Letters from Mr. Frank Rovello to the R&R Hall of Fame
Initial letter to Rock and Roll Halll of Fame by Mr. Rovello:
Dear Ms. Stewart,
I have already sent the email text below to the Directors of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, so it is with all probability that you have already read my email. However, taking no chances, I am sending it directly to you, with hopes that the Hall will do the right thing.
Dear Director,
Joe Long should have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame along with the rest of the Four Seasons back in 1990. He was an integral part of the Seasons from 1965 through 1975. Taking nothing away from the original Four Seasons but Joe was considered an "original" to the fans of the Four Seasons, and as such should have been able to stand alongside his long time group mates at the induction ceremony.
It is interesting to note that Joe Long was a member of the Four Seasons longer than original member Nick Massi. When Mr. Massi left in 1965 Joe stepped in and the Seasons missed not one beat. Then Joe went on to become the stage presence of the Seasons for the next 10 years. Joe was so comfortable on stage, making it easy for the rest of the group to relax as he became the focal point. Let one not forget that Joe was also a fan favorite. He did not take his fame for granted, he always had a smile and a warm hello for anyone who approached him. In that respect he was the best of the Four Seasons.
It is time for those in charge of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame to correct an egregious oversight and give Joe Long his rightful place in the Hall as one of the Four Seasons.
Frank Rovello
http://genuine-imitation-life-gazette.com
Ms. Stewarts reply to Mr. Rovello's Request:
Frank:
We did receive your email regarding Joe Long.
Nomination and induction into the Hall of Fame is not about popularity, records sales, which label the group is on, or anything other than the process below. The love for, the evaluation of, and the impact of any artist are subjective questions to be answered by the nominators and the voters. Unlike baseball, football, basketball or hockey, statistics are not relevant. Please read below:
The entire nomination and induction process is coordinated by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation in New York City. Individuals can be inducted in four categories: Performer, Early Influence, Non-Performer and Side-Men. The only formal criteria for the performance category is that an artist has to have had their first record 25 years ago. That said, candidates are reviewed and discussed relative to their impact on this music that we broadly call rock and roll. The innovation and influence of these artists is also critical. Gold records, number one hits, and million sellers are really not appropriate standards for evaluation.
The formal selection of Performers begins with an extensive panel of journalists, historians, previous inductees, noted musicians, industry heads, etc. In turn, those nominated are sent to a committee of more than 800 people around the world (journalists, historians, music industry management, all previous inductees, musicians, etc.) who vote. Those receiving the highest number of votes and more than 50% of the votes cast are inducted into the Hall. Usually, this means five to seven new performing members each year. So you can see the road to being inducted is an arduous one and for the most part, removed from the realm of influences or politics.
Once the Four Seasons were selected, the Advisory Committee looked at the history of the group, i.e., origins, songwriting for the group, arranging the group, etc., and decided to induct only the original four members. I understand your displeasure but this is a ruling that has to be made with every band or group inducted. Each time, this committee examines the history and impact of all those playing a role and then makes a determination as to who is inducted.
Peace & Soul,
Rock & Roll!
Terry Stewart
President
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum
Follow-up letter to Terry Stewart by Mr. Rovello:
Hi Terry,
Thank you for the quick and informative response.
If among all of the groups that have been inducted into the Hall of Fame there is just one non-original member then you have opened the door to accepting other non-original members.
I feel that the Advisory Committee did not do a very good job of reviewing the history of the Four Seasons. Had they done a thorough job then there would have been no way for them to have missed Joe's ten years of service, ten years of what he brought to the recording studio, ten years of what he brought to their live performances. Not to mention that he is probably one of the finest rock bass guitar players to have appeared on record and stage.
One last thing, it is with dismay that I notice in your list of those of the selection panel not one mention of fans. It is the fans that made these rock and roll performers successful. Sadly it seems that it is still only the fans that know who and what made these performers as successful as they were.
