Could someone who was around in his time please explain to me why he's considered a "big deal?" Because I've pored through the annals of rock'n'roll history, and all I can come up with is a couple of memorable songs and one allegedly good record (which had one of those couple of memorable songs on it, and looks suspiciously like a one-hit wonder record). I'm not even including "Real American," because that tune was more about Hulk Hogan than the guy who wrote it and sang it.

 

I was ready to give him passing credit for "First Cut Is The Deepest" until I recalled that it's a Cat Stevens tune.

 

Again, I'm flummoxed as to why I should regard this guy with any real respect as a "great artist," when the evidence shows he was a two-hit wonder who has some half-decent producing credits. The guy produced six (6) Weird Al records. He's a nobody in the grand scheme of rock'n'roll.

 

C'mon, all you dudes who graduated in the '70s. This is your chance to educate me on all those "minor hits" that Rick had, and tell me why I should think differently about somebody who appears to have gotten darn-near equal attention, historically, as some legit R'n'R HOFers. Unjustifiably, in my eye.

 

I would argue that DeAngelo and Erykah Badu and Paul Westerberg are more important as far as rock'n'roll history is concerned.

Jim, I didn't realize he was a big deal. Although, he was a member of The McCoys when they recorded "Hang On Sloopy".