Dave's Music Database Hall of Fame: Music Maker Inductees (March 2021)

Originally posted 3/22/2021. January 22, 2019 marked the 10-year anniversary of the DMDB blog! To honor that, Dave’s Music Database announced its own Hall of Fame. This ninth class of music maker inductees is comprised of the top 10 classical composers according to Dave’s Music Database. See the full list of music maker inductees here.

Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) Inducted March 2021 as a “Top Classical Composer”

Classical composer born in Eisenach, Germany. Recordings of his Cello Suites and Goldberg Variations have been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. Those two and his Mass in B Minor are also in the National Recording Registry. Those works as well as his Brandenburg Concertos and St. Matthew Passion all rank amongst the top 100 classical works of all time and the DMDB’s top 1000 albums/works of all time. Read more.

Ludwig Van Beethoven (1770-1827) Inducted March 2021 as a “Top Classical Composer”

Classical composer and pianist born in Germany. Recordings of his Violin Concerto in D Major, Symphony No. 5 in C minor, Piano Concerto No. 5, Symphony No. 7, Piano Sonatas (32), and The String Quartets (16) have been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. Those works, as well as Symphony No. 3 in E-flat "Sinfonia Eroica" Symphony No. 6 "Pastoral", and Symphony No. 9 all rank amongst the top 100 classical works of all time and the DMDB’s top 1000 albums/works of all time. Read more.

Johannes Brahms (1833-1897) Inducted March 2021 as a “Top Classical Composer”

Classical composer born in Hamburg, Germany. His Symphony No. 4 in E minor ranks as one of the top 100 classical works of all time and the DMDB’s top 1000 albums/works of all time. A recording of his Piano Trio No. 1 in B major been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. Read more.

Frédéric Chopin (1810-1849) Inducted March 2021 as a “Top Classical Composer”

Classical composer and pianist born Fryderyk Franciszek Chopin in Duchy of Warsaw, Poland. Recordings of his Nocturnes for Piano, Waltzes, and Mazurkas have been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. A recording of Polonaise, op. 40, no. 1 ("Polonaise Miltaire") is in the National Recording Registry. Read more.

Joseph Haydn (1732-1809) Inducted March 2021 as a “Top Classical Composer”

Classical composer and pianist born in Rohrau, Austria. He has been called “Father of the Symphony” and “Father of the String Quartet.” He composed more than 100 symphonies and nearly 70 string quartets. He was influential in the development of chamber music such as the piano trio. Read more.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791) Inducted March 2021 as a “Top Classical Composer”

Classical composer and pianist born Johannes Chrysostomus Wolfgangus Theophilus Mozart in Salzburg, Austria. His operas The Marriage of Figaro (Le Nozze di Figaro), Don Giovanni, and Die Zauberflote (The Magic Flute) rank among the top 50 operas of all time. Those works as well as Symphony No. 40 in G minor, Symphony No. 41 "Jupiter", Requiem Mass in D minor, Clarinet Concerto in A major, and his Piano Concertos (27) all rank amongst the top 100 classical works of all time and the DMDB’s top 1000 albums/works of all time. Read more.

Franz Schubert (1797-1828) Inducted March 2021 as a “Top Classical Composer”

Classical composer and pianist born in Himmelpfortgrund, Vienna, Austria. His works Piano Quintet in A major ("Trout"), Symphony No. 8 "Unfinished"), Winterreise, Symphony No. 9 in C major ("The Great"), and String Quintet in C major all rank amongst the top 100 classical works of all time. Read more.

Igor Stravinsky (1882-1971) Inducted March 2021 as a “Top Classical Composer”

Classical composer born Oranienbaum, Russia. His ballets Pétrouchka (aka "Petrushka") and Le Sacre du Printemps (The Rite of Spring) have been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. Those and The Firebird (L’Oiseau de Feu) rank amongst the top 100 classical works of all time. Rite of Spring is also one of the DMDB’s top 1000 albums/works of all time and is in the National Recording Registry. Read more.

Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky Inducted March 2021 as a “Top Classical Composer”

Classical composer (Swan Lake) born in Votkinsk, Russia. Wrote Swan Lake and The Nutcracker, and the 1812 Overture, which all rank amongst the top 100 classical works of all time as does his Piano Concerto No. 1 in B-flat minor, which is also one of the DMDB’s top 1000 albums/works of all time and is in the National Recording Registry and Grammy Hall of Fame. Read more.

Richard Wagner (1813-1883) Inducted March 2021 as a “Top Classical Composer”

Classical composer and pianist born Wilhelm Richard Wagner in Leipzig, Germany. His operas Tristan Und Isolde and The Ring Cycle (Der Ring Des Nibelungen) rank among the top 50 operas of all time, the the top 100 classical works of all time, and the DMDB’s top 1000 albums/works of all time. They are also both in the National Recording Registry and Grammy Hall of Fame. Read more.

