To: Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
Just Desserts
Will somebody please tell me the criteria for an artist to be inducted
into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland?
Is it longevity? If so, the Lynyrd Skynyrd band has been around for
over three decades and still going strong and sounding great.
Is it lasting popularity? If so, the Skynyrd band has been and still is
one of America's most beloved and successful bands, still drawing big
crowds across the length and breadth of this great nation.
Is it fan loyalty? Just go and look at the demographics of a Skynyrd
concert crowd. They range from teenagers to the salt and pepper Fifty
somethings who have been following the band since the beginning.
Does the criteria require a classic song? Is there a more classic rock
song than Freebird? It is one of the top five songs of all time, an
evergreen that people never tire of.
I know that some members were inducted posthumously and the Skynyrd
band is sadly overqualified in that category.
So what is the formula, what are the requirements, where do I vote?
Anybody out there who knows the answer to these questions please let me
know, because I would like to start a movement, in fact a groundswell
to give the Lynyrd Skynyrd Band their rightful place in The Rock and
Roll Hall of Fame.
I know that a lot of people will think this is personal and you would
be right, the band and myself have been friends for over thirty years.
But this does not begin or end on any personal basis.
Skynyrd is simply one of the purest, most versatile, hardest driving
and respected bands to ever stampede the American popular music scene.
Going to a Lynyrd Skynyrd concert is an experience, the energy,
the incredible list of recognizable songs they have recorded and
performed over the years makes for an evening of fun and familiarity.
The Skynyrd guys are truly survivers. Through terrible tragedy and
personnel changes they have just kept on keeping on, still rocking,
still rolling and still putting out that wonderful Skynyrd sound that
has made so many people happy for so many years.
If you're a Skynyrd fan, and I know many of you are, I ask you to
join me in my quest to get Lynyrd Skynyrd their rightful place in The
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland.
It needs to be done.
Pray for our troops.
What do you think?
God Bless America
Charlie Daniels
February 28, 2005
Sincerely,
The Undersigned
|
