Rush’s induction into the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame after more than a decade of snubs may have generated the most headlines today, but it was Randy Newman who was likely the most surprised by his congratulations phone call. The singer-songwriter most known in recent years for his soundtrack work has been eligible since a few years after the Hall of Fame first opened in the early 1980s, but for some reason, this time around he finally received enough votes.
Speaking to Rolling Stones, Newman said he was first told of his induction by his manager, and while he was surprised, he was definitely happy.
"I really thought maybe I'd have to die first. I didn't think it would happen if it didn't happen, you know, a little earlier. But this is great. I'm really glad it happened when I was still around to see it."
This is why there’s value in artists continuing to plug away even after they’ve long achieved fame and fortune. Older people might best remember Newman for his work on Sail Away and other well-received albums, but to younger generations, he’ll be the guy who did brilliant work on the Toy Story soundtracks. We’ll never know whether it was the recent work that pushed him over the edge, but regardless, Newman himself is definitely pleased he stuck with it. In fact, he wishes he’d done more in retrospect.
” My work habits have been dreadful. I didn't have to work. I wish I had done more, but that's another story.”
Pop Blend’s sincerest congratulations go out to Newman and all the others who got the good news today. Here’s to hoping the big day is just as special as they’d imagined.