Dave's Music Database Hall of Fame: Music Maker Inductees (December 2020)

Top 20 Classic Rock Acts Originally posted 12/22/2020. January 22, 2019 marked the 10-year anniversary of the DMDB blog! To honor that, Dave’s Music Database announced its own Hall of Fame. This eighth class of music maker inductees focuses on the top classic rock acts as ranked in the DMDB’s book Charting the Classic Rock Hits 1962-1981. You can see the full top 100 list here. These are the top 20 from that list, minus previous inductees, which included The Beatles, David Bowie, Bob Dylan, Elton John, Paul McCartney, The Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen, and Rod Stewart. See the full list of music maker inductees here.

AC/DC (active 1973-) Inducted December 2020 as a “Top 20 Classic Rock Act”

Hard-rock group from Australia. Members included brothers Angus Young (guitar) and Malcolm Young (guitar: 73-14) with Dave Evans (vocals: 73-74), Bon Scott (vocals: 74-80), Phil Rudd (drums: 74-82, 95-), Mark Evans (bass: 74-77). Cliff Williams (bass: 77-), Brian Johnson (vocals: 80-), Simon Wright (drums: 82-89), Chris Slade (drums: 89-95). Their album Back in Black is one of the best-selling of all-time and is featured in the DMDB book The Top 100 Albums of All Time. Read more.

Eric Clapton (1945-) Inducted December 2020 as a “Top 20 Classic Rock Act”

Guitarist Eric Clapton has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame three times as a member of the Yardbirds, Cream, and as a solo artist. His most iconic song, “Layla,” was recorded with Derek & the Dominos and is featured in the DMDB book The Top 100 Songs of the Rock Era. Its parent album, Layla & Other Assorted Love Songs, is featured in the DMDB book The Top 100 Albums of All Time. Read more.

Creedence Clearwater Revival (active 1967-1972) Inducted December 2020 as a “Top 20 Classic Rock Act”

Rock group formed while members attended high school at El Cerrito, California. Members included John Fogerty (vocals/guitar), his brother Tom Fogerty (guitar), Stu Cook (keyboards/bass: 67-72), and Doug Clifford (drums: 67-72). Their song “Proud Mary” is featured in the DMDB book The Top 100 Songs of the Rock Era. Read more.

The Doors (active 1965-1971) Inducted December 2020 as a “Top 20 Classic Rock Act”

Rock group formed in Los Angeles, California. Members included Jim Morrison (vocals), Ray Mazarek (keyboards), Robbie Krieger (guitar), and John Densmore (drums). “Light My Fire” is featured in the DMDB book The Top 100 Songs of the Rock Era. Their debut album, The Doors, is featured in the DMDB book The Top 100 Albums of All Time. Read more.

Eagles (active 1971-1980, 1994-) Inducted December 2020 as a “Top 20 Classic Rock Act”

Rock/country group formed in Los Angeles, California. Members included Don Henley (vocals/drums: 71-80,94), Randy Meisner (bass/vocals: 71-77), Bernie Leadon (guitar/vocals: 71-75), Don Felder (guitar/vocals: 75-80,94), Joe Walsh (guitar/vocals: 75-80,94), and Timothy B. Schmit (bass/vocals: 77-80,94). Their song “Hotel California” is featured in the DMDB book The Top 100 Songs of the Rock Era. Their album Hotel California is featured in the DMDB book The Top 100 Albums of All Time. Read more.

Fleetwood Mac (active 1967-) Inducted December 2020 as a “Top 20 Classic Rock Act”

Formed initially as a British blues group, but by 1975 the group had evolved into a California pop-rock group. Members included Mick Fleetwood (drums: 67-), John McVie (bass: 67-), Peter Green (guitar: 67-70), Jeremy Spencer (guitar: 67-71). Danny Kirwan (guitar: 68-72), Christine McVie (keyboards/vocals: 68, 70-97), Bob Welch (guitar: 71-74), Lindsey Buckingham (guitar/vocals: 75-87,97,03), and Stevie Nicks (vocals: 75-93,97,03-). Their album Rumours is featured in the DMDB book The Top 100 Albums of All Time. Read more.

Jimi Hendrix (1942-1970) Inducted December 2020 as a “Top 20 Classic Rock Act”

Legendary psychedelic-blues/rock guitarist born Johnny Allen Hendrix in Seattle, Washington. Died of a drug overdose in London on 9/18/1970. Started playing as a sideman with Little Richard and others before he was discovered in 1966 by the Animals’ Chas Chandler at New York City’s Café Wha? Went to London to form the Jimi Hendrix Experience (66-69) with Noel Redding (b) and Mitch Mitchell (d). Formed Band of Gypsys (69-70) with Buddy Miles (d) and Buddy Cox (b). His cover of Bob Dylan’s “All Along the Watchtower” is featured in the DMDB book The Top 100 Songs of the Rock Era. The Experience albums Are You Experienced and Electric Ladyland are featured in the DMDB book The Top 100 Albums of All Time. Read more.

