The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: 10 worst snubs

Ah, I was referring to: Home | Songwriters Hall of Fame , can't understand how Prine is not inducted there.

At the end of the day, as songwriters being in the RnR HoF, I don't really disagree with you when it comes to Randy Newman. I'm still guessing Newman has had more pop/rock success than Prine, a #1 for Three Dog Night and a #2 for himself, but is that enough to warrant inclusion? I agree that it's not.

Nyro is a different story. I don't think her rock bona fides can be questioned.

 

So did dozens if not hundreds of other groups. What makes them exceptional?

Also, stadiums? How many large stadiums did they sell out? I'm looking at their tour lists on setlist.fm from 1971, 1975 and 1977. I see a whole lot of theaters, arenas and coliseums but only a handful of small college stadiums.

Look, I love their music, but in terms of popularity, they were just one of many popular touring acts. They had one multi-platinum album (Aqualung) and a few gold albums. In terms of influence, there's very little to speak of. I don't see what sets them apart from dozens of other bands of the time.

 

You don’t see what sets Tull apart from dozens of other bands.?
How about a string of great albums with
Great original songs like no other band.
Great lyrics.
Excellent musical chops.
And On stage, great presentation and exceptional stage presence.

 

Clearly it doesn't, though.

 

BOC influenced The Dictators, too. Ever hear "Sleepin' With The T.V. On"?

 

Paul Revere and the Raiders . In the sixties they were right up there with the Beatles,Stones and The Monkees and most of their music still sounds good today.

 

Besides the Stray Cats and George Thorogood....who are some of the actual rock and roll snubs still waiting?

 

The Move

 

Hundreds of other bands have put out strings of great albums.

Hundreds of other bands have great, distinctive original songs.

Do I even need to say it?

Again, what sets them apart from hundreds of other entertainers who have great presentation and stage presence?

 

In no particular order


Roxy Music
Eno
Jethro Tull
The Doobie Brothers
ELP
King Crimson
T Rex
The Jam/Paul Weller
BÖC
The New York Dolls
Nick Drake
Kraftwerk
Devo
Radiohead
Judas Priest
Can
The Cure
Kate Bush
Link Wray
Love
MC5
New Order
Television
Thin Lizzy
War
XTC

 

If George Thorogood is a "snub", then the words "Hall of Fame" have no meaning. He's like the Platonic ideal of a marginally-talented but unexceptional musician.

 

The flute. Definitely the flute.

 

Good list. I agree on most of these, in that they have talent combined with popularity and/or influence that makes them exceptional.

 

It's like you're describing a lot of folks already inducted.
Don't worry, I have no stake in the game for either George or the Cats. It's just that, they're both so, rock & roll ..and they've had fame.

 

I’m not just blowing smoke up your ass: This is possibly the best list I’ve seen so far. I defintely can’t automatically dismiss any of your picks

 

Rory Gallagher... Absolutely! But truth be told... who cares; why? It's really a meaningless distinction. The music and those that appreciate it are all that matters.

 

Agree 100%.

 

Except Jethro Tull, of course.

Seriously, that is a good (and depressingly long) list.

I would add, if I haven't mentioned them already,

Ultravox
Joy Division
Gang of Four
Todd Rundgren
Gary Numan

Maybe Soft Machine for historical importance and influence, although they're not one of my faves.

 

Lots of things, really. Tull's sound is completely distinctive, covering a range of musical styles that few other bands ever did. The frontman plays an instrument that few rock bands ever used. Despite the issues with Ian Andersons' voice, they maintain a passionate following, and haven't been reduced to doing package tours. In terms of musical originality and consistent popularity, they deserve to be in for the same reasons the Moodies do.

 

HOF is such a joke that I take great pride that many of my favorite artists (Tull, Crim, ELP, Eno, Roxy, BOC) are not inducted. Yes, I’m a product of the old days when “strictly commercial” that had no guts was avoided like the plague.

 

Maybe there's a reason they're the only rock band of note to use a flute as lead instrument: It's dumb in concept and excruciating in execution.

 

Again, you've just described literally hundreds of bands.

The Moodies deserved to get in because they were innovative and influential. I like Tull 10x more than the Moodies, but they're just not in the same league in terms of historical importance.

 

Ain't gonna happen, sadly.

 

I'm not disagreeing with you, but man.

 

Okay, if I specifically said "They're consistently popular, the singer plays flute, and the music draws from blues, prog, arena rock and English trad," then I've only described one band.

Still, there's nothing that says you have to be doing something unique to get into the RRHOF. Most bands get in because they're distinctive and popular, otherwise it's just a matter of the extent to which they are.