"Don’t push me ‘cuz I’m close to the edge/ I’m trying not to lose my head." For anyone whose lived, even for a while, in the inner city, that line from 1982’s classic rap anthem ‘The Message’ resonated strongly and clearly. Now, it’s probably because I’m from the Bronx, but today’s news that Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame makes me particularly happy. It appears to be the first year that a bona fide hip-hop act (and not just a funk, soul, blues, or R&B ancestor) has been given the honor. And who better to be the first than Grandmaster Flash, who practically invented scratching and other DJ turntable techniques still used today? One can only hope that this opens the door for more hip-hop inductees in the future. (And I don’t want to see any comments that say, "But this is the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame!")
R.E.M, Patti Smith, Van Halen, and the Ronettes make up the rest of the more predictable list, which was whittled down to five from nine. I’m surprised that the Ronettes were chosen over the Stooges, however. I mean, I love "Be My Baby" as much as the next person born in the age of Dirty Dancing, but we’re talking about THE STOOGES here. Maybe it’s because Iggy and the Stooges have a new album (their first in 23 years) and a biography coming out, and it would seem too much like a promotional endorsement to induct them. Or it might have to do with the fact that Ronnie Bennett never sang a song while smeared in blood. Or peanut butter.
Comments (1-12) of 12
where the hell are Cheap Trick and KISS? man i hate the RN’R Hall of Fame…
good for Van Halen (D.L. Roth-era) and R.E.M., though. well deserved…
To quote Duane Allman, “Rap is short for crap.” And by the way can anyone name anything the Ronettes did besides “Be My Baby”. My bet is if you can, it’s a short list.
No Mountain, no Rush, no NY Dolls, no Bauhaus. Are you kidding me?! I mean to be fair without GMF we would not have people like Moby and Chemical Brothers, but I would have inducted Cool Herc first. TRRHF balloters have no taste at all.
WE WANT MUSIC not that CRAP With luck the real music lovers will have something to say about what gose in there not the want to be artest.
I am happy about Patti, R.E.M., and Grandmaster, but I am sorely disappointed about no Iggy and the Stooges. They should’ve been inducted years ago, but I’m still holding out for hope that they’ll make it next year.
The irony of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is that KISS isn’t in it, the very reason that a large percentage of the bands that are in there now ever existed to begin with.
It’s a farce. The whole bloody thing.
Yeah, what have the Ronettes done other than “Be My Baby?” Classic single, but it’s due as much to Phil Spector as them, and it’s all they have. Lame inclusion.
Mike, regardless of your feelings about KISS being in the Hall, considering that any acts in the Hall got their starts in 1980 or earlier, I don’t think KISS was that big an influence on that many groups that are already members.
How,
Here is the thing, like the Beatles in the sixties, Kiss had a big influence on the music and the business industry. In the mid to late Seventies Kiss was plastered everywhere from bubble gum, dolls, snowglobes and alarm clocks. Personally their movie Kiss meets the Phantom ranks with Oingo Boingo(another band that should be inducted, ESPECIALLY since Danny Elfmans compostions are everywhere now!)and their movie The Forbidden Zone, and The Village People’s Can’t Stop the Music as being the ultimate cheese ball band movies of all time, but still. It is just not the music influence here. Oh and by the way, Paul Carrack has not been nominated either. Seriously, Ace, Squeeze, Mike and the Mechanics. The man with the most recognizable male voice but unfamilar name has not been picked. That’s justice for you.
Hey Howard!!! You havent a clue on what your talking about. Kiss most certainly influenced many bands. Do the research bro.
Hey Howard!!! You havent a clue on what your talking about. Kiss most certainly influenced many bands. Do the research bro.
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