[Conservative Tsunami]

Hot August Night was the closest Neil Diamond ever got achieving rock and roll. Unless you are counting his edgy, cutting-edge performance in The Jazz Singer. LOL.

But again - how does one define "Rock & Roll"? Dancability? Guitar riffs? Raw edginess? Suggestive lyrics? Listenability? He was one of the standard-bearers of sound in the mid-60s.

Hot August Night...you're right - sorta. But how many solo artists during the 60s were considered "Rockers"?

LMAO @ "cutting edge performance in the Jazz Singer." Ugggh...

[dfwgator]

LMAO @ "cutting edge performance in the Jazz Singer." Ugggh...

I remember the SCTV takeoff with Al Jarreau giving up his jazz singing career to become a cantor.

[GSWarrior]

Folks are free to define what rock and roll is to them. I think the HoF takes into account albums sales (popularity) more than anything.

Diamond wrote some pleasant songs but IMO he was a performer without an edge. To me rock and roll is all about edginess.