This Is What I Call Pride!

As a 25+ year fan of Daryl and John, I was so proud to see this BMI Icon announcement in my inbox today! If you are not a long time fan, you may not know that they have been snubbed from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for years.
As Daryl said on a recent Howard Stern interview (which is one of the best interviews of Daryl I have ever heard, btw), he said that he could really care less about getting inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Although it's obvious they should be in there, Daryl speculated that, if you were influenced by Howling Wolf, you're cool, but if you were influenced by Al Green and the Spinners, you're not. Daryl added that reverse racism at play, like the phrase “blue-eyed soul,” really upset him. If you take a look at the "Criticism" area of the Wiki link above, you will understand what I'm talking about.

In my opinion, the Songwriters Hall of Fame and something like this BMI Icon Award are more their style. I'm sure in the future Daryl and John will get into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, but really who cares? The bottom line is that they are getting recognized for the songwriters and influences they are. I'm just glad they are being recognized while they are still alive!

Here's a pic of Daryl and T-Bone at the Stern show:


Here's the announcement! Congrats Daryl and John! It feels like family!

DARYL HALL & JOHN OATES TO BE NAMED BMI ICONS
AT 56th ANNUAL POP AWARDS MAY 20 IN LOS ANGELES

LOS ANGELES, February 20, 2008 –

BMI will salute duo Daryl Hall & John Oates as BMI Icons at its 56th annual Pop Awards, slated for Tuesday, May 20 at the Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Los Angeles. Hosted by BMI President & CEO Del Bryant and BMI Vice President & General Manager, Writer/Publisher Relations, Los Angeles, Barbara Cane, the invitation-only event will also honor the songwriters and publishers of the past year's most-performed pop songs in the United States. The evening's capstone will take the form of a stirring musical tribute to Daryl Hall & John Oates.

BMI Icons are selected because of their "unique and indelible influence on generations of music makers." As BMI Icons, Daryl Hall & John Oates will join elite ranks that include the Bee Gees, Crosby, Stills & Nash, Paul Simon, Merle Haggard, Brian Wilson, Willie Nelson, James Brown, Ray Davies, Carlos Santana and Dolly Parton.

The effervescent popularity of Daryl Hall and John Oates's magical collaborations springs from the duo's devout passion for Philly soul and buoyant pop harmonies. Warmly accessible and expertly polished, Daryl Hall & John Oates's smooth production utilizes undeniable hooks and innate contemporary lyrical sensibility. The resulting eight no. 1 singles, three double-platinum and two platinum albums catapulted the pair into pop superstardom; in 1987, Daryl Hall & John Oates became the 1 selling duo in pop music, according to the RIAA. Skilled songwriters, Daryl Hall & John Oates are both members of the Songwriters Hall of Fame, together boasting 24 BMI Pop Awards and a catalog studded with 14 BMI Million-Air award songs, including "She's Gone," "Everytime You Go Away," "Kiss On My List," "Maneater" and "Sara Smile." They have prompted a surge of interest and homage from a diverse bevy of new artists, who cite the pair as definitive influences. Restless creators, Daryl Hall & John Oates have spent much of the last decade touring throughout the world.

In addition to the Icon, BMI will recognize Song, Songwriter and Publisher of the Year during the evening, along with the recipient of the BMI Foundation's John Lennon Scholarship. Pop Award winners from previous years include Maroon 5, R. Kelly, Nickelback, 3 Doors Down, Pharrell Williams, Michelle Branch, Lil Jon, the Foo Fighters, Linkin Park and Sheryl Crow.

Broadcast Music, Inc.® (BMI) is an American performing right organization that represents more than 350,000 songwriters, composers and music publishers in all genres of music and more than 6.5 million works. BMI's latest financial results, $839 million in performing right collections for its 2007 fiscal year, are the highest for any copyright organization in the world. BMI has represented the most popular and beloved music from around the world for over 65 years. The non-profit-making U.S. corporation collects license fees from businesses that use music, which it then distributes as royalties to the musical creators and copyright owners it represents.

Here they are in 1981!