Hawkins - Elect Dale Hawkins to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

To:  Nominating Committee, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

The importance of an artist can’t be determined merely by the number of hit records he has had, but by his overall involvement in, and impact on, rock and roll. DALE HAWKINS is an artist who has been involved in nearly every aspect of the music business. Consider:

.....His un-self conscious innovation, pulling together the wide variety of sounds from his North Louisiana childhood which would eventually be referred to as swamp rock - that exciting mixture of rhythm and blues, bluegrass, and gospel that defined the Shreveport sound during the mid fifties. The most striking example of this sound, “Susie Q,” has already been selected by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as one of the “500 Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll,” and is a certified BMI Million Performance Song. It was a startling new sound, and was to strongly impact future Hall of Famers James Burton, who was introduced to the world via “Susie Q,” and Creedence Clearwater Revival, whose career would be jump started a decade later with the same song. The sound and soul of “Susie Q” would continue to anchor the Creedence sound.

.....His pioneering recordings at Chess Records, the famed Chicago R&B label, where he used Southern and rural players such as the Lewis Sisters, Mathis Brothers and Scotty Moore, alongside the Moonglows and Willie Dixon.

.....His use of television to bring the new music to a wider audience. Dale was one of the first acts booked on American Bandstand, as well as the Dick Clark Saturday Night Beech Nut show, the Buddy Deane show, and a regular on the Hy Lit dance party before eventually hosting his own Dale Hawkins Show on WCAU Philadelphia. His live performances included many Alan Freed shows, as well as Harlem’s famed Apollo Theatre, where he was the first white act to appear.

.....His skills as a bandleader, his sheer ability to “put the parts together,” and his ear for talent and a commercial sound. Dale has discovered and/or nurtured many of the most beloved guitarists of a generation. James Burton, Roy Buchanan, Scotty Moore, Fred Carter, Jr., are just a few of these.

.....His success as a producer and record company executive. Dale’s influence continued to be felt in the 60s when he turned his attention to production. He produced the first hit for the Uniques, “Not Too Long Ago,” which introduced future country star Joe Stampley. He became Executive Vice President of Abnak Records, where he produced hits by the Five Americans, Jon & Robin & the In Crowd. As Vice President, Southwest Division of Bell Records, he produced Bruce Channel, Ronnie Self, James Bell, and his own cult LP, “LA, Memphis and Tyler, Texas.” He then became A&R Director, RCA West Coast Division, where his production skills, though uncredited, helped to shape Michael Nesmith’s “Joanne,” and Harry Nilsson’s “Everybody’s Talkin’.” Dale has continued to produce inspiring music, for himself and other artists. His critically acclaimed recent productions include “Goin Back to Mississippi” for slide guitar wizard Kenny Brown, and his own “Wildcat Tamer,” which received a 4 star review in Rolling Stone magazine.

Having already been recognized by the Rockabilly Hall of Fame, the Louisiana Hall of Fame, and the Now Dig This NDT Awards, we respectfully submit that Dale’s myriad accomplishments merit his inclusion in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

(It is also our sincere belief that the Hall of Fame should have a special category for those whose influence is felt across the spectrum, and should elect one person in that category each year. Starting with Dale, of course!)

Sincerely,

The Undersigned

The Hawkins - Elect Dale Hawkins to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Petition to Nominating Committee, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame was created by and written by Flo Murdock (YoFlo@comcast.net).  This petition is hosted here at www.PetitionOnline.com as a public service. There is no endorsement of this petition, express or implied, by Artifice, Inc. or our sponsors. For technical support please use our simple Petition Help form.

Send this to a friend