You probably missed it, but on Monday night the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inducted it's 2010 class into the highly debatable walls of this shrine. I do not have any real problem with this years class in particular, other than the fact there are piles of bands and artists who have been eligible for a decade or more that should find a cozy home in this hall as well. I'm going to discuss below some artists that have been eligible for a while and whether they have a good shot at it or not.
Eligible RF's top snub(s) Notes
Year
1981 John Coltrane: Where is he already. Jazz is Rock too.
1983 The Kingston Trio: So important in influence of folk and vocal harmonies, but the hall may shut out
1984 Neil Sedaka: Started writing hits in the Brill building in 1958. Calendar Girl alone should have him in.
1985 Bobby Rydell: Dick Clark is in the hall, but the artists he propelled still lack respect. Chubby Checker too.
1986 Ben E. King: Never has one artist more deserved to get in on the quality of one song.
1987 Bobby Fuller Four: This might be second most deserving for one kick ass song. I Fought The Law rules!
1988 Neil Diamond: What did this guys do to piss off the fame or hall of Shame in this case. Get him in!
1989 The Moody Blues: A timeless body of pretty rock songs. Very original. No business not being in soon.
The Zombies: Just not a big enough body of work, but album Odessey and Oracle alone has them close.
1990 Donovan: 1990 is a year that these decisions are getting tough. Lots of greats now eligible.
1991 Cat Stevens: Maybe the Yusuf Islam thing has them all confused.
1992 Harry Nilsson: Won't ever get a sniff, but great artist
1993 Deep Purple: Don't start putting all your Metal also-rans without letting a Metal pioneer slip in.
1994 Chicago: Year is really tough for first ballot candidates, but Chicago's body of work is exemplary
Yes: Prog finally got some respect with Genesis in '10 but Yes should be there too.
Warren Zevon: If freakin' Jackson Browne is in, get Zevon in there too at some point. I think he slips in.
1995 Jimmy Buffett: He has an outstanding body of work. Not just dopey drinking songs. Should be there.
Todd Rundgren: My favorite Philly area artist and Power Popper should be there already.
1996 Thin Lizzy: I'm probably dreaming on this one but the Irish rockers sure should be there IMO.
Electric Light Orchestra: Maybe not everyone's thing. Very deserving and original for their time.
The Doobie Brothers: Kind of hokey of course, but who doesn't love them some Doobies every once in a while.
1997 Big Star: No, they were not big stars, but maybe the most important band you don't know. Bar none.
Lou Reed: He's in with the Underground, and my bro will scoff at this one. His solo work is HOF too.
Roxy Music: To artsy and British to get the respect they deserve. Probably won't get in I'm guessing.
Richard Thompson: This guy is the best folk oriented guitarist on maybe the planet, you may not know.
1998 Rush: Are there not any fantasy nerds in powerful places. These Canucks are incredible and should be there now!
1999 Kiss: Must be the makeup. Great hits. Tons of sales and no HOF yet. I'm betting these guys get in next year.
Brian Eno: Again too artsy, but a pioneer that has been overlooked
Bad Company: Really great rock songs, but not likely to make it at this pace.
The Commodores: I would think they get there soon.
2000 Journey: I think they are getting closer, but somebody doesn't like them at RHOF.
Television: I'm dreaming again of course, but CBGB's most gifted artistic Punk outfit should have it's place.
2001 Heart: Females of true Rock music have been a glaring omission of the HOF. Lot's of R&B and Singer/Songwriters have been enshrined, but we need more Rock women.
Boston: Maybe going years and years between each album, never helped these great rock musicians.
Nick Lowe: A songwriting genius from multiple bands is probably too brit, and too Power Pop for entry.
The Runaways: See Heart's entry, and add that here we have Joan Jett and Lita Ford, starting tremendous rock careers.
2002 Cheap Trick: This one's a biggie. Criminal overlooking so far. I think they make it soon, but I'd be scared if not in next couple years.
The Buzzcocks: I think I heard my entire audience of 4 people say "Who?" Actually my audience is smarter than that. These guys come second only to The Clash for high quality UK Punk. Get 'em in.
Motorhead: All Metal heads started here, or should have.
XTC: Okay I know, may only ever see a british rock HOF, but the rest of the world should know them too.
Wire: Same case as XTC, but Rolling Stone has given due so maybe someday we could be so lucky to see Wire in.
George Thorogood: Delaware's only hope.
Peter Gabriel: Love him or hate him, he should be there someday.
2003 The Cars: New Wave is worthy of Hall entry too you know.
Dire Straits: Propelled by virtuoso guitar by Mark Knopfler, these guys may make it someday.
Joy Division: This is where I piss some people off when I reach for a Goth Rock Pioneer.
Magazine: This is where I hear crickets. I might be the only one in the world who appreciates Howard Devoto and John McGeoch this much.
