499.) Sun Apr. 15, 2018

Originally Published on Apr. 15, 2018

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Snub Week

The Song of the Day is:

Harry Nilsson – “Cuddly Toy”

From the album Pandemonium Shadow Show (1967)

I’ve decided to institute an new annual celebration of picking up the pieces that the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame has left behind.  For all the great acts that they’ve honored, there are some baffling omissions, so maybe with all my pull in the industry (none) I can sway some momentum for these overlooked legends.  For those not familiar, pretty much the only criteria that a person, band, or (as of this past ceremony) song needs to meet, is that it needs to be a quarter century past their debut single or album.  So for the next ceremony, any act that debuted prior to 1993 is eligible.

First up is Harry Nilsson.  I can see why they waited for him, he’s not truly first ballot material.  However, he does have a number of classic songs and albums which are actually gaining traction thanks to soundtrack inclusions and a documentary feature.  Nilsson could easily be confused for being a Brit, as he shares the same humor and pop stylings as The Beatles and The Kinks.  The Beatles, collectively, once cited him as their favorite American musician, does he need a greater endorsement?  He also possessed one of the most angelic voices this side of Art Garfunkel and he helped introduce the world to Randy Newman.  He’s been eligible since 1992, and he’s never been nominated so what’s keeping him out?  My Presumptions are, for starters, he’s been dead since 1994, so there is less demand and no chance of an appearance for the (for profit) ceremony.  He also never performed live, as he suffered from severe stage fright, meaning he never built an audience outside of his recorded output.  Finally, he squandered his talent by abusing alcohol (not that the hall punishes excess) and reckless singing, which in turn damaged his voice and pretty much ended his career for the last decade and a half of his life.  I love his music, I think he certainly deserves a spot in the Hall at this point.  I think as soon as his name is on a ballot, he’ll get the votes.  This is a great original song from his second album.