One couple you’ve never heard of should be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

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Previously, we argued that Poly Styrene, the pioneering frontwoman of early punk band X-Ray Spex, should be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (RRHOF) under the Musical Influence category. Now, let’s discuss another less frequently mentioned pair who warrant recognition in the Non-Performer category.

To an individual engaged in my profession and sharing similar musical tastes, I owe a greater debt of gratitude to Greg and Suzy Shaw than to any other inductees at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as of now.

One of the original categories established in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (RRHOF) was the Non-Performer section, designed to acknowledge crucial figures in the development of rock music who may not have had substantial performing careers due to insufficient stage presence for regular induction. The Early Influences category, now known as Musical Influences, originally recognized artists from before the rock and roll era whose work laid the groundwork for rock & roll.

This influential couple deserves to be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

The term “Non-Performers” was coined as an all-encompassing label for music industry professionals such as executives, producers, technicians, disc jockeys (originally referring to those who select and play music), and journalists who significantly contributed to the development of the genre.

As a music enthusiast, I’m thrilled to share that this prestigious award bears the name of Ahmet Ertegun, the visionary behind Atlantic Records. In its early days, it honored legends such as Alan Freed, a pioneering DJ, John Hammond, a renowned archivist, historian, and producer, and Sam Phillips, whose Sun Studio catapulted Elvis Presley to fame. Over fifty other remarkable figures have followed in their footsteps since the first class was inducted. Last year, Suzanne de Passe, who played a crucial role in transforming Motown from a record label into a multimedia powerhouse, was added to this esteemed group of inductees.

In the mid-1960s, Greg Shaw, a budding rock & roll enthusiast, found himself in his teenage years. His love for music was more than just a pastime; it held the promise of a future career. This journey started with Mojo Navigator Rock & Roll News, a magazine he and his companions created to share their thoughts on contemporary tunes. Mojo Navigator, unfortunately short-lived, released its 14th and final issue in 1967. Following this, Jann Wenner, another music aficionado from the Bay area, launched Rolling Stone. Many scholars claim that Mojo Navigator significantly influenced Wenner’s decision to start Rolling Stone.

As Shaw labored on his project, Mojo Navigator, he encountered a teenage girl who had fled from Palo Alto to immerse herself in the Haight Ashbury environment. This young woman, later known as Suzy, collaborated with Greg on Mojo Navigator and subsequently co-founded Bomp! (originally named Who Put The Bomp). It wasn’t the first music fanzine available for sale.

Mojo Navigator or Paul William’s Crawdaddy! could potentially claim that title, as the former focused on rock music from the east and the latter tracked the Pacific coast while Greg Shaw was exploring the west. However, Bomp!’s influence was immense.

From 1974 to 1979, Bomp! acted like an enthusiastic, dedicated, music-loving insider, providing insights into the music industry. The Shaws consistently discovered new bands and musical trends well before these became mainstream. While many were linked to the burgeoning punk rock scene, they covered anything that piqued their interest.

Even at just over two decades old, Greg had already spent more than ten years creating and publishing magazines. This unique combination of youthful enthusiasm and seasoned wisdom was what made Bomp! one of the top-tier early fanzines.

A brief rundown of Bomp!’s writers is akin to a star-studded roster of contemporary rock music journalists. Names such as Lester Bangs, Greil Marcus, Dave Marsh, and Richard Meltzer are among its contributors. Although they were frequently featured in heavyweights like Rolling Stone and Creem, they still found time to pen articles for Bomp!.

Greg was responsible for the creative aspects, while Suzy looked after the business side. They continued this arrangement when they shut down their magazine in 1979 to concentrate on Bomp! Records, which was one of the pioneering Indie labels of the punk era. Their influence stretched beyond punk into power pop and new wave, among other genres.

Through his exceptional musical acumen, Greg significantly contributed to the rise of Devo, Iggy Pop, the Flaming Groovies, the Plimsouls, and the Romantics into public consciousness, and caught the eye of larger record labels that quickly signed them. Under the guidance of the Shaws, Bomp! continued to be a pivotal player within the independent music scene, thriving even as numerous other small labels emerged and faded away.

In 2004, Greg sadly passed away at the age of 55. Despite their divorce, Suzy, who had remained professionally connected with him, continued to manage the Bomp! label. She released reissues and compilations, as well as new material. They even authored a couple of books that chronicled the history of Bomp!, providing an insightful account not only of Bomp! but also of independent rock & roll music in America.

Any enthusiast of contemporary punk, pop-punk, power pop, new wave, or vintage garage rock should acknowledge a significant debt to Greg and Suzy Shaw. They played a crucial role in establishing these music genres as respected subjects of discussion. Moreover, anyone who runs a music blog on the internet today – with an estimated number of around 12 billion blogs – owes an even greater debt.

Greg and Suzy Shaw weren’t the only ones contributing to what I accomplish, yet I can’t find another figure who contributed as significantly. Moreover, I can’t conceive of any non-artists more deserving of induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

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2025-03-02 14:00