Let's Help Get a Waco Native Into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

Let me start by saying I'm not a big fan of The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. There are many reasons, and most of those are about who's not in the R&R Hall of Fame. The list is long and I don't want to spend too much time counting them down, but here's a few in no particular order:

- Peter Frampton
- Warren Zevon
- Jethro Tull
- Sammy Hagar
- Joe Cocker
- Judas Priest
- Iron Maiden
- The Scorpions
- Ozzy (as a solo artists)
- and so many more that truly deserve the honor.

It took KISS years to make it in, and so many artists have credited them with being a major influence.

Based on who has made it into the Hall, I'm really not sure what the credentials are to get in. Selling millions of albums? Lots of the artists mentioned above have done exactly that. Influence the next generation of artists and bands? Again, those mentioned above have done plenty of that too.

Sounds like it's all about politics. Whatever the case, it's time to recognize a man whose work speaks for itself.

Tom Wilson Jr is a Waco native who graduated from A. J. Moore High School, then went on to Harvard University and graduated in 1954. Mr. Wilson became the first Black producer for Columbia Records, where he worked as a staff producer.

It was at Columbia that he worked with Bob Dylan on three monumental releases: The Times They Are a-Changin', Another Side of Bob Dylan, and Bringing It All Back Home, as well as Dylan's 1965 single "Like a Rolling Stone."

Mr. Wilson has also produced a number of other great releases from the 60's, including Simon & Garfunkel's debut out of 1964, Wednesday Morning, 3 A.M., which included the single "The Sound of Silence".

Plus many, many more.

So why isn't Tom Wilson Jr already in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame? Your guess is as good as mine, but maybe we can change that.

KXXV Channel 25's Lindsay Liepman reports that Keep Waco Loud has started a petition on Change.org to help get Tom Wilson Jr into the Rock Hall.

The R&R Hall of Fame has honored more than just the musicians and artists. They have inducted songwriters, producers, managers, and and many more people associated with music over the years. Tom Wilson Jr should also be recognized for his work as well.

Please take a moment and sign the petition. You can find a direct link to it HERE.

To find out more about Mr. Wilson, check out the podcast "Invisible Icon: The Tom Wilson Story."