Mason Williams

Not in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

Eligible since:

First Recording: 1960

Previously Considered? No  what's this?

Mason Williams
HALL OF FAME INDICATORS
🔲Rolling Stone 500 Albums
🔲Rolling Stone 500 Songs
🔲Rolling Stone Cover
🔲Saturday Night Live
🔲Major Festival Headliner
🔲Songwriters Hall of Fame
🔲“Big Four” Grammys

Essential Songs (?)WikipediaYouTube
Classical Gas (1968)

Mason Williams @ Wikipedia

Will Mason Williams be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame?
"Musical excellence is the essential qualification for induction."
Yes: 
No :


Comments

6 comments so far (post your own)

Although I am reasonably certain that Mason Williams is highly unlikely to receive an induction into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame as a performer, I think that the possibility of the induction of ‘Classical Gas’ as a single is not unlikely. Well, what do you think?

Posted by Enigmaticus on Thursday, 08/2/2018 @ 08:21am


Philip,

I think that I must have first heard ‘Classical Gas’ when it had been played on the radio over 50 years ago. I must have been around 6 years old at that time. Had it been the work of art which had led to my lifelong appreciation of “progressive rock?” Who can say for certain? However, I have appreciated orchestration since my early childhood. So, if ‘Classical Gas’ had been the song which had cemented my interest in most things progressive, then I think that it can be argued that this superlative song definitely deserves to be inducted as a single into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame. I had felt compelled to listen to it several times yesterday. I happen to only have the particular version which had appeared on the collaboration between Mason Williams and Mannheim Steamroller In 1987 on cd. I do also happenn to own the version which had appeared on the “Smother’s Brothers Comedy Hour” on dvd. Nevertheless, I have found this work to be extremely compelling as well; I am now attempting to find the original version of this recording on cd, also.

Well, what do you think?

Posted by Enigmaticus on Friday, 08/3/2018 @ 06:32am


"Classical Gas" is indeed a fine song, though for awhile I got sick of hearing it, as it was in fairly heavy rotation on the Oldies station. I do wonder how you might have turned out if your introduction to infusion of classical elements had been Apollo 100's "Joy."

Though to this day I don't care for Mannheim Steamroller.

Posted by Philip on Friday, 08/3/2018 @ 21:24pm


Philip,

I am glad that you like the instrumental piece, ‘Classical Gas.’ I am sorry that you do not like Mannheim Steamroller. I am afraid that I do not know anything whatsoever about Apollo 100s ‘Joy,’ in fact, I have never heard of them.

I had needed to amend my previous statement. Please bear with me.

I think that I must have first heard ‘Classical Gas’ when it had been played on the radio over 50 years ago. I must have been around 6 years old at that time. Had it been the work of art which had led to my lifelong appreciation of “progressive rock?” Who can say for certain, However, I have definitely appreciated orchestral music since my early childhood. So, if ‘Classical Gas’ had been the song which had cemented my interest in most things progressive, then I think that it can be argued that this superlative song definitely deserves to be inducted as a single into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame. I had felt compelled to listen to it several times yesterday. I happen to only have the particular version which had appeared on the collaboration between Mason Williams and Mannheim Steamroller In 1987 on cd. I do also happen to own the version which had appeared on the “Smother’s Brothers Comedy Hour” on dvd. Nevertheless, I have found this work to be extremely compelling as well; I am now attempting to find the original version of this recording on cd, also. The late Glen Campbell also has a version of ‘Classical Gas,’ on YouTube. Have you seen his version?

Well, what do you think?

Posted by Enigmaticus on Saturday, 08/4/2018 @ 05:49am


Enig, if I understand correctly, you are asking me what I think of inducting "Classical Gas" in the Singles category. For now, let me just say that by asking that question, you are presupposing quite a bit there.

Posted by Philip on Saturday, 08/4/2018 @ 21:00pm


Philip,

Of course, I have read your blog extensively. So, I had been fascinated by your tidbit on Monday November 21, 2016 titled “Music To My Ears: The Ballot for 2017” when you had stated the following under #15. Yes, “... Songs like “Classical Gas” by Mason Williams and revamped versions of classical melodies such as “Joy” by Apollo 100 and several arrangements by B. Bumble and The Stingers do it better for me.” So, I thought that you might be onboard with an induction of ‘Classical Gas’ under the Singles Category.

Posted by Enigmaticus on Sunday, 08/5/2018 @ 03:16am


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Future Rock Legends is your home for Mason Williams and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, including year of eligibility, number of nominations, induction chances, essential songs and albums, and an open discussion of their career.


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