The Kinks (active 1963-1994) Inducted December 2020 as a “Top 20 Classic Rock Act”

Brothers Ray and Dave Davies formed the Kinks with Peter Quaife and Mike Avory in London in 1963. They were one of the biggest groups in the British invasion. Their song “You Really Got Me” is featured in the DMDB book The Top 100 Songs of the Rock Era and is considered a foundational song for garage rock. That song, “Waterloo Sunset,” and “Lola” rank in the top 1% of all songs, according to Dave’s Music Database. Their album Village Green Preservation Society ranks as one of the top 1000 of all time. Read more.

Led Zeppelin (active 1968-1980) Inducted December 2020 as a “Top 20 Classic Rock Act”

British heavy-metal rock supergroup. Members included Robert Plant (vocals), Jimmy Page (guitar), John Paul Jones (bass/keyboards), and John “Bonzo” Bonham (drums; died on 9/25/80, at age 33, of asphyxiation). “Stairway to Heaven” is featured in the DMDB book The Top 100 Songs of the Rock Era. Their albums Led Zeppelin I, Led Zeppelin II, Led Zeppelin IV, and Physical Graffiti are featured in the DMDB book The Top 100 Albums of All Time. Read more.

Pink Floyd (active 1965-1987, 1994) Inducted December 2020 as a “Top 20 Classic Rock Act”

English progressive-rock group. Members included Syd Barrett (guitar/vocals: 65-68), Roger Waters (bass/vocals: 65-83), Nick Mason (drums: 65-87,94), Richard Wright (keyboards: 65-87,94), and David Gilmour (guitar/vocals: 68-87,94). “Another Brick in the Wall Part II” is featured in the DMDB book The Top 100 Songs of the Rock Era. Their albums Dark Side of the Moon (which holds the record for most weeks on the Billboard album chart), Wish You Were Here, and The Top 100 Albums of All Time. Read more.

Bob Seger (1945-) Inducted December 2020 as a “Top 20 Classic Rock Act”

Rock singer/songwriter born in Detroit, Michigan. Has sold more than 51 million records worldwide. His 1994 Greatest Hits album has been a continuous presence on either the Billboard Top 200 Albums or Catalog Albums charts since its release and was named the #1 Catalog Album of the Decade (2000-2010). His song “Old Time Rock and Roll” ranks in the DMDB’s top 1% of songs. Read more.

The Who (active 1964-) Inducted December 2020 as a “Top 20 Classic Rock Act”

Rock group formed in London. Founding members were Roger Daltrey (vocals), Pete Townshend (guitar/vocals), John Entwistle (bass/vocals), Keith Moon (drums; died in 1978). “My Generation” is featured in the DMDB book The Top 100 Songs of the Rock Era. Their albums Tommy and Who’s Next are featured in the DMDB book The Top 100 Albums of All Time. Read more.

 

Dave's Music Database Hall of Fame: Music Maker Inductees (September 2020)

Top 20 Billboard Hot 100 Acts Originally posted 9/22/2020. January 22, 2019 marked the 10-year anniversary of the DMDB blog! To honor that, Dave’s Music Database announced its own Hall of Fame. This seventh class of music maker inductees celebrates some of the all-time Billboard Hot 100 acts from 1958-2015 (see the full list here). These are the top 20 from that list, minus previous inductees, which included the Beatles, Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, Elton John, Madonna, Elvis Presley, Prince, The Rolling Stones, and Stevie Wonder. See the full list of music maker inductees here.

Bee Gees (active 1966-2001) Inducted September 2020 as a “Top Billboard Hot 100 Act”

Pop/disco trio from Manchester, England consisting of brothers Barry and twins Maurice and Robin. They first performed in December 1955. They went to Australia in 1958; performed as the Gibbs, later as BG’s, finally the Bee Gees. Returned to England in February 1967. In 1969, each tried a solo career. Reunited the next year. Best known for 1977’s Saturday Night Fever soundtrack, which is featured in the DMDB book The Top 100 Albums of All Time. “Stayin’ Alive” is featured in the DMDB book The Top 100 Songs of the Rock Era. Read more.

Chicago (active 1967-) Inducted September 2020 as a “Top Billboard Hot 100 Act”

Jazz-oriented rock group formed in Chicago. Originally called The Big Thing; later Chicago Transit Authority. Members included Peter Cetera (v/b: 67-85), Robert Lamm (k/v), James Pankow (trombone), Lee Loughnane (trumpet), Terry Kath (g; died of an accidental self-inflicted gunshot on 1/23/78 at age 31), Walt Parazaider (reeds), Danny Seraphine (d: 67-89), Donnie Dacus (g: 78-79), Bill Champlin (k: 82-), Jason Scheff (v: 85-), and DaWayne Bailey (g: 89-). Best known for #1 songs “If You Leave Me Now,” “Hard to Say I’m Sorry,” and “Look Away” as well as album rock staples “25 or 6 to 4” and “Saturday in the Park.” Read more.

