They couldn't do that because they would get ripped apart for not being inclusive even more than they already get.
Even though I’m not a huge fan of Foo Fighters (don’t hate them either), I would say that they deserve it... consistency over the past 25 years tends to look good. True, they don’t have a blockbuster album, but always making enjoyable music.
Funny, all the complaints I’ve seen about the Rock Hall, especially here, have been from folks passing out on the fainting couch about any inclusivity at all.
They easily meet the longevity criteria: Honoring bands or solo artists which demonstrate musical excellence. Such a descriptor includes (but isn't limited to) influence on other performers or genres; length and depth of career and catalog; stylistic innovations; or superior technique and skills.
The only reason to take a passing interest in the list each year is for the potential of a one-off reunion or brief return to stage of a retired artist. Kate Bush is not going to do it, maybe Tina would. Will they try to put on a live show this year?
Kate has shown up to collect awards in recent years, but she also hates flying, so tough to say. I’d recommend she come by boat, but The Ninth Wave suggests that’s tempting fate a little too much.
Since there wasn't 90+ pages of blood letting about the Super Bowl halftime entertainment, we can always count on the annual SHF howling about the RnRHoF nominations.
The idea that AOR has a stronger historical connection to the Class of 1986 than R&B and Hip Hop will never cease to amuse me.
Sound and fury signifying nothing. I really like the idea of a museum showcasing the history of rock and roll, but as an institution declaring which acts are worthy of honor? I'll simply ignore that.
My take: LL Cool J- should've been in a while ago New York Dolls- NO Kate Bush- I think Pat Benatar, Go Go's should be in before her but all should've been in probably 10+ years ago. She won't attend anyways so I would say pass again this year. The Go-Go’s- Should've be in. Foo Fighters- They have so many ins with Rolling Stone that they will probably be in their first year but I don't think they should be in yet. Tina Turner- She should've been in back in the 90's as a solo artist. Fela Kuti- Who? Jay-Z- Yes he should be in but maybe not yet as LL isn't in. Dionne Warwick- OK Barbra Streisand rocks harder than her and she hasn't been nominated nor Bette Midler. If we are nominating the "Vocal" section of the Record Store than this is a big can of worms. What about the Carpenters then? Cher? What about Patti Labelle? Mary J. Blige- Yes- major trendsetter and has been at it for 30 years. Carole King- How the heck has she not been inducted yet as a solo artist? Rage Against the Machine- Yes but I think Iron Maiden should be first. Iron Maiden- Yes of course Chaka Khan- She has been nominated a bunch of times and should have been in by now. Devo- No- too many others listed (and not listed) should be in over them. Todd Rundgren- I say no every year and I still say no. Forgotten artist unlike the most of the list here. No Dave Matthews. Where's Alanis Morissette? No Pat Benatar, No Judas Priest...
I think the concept of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is fun. Nothing more, nothing less. I'm happy that three of my four favorite bands are in (Pink Floyd, The Cure, Depeche Mode) and will look forward to the day when Fripp and company are on stage to accept their award. I can't imagine ever getting upset about any of this though.
Excellent list. I don't care that a lot of these artists aren't RAWK. I'm not sure what the argument is for Pat Benatar not being in yet, but whatever it is, it's wrong. Also, Kraftwerk should have been in before anyone else that is primarily electronic.
Only shoo in to me is Jay-Z. Iron Maiden seems like they should be in as well. I guarantee Foo Fighters will get in. This is the thing tailor made for Dave Grohl. All those wonderful women should have a spot. New York Dolls are a interesting case. Their impact is undeniable but there are other punk and post punk bands that should be in before them. Devo is one of those bands. The only ones on this list I’m not sold on are Rage and LL Cool J. Great artists but there are better bands with more impact that have been left out that should be in over Rage. Same with LL. He was phenomenal but he should in no way be getting in before Wu-Tang Clan or Nas. As for Fela, sure why not? I’m all for widening the net.
That argument has more merit. Mid-tier sixties bands and 70s/80s AOR are heavily over represented in the Hall. It’s why I have trouble taking seriously the folks with 75% of the pie crying about not having 100% of it.
I think you have the right attitude here. I'm always pleased to see bands that I admire get some well deserved recognition--if there are just one or two inductees that I love, I'm happy. Otherwise, I don't pay too much attention and I don't get all bent out of shape over it. I'm not holding my breath waiting for King Crimson, nor do I regard it as some sort of personal offense when my pet favorites get ignored. The R&RHoF just give music nerds like us something to chat about around the water cooler, so to speak, nothing to get hung up about.
The only positive thing I can see about this sham, is that the winners get a spike in their sales for a short period afterwards. Load of nonsense.
I mean, yes to all? There are tons of male vocalists and vocal groups in the hall of fame. If Bobby Darin and Dusty Springfield and The Everly Brothers and the Four Seasons and Linda Ronstadt, why not Bette Midler and Barbra Streisand and the Carpenters and Cher? If Aretha Franklin and Donna Summer and Sam Cooke and Marvin Gaye and Whitney Houston, why not Patti LaBelle? They can be argued for or against on the merits of their work, but shouldn’t be preeemptively excluded from the conversation, given the Hall’s inductees from day one.
