Latest Podcast Appearance (Rock in Retrospect)

   I returned to the Rock in Retrospect podcast to discuss the 2025 Rock Hall inductees with host Nick Bambach and 3 other guests. 

2025 Rock Hall Inductees Podcast

Tom’s Rock Hall Wish List: Performers (Updated 2025 Inductees)

Updated for the 2025 inductees.

For those of you on Spotify, here's a link to my playlist:  Rock Hall Wishlist,  which has a song by every act listed below.

Afrika Bambaataa

Alanis Morissette

Ashford & Simpson

B-52's
Bangles
Barry White     
Beck

Big Star

Billy Idol
Billy Ward & The Dominoes

Bjork

Black Crowes 

Britney Spears 

Chantels
Chuck Willis
Clovers

Coldplay
Commodores     

Daft Punk

D’Angelo 

De La Soul

Devo

Eric B. & Rakim

Fiona Apple

Garth Brooks
Glen Campbell

Gloria Estefan & The Miami Sound Machine 
Gram Parsons

Guess Who 
Harry Nilsson

Hole 

INXS

Iron Maiden
J. Geils Band

Jethro Tull

Joe Tex
John Prine
Johnny Burnette & The Rock & Roll Trio
Kris Kristofferson

Lauryn Hill

Lenny Kravitz

Little Feat

Los Lobos
Luther Vandross

Mariah Carey

Marvelettes

Melissa Etheridge 

Merle Haggard

Monkees
Motorhead
Neil Sedaka
Neville Brothers/Meters
New Order/Joy Division
New York Dolls

No Doubt

Oasis
Ohio Players
Patsy Cline

Patti LaBelle
Pet Shop Boys
Pixies
Pointer Sisters

Procol Harum

Queen Latifah
Replacements
Richard Thompson & Linda Thompson/Fairport Convention
Rick James
Roberta Flack

Sarah McLachlan

Shangri-La's

Shania Twain 

Sinead O'Connor

Smashing Pumpkins
Smiths

Sonic Youth

Tears for Fears
Teddy Pendergrass/Harold Melvin & The Bluenotes
Thin Lizzy

Toots & The Maytals

Tracy Chapman
War

Waylon Jennings

Wilco

Playlist for 4/24

Wussy - Cincinnati Ohio 

Chuck Prophet - Wake The Dead

Joe Ely - Love and Freedom 

Paul Clifford - Jazz/Funk (Radio Show)

Jason Isbell - Foxes In The Snow

Patterson Hood - Explodong Trees & Airplane Screams 

Ranking: Songs from Bruce Springsteen - Born In The U.S.A. (1984)

   Some have their Born to Run, others Darkness on the Edge of Town.  I could make a case for Tunnel of Love. But my favorite Bruce Springsteen album has always been Born In The USA.   A lot of this has to do with the era of my listening habits.  In this case its release year of 1984.  The post-Thriller era of the BIG album was becoming the rage.  Also,  BINUSA was Springsteen's most commercial album.  The album that turned him forever into "The Boss" and made him a Pop star. An amazing 7/12 songs made the Top 10 on the Hot 100.  This is what I mean by the Thriller effect.  Record companies weren't afraid to drop more than 3 or 4 singles from an album anymore.  The album would spend 15 weeks at #1.  Like Michael Jackson, Springsteen never could top BINUSA sales wise.  He had made his play for Pop stardom and then slowly backed away.  

This was a tough ranking.

1.  Dancing In The Dark

2.  Born In The USA

3.  Downbound Train

4.  My Hometown

5.  I'm On Fire

6.  Glory Days

7.  Bobby Jean

8.  No Surrender

9.  Working On The Highway

10.  I'm Going Down

11.  Cover Me

12.  Darlington County

Shoulda Been A Bigger Hit Poll (2025 Edition)

  Once again I voted in this poll.  This is from a Facebook group I'm part of  called Wow 100. The concept is to list songs that make you say Wow!  But the initial concept was to list songs that should have been Top 10 hits.  I liked that concept better.  All of my choices below landed outside the Top 10.   

  You can listen to the results on That Thing with Rich Appel. 

