Petition to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
Attachment 2 - July 1, 2000 Letter
from Mr. Philip Haldeman
The Ventures Hall of Fame Induction Committee
c/o P.O. Box 56
St. Thomas, VI 00804-0056
U.S.A.
July 1, 2000
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation
Attention: Ms. Susan Evans
1290 Avenue of the Americas, 2nd Floor
New York, NY 10104
Dear Ms. Evans and Foundation Members:
On June 15th I submitted a fifth petition package for induction of
The Ventures into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. A
couple weeks later, I received an extraordinary email letter from Mr.
Philip Haldeman, a staff reviewer for American Record Guide
magazine. I am submitting this letter to you now, because I believe it
says, with passion and clarity, what perhaps none of my own lengthy
petition letters have been able to express about The
Ventures. As put quite simply by Mr. Haldeman:
The Ventures represent the "pure music" of rock and roll.
If for no other reason, The Ventures should be inducted
into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame because, for more than 40 years,
they have expressed the essence of what is "rock and roll."
Mr. Haldeman's letter is attached for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Arnold E. van Beverhoudt, Jr.
Committee Co-Chairman
Email: arnoldvb@islands.vi
Web: www.sandcastlevi.com
Philip Haldeman
July 1, 2000
Ms. Susan Evans, Executive Director
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation
1290 Avenue of the Americas, 2nd Floor
New York, NY 10104
Dear Ms. Evans and Foundation Members:
As a classical music reviewer for American Record Guide (the
premiere journal of classical recordings since 1931), I don't often
express opinions about rock and roll. One week ago, I attended the
opening ceremonies of Seattle's new "Experience Music Project" (the EMP)
funded by Microsoft billionaire Paul Allen. The EMP, as you may know,
is Seattle's big new rock and roll museum.
One of the groups chosen to climax the day's opening ceremonies was
The Ventures. I had to see them in concert because I'd partly
grown up on their music and still have a dozen original LPs of theirs
-- a "guilty pleasure" perhaps, for a classical reviewer. I expected
to have a good time, but I was unprepared for the feelings that washed
over me as I listened. I was, and am, reminded that The Ventures
are and always have been the best instrumental group in rock and roll.
Rock and roll is not necessarily a vocal medium. Neither does it
necessarily have to express deep human longings or frustrations. The
Ventures make music. They have a rhythmic, potent, and imaginative
musicians' skill that has lasted for 40 years. Their voices are their
guitars. Theirs is not a complex classical musicianship, nor is it
jazz-like and improvisatory. Neither do The Ventures excel at
being stage personalities. Rather they are pure musicians who are able
to bring their talents to the stage. Seeing them, you can't help notice
the contrast between their modest personalities and the sheer
expressiveness of melody and sound that emanates from the instruments
they play.
Does the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation understand that
pure music has value -- or that the interpretation of others' music has
value? I review classical music, and 99% of what I review are
performances of works that have been performed many, many times before.
The Ventures have had original hits -- but maybe the reason they
aren't in the Hall of Fame is that they are primarily interpretive
artists. Most often, they bring their own instrumental style to others'
compositions. But the same can be said of almost every famous classical
musician in the world. The Ventures represent the "pure music"
of rock and roll.
Imagine the accomplishment: 90 million records sold without a vocal.
What does this tell you? It tells me that there's something you've been
missing in not inducting these guys into the Hall of Fame. Before
today, I didn't even know they weren't in the Hall of Fame! I would
have assumed they were. Their influence is legendary. There is a good
reason for this, and you have missed it. It's their ability to make
music that moves ordinary people. Fashions come and go, but The
Ventures remain compelling and steadfast. They are among rock and
roll's primary interpreters. And you just can't be in that elite
position without knowing what you're doing and having the superior skill
to do it.
It's about time we recognized The Ventures, not only for their
legendary influence, but for the fine rock and roll they have delievered
for nearly a half-century.
Sincerely,
Philip Haldeman
Staff Reviewer, American Record Guide
Email: haldeman@accessone.com
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