P.J. Proby

Not in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

Eligible since: 1990

First Recording: 1964

Previously Considered? No  what's this?

P.J. Proby
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

P.J. Proby @ Wikipedia

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


Comments

30 comments so far (post your own)

The 6th of Nov. 2013 - P.J. Proby become 75 years. This event was celebrated at Fort Perch Rock during a short break of his long touring around U.K.As I wrote here 5 years ago : "Still touring and his voice is still so very good.
The Living Legend - Still Going Strong
He should have more attention today except from splitting his trousers in the 60s....."
5 years has passed and P.J.Proby hasstill NOT been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame !!
IS IT NOT ABOUT TIME NOW ??
https://www.facebook.com/fanpagepjproby/

Posted by Björn Lund on Saturday, 12/21/2013 @ 07:51am


It's unbelievable that P.J. Proby has not been induced in the Rock&Roll Hall of Fame yet! Why is that and what does it take? P.J. Proby has an enormous history of Rock&Roll. He started out as Jett Powers in Hollywood and his 1958 self-penned song Go Girl Go is still recognised as a song of substantial influence on the development of Rockability. Just check it out on YouTube. Then of course P.J. probe's influence on the music in the UK in the Sixties was enormous. He taught the UK artists that they should move during a performance, with his James Brown act. Sadly the UK was not ready for his knee slides which ripped his trousers. PJ Proby was a trend setter. Additionally he was the first man during the last century to wear his hair in a pony tail. How many kids nowadays know this? Please give P.J. Proby the recognition he deserves... And I'm not even mentioning his enormous voice!

Posted by manja dolan on Saturday, 12/21/2013 @ 08:17am


Additionally, P.J. Proby, at the age of 75 years old, is still rocking and boogie-ing on stage, jumping around like a 30 year old. Fifty years of Rock&Roll! What more do you have to do to get induced into The Hall Of Fame??? If you haven't seen P.J. Proby perform live yet, you really should check him out. Truly a Living Legend, not to be missed!!!

Posted by manja dolan on Saturday, 12/21/2013 @ 08:23am


I have never heard of 'P.J. Proby'. Had never heard of 'Roxette' till a few months ago, so don't take it too hard.

Will read his wiki writeup.

Posted by Paul in KY on Saturday, 12/21/2013 @ 11:02am


Just read his writeup. Tell him to get in line, as there's about 97 acts in front of him.

The Monkees & Weird Al are in that line ahead of him.

Posted by Paul in KY on Saturday, 12/21/2013 @ 11:05am


P.J. Proby may have been an interesting character in the 1960's but I can't find evidence of any significant contribution he made to the development of rock and roll. His recording of "Go, Girl, Go" wasn't widely played in 1958 or I would have heard it. Hearing it now, I think it might have been seen as innovative had he done it 5 years earlier.

I doubt the nominating committee will be impressed by someone who modeled his act after James Brown and wore a ponytail. I listened to some of Proby's other recordings on You Tube and most were covers and parodies of other singers. The ability to copy the sound and moves of other artists isn't proof of his influence on anyone.

Posted by LLoyd Black on Sunday, 12/22/2013 @ 08:18am


Well, who are you, Paul from KY, Lloyd Black and the Nominating Committee? Do you have any references of your authority on the subject? Never mind, I will not waste anymore energy on this matter and wish you good luck with your project.

Posted by Manja Dolan on Sunday, 12/22/2013 @ 17:46pm


LOL. That'll teach you, Paul.

Posted by DarinRG on Sunday, 12/22/2013 @ 18:21pm


Darin, when Manja Dolan has called you out, well guess it's gonna be a sad Christmas as the in KY residence.

Prrrooobbbyyyy!!!! (shaking fist at sky)

Posted by Paul in KY on Monday, 12/23/2013 @ 07:29am


I'm so hurt.

Posted by LLoyd Black on Monday, 12/23/2013 @ 08:59am


Paul and Lloyd, I would encourage you both to make it your New Year's Resolution to move past this painful and humiliating moment.

Posted by DarinRG on Monday, 12/23/2013 @ 16:31pm


Darin, until then I'll have to muddle through somehow.

Posted by LLoyd Black on Monday, 12/23/2013 @ 19:10pm


We're all here for you in this testing time, Paul and Lloyd.

Posted by GFW on Monday, 12/23/2013 @ 19:28pm


P.J. who?

Posted by Jason Voigt on Monday, 12/23/2013 @ 20:11pm


Thank you Darin & GFW. I'm hurting & I know Lloyd is too. Tomorrow is another day.

On a lighter note, I think 'P.J. Proby' would be a great pron (can't use the bad word) character name. Thinking a doctor...would say it practically writes itself...

Posted by Paul in KY on Thursday, 12/26/2013 @ 08:02am


Paul, I think you're right. Have you heard his 1987 Savoy Records release M97002? I doubt that one was played widely either. LOL

It looks like P.J. has a close knit group of supporters who believe he was "ahead of his time". That's one way to put it.

Opinions might differ about whether lifestyle should affect the Hall's choices, but when someone's lifestyle spills over into their music, well...

Posted by LLoyd Black on Saturday, 12/28/2013 @ 09:26am


All his fanatical supporters should think about what the Hall Nominating Committee will think about the notorious 'pants splitting incident of 66'.

a black day in the BBC that was...

