More Fans Are Speak Out...

If the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame can induct SammyHagar as a member of Van Halen, then the Hall should induct Joe Long as a member of the 4 Seasons. Hagar,like Long, was not an original band member, yet theHall apparently believes Hagar's role as Van Halen's front man (after David Lee Roth left the band) wasmore important than Long's role as the 4 Seasons'bassist and vocal arranger. All you need to do is consider each band's success andimpact - however way the HOF Selection Committee chooses to define success and impact - while these men were members of their respective bands. There should be no argument that the 4 Seasons' success and impact with Joe Long was at least equal to that with NickMassi, the band member Long succeeded in 1965 - muchin the same way that the Hall of Fame must believe that Van Halen's success and impact with Hagar wasequal to that with David Lee Roth.While worthy of acknowledgment, Sammy Hagar's work andinfluence outside of Van Halen should not be factoredinto his HOF induction as a member of Van Halen. Ifthe Hall believes that Hagar had such an individualimpact, then the Hall should induct him as a soloartist in the same way it did with John Lennon, PaulMcCartney, and George Harrison as solo artistssubsequent to their induction as members of TheBeatles.Therefore, by setting this precedent of inductingSammy Hagar as a member of Van Halen, the Hall of FameSelection Committee should do the right thing and induct Joe Long as a member of the 4 Seasons.

Regards,
Michael Kent
Houston, TX