Crickets, rock pioneers in Hall of Fame

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Guitarist Duane Eddy picked his rumbling “Peter Gunn” instrumental and Rolling Stone Keith Richards jammed with The Crickets on “Not Fade Away” as a host of musicians and producers were honored during the Musicians Hall of Fame induction ceremony Tuesday.

Richards, who formally inducted The Crickets, best known as Buddy Holly’s band, said that without them “you probably wouldn’t have The Beatles, and you wouldn’t have the Stones.”

“Here was a unit that could operate together, and it turned us all on,” said Richards, who also sat-in with the group for “Peggy Sue” and “That’ll Be the Day.” “Without them we would be nowhere. The whole idea of any of us anywhere else sprung from this idea of these guys we loved.”

Joining Eddy and the Crickets as new inductees were the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section, Booker T. and the MGs, the Memphis Horns, rock producer/musician Al Kooper and Nashville producer Billy Sherrill.

“There simply wouldn’t be a music business or hit records without them,” said Barbara Mandrell, who hosted part of the ceremony.

Eddy, a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, called his induction an “honor above honor” and joked, “All of the wives of the musicians are happy because now they have a place to put their old junk.”

Formed in 1967, the Alabama-based Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section played on hundreds of recordings by artists such as Aretha Franklin, Wilson Pickett, Paul Simon, The Staple Singers and Bob Seger.

Kid Rock joined them for Seger’s “Old Time Rock and Roll” while former “American Idol” contestant Melinda Doolittle sang Franklin’s “R-E-S-P-E-C-T.”

Earlier, George Jones sang his Sherrill-produced hit “He Stopped Loving Her Today” and received a standing ovation.

This year’s additions have a strong Memphis connection with Booker T. and the MGs and the Memphis Horns.

Kix Brooks of the country duo Brooks &Dunn said Booker T. and the MGs “listened and could create something on the spot. They were really great because in a time of racial segregation they were black and white.”

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Olivia Vanni / The Herald 
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County.
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mukilteo mayor vetoes council-approved sales tax

The tax would have helped pay for transportation infrastructure, but was also set to give Mukilteo the highest sales tax rate in the state.

Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring gives the state of the city address at the Marysville Civic Center on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Marysville council approves interim middle housing law

The council passed the regulations to prevent a state model code from taking effect by default. It expects to approve final rules by October.

x
State audit takes issue with Edmonds COVID grant monitoring

The audit report covered 2023 and is the third since 2020 that found similar issues with COVID-19 recovery grant documentation.

Bothell
Bothell man pleads guilty to sexual abuse of Marysville middle schoolers

The man allegedly sexually assaulted three students in exchange for vapes and edibles in 2022. His sentencing is set for Aug. 29.

Larsen talks proposed Medicaid cuts during Compass Health stop in Everett

Compass Health plans to open its new behavioral health center in August. Nearly all of the nonprofit’s patients rely on Medicaid.

Snohomish County Health Department Director Dennis Worsham on Tuesday, June 11, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish County Health Department director tapped as WA health secretary

Dennis Worsham became the first director of the county health department in January 2023. His last day will be July 3.

Everett
Everett police: Man sold drugs to woman prior to fatal overdose

In May, the man sold drugs to an Everett woman in her 40s who later died from an overdose, police said.

Community members gather for the dedication of the Oso Landslide Memorial following the ten-year remembrance of the slide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The Daily Herald garners 6 awards from regional journalism competition

The awards recognize the best in journalism from media outlets across Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.

Missing Marysville boy, 10, found safe and sound

Police said the boy was last seen Sunday morning before leaving to go for a run at a nearby middle school.

Red tape hangs in the front of the entrance to a burned down Center for Human Services building along 204th Street on Monday, July 7, 2025 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lynnwood fire destroys behavioral health nonprofit building

The cause of the fire is under investigation. The building housed an intensive mental health support program for youth and families.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Gold Bar in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Lynnwood man dies in fatal crash on US 2 near Gold Bar

The Washington State Patrol said the driver was street racing prior to the crash on Friday afternoon.

Thousands gather to watch fireworks over Lake Ballinger from Nile Shrine Golf Course and Lake Ballinger Park on Thursday, July 3, 2025 in Mountlake Terrace, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Thousands ‘ooh’ and ‘aah’ at Mountlake Terrace fireworks show

The city hosts its Independence Day celebrations the day before the July 4 holiday.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.