Simone, a brilliant musician and singer, was elected into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The woman never sang a rock and roll song in her life. She began as a singer of standards heavily flavored by jazz, went on to folk and protest songs but never rock and roll.

Considering that the Cleveland Hall of Fame has almost totally ignored the pioneering black vocal groups of the early and mid-fifties, one wonders what the hell they're smoking. They seem to think rock and roll began with the Beatles.

Someone should tell them that the Hall is in Cleveland for one reason only - it was the original home radio base of the man who first gave the new music its name. Alan Freed, while not coining the phrase, called it Rock 'n' Roll. He was the single individual most responsible for bringing black vocal groups to the attention of the mainstream (white) teenage audience.

Ms. Simone, a giant in other musical venues, would likely reject the honor.

Good observation.

I had an album (Here Comes the Sun) of Beatles and Dylan songs sung by her... do they bring her into the fold?

Never heard of her... at least the name strikes no bells.

You may be to young.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nina_Simone

http://www.ninasimone.com/

I'm 56, so not all THAT young, but still never heard of her, and I did look at those links Tal. More like it wasn't my style of music or I might have.

I've heard of her but only because of the movie Point of No Return. Only know a few of her songs, those they played in the movie. But yes, I've heard of her, and I'm younger than Smoothy. :)

I'm older than most and I sure did hear of her but it was a jazz/blues based music. I remember more about Mahalia Jackson, saw her in Philadelphia in the 60's.

I like the song "Black is the color of my true loves hair" a lot!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWmCbEbMmeU