Warren Zevon is nominated for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame...FINALLY!
The 1970s music scene was dominated by the California sound. In the early part of the decade, the music of the singer-songwriters made you want to live there. Warren Zevon came along a bit later. His lyrics told you about its dark side. It warned you to stay away.
It seems as if most of us have a favorite band or artist that we feel has been overlooked or snubbed by The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Don't get me started about Little Feat. But, at the top of that list for many has been Warren Zevon.
Zevon has been eligible for election since 1995. In those twenty-eight years, he’s never been close to being elected. He never even made it to the first stage of being nominated. You would always hear the complaints, ‘Where’s Zevon?’ ‘How can it be a hall of fame without Warren Zevon?’ And, they were right!
When you look at his body of work, you have to wonder what the electors were thinking. His legendary songs included “Lawyers, Guns & Money”, “Roland the Headless Thompson Gunner”, “Werewolves of London”, and Poor Poor Pitiful Me.” He recorded memorable albums like “Excitable Boy”, “Bad Luck Streak in Dancing School” and “Mutineer.”
They should have been enough. But, if you need more convincing, there is his final album, “The Wind”, which was recorded after being diagnosed with terminal cancer. It features a cover of Bob Dylan’s “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door” and his moving “Keep Me in Your Heart.” It's an emotional album that will being you to tears.
All the exclusionary talk came to an end yesterday. Warren Zevon was named as a finalist for induction into the Rock Hall!
FINALLY!!
Maybe it was the years of complaints from his fans. Maybe it was the letter on his behalf from Billy Joel. Let's give credit to both. Whatever it was, a wrong has finally been corrected.
The nomination is just the start. We’ll know if all this pays off when the next class is announced in May. If not, as his song says “the shit will hit the fan.” Until then, keep your fingers crossed. Until then, keep him in your heart.