Michigan Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Wants Your Votes in 2009
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Did you know that prior to 2005 there was no Hall of Fame devoted to Michigan's rich Rock and Roll history? The only recognition of the state's impact on the most popular music genre of the last half of the 20th century was the Motown Museum in Detroit, founded in 1985.
But what about early Michigan Rock and Rollers such as Billy Haley, Del Shannon, or even Jack Scott? And how about the non-Motown stars of the 60s, 70s and 80s such as Mitch Ryder, Bob Seger, Madonna, Ted Nugent, Aretha Franklin, Grand Funk Railroad, and Alice Cooper?
(MyBayCity Photo Courtesy of Gary Johnson)
(MyBayCity Photo Courtesy of Gary Johnson)
(MyBayCity Photo Courtesy of Gary Johnson) Retired school teacher Gary (Dr. J) Johnson came up with an answer when he established the state's only on-line Hall of Fame for Michigan artists in 2005 at www.michiganrockandrolllegends.com
One of the goals of Michigan Rock and Roll Legends is to recognize all of the Michigan musicians who made a contribution to Rock and Roll. The site includes not only the pantheon of Motown stars and the chart-topping artists listed above, but also the dozens of "garage rock" bands who may have released just one or two records and performed in the many teen clubs that once flourished throughout the state including local venues like Roll-Air and Band Canyon in Bay City or Daniel's Den in Saginaw.
Michigan Rock and Roll Legends uses an email voting system which opens the yearly vote to any music lovers who care to participate. The voting rules are simple. 1.) Only one email ballot per person is allowed. 2.) Each ballot must contain the names of ten eligible Michigan artists in order to be counted.
Artists who appear on 33% of the ballots will be automatically inducted. In case no artists achieve 33% of the vote, the top vote-getters each year will be inducted. Thirty-five artists have already been voted in from 2005 through 2008, including all of the artists mentioned above. Complete musical biographies of each inductee along with recommended recordings, available books and DVDs, and connections to YouTube videos of each inducted artist are found on the site.
The 2009 ballot, containing over 300 eligible Michigan artists, can be found on the MRRL web site. All email ballots should be sent to michrrleg@charter.net. The voting deadline is the stroke of midnight on the evening of June 1, 2009. So vote now!
The site is also seeking to establish the 100 Legendary Michigan Rock and Roll Songs. Over 250 have been nominated so far, and 25 have been voted in. Songs like ? Tears," "Runaway," "My Girl" and "Respect" are already part of the Top 25, but there are well over 200 great songs left to choose from.
The voting rules for the Legendary Songs are the same as for the artists. Each person gets to vote only once, and their ballot must contain ten nominated songs. The list of songs is found on the web site at www.michiganrockandrolllegends.com. For your convenience, you may put both your artist and song votes in the same email.
In addition, Michigan Rock and Roll Legends sponsors a permanent display at the Bay City Motor Company located at 1124 N. Water St. The display contains some interesting Michigan memorabilia including photos of each inductee, and classic album and magazine covers. Highly collectible 45s such as the original Pa-Go-Go recording of ? Tears" and the very first Motown recording, Marv Johnson's "Come To Me" on Tamla Records from 1959 can be found on the walls of the Bay City Motor Co. showroom.
Local legends, the Burdons, have loaned the display some interesting items including the key to Bay City that they were presented in 1984, approximately six months before Madonna was denied the key by Bay City's mayor. The Burdons also contributed the cover of their first album and an autographed guitar which was the only piece of their equipment that police recovered from a Detroit carjacking.
The Bay City Motor Company showroom featuring their incredible collection of classic cars and the MRRL display is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. You can also visit their web site at www.baycitymotorcompany.com.
(MyBayCity Photo Courtesy of Gary Johnson)
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O. J. Cunningham |
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