Two weeks after the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame welcomes Electric Light Orchestra, Journey, Pearl Jam, Yes, and others into its' Class of 2017, South Dakota will do the same for some talented local musicians.

The South Dakota Rock and Roll Music Association will induct a number of groups and others into the South Dakota Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

The event takes place the weekend of April 21-22 at the Ramkota Exhibit Hall in Sioux Falls.

Among the inductees:

Bands

Spirit of the Music Awards

Born Thomas Richard Bolin in Sioux City. Tommy played in bands like A Patch of Blue,  American Standard, and Ethereal Zephyr (later shortened to Zephyr). Zephyr went on to open for bands like Led Zeppelin.

In 1973, he joined the James Gang and later toured with Carmine Appice and The Good Rats.

In 1975, Tommy released his first solo record, Teaser. That same year, he was recruited by David Coverdale to join Deep Purple.He eventually wrote of co-wrote seven of the nine tracks on Deep Purple's album Come Taste the Band.

After Deep Purple broke up in 1976, Tommy went back on the road with his solo band.

He passed away December 4, 1976.

Born George Allen Miles, Jr. in Omaha. He moved to Sioux Falls while he was still in grade school, to live with his Aunt. She gave him the nickname 'Buddy' after the famous jazz drummer Buddy Rich.

Buddy was a founding member of The Electric Flag, a member of Jimi Hendrix's Band of Gypsys, founder and leader of the Buddy Miles Express and later, the Buddy Miles Band.

In addition, Miles played and recorded with Carlos Santana and others. He also sang lead vocals on the popular 'California Raisins' claymation TV commercials and recorded two California Raisins R&B albums.

He passed away February 26, 2008.

Born Robert Thomas Velline in Fargo, Bobby was a teen idol in the early 1960s, with 38 Hot 100 chart hits, including the number-one hit, 'Take Good Care of My Baby', which was written by Carole King and Gerry Goffin, and stayed at number-one for three weeks in September of 1961.

Bobby had five other gold singles in his career - 'Devil or Angel', 'Rubber Ball', 'Run To Him', 'The Night Has a Thousand Eyes', 'Come Back When You Grow Up'

He passed away October 24, 2016.

Lifetime Achievement Award

A Dell Rapids native, Nick played in the bands Bods IV, the Up’n Comings, Dakota Morning, the Totally Amazing Bitzko Band, and Poker Alice.

The South Dakota Hall will also honor inductees in the following categories:

  • Venue
  • Music Store
  • Radio Station
  • DJ
  • Promoter/Agent

The weekend starts with a jam session, Friday, April 21.

The 2017 Induction Ceremony is Saturday, April 22, beginning with an afternoon autograph session.

SDRRMA board members John Mogen and Randy Pooley recently visited me in the studio to talk about the event:

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