Daryl Hall & John Oates (active 1974-) Inducted September 2020 as a “Top Billboard Hot 100 Act”

Pop-rock, blue-eyed-soul duo. Met while students at Temple University in 1967. Hall sang backup for many top soul groups before teaming up with Oates in 1972. In the late 1980s, they passed the Everly Brothers as the #1 charting duo of the rock era. Had #1 pop hits with “Rich Girl,” “Kiss on My List,” “Private Eyes,” “I Can’t Go for That,” “Maneater” and “Out of Touch.” Read more.

Janet Jackson (1966-) Inducted September 2020 as a “Top Billboard Hot 100 Act”

R&B/pop singer born in Gary, Indiana. Youngest of nine children. Her older brothers, including Michael Jackson, were in the Jackson 5. She debuted at age 7 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas with her brothers. She was a regular on TV’s Good Times (1977-79), Diff’rent Strokes (1981-82) and Fame (1984-85) before becoming a superstar singer. She had #1 hits with “When I Think of You,” “Miss You Much,” “Escapade,” “Black Cat,” “Love Will Never Do Without You,” and “That’s the Way Love Goes.” Read more.

Paul McCartney (1942-) Inducted September 2020 as a “Top Billboard Hot 100 Act”

Rock singer/songwriter and bassist born James Paul McCartney in Liverpool, England. With the Quarrymen and the Beatles (60-70) before going solo and recording with the Wings (71-79). He had #1 hits with “My Love,” “Band on the Run,” “Listen to What the Man Said,” “Silly Love Songs,” “With a Little Luck,” “Coming Up,” “Ebony and Ivory” (a duet with Stevie Wonder), and “Say, Say, Say” (a duet with Michael Jackson). Read more.

Olivia Newton-John (1948-) Inducted September 2020 as a “Top Billboard Hot 100 Act”

Country/pop singer born in Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, England. With Pat & Olivia duo and group Tomorrow before going solo. Moved to Australia in 1953. At age 16, won talent contest to England. CMA Award for 1974 Female Vocalist of the Year. In movies Grease, whose soundtrack is featured in the DMDB book The Top 100 Albums of All Time, as well as Xanadu, and Two of a Kind. Had #1 hits with “I Honestly Love You,” “Have You Never Been Mellow,” “You’re the One That I Want,” “Magic,” and “Physical.” Read more.

Rihanna (1988-) Inducted September 2020 as a “Top Billboard Hot 100 Act”

Pop/R&B singer born in Saint Michael, Barbados. Youngest artist (age 23) in Billboard history to land 10 #1’s. “Umbrella,” “Love the Way You Lie,” “We Found Love,” and “Work” are featured in the DMDB book The Top 100 Songs of the Digital Era. Read more.

Rod Stewart (1945-) Inducted September 2020 as a “Top Billboard Hot 100 Act”

Rock singer born Roderick David Stewart in Highgate, London, England. With the Shotgun Express (66),Jeff Beck Group (67-69), andThe Faces (69-75). Has worked as a solo artist since 1969. “Maggie May” is featured in the DMDB book The Top 100 Songs of the Rock Era. He had #1 hits with that song, “Tonight’s the Night (Gonna Be Alright), “Da Ya Think I’m Sexy?,” and “All for Love.” Read more.

The Supremes (active 1959-1976) Inducted September 2020 as a “Top Billboard Hot 100 Act”

Female R&B vocal group from Detroit. Formed as The Primettes in 1959. Signed to Motown’s Tamla label in 1960. Changed name to The Supremes in 1961. Members included Diana Ross (59-69), Mary Wilson (59-76), Florence Ballard (59-67; died 2/22/76), Barbara Martin (59-61), Cindy Birdsong (67-76), Jean Terrell (69-73), Lynda Lawrence (72-73), Scherrie Payne (73-76), and Susaye Green (76). Had a dozen #1 hits including “Where Did Our Love Go,” “Baby Love,” “Stop! In the Name of Love,” and “You Can’t Hurry Love,” all of which rank in the DMDB’s top 1% of songs. Read more.

Usher (1978-) Inducted September 2020 as a “Top Billboard Hot 100 Act”

R&B singer born Usher Raymond IV on 10/14/1978 in Dallas, TX. “Yeah!” is featured in the DMDB book The Top 100 Songs of the Digital Era. His album Confessions ranks in the top 100 albums of the 21st century. Read more.