Congratulations Mary J. Blige & Dave Matthews
By Dan Murphy
Congratulations to Westchester natives Dave Matthews and Mary J. Blige for their upcoming inductions into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Matthews grew up in Yorktown for his early years in elementary school and Blige lived in Yonkers for more than a decade.
Here are the bios for both from the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame:
Mary J. Blige
Blige signed with Uptown Records in 1989, becoming the label’s youngest and first female artist. Her debut singlehandedly kick-started the hip-hop soul genre and produced Number One R&B hits “Real Love” and “You Remind Me.” Her image – oversized jerseys, backwards baseball hats, and combat boots – introduced a new look to R&B music, and her lyrics embraced an authenticity that resonated with fans – especially women. Her mid-1990s hits with the Notorious B.I.G., Method Man, and JAY-Z created the blueprint for R&B/hip-hop collaborations for decades to follow.
Blige emerged as a songwriter with hits “Be Happy” and “My Life” from her sophomore effort My Life, while her song “Not Gon’ Cry” showcased the emotional ache of Blige’s affecting vocals. The 2000s ushered in more success with Number One hits “Family Affair” and Grammy-winning “Be Without You.” Blige continues to craft hits, including her ode to unapologetic happiness “Just Fine,” critically acclaimed London Sessions, and collaborations with Inductees Ray Charles, Smokey Robinson, and Missy Elliott. In 2018, she received two Oscar nominations for the film Mudbound and became the first person nominated for acting and original song in the same year. In 2022, Blige co-headlined the Super Bowl halftime show alongside Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, and Eminem – earning her an Emmy.
Blige’s music echoes our experiences with love and life. She helps us move on, move out, and move up. She’s the much-needed soundtrack to our heartache, vulnerability, and courage to refuse to accept anything less than we deserve. Long Live Queen Mary J!
Dave Matthews Band
Supported by a communal fanbase, Dave Matthews Band harnessed an eclectic sound and relentless touring schedule to become one of the biggest bands in the world – and they have continued to pick up new generations of fans along the way. Dave Matthews Band are one of the top-selling live acts of all time, and they are the only band with seven consecutive albums debuting at Number One.
They have been called a jam band, a college band, a pop band – and to their devoted fans, they are simply “DMB.” Hailing from Charlottesville, Virginia, the band formed in 1991 and cultivated a trademark sound that includes long, intricate solos, non-traditional rock & roll instruments, unique time signatures, and an electric live show. The airy jazz of LeRoi Moore’s saxophone blends with the animated bluegrass of Boyd Tinsley’s violin, while drummer Carter Beauford’s in-the-pocket grooves and bassist Stefan Lessard’s melodic lines create a powerful rhythm section. Dave Matthews fronts the band with captivating vocals, imaginative lyrics, and percussive guitar strumming.
The band quickly generated strong word of mouth thanks to endless live shows and an active tape sharing community. The 1993 independent-label debut Remember Two Things was popular in the local scene, but their major label debut, 1994’s Under the Table and Dreaming, landed them mainstream hits like “What Would You Say,” “Satellite,” and “Ants Marching.” 1996’s Crash went seven-times Platinum, earned the band its first Grammy award (“So Much to Say”) and yielded another hit, “Crash Into Me.” Live albums like Live at Red Rocks ’95 capture the band’s onstage energy and feature longtime collaborator Tim Reynolds on electric guitar. Musically, the band has influenced a generation of acoustic-driven singer-songwriters like John Mayer, Jason Mraz, and O.A.R.
In 2019, the United Nations designated Dave Matthews Band as Environmental Goodwill Ambassadors, and Matthews has served on Farm Aid’s Board of Directors since 2001. The band’s advocacy and activism has improved our world and inspired fans to think and act in new ways.
When Matthews was 2 years old, his family moved to the New York suburb of Yorktown Heights, where Matthews’ father, a physicist, worked for IBM. In 1977, Matthews’ father died of lung cancer, and the family returned to Johannesburg to be with relatives. Matthews attended Brookside Elemenary School and Crompond Middle School. He still keeps in touch with some of his old Yorktown friends.
Blige was born in 1971 in Yonkers. Her parents divorced when she was 4, and she lived with her mother and sister in the Schlobohm Housing project in Yonkers.
Blige has recalled having a difficult childhood, and was bullied in school and at home, where she witnessed domestic violence. She established the Mary J. Blige Center for Women in Yonkers, providing resources and support to women and girls facing adversity.
Another Yonkers musical legend, Styles P, The Lox, said Blige helped him get a record deal and called her “the best R&B singer ever.”
Blige grew up in the Scholbaum Public Housing project in Yonkers
She received two Oscar nominations in 2018 for the film Mudbound
In 2022 she earned an emmy for her performance in the Super Bowl in 2022.
Other inductees include Foreigner, Peter Frampton, Kool & The Gang, Ozzy Osbourne, and A Tribe Called Quest. The 2024 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction will be live on Saturday, October 19th at the Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in Cleveland, Ohio. The 2024 ceremony will once again stream live on Disney+ with a special airing on ABC at a later date and available on Hulu the next day
