Why The Spinners Belong In The Rock Hall

 

 Update: The Spinners were finally inducted into the Rock Hall in 2023.  

This will come as no surprise to anyone that's followed my blog posts in the last couple of decades, but my #1 Rock Hall snub act are the Spinners.  Eligible since 1986 and nominated 4X (2012, '15, '16, '23). 

  The simple fact of the matter is that the Spinners belong in the Rock Hall because they are near the top of the R&B vocal group mountain of the 70's.  The records they released during this period are some of the most perfectly made records of that decade. Influential? Yes, as I point out later in this post.  Honestly, I love that whole 70's R&B vocal group era: O'Jays (Rock Hall Inductees 2005), Stylistics, Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes, Manhattans, Delfonics, Three Degrees, Emotions, Labelle, Dells (Inducted 2004), Chi-Lites, Gladys Knight & The Pips (Inducted 1996).

  Those records the Spinners made in the 70's, thanks to the magical touch of Thom Bell producing and co-writing (mostly with the great Linda Creed), just stood out on the radio. One note: the Stylistics, during their classic hits run, were also produced by Bell (who co-wrote most of their hits with Creed).  BTW- Bell is in the Songwriters Hall, but should also be in the Rock Hall.  Bell's Philly Sound fit the Spinners perfectly.  Elegant, orchestrated, lush music matched by peerless vocals.

  And I want to point out as well that the Spinners were widely known during their peak years to be one of the most exciting live acts around.  You can check out a bunch of clips on YouTube if you need proof of their magic. Add their live prowess to their classic records and you have the whole Rock Hall package. 

  The Spinners first record came out on a small Indie label in 1961 and was an R&B and Pop success (#27)  But they couldn't follow it up until 1964 when they were signed to Motown.  Good stuff can be found on those early sides, yet nothing classic, except for 1970's "It's A Shame" (co-written by Stevie Wonder).  Once they signed with Atlantic in 1972 and hooked up with Thom Bell, everything changed.  It was also during this time that they got a new member,  Philippe Wynne, who often traded lead vocals with Bobby Smith.  Wynne and Smith are two of R&B's great, underrated vocalists.   Wynne left in the late 70's, and the Spinners had a couple of Pop Top 10 remakes before their chart run came to an end in the mid-80's. They still tour today with their last remaining member, Henry Fambrough.  Henry's baritone. can be heard singing lead and trading off verses with Bobby and Philippe on a number of their songs. 

  As I mentioned above, Henry is the last original member still alive.  He has been with the group since they formed in 1954. Henry turns 85 on May 10th.  How great would it be to have this great man receive a Rock Hall induction now?  Let's honor some of our older artists while they are still with us. 

  The records have endured.  And were loved by many a diverse group of artists from Hall & Oates, Bee Gees,  David Bowie, Elvis Costello, Elton John, Chuck D, James Taylor, Todd Rundgren, Stevie Nicks ("Dreams") and even Paul Stanley. All the names I listed are in the Rock Hall.  And don't forget Hip Hop acts that sampled them like 2Pac, who used "Sadie" for his 1995 Top 10 hit, "Dear Mama".  Even noted Rock Hall curmudgeon Steve Miller couldn't believe the Spinners weren't inducted along with him in 2016: "The Spinners were one of the greatest live acts ever to sing and play." 2023 Rock Hall nominee said Sheryl Crow they were "the sound of her childhood".  In 2021 Daryl Hall called Philippe one of his favorite vocalists ever: “I loved his singing style. I loved what he brought to the table in the world of soul. I mean, it was gospel music all the way. He moved me like just about nobody else ever has”. 

  One of the big misconceptions about Classic R&B vocal groups from the 70's is that they only made great singles. As if the albums were an afterthought. Not true. The O'Jays' Back Stabbers, Stylistics, Chi-Lites' Give More Power To The People, Blue Magic, Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes' To Be True, Gladys Knight & the Pips' Imagination. 

  And the Spinners made excellent albums. The classic era with Thom Bell & Co. lasted from 72-76.  The six albums below are the best from this period.

Spinners - s/t  (1973)
Mighty Love   (1974)
New and Improved (1974)

Live! (1975)
Pick of the Litter (1975)

Happiness is Being With The Spinners  (1976)

  As for their compilations, Rhino's 2CD Anthology from the 90's is a must. Also from Rhino, both volumes of Very Best of  are perfect. As is Best of Spinners, which was their first compilation of their 72-76 Atlantic era hits. There's also a career-spanning box set, from Rhino, called the Chrome Collection.
For a taste of their Motown years try Best of  on, yes Motown Records. 

  YouTube is full of amazing clips of the 70's Spinners in all their wondrous glory. Watch, listen and be amazed.  The only documentary on them came from TV One's Unsung series in 2011.  The hour episode is not easy to find on any video site.  But keep checking as it often turns up online for brief periods.

  I was honored to be a guest on Nick Bambach's Rock In Retrospect podcast on the first episode ever devoted to the Spinners.  

Back in April 2021 I wrote about Rhino's 1991 Anthology, one of the best Spinners hits' sets. 

This short video does a good job of telling the history of the Spinners: Story of the Spinners

And here's  a piece I wrote about Thom Bell after he died last December. 

Ultimate Classic Rock wrote a good article on why the Spinners belong in the Hall: 5 Reasons the Spinners Belong In The Rock Hall

Here's a short clip of Thom Bell talking about how he hooked up with the Spinners in 1972: Spinners & Thom Bell

Here's 25 great Spinners songs on a Spotify playlist:
1.  I'll Be Around
2.  Could It Be I'm Falling In Love
3.  It's A Shame
4.  Games People Play
5.  Rubberband Man
6.  Mighty Love
7.  Love Don't Love Nobody
8.  Then Came You (w/Dionne Warwick)
9.  Sadie
10. One Of A Kind (Love Affair)
11. Working My Way Back To You/Forgive Me Girl
12. I Don't Want To Lose You
13. How Could I Let You Get Away
14. Living A Little, Laughing A Little
15. Ghetto Child
16. I'll Always Love You
17. Are You Ready For Love
18. Honest I Do
19. Love Or Leave
20. He'll Never Love You Like I Do
21. You're Throwing A Good Love Away
22. Cupid/I've Love You For A Long Time
23. I'm Coming Home
24. That's What Girls Are Made For
25. Since I Been Gone