Posted by Paul in KY on Monday, 12/30/2013 @ 07:58am


Paul, P.J. Proby describes the 1965 pants splitting incidents in some recent appearances shown on You Tube. He calls it accidental splitting of his pants legs at the knees only, occurring as he slid across the stage.

A 1965 issue of the British magazine "Record Mirror" described his January 1965 show at Walthamstow in the following terms:

"P.J. ran a hand from his right knee up the leg, across his lower stomach and down to the other leg."

"He very carefully put one hand on the top of his trousers and slowly pulled down the material to reveal some inches of flesh at the top of his leg."

"His behind was massaged and his trousers were torn from the knees to the top--deliberately."

"He returned, fell to his knees and split his trousers. With one hand, he ripped one leg all the way up from the knee."

"The Texan crawled across the stage, ripped the other trouser leg and did the splits revealing a wide expanse of flesh."

This show was part of a tour with Cilla Black playing to an audience of young teenagers and pre-teenagers. Shocking then but probably not shocking now? I can't say the same about his work at Savoy Records. Graphic lyrics about having "fun" with 7 year old girls while wearing a Superman cape isn't acceptable even now.





Posted by LLoyd Black on Monday, 12/30/2013 @ 08:45am


Because of my curiosity on this PJ Proby guy I looked him up in my Whitburn books and Youtube and this guy does indeed exist. He charted an impressive amount of singles, however landing only one Top 40 hit. I had never heard it until now, since oldies stations around me never played it (his biggest hit, Niki Hokey).

Nonetheless, it is great that a guy like him who was rocking in the 60s, tried real hard, did what he loved is still going strong. Even after 75 years. Just think about all the 60s rockers/band members who have passed away in the last 10 years. But I agree, if he does get in the HOF...hey, more power to him. I agree with Paul (in KY) that there are several 60s acts waiting to get in. Unless something happens to Jann Wenner, Dave Marsh or any rock hypocrite in charge, his chances of getting in could be highly.

So....congratulations Manja Dolan thanks for kickstarting this conversation!

Posted by Jason Voigt on Monday, 12/30/2013 @ 14:46pm


Lloyd, thanks for the recapping. Saw it mentioned in the wiki writeup, but did not take link as I had already concluded that even with a 'saving Ahmet Ertegun from choking' incident, Mr. Proby was not going to be seeing The Hall without a ticket.

Best wishes for a great New Year!

Posted by Paul in KY on Monday, 12/30/2013 @ 15:12pm


Hey jason! Hope you have a great New Year as well.

My comment about The Monkees & Weird Al being in front of him is shorthand (if you know how I feel about both those bands).

If you have something you love & can do into your 70s & get paid for it. Well...good on ya for that.

Posted by Paul in KY on Monday, 12/30/2013 @ 15:16pm


Paul, I wish you nothing but the best in the new year.

Keep on rockin' in the free world, man!

Posted by Andrew on Monday, 12/30/2013 @ 19:13pm


Paul, the happiest of New Years to you as well and good luck making that last train to Clarksville! LOL

Posted by LLoyd Black on Monday, 12/30/2013 @ 20:55pm


Hope you can move past this painful year and enjoy 2014, Paul.

Posted by GFW on Tuesday, 12/31/2013 @ 09:27am


Thank you, Paul. And a happy 2014 to you as well. Hope there are more concerts for you in store!

Same goes for those who have replied and responded to my comments this year. Can't remember whom at the moment, but you probably know who you are! jv

Posted by Jason Voigt on Tuesday, 12/31/2013 @ 11:05am


Now, almost 8 years since the latest comment (by me).
Still nothing has happened concerning for P.J. Proby concerning Rock & Roll Of Fame…..
Now, 8 years later - P.J. Proby is STILL GOING STRONG !
Check just what happened during 2015 :http://dutchbrand.co.uk/MomentsofMagicMerchandise/About_2015.html
Give the LIVING legend your vote for a place in the Rock & Roll Of Fame. He really deserves it after more than 50 years !!

Posted by Björn Lund on Sunday, 01/3/2016 @ 12:03pm


The Hall of Fame is like a book that has not been finished. without PJ in the HOF then it is not complete. without doubt had to be the finest and most versatile voice in the sixties. Even today in his 78th year a magnificent performer. He was born with god gifted voice.

Posted by John Wilson on Sunday, 01/3/2016 @ 12:06pm


Anyone who listens to PJ Proby or better still sees him live will come to realise how amazing he is .There is no one alive who has such charisma and talent . He truly deserves the title Living Legend and I only hope he is recognised as such .

Posted by Kathy Brandstatter on Sunday, 01/3/2016 @ 12:38pm


I have followed P.J Proby,s Singing career from the 60,s to date. The man is a true Genius. Went through a bad time, but then kicked alcohol and is still pulling in the crowds every year. Surely after this long career he should be inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Posted by Andy Cole on Friday, 01/8/2016 @ 08:30am


I am a lyric coloratura soprano, and as far as I'm concerned, P.J. Proby has the finest popular repetoire voice of anyone I've ever heard, and I've heard plenty.

Posted by C.P. on Monday, 11/22/2021 @ 13:53pm


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Future Rock Legends is your home for P.J. Proby 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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