I'm not really up on R&R, since the 50s, I was a teenager then. Yes there is a lot of politicking that goes on in any industry related project. I don't really care who is in, as there are always perverse peculiarities involved. A prime example is Linda Ronstadt's exclusion, and that it took so damn long for Emmylou to get in the Country version.
Harmony H-173 bought in 1960 (retired), Alvarez AC60S 2008, Eastman AC320ce 2009 "Hybrid", Guild D25M 1974 (all mahogany, archback), Martin Grand J35E 2009, Martin D12-20 1970, Martin OM-21 2009, Martin 00-15M Custom (full body gloss, wide neck) 2011, Martin 00-15M Custom (12 fret, wide neck, solid peghead) 2012, Voyage-air VAOM-06 2010
"One chord is plenty, two and you're pushing it, three is jazz"
Lou Reed