Frank Rovello
Frank Rovello,
http://genuine-imitation-life-gazette.com
Dear Ms. Stewart,
I have already sent the email text below to the Directors of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, so it is with all probability that you have already read my email. However, taking no chances, I am sending it directly to you, with hopes that the Hall will do the right thing.
Dear Director,
Joe Long should have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame along with the rest of the Four Seasons back in 1990. He was an integral part of the Seasons from 1965 through 1975. Taking nothing away from the original Four Seasons but Joe was considered an "original" to the fans of the Four Seasons, and as such should have been able to stand alongside his long time group mates at the induction ceremony.
It is interesting to note that Joe Long was a member of the Four Seasons longer than original member Nick Massi. When Mr. Massi left in 1965 Joe stepped in and the Seasons missed not one beat. Then Joe went on to become the stage presence of the Seasons for the next 10 years. Joe was so comfortable on stage, making it easy for the rest of the group to relax as he became the focal point. Let one not forget that Joe was also a fan favorite. He did not take his fame for granted, he always had a smile and a warm hello for anyone who approached him. In that respect he was the best of the Four Seasons.
It is time for those in charge of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame to correct an egregious oversight and give Joe Long his rightful place in the Hall as one of the Four Seasons.
Frank Rovello
http://genuine-imitation-life-gazette.com
Ms. Stewarts reply to Mr. Rovello's Request:
Frank:
We did receive your email regarding Joe Long.
Nomination and induction into the Hall of Fame is not about popularity, records sales, which label the group is on, or anything other than the process below. The love for, the evaluation of, and the impact of any artist are subjective questions to be answered by the nominators and the voters. Unlike baseball, football, basketball or hockey, statistics are not relevant. Please read below:
The entire nomination and induction process is coordinated by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation in New York City. Individuals can be inducted in four categories: Performer, Early Influence, Non-Performer and Side-Men. The only formal criteria for the performance category is that an artist has to have had their first record 25 years ago. That said, candidates are reviewed and discussed relative to their impact on this music that we broadly call rock and roll. The innovation and influence of these artists is also critical. Gold records, number one hits, and million sellers are really not appropriate standards for evaluation.
The formal selection of Performers begins with an extensive panel of journalists, historians, previous inductees, noted musicians, industry heads, etc. In turn, those nominated are sent to a committee of more than 800 people around the world (journalists, historians, music industry management, all previous inductees, musicians, etc.) who vote. Those receiving the highest number of votes and more than 50% of the votes cast are inducted into the Hall. Usually, this means five to seven new performing members each year. So you can see the road to being inducted is an arduous one and for the most part, removed from the realm of influences or politics.
Once the Four Seasons were selected, the Advisory Committee looked at the history of the group, i.e., origins, songwriting for the group, arranging the group, etc., and decided to induct only the original four members. I understand your displeasure but this is a ruling that has to be made with every band or group inducted. Each time, this committee examines the history and impact of all those playing a role and then makes a determination as to who is inducted.
Peace & Soul,
Rock & Roll!
Terry Stewart
President
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum
Follow-up letter to Terry Stewart by Mr. Rovello:
Hi Terry,
Thank you for the quick and informative response.
If among all of the groups that have been inducted into the Hall of Fame there is just one non-original member then you have opened the door to accepting other non-original members.
I feel that the Advisory Committee did not do a very good job of reviewing the history of the Four Seasons. Had they done a thorough job then there would have been no way for them to have missed Joe's ten years of service, ten years of what he brought to the recording studio, ten years of what he brought to their live performances. Not to mention that he is probably one of the finest rock bass guitar players to have appeared on record and stage.
One last thing, it is with dismay that I notice in your list of those of the selection panel not one mention of fans. It is the fans that made these rock and roll performers successful. Sadly it seems that it is still only the fans that know who and what made these performers as successful as they were.
Frank Rovello
Frank Rovello,
http://genuine-imitation-life-gazette.com
posted by The Four Seasons Fan Club Online | 4:42 PM
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