Alvin Taylor

The California Music Hall of Fame is excited to announce our latest Inductee into the Hall, drummer-extraordinaire Mr. Alvin Taylor!

A little boy who grew up on an Indian Reservation in Palm Springs, dreaming of being a drummer in the music industry. Upon meeting the legendary Little Richard, he becomes a highly successful session drummer- starting at the age of 16 years old. Over the course of his long and storied career, Alvin has performed and recorded with artists such as:

George Harrison, Elton John, Ike & Tina Turner, Natalie Cole, Stevie Wonder, Little Richard, Billy Preston, Stevie Nicks, Bob Dylan, Sly Stone, Diana Ross, and many more.

Alvin recently wrote an autobiography about his life and career, titled "Drum Major 2 Major Drummer".

“Alvin Taylor. Who hasn’t Alvin played drums with? Alvin is probably the most influential and historical player of our times,"- Rick Allen (Def Leppard)

Ringo Starr

The California Music Hall of Fame is honored to induct the legendary Ringo Starr into our Hall.

Ringo of course needs no introduction; he is one of the most recognized musicians on the planet. He has spread the “Peace and Love” vibe for decades. The Beatle drummer has also, in fact, lived part-time or full-time in California for over 30 years. He may be a Brit from Liverpool, but he has fully become part of our California lifestyle and music scene.

Ringo, along with John, Paul, and George, changed the landscape of popular and rock music in the 1960’s with the Beatles. Since the breakup of that band in 1970, Ringo has continued on with a successful and long-standing solo career. He tours regularly, and has played many shows in various locations throughout the Golden State.

His (traveling) All-Starr band has included many respected and popular rock stars such as:

Joe Walsh, Levon Helm, Rick Danko, Billy Preston, Dr. John, Colin Hay, Todd Rundgren, Burton Cummings, Randy Bachman, Mark Farner, Peter Frampton, John Entwistle, and many others.

Eric Burdon

The British Invasion settles in the Golden State.

Eric Burdon is a true rock legend, and a key part of the British Invasion- but he is much more than that. Eric's first band, The Animals, had the first #1 hit song in America by a Brit group aside from The Beatles, with "The House of the Rising Sun".

The Animals had several other classic hits, and along the way changed their name to Eric Burdon & The Animals. In the late 60's they released their classic homage to the Bay Area with "San Franciscan Nights".

Soon after Eric disbanded that group, and was part of the racially-integrated and innovative group "War", where they had some legendary hits of their own.

After his stint with "War", Eric formed The Eric Burdon Band, which included himself along with three LA-area musicians. He recorded several albums with this new band- which was known as a harder and edgier version of his typical act.

Eric has lived in California for the better part of 55 years, and is clearly a leading member of the CMHOF.

Linda Ronstadt

One of the true legendary female vocal powerhouses.

A longtime resident in the LA and SF areas, Linda Ronstadt has been an icon in the music industry for over 50 years.

Starting her professional career in the late 1960's, Linda was consistently one of the most sought-after female artists in the 1970's and 1980's (and beyond). Most would agree that she has one of the finest voices in pop music history.

Her top hits include: Blue Bayou, Don't Know Much, You're No Good, When Will I be Loved?, Different Drum, and many more.

She has also been one third of the female "supergroup" Trio - along with Dolly Parton and Emmylou Harris. Linda also played a key role in the early 1970's southern California music scene, and was closely involved with The Eagles and Jackson Browne.