Rock HOF Inductions Ceremony Returns To Los Angeles Saturday

LOS ANGELES, CA — "Thom Bell can do no wrong," writer-director Cameron Crowe declares in his just-published memoir, and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame -- whose induction ceremony returns to Los Angeles on Saturday -- feels the same way about the prolific R&B/soul songwriter and producer.

The late Bell, an architect of the lush, melodic Philadelphia soul sound, crafted hits for beloved 1970s vocal groups such as the Spinners, the Delfonics and the Stylistics -- and influenced generations that came after.

These days, Bell's is a name most would not recognize, although the classics he helped craft -- among them "Betcha by Golly, Wow," "I'll Be Around" and "Then Came You" -- are considered pop culture peaks for Crowe and others who know such things.

Bell, who died three years ago at age 79, will be inducted in the Rock HOF in the Musical Excellence category at the ceremony Saturday at the Peacock (formerly the Nokia) Theater at LA Live in downtown Los Angeles.

That category is often the most interesting class at the annual awards event. Along with Bell, the British studio great Nicky Hopkins, whose piano -- mixed high -- appears on timeless records by the Rolling Stones, the Kinks, the Who, Jeff Beck and countless others, will be awarded posthumously.

The third artist in the Musical Excellence category is Carol Kaye, the first-call studio bassist who played on thousands of 1960s recordings, including the Beach Boys' "Good Vibrations," Ike & Tina Turner's "River Deep, Mountain High" and Ray Charles' "In the Heat of the Night."

Unlike Bell and Hopkins, she's alive -- but says she wants no part of the Rock HOF.

"I've declined ... Permanently," the 90-year-old Kaye said in an email to The Associated Press. She said she sent a letter to the HOF saying the same thing. According to Kaye, the HOF does not truly honor the work studio musicians did in crafting the hits of the '60s.

The annual induction ceremony is usually held in New York or at the HOF's home in Cleveland, but previously took place in Los Angeles in 1993, 2013 and 2022.

This year's inductees in the Performer class are Soundgarden, Outkast, Cyndi Lauper, The White Stripes, Bad Company, Chubby Checker and Cocker. Additionally, Warren Zevon and Salt-N-Pepa are being inducted in the Musical Influence category, and former Warner Bros. Records president Lenny Waronker will receive the Ahmet Ertegun Award (named for the co-founder of Atlantic Records).

Those expected to take the stage during the show include Avril Lavigne, Bryan Adams, Chappell Roan, En Vogue, Jim Carrey, Mick Fleetwood and many more, according to the Rock HOF.

Presenters and performers will also include Beck, Brandi Carlile, David Letterman, Doja Cat, Elton John, Flea, Iggy Pop, and others.

John will perform a tribute to late Beach Boys co-founder Brian Wilson, who died in June.

To be eligible for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, an artist must have released their first commercial recording at least 25 years prior to the year of induction.

By FRED SHUSTER

City News Service