Siouxsie & The Banshees: I'm quite new to the relevance of Siouxsie, but another woman rocker who has been knocked off by so many.
The Cure: Oh man, did I hate the Cure. I have really warmed up to them though and have so much respect for their longevity.
2004 Def Leppard: Studio darlings fall a bit short on longevity of music with substance, but Pyromania is good enough to invite these lads in.
Iron Maiden: If Metal is going to proliferate one day at the hall, better get these guys in too.
Echo & The Bunnymen: One of my not a chance in this world possibilities, but Post Punk should have one of it's greatest in.
2005 Ozzy Osbourne: C'mon, do I need to say a thing? Ozzy rules.
The Go-Go's: Pioneering in their own way. Very important female contribution.
INXS: I hated them when all my classmates loved them. I still kind of do, but they've moved a number of peeps so I give credit when due.
Joan Jett and the Blackhearts: This chic is so damn Rock and Roll, let her in here too.
2006 Duran Duran: The greatest new wave band ever, and second only to Michael jackson for understanding MTV and the transition to video. They are so important to me.
Billy Idol: Epitome of a Rocker.
New Order: Manchester music scene should have it's own wing, and New Order is a big reason why. More important for the influence.
Motley Crue: These are the metal also-rans I speak of, but they are pretty important for many.
2007 Beastie Boys: The Beasties were all over the place in high school years. Paul's Boutique is the soundtrack to this generation.
Janet Jackson: Hey, she's not my favorite, but so many hits and very very talented. Hall worthy some day.
Sonic Youth: Indie Rock has arrived hopefully some day anyway, at the hall. All things grunge better recognize.
2008 Bon Jovi: Tough to admit, but they have left a mark.
Pantera: I know so little about them, but I know how important they are to that realm of music.
Stevie Ray Vaughn: Wow, he's not in yet.
The Smiths: Boy did I hate the people that liked the Smiths, or thought I did. They are super important though.
2009 LL Cool J: Hip Hop has arrived at the hall only a couple of times, but L will find it here someday too.
The Flaming Lips: Not likely but if there is ever an Indie Rock Hall of Fame, these Oklahomans are front and center.
The Pogues: Celtic rock has no representation yet and you must start here.
The Red Hot Chilli Peppers: Not my favorite by any means, but wow they have now been around quite a while now and are hit makers.
2010 Dinosaur Jr: Not on the radar for most, and this never happens but one could hope.
Megadeth: If Metal is embraced, they have to be there someday.
My Bloody Valentine: Wishful thinking again on my part, but the pioneers of shoegazing.
Primal Scream: Way too freakin' cool and unique to ever get a sniff.
Future classes of RHOF. That's a discussion for another day. Must get outside now in the beautiful weather that has finally arrived.
I would just love people's opinions fired back at me on this topic. I have spoken my two cents. The best part about all this music criticism is the healthy debate it can stir up. I love a good challenge.
Thanks RF
Hey Randy,
ReplyDeleteI appreciate your passion and research, but as someone as knowledgeable in popular music as you are, I don't see how you could consider the RHOF inductions to be anything less than a pathetic joke.
The hall's inductions decisions don't make any sense, they don't even pick genre appropriate artists or if they do, it's after years of unnecessary waiting. It seems the reason why this isn't a bigger issue is because no one really pays attention to the hall or who they induct in the first place.
Consider this: Who's In? Grand Master Flash - a rap legend, but why does he deserve to be in the ROCK hall rather than the rap hall? Who's Out? Rush!!! I'm not much of a Rush fan but knowing their influence on rock this is criminal. Who's In? Madonna, Who's Out? Deep Purple! Sorry but Deep Purple has influenced more hard rock and metal acts than we will ever see Madonna clones.
KISS had to wait over a decade just to get on the ballot and they they STILL got snubbed for...ABBA!? I'm sure lines are forming for the "Dancing Queen" exhibit. Black Sabbath and Van Halen both had to wait over ten years as well, and why?
Look, there are plenty of deserving acts in the hall, but it's not the voice of the people. In fact it seems that the public's apathy is only matched by that of the Hall itself. When James Hetfield had the guts to call the entire hall out as organization during Metallica's induction there was no reaction whatsoever, just like what follows after each year's baffling induction announcement.
If you're a rock museum and you don't do a terribly good job of inducting genre appropriate acts and continue to ignore many hard rock and metal acts in favor of seemingly random pop acts that had great commercial success but in certain cases little if any staying power or artistic influence, than your organization is a joke.
Randy, I was with you up until Kiss. They couldn't swing if you spotted them a rope and a tire. Just an awful plodding band in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteBut I have to agree with Rick. This HOF is a joke. Did somebody change the definition of Rock 'n' Roll? Abba - a perfectly nice pop band with pleasant songs and nice harmonies, but what did they do that is earthshaking? To be in a hall of fame you really need to have changed the game.
And don't get me started on Madonna... she should be in the marketing hof.