[Fred F]

Whether you think that "Sinatra rocked as hard as Hendrix" as Hal said, or you feel that "being voted into the Hall of Fame is not only for rock singers" as Hal also said, Frank Sinatra belongs in there as much as Babe Ruth or Joe DiMaggio belong in the baseball Hall of Fame. I guess a letter writing campaign is a good place to start.

Good Morning!

I agree with what you are all saying in the last several posts, that maybe he was never nominated because he wasn't thought of as being a rock n roll singer or if someone wanted to nominate him then they thought he wouldn't want it..not his style, not his 'bag'....

But I think so much of his music and singing 'rock'...as I mentioned in the chat room Friday night and Hal was kind enough to respond to me..how I think it is strange and ironic that Mr. Sinatra's music and others like Billie Holiday and Count Basie, etc are in the 'Easy Listening' section at the record stores..Hal explained the marketing issues but I still don't understand what 'Easy Listening' is supposed to imply...going to sleep music or meditation or I just don't know !

Also from listening to and reading the booklet with the Capitol 4-cd singles set..didn't he sing about 3 or 4 early 'rock and roll' tunes on there? Maybe he should be nominated for his lifetime sense of swing and rythym and groove as well as being willing to try out the new style music at about the same time that Elvis was being discovered.

Thanks Selena

The inductees into the R&R HOF aren't voted in by the FANS, they're voted in by critics, that is the main reason that I don't care if any of my favorite artists or bands are inducted or not. The heavy metal band Black Sabbath has been nominated three times I think, but they declined because they, like me, don't think its right that the fans of their music don't have a say of who gets in. America's greatest rock and roll band, Aerosmith, has yet to be inducted, even though they meet the requirement.

[Fred F]

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation was established in 1983 and among its goals was "to recognize the contributions of those who have had a significant impact over the evolution, development and perpetuation of rock and roll." In harmony with this, the foundation began to induct people into the Hall of Fame in 1986.

There are three different categories for induction. The main one is Performers for which artists become eligible twenty-five years after they release their first record. The other two are the Non-Performers category including songwriters, producers, disc jockeys, record executives, and journalists and the Early Influences category for "artists whose music predated rock and roll, but who inspired rock's leading artists and helped in the evolution of rock."

A nominating committee, composed of rock and roll historians,
annually elects inductees in the Non-Performer and Early Influences categories. Induction into the Performer category is a little more involved. Nominees are selected by the committee but are then voted upon by an international body of about one thousand rock experts. Performers who receive the highest number of votes, and more than fifty percent of the vote, are inducted. This process usually results in the induction of five to seven performers annually.

I think we can all agree that Frank Sinatra "inspired rock's leading artists and helped in the evolution of rock". As Hal said: "One need not ask more rock music geniuses other than: Paul Mc Cartney, Bruce Springsteen, Brian Wilson, k.d. lang, or Elton John to find out if Frank Sinatra influenced their music and set a standard of artisitic excellence for them that has continued to this day. "

There has really been an injustice done to Frank Sinatra here.

Fred & Hal

Based upon your description of the selection process, it sounds like all we need to do is remind these people on the selection committee of Frank's genius and the rest should be simple. Indeed, an injustice has been done here, but the combined persuasiveness of both of you (as well as your indepth knowledge of R&R HOF procedures) and the tenacity of all us should prove priceless.

Joey B.

[Fred F]

Here's the address:

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation
1290 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10104

There are literally millions of Frank Sinatra fans in the world. Let's let them hear from us!

Since we've welcomed many new members to this site since the last post to this thread, I thought I'd pop it back to the top to get some fresh opinions on this controversial thread.

[voice1]

I think the Frank Sinatra of 1965 or even 1975 would have been repulsed by even being considered for installment in the hall of fame for many of the reasons already listed. However, I believe the Frank Sinatra of the 90's would have been giddy for inclusion as he watched his good pallie, Tony Bennett get rave reviews from the rock world. I think Duets would have been his ticket in.

Personally, I don't think we should cheapen his contribution to music by including him. I'd rather see him in the Entertainer's Hall of Fame or the Actor's Hall of Fame or the Humanitiarian Hall of Fame. Just my opinion.

Dear Fred,

Thank You for posting the address.

Nancy Sinatra definitely belongs in the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. What an utterly unjust oversight!

Rock And Rock And Rock And

When are they going to wake up and listen? !!!

?????

Dear Nancy,

"I Believe In You"!

Thank You for Your wonderful reply to my previous Post. You have my support "All The Way"!

The Committee may finally come around. "And If It Takes One Hundred Years, I'll Wait"!