The Brotherhood -- Phil, Drake, Smitty

Did Mark, Paul, Fang, Smitty and Drake bring you countless hours of enjoyment over the years? How many days did you race home from school to watch "Where the Action Is"?

To join this fan-based effort, feel free to copy and edit this letter to reflect your own feelings for this fine group. Then mail it to: Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, 1 Key Plaza, Cleveland, OH 44114-1022, Attn: Nominating Committee

for more inoformation, contact me at my e-mail below, or Gary Borress Gary Borress

Here's the sample letter:

Dear Nominating Committee:

As is the case with millions of rock and roll fans, I am truly glad the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame honors the musical legends that have had such a positive impact on our culture. I realize that there are numerous factors in the induction process. I am sure that popularity, influence, record sales, and chart success all play an integral part in the nominating process. With this in mind, I would like to express my feelings on why Paul Revere and the Raiders should be inducted in to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Long before MTV, the Riaders were seen daily on "Where the Action Is" and later on "Happening." One can only guess how many thousands of bands formed as a result of watching Mark Lindsay (lead vocals and saxophone), Paul Revere (keyboards), Phil "Fang" Volk (bass), Drake Levin (guitar) and Mike "Smitty" Smith (drums) perform. They were the first band ever to be in our homes on a daily basis. Millions of kids would run home from school to catch the latest song from Paul Revere and the Raiders. Their obvious passion for having a good time captured the true spirit of rock and roll and is surely one of their main attributes. Paul Revere and the Raiders concerts became legendary, mixing hook-driven songs and a degree of showmanship never before seen in a rock show. The band smashed guitars and set fire to pianos well before the Who or Jimi Hendrix made it their trademark. Their initial success in 1961 qualifies them as the first American garage band.

While famous for their antics, Paul Revere and the Raiders were by no means lightweights in the musicianship and hit records categories. Their hits spanned over a dozen years and have never left heavy rotation on countless radio stations. Their hits "Steppin' Out," "Kicks," and "Just Like Me" have been on the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame list of the 500 most influential rock singles. The group first entered the charts in 1961 with "Like Long Hair" and never looked back, scoring over two dozen times on the Billboard singles charts. "Just Like Me," "Kicks," "Hungry," "Good Thing," "Him or Me," and "Indian Reservation" kept Paul Revere and the Raiders on the radio for years. Between 1966 and 1967, the band released four albums, with each on attaining Gold Record status. Between 1966 and 1973, Mark Lindsay wrote or co-wrote 11 straight raider hits and produced 13 charting singles. In fact, Paul Revere and the Raiders brought Columbia Records their first gold rock and roll record.

With all of these accomplishments, and as the FIRST group to make rock adn roll a daily television occasion, I ask for your support in nominating Paul Revere and the Raiders for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Sincerely,

**Your name**
**Your address**

Last, but certainly not least, Mark Lindsay has a wonderful Web Page. Go on over and see where he will be in concert ... and if he is in concert near you, make sure to see him! He and the Mighty Band put on one heck of a show ... and sometimes Phil, Drake and Smitty join in! Mark Lindsay Home