Stones, Temptations Among Rock Hall of Fame Choices

Four sure things and a dark horse have been named to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: The Rolling Stones, the Temptations, Stevie Wonder, Otis Redding and Dion will be honored at ceremonies in New York on Jan. 18, it was announced late Monday.

The first four acts were considered shoo-ins for enshrinement in their first year of eligibility--25 years after their first record release. Dion, who had been previously nominated, was selected over such eligible performers as Bobby Darin, the Four Tops, Wilson Pickett and Ike & Tina Turner.

The winners were selected from a list of 30 nominees by a voting panel of 150 music-industry professionals worldwide, including performers, critics, executives and broadcasters.

The Rolling Stones, whose future is on hold due to an ongoing split between guitarist Keith Richards and singer Mick Jagger, for many years wore the mantle of “the world’s greatest rock ‘n’ roll band.” Beyond their 39 Top 40 hits (including eight No. 1 records), the band’s menacing, alluring music in the ‘60s became an essential sound track for a generation’s course through political and social turmoil. The big pre-banquet question figures to be whether the two sparring Stones will both show up and share the spotlight.

Wonder and the Temptations were both key cogs in Motown’s mid-’60s hit machine. Wonder began as Little Stevie Wonder, delivering a string of infectious R&B; hits before developing an independent, socially conscious brand of pop-soul in the early ‘70s. His output has been uneven lately, but he remains one of pop’s most respected figures. The Temptations, with their string of fine lead singers, smooth harmonies and legendary choreography, set a style adopted by countless soul groups.

Redding, who died in a plane crash at age 26 in 1967, had nine Top 40 singles. More important, the sterling singer and electrifying performer was one of the first hard soul singers to reach the white rock audience, thanks largely to his dazzling display at the 1967 Monterey Pop Festival. His 1968 classic “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay” was a hit again this year for singer Michael Bolton.

Dion (Di Muci) had his first hits (“A Teenager in Love,” “Where or When”) with Dion & the Belmonts in the late ‘50s. The Bronx native’s solo career ranged from early-’60s rock ‘n’ roll hits like “Runaround Sue” and “The Wanderer” to his surprising 1968 turn to social consciousness, “Abraham, Martin and John.” Though clearly not as historically important as his fellow inductees, Dion is regarded with affection for the purity of his early doo-wop records. Bruce Springsteen applied a seal of approval in the mid-’70s when he jumped on stage during a Dion show at the Roxy to sing back-up on some of the old hits.

Also named this year to the “early influences” wing: blues great Bessie Smith, pop vocal group the Ink Spots and gospel group the Soul Stirrers. Record producer Phil Spector was elected as a non-performing member.