1.  Ain't No Mountain High Enough - Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell
2.  Solitary Man - Neil Diamond
3.  Tiny Dancer - Elton John
4.  Here Comes That Rainy Day Feeling Again - Fortunes
5.  Take It Easy - Eagles
6.  Always and Forever - Heatwave
7.  At Last - Etta James
8.  Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now - McFadden & Whitehead
9.  In The Midnight Hour - Wilson Pickett
10. Kentucky Rain - Elvis Presley
11. I Wanna Be Your Lover - Prince
12. To Love Somebody - Bee Gees
13. Wonderful World - Sam Cooke
14. Baby I Need Your Loving - Four Tops
15. I Only Have Eyes For You - Flamingos
16. God Only Knows - Beach Boys
17. This Magic Moment - Drifters
18. Try A Little Tenderness - Otis Redding
19. The Way You Do The Things You Do - Temptations
20. Respect Yourself - Staple Singers
21. Ooh Baby Baby - Smokey Robinson & The Miracles
22. I'm Every Woman - Chaka Khan
23. Heaven Must Be Missing An Angel - Tavares
24. Mighty Love - Spinners
25. What I Like About You - Romantics
26. In The Still Of The Nite - Five Satins
27. Don't Make Me Over - Dionne Warwick
28. Sex Machine - James Brown
29. Operator - Jim Croce
30. Holiday - Madonna
31. Disco Inferno - Trammps
32. Tutti Frutti - Little Richard
33. I Saw Her Standing There - Beatles
34. Since I Don't Have You - Skyliners
35. Reet Petite - Jackie Wilson
36. I Only Want To Be With You - Dusty Springfield
37. Hold On I'm A Comin' - Sam & Dave
38. SOS - Abba
39. By The Time I Get To Phoenix - Glen Campbell
40. Nothing But A Heartache - Flirtations
41. All My Loving  - Beatles
42. In The Air Tonight - Phil Collins
43. Fever - Little Willie John
44. For The Good Times - Ray Price
45. It's A Shame - Spinners
46. Wild Night - Van Morrison
47. Lies - Knickerbockers
48. Treat Me Nice - Elvis Presley
49. More Today Than Yesterday - Spiral Staircase
50. Maybe Baby - Buddy Holly
51. Walking In The Rain - Ronettes
52. But It's Alright - J.J. Jackson
53. Carry On Wayward Son - Kansas
54. Sincerely - Moonglows
55. Forget Me Nots - Patrice Rushen
56. So Very Hard To Go - Tower of Power
57. Just What I Needed - Cars
58. Our Lips Are Sealed - Go-Go's
59. River Deep-Mountain High - Ike & Tina Turner
60. Love The One You're With - Stephen Stills
61. Wild World - Cat Stevens
62. Listen To The Music - Doobie Brothers
63. Baby I Love Your Way (live) - Peter Frampton
64. Into The Night - Benny Mardones
65. Different Drum - Linda Ronstadt
66. This Old Heart Of Mine - Isley Brothers
67. Tempted - Squeeze
68. If I Can Dream - Elvis Presley
69. Just Like Me - Paul Revere & The Raiders
70. Love Really Hurts Without You - Billy Ocean
71. Free Ride - Edgar Winter Group
72. Time Has Come Today - Chambers Brothers
73. I've Been Lonely Too Long - Rascals
74. Tired Of Being Alone - Al Green
75. Fantasy - Earth,Wind & Fire
76. Strange Magic - ELO
77. That's The Way Of The World - Earth, Wind & Fire
78. Games People Play - Joe South
79. Summer Rain - Johnny Rivers
80. One Of A Kind (Love Affair) - Spinners
81. Piano Man - Billy Joel
82. I'm Into Something Good - Herman's Hermits
83. Let's Spend The Night Together - Rolling Stones
84. Blue Bayou - Roy Orbison
85. Tuesday Afternoon - Moody Blues
86. Steppin' Stone - Monkees
87. So Far Away - Carole King
88. Itchycoo Park - Small Faces
89. Any Day Now - Chuck Jackson
90. People Get Ready - Impressions
91. It's My Life - Animals
92. You Get What You Give - New Radicals
93. I Melt With You - Modern English
94. Right Down The Line - Gerry Rafferty
95. I Saw The Light - Todd Rundgren
96. Having A Party - Sam Cooke
97. Got To Be Real - Cheryl Lynn
98. Oye Como Va - Santana
99.  Never Too Much - Luther Vandross

100. Look Of Love - ABC

101. Every Little Bit Hurts - Brenda Holloway

102. Super Freak - Rick James

103. Driver's Seat - Sniff 'n' the Tears 

104. Faithfully - Journey

105. Undun - Guess Who

106.  (You Make Me Feel) Mighty Real - Sylvester

107.  I Got You - Split Enz

108. Wishing You Were Here - Chicago 

109.  Show Me - Joe Tex

Inductee Predictions: 2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

Below are my Predictions for the 2025 Rock Hall, listed in alphabetical order. 

Some things to consider: 

8/14 are first time nominees.

5 are 2nd time nominees. 

One nominee is a 3 time nominee.

Two acts are back from last year (Mariah Carey, Oasis)

Only 4 women nominated. 

All 4 women are return nominees. 

No new female nominees this year. 

I think the nomcom really wants those 2 solo women inducted. 

Only 2 R&B acts nominated. 

No first year eligibles nominated. 

If you like 90’s music, this ballot is for you. 7 of these acts first hit big in that decade.   

There were 8 inductees last year and that’s the number I’m predicting this time.  Voters get to choose up to 7 acts.  

Inductees

Bad Company - There aren't many classic rock acts that still have an induction chance.  But this group does.  Paul Rodgers is a well-loved figure among many current hall of famers.  They remain a staple of classic rock radio too.  First nomination

Billy Idol - Idol's appearance at the 2024 Rock Hall ceremony was well received.  He was a big star in the 80's, thanks to MTV.  But his hits have held up well beyond that channels visuals.  First nomination

Chubby Checker - Why nominate him now?  Another nomcom mystery.  But this nom will appeal to voters who still believe the Hall shouldn't forget about these early "Rock & Roll" artists.  FIrst nomination

Cyndi Lauper - As much as I can't stand the lack of female lead singer nominees this year, it is possible that the lack of them might help push Lauper and Carey over the top.  After being nominated in 2023 she's back on the ballot.  I'm still not sure what kept her from being an FYN, but a break in nominations and lack of females on this years ballot should help.  2nd nomination

Joe Cocker - This year's "I can't believe he's not inducted" award goes to Joe Cocker.  Boomer icon whose Woodstock performance is a part of musical history.  Also, Paul McCartney’s endorsement letter from late February has to help? Right? First nomination

Mariah Carey - A surprise, to me at least, snub from last years ballot, like Cyndi Lauper she should benefit from a lack of females nominated.  And unlike like year when Mary J. Blige was inducted, she has the R&B lane all to herself.  2nd nomination

Outkast - Finally nominated even though many have predicted their nom for years.  There are no other rap acts nominated this year, so they should have no problem finally getting in.  First nomination

Soundgarden - I’ll probably regret not picking the fan vote winner, Phish. But I do t think the have wide appeal with voters. Instead, I’m going with this thrice nominated band that I thought would be a FYN on their first try.  3rd nomination

 The Rest 

Black Crowes

Joy Division/New Order

Mana

Oasis

Phish

White Stripes

Playlist for 4/12

War and Treaty - Plus One

Lady Gaga - Mayhem

Bonnie "Prince" Billy - Purple Bird 

Willow Avalon - Southern Belle Raisin' Hell

Loud, Fast & Out of Control: Wild Sounds of 50's Rock - Various (Rhino Box Set)

Now That's What I Call An Era: Sounds of the Suburbs 77-80 - Various (Box Set)

A Complete Unknown (2024 Movie)

Poll: February 1960 Songs

   The latest poll of songs I voted on was for February 1960, a big year for the CHR format.  35 songs were voted on this time. 

