*Finally, Darlene Love will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
The singer/actress joins Neil Diamond, the Alice Cooper Band, New Orleans musician Dr. John and singer-songwriter Tom Waits as part of the 2011 class, it was revealed Tuesday.
Piano man Leon Russell was honored with a musical excellence award, previously the sideman category, while executives Jac Holzman and Art Rupe were given the Ahmet Ertegun Awards.
It took three tries before Love, best known for hits such as “(Today I Met) The Boy I’m Gonna Marry” and her work with producer Phil Spector and the Blossoms, was approved for the hall. When the AP reached her on Tuesday, an enthusiastic Love said: “I can actually breathe.”
“Finally it’s done,” she added. “It still hasn’t hit me yet. I still have that nervous stomach, and I’m still excited.”
The excitement will have to wait for some: Bon Jovi, nominated for the first time, was turned away from the hall, as was LL Cool J, the J. Geils Band, the Beastie Boys, Donna Summer and more.
As for who might induct Love at the ceremony, she thought two of her biggest boosters for the hall — Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band’s Stevie Van Zandt — would likely do the honors at the March 14 induction ceremony in New York City.
She was also happy for some of the other inductees, including Russell, who used to play on some of her sessions.
“This is going to be a helluva jam session,” she quipped about the upcoming festivities.
The induction ceremony will be aired on Fuse.
Below, Love has performed her 1963 classic “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” every year since 1986 on the last episode before Christmas of “Late Night with David Letterman” (NBC 1986 – 1992) and the “Late Show with David Letterman” (CBS 1993 to present). The song is always performed with Paul Shaffer and the show’s house band and Letterman has stated that the annual performance is his favorite part of Christmas.
o.k., I live in a hole…..who dis woman is? never heard of her.
Apparently she has an extensive singing career, however I remember her from recording with Luther Vandross.
Congratulations Ms. Love! On another note, she looks like she could be Wanda Sykes mom in that picture.
I thought she was just Murtaugh’s wife from Lethal Weapon!
youngsters! (smh)Yay for Darlene Love. Darlene was a member of the Blossoms. This group backed up many singers in the early 60s – Sam Cooke, Elvis Presley, Righteous Brothers, Dionne Warwick, Johnny Rivers and many others. Darlene and her group recorded “He’s a Rebel”. I know before ya’lls time. Her sister, Edna Wright, was the lead vocalist of the Honeycombs of “Want Ads” fame. Yes, Darlene Love recorded the song “Listen to the Bells” with Luther on his Christmas album.
Well deserved recognition for a powerhouse of a singer.
I’m glad for ‘ol girl and I know all those you listed except her and her sister.
U must be 14 years old…You NEVER HEARD of The Honey Comb songs “Want Ads” or “Stick Up”…check em’ out on You Tube or watch the old Soul Train episodes on TV ONE…Damn shame we know Rihanna and never heard of Darlene Love or her sister Edna Wright…both incredible have history and careers in the music industry.
or “(Day that I Lost You is) The Day I Found Myself” or “Sitting on a Time Bomb” or “One Monkey Don’t Stop No Show” or “While You Out Looking for Sugar” or “Girls it Ain’t Easy” and on and on.
I thought she was a member of the 60′s group the Crystals – one of those Phil Spector Wall of Sound female groups – she played Danny Glover’s wife in the Lethal Weapon movies in the 80′s – hard to recognize her now without the hair/weave she wore in those movies…..
Crazy Phil did have Darleen and the Blossoms record as the Crystals when the real Crystals apparently couldn’t make it to Cali in time to record the song ‘He’s a Rebel’. With both groups working with Phil he released several records with Darleen and the Blossoms as being the Crystals.
correction – The name of group is the called the “Honey Cone” and not Honeycombs. Discovered this when I brought out my mp3 player and thought I would listen to the songs from back in the day.
Did she sing in the 60′s, 70′s. I am not sure. I will google her info and find out. Congrats to Ms Love. PS. I remember her in all 4 of the Lethal Weapons movies playing the wife of Danny Glover’s character.