterman and I felt that I should pass it forward to y’all, “I will say that I’m disappointed. I’m not angry because I would’ve been surprised had it gone the other way. I think to be angry would’ve been 30 years ago, when he should’ve been inducted.” (Golsen 1) This is backed by the fact that this year's nomination push was spearheaded by my boy Billy Joel. You’d think the Rock Hall would take a second and go dang maybe we ought to induct this guy especially when the Piano Man himself also thinks this person should be included. Zevon wrote beautiful songs such as “Werewolves of London”, “Poor Poor Pitiful Me”, and “Keep Me In Your Heart”. The first was a No.21 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 that featured Mick Fleetwood and John McVie of Fleetwood Mac on drums and bass respectively, the second was a song he wrote that would be covered and made a No. 31 hit by Linda Ronstadt and was written as a friendly drag at Jackson Browne with Lindsay Buckingham on backing vocals (just as an aside who just has Lindsey Buckingham on backing vocals!?!), and the latter is from his posthumous album The Wind and soul-crushingly was the last song he wrote and recorded before he sadly passed away from mesothelioma.
Despite my pleas and enticing efforts to persuade you, the fact remains that these artists deserve so much more credit from this institution than they have received so far. There is only one thing left to say which is #gettheminthehall!
Works Cited:
Golsen, Tyler. “David Letterman Disappointed by Warren Zevon Rock Hall Snub.” Far Out Magazine, 5 May 2023, faroutmagazine.co.uk/david-letterman-disappointed-warren-zevon-was-snubbed-by-rock-and-roll-hall-of-fame/.