You can hear this countdown at: 

popradiogold.com

"This Magic Moment", Drifters : 1
"El Paso", Marty Robbins : 2
"He'll Have To Go", Jim Reeves : 3
"Beyond The Sea", Bobby Darin : 4
"Baby (You've Got What It Takes) ", Dinah Washington & Brook Benton : 5
"You Got What It Takes", Marv Johnson : 6
"The Theme From "A Summer Place"", Percy Faith & His Orchestra : 7
"Wild One", Bobby Rydell : 8
"Where Or When", Dion & the Belmonts : 9
"Sweet Nothin's", Brenda Lee : 10
"Shimmy, Shimmy, Ko-Ko-Bop", Little Anthony & the Imperials : 11
"Let It Be Me", Everly Brothers : 12
"Way Down Yonder In New Orleans", Freddie Cannon : 13
"Running Bear", Johnny Preston : 14
"Handy Man", Jimmy Jones : 15
"Teen Angel", Mark Dinning : 16
"Why", Frankie Avalon : 17
"Lonely Blue Boy", Conway Twitty : 18
"Lady Luck", Lloyd Price : 19
"Harbor Lights", Platters : 20
"I Was Such A Fool (To Fall In Love With You)", Flamingos : 21
"Puppy Love", Paul Anka : 22
"Mama", Connie Francis : 23
"The Big Hurt", Miss Toni Fisher : 24
"What In The World's Come Over You", Jack Scott : 25
"Down By The Station", Four Preps : 26
"It's Time To Cry", Paul Anka : 27
"Forever", Little Dippers : 28
"Midnite Special", Paul Evans : 29
"Darling Lorraine", Knockouts : 30
"My Heart Belongs To Only You", Twilights : 31
"Pretty Blue Eyes", Steve Lawrence : 32
"The Village Of St. Bernadette", Andy Williams : 33
"Go, Jimmy, Go", Jimmy Clanton : 34
"Tracy's Theme (From "Philadelphia Story")", Spencer Ross : 35

Personal Picks: 2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

   Below are my Personal picks for the 2025 Rock Hall, listed in alphabetical order.  Most of the 14 nominees could get a "Yes" vote from me in other years.

8/14 are first time nominees.

5 are 2nd time nominees. 

One nominee is a 3 time nominee.

Two acts are back from last year (Mariah Carey, Oasis)

Only 4 women nominated. 

All 4 women are return nominees. 

No new female nominees this year. 

I really think the nomcom wants the 2 solo women inducted. 

Only 2 R&B acts nominated. 

No first year eligibles nominated. 

If you like 90’s music, this ballot will make you happy. 7 of these acts first hit big in that decade. 

With each of my picks, I recommend some of their best recordings.

Reminder: voters can pick up to 7 acts.  

Again, these are my Personal picks, not predictions. 

Top 7

Bad Company - Thanks to the muscular vocals of Paul Rodgers they were one of my favorite rock bands of the 70's.  All praise to Free, too.  First nomination.

1.  Bad Company

2.  Very Best of 

Billy Idol - Decades removed from his MTV peak in the 80's, his best songs still sound good away from the visuals.  First nomination.

1.  Rebel Yell

2.  Greatest Hits

Cyndi Lauper -  An empowering, inspirational voice who inspired many followers.  2nd nomination.

1. She's So Unusual

2. Essential 

Joe Cocker - One of the most distinctive, soulful vocalists of his era.  I saw him open for Tom Petty in 2005 and he put on a tight 45 minute crowd-pleasing set.  First nomination.

1.  Mad Dogs and Englishmen

2.  Ultimate Collection

Mariah Carey - We all know she can sing, but she can also write a good song. Inducted into the Songwriters Hall in 2022.  2nd nomination

1.  Emancipation of Mimi

2.  Essential

Outkast - The best rap act of the late 90's/00's.  Rap blended with Southern Soul & Funk.  First nomination. 

1.  Stankonia

2.  Big Boi and Dre Present Outkast

White Stripes - Jack & Meg White blended Blues and Garage Rock into their own original sound for the 21st Century. 2nd nomination

1.  Elephant

2.  Greatest Hits

The Rest

Black Crowes - first nomination

Chubby Checker - first nomination

Joy Division/New Order - 2nd nomination

Mana - first nomination

Oasis - 2nd nomination

Phish - first nomination

Soundgarden - 3rd nomination

Playlist for 4/2

Sly Lives (2025 Sly Stone Documentary)

Sly Stone Songbook - Various (Ace)

Opry 100 (TV Special)

Anders Osborne - Picasso's Villa

Lilly Hiatt - Forever

Yacht Soul 78-84 - Paul Clifford Radio Show

Ruthie Foster - Mileage

Taj Mahal - Swingin' Live at the Church in Tulsa