So the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame announced this year’s inductees today — and as usual, they’ve made some truly bizarre decisions. The lucky artists are Madonna, Leonard Cohen, John Mellencamp, the Dave Clark Five, and the Ventures. Now, Madge (pictured, around the time she started earning her place on this list) and L.Co are basically no-brainers, as PopWatch’s Gary Susman observed back in October: decades-long careers, unique and influential sounds, millions of loyal fans. No arguments there. Hey, I’ll even get on board with the instrumental surf-rock noodlers of the Ventures, this year’s biggest long-shot nominees. I might not be able to pick them out of a lineup or name a single member (unless "the guy with the wah-wah pedal" counts), but c’mon, you know you love to hum "Walk Don’t Run."
But those last two inductees? I’m sorry. John Mellencamp and Dave Clark seem like totally nice guys, even more or less competent musicians. But they’re not legends! At best, they’re cut-rate knockoffs of two legit legends who are already in the Hall of Fame — Bruce Springsteen and the Beatles, respectively. I still remember a feature that ran on the cover of my local paper’s arts section when I was about 10 years old, all about a very angry area man’s crusade to convince the world that those no-good Lennon and McCartney had ripped off his idols, the Dave Clark Five. (No, my local paper was NOT The Onion.) Did that lunatic somehow get on to the R’n'R HoF committee? And as for Mellencougar, or whatever his name is, this guy doesn’t belong anywhere but the Crass Shill Hall of Fame.
Meanwhile, the nominees who didn’t make the final cut this year — Chic, Donna Summer, the Beastie Boys, and Afrika Bambaataa — were hugely influential, each and every one of them. But hey, disco and rap didn’t play any important role in the last 25 years of popular music, right? Ugh. I guess I’m not exactly surprised, given the Hall’s always strained relationship with music made after LBJ left office, but still, this is ridiculous. Isn’t it?
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Gosh Simon, how old are you? Mr. Mellencamp became popular when I was in high school and I’ve been listening to him ever since. Plus I’m from Indiana so naturally I think he deserves this honor. It’s all a matter of opinion here……I dislike rap so I couldn’t tell you any songs by the Beastie Boys but that doesn’t mean I feel they shouldn’t be inducted someday. John Mellencamp has been just as popular and influential as Madonna so what’s the problem?
I agree LC and Madonna are a good fit but no freakin’ Beastie Boys or Chic?!?
It’s a little ironic/retarded that Chic’s Nile Rodgers produced Madonna’s biggest selling album (Like A Virgin) and can’t get into the darn Hall of Fame. Stupid.
And Donna Summer has influenced everyone from Beyonce to Madonna but the disco queen label somehow makes her less important?!? Crazy.
No worse than when Blender puts “obla di obla da” on its worst rock songs list and then calls it a reggae track. Why’s that wrong with that? Reggae as a genre didn’t exist when the song was written! Obla Di is either a ska track written during the rocksteady era, which both preceeded reggae. You’d expect people who write about music to have SOME sense of history. Stupid Blender.
That said, I think Mellencamp deserves his spot. I’m not a huge fan of his music, but his down-home stylings and willingness to go beyond his original genre are reasons enough to give him some props.
Dave Clark 5? I’m Glad all over for them, but don’t think they are legendary enough to earn a spot in the hall of fame.
But what the heck do I know? I’m an overweight gen-exer who lives in DC and who hasn’t been in a band since 1993.
You know, by now the name should be changed to the MUSIC Hall of Fame. This way Pop, Rap, Metal/Rock, etc. can all be in one unified category. Some of these artists influenced rock and roll artists but were not neccessarily what defines Rock and Roll. I can understand The Dave Clark Five because they helped break ground for what became Punk Rock.
If there is no unification then please, PLEASE just stick to the category and just put in rock and roll and rock and roll branched (blues, new wave, metal,punk, goth,etc.)artists.
BTW: The Cure got screwed big time.
I love Mellancamp! STFU
John Mellencamp has been very influential in the area of rock given the length of his career, the number of hit songs he has had and the huge impact of his Farm Aid concerts. I agree that the other nominees also are influential and I believe they will get their turn in the future but don’t knock Johnny Cougar for getting his moment in the sun!
I always think it’s pointless to argue the ones they vote it, but it always shocks me the ones they ignore.
10 artists left out that are eligible that I think should be in:
Metallica
Billy Idol
Ozzy Osbourne
INXS
Iron Maiden
The Cars
Cheap Trick
Judas Priest
KISS
Sweet
Eh, go ahead and give me Styx, Motorhead, Motley Crue, Genesis and Electric Light Orchestra while you’re at it.
Ack you are so right. Mellencrap does not have a place in the Hall of fame, especially after seeing the ones who didn’t make it. Donna Summer was totally influential in the disco era and The Beasties are still some of the most influential artists to this day. And if you want to argue that someone was influential to Farm Aid- it had better be Willie Nelson.
If someone gives you 10,000 to 1 odds, you take it. If John Mellencamp ever wins an Oscar, I’ll be one rich dude.
I’m glad i’m not the only one happy for Mellencamp. I’ve liked him since I was a little girl. i’d give it to him for Jack and Diane alone. Granted, color me naive for not realizing that many critics(i’ve read disses of him on other sites today) didn’t like him all that much. Oops. Yay John Cougar!
Mellencamp combined pop with country rock, I’ll admit that. But you have to admit that there are other bands and musicians that have waited in line for a long time like The Kinks and Badfinger, and I have to agree The Cars have to be inducted only because they helped put a staple into early eighties rock. Moreover, Benjamin Orr was really never given a proper tribute. He died of a horrible disease.
Is Slezak on vacation or something? I thought for sure he’d have a Snap Judgement on the new Janet Jackson single, “Feedback” since the MOST exciting thing on the charts the past few weeks has been Josh Groban’s sales…*SIGH* I’m interested to see what others think since personally, not her best, but probably her best since “All For You”. Its an uptempo pop gem, that sadly has been missing from her last few releases. Oh, and while I’m here, the Rock n Holl Hall of Fame induction should serve Warner Bros a LOVELY promotional tool to kick off the bells & whistles around Madonna’s last album for them, “Licorice” since its scheduled to be released the last week of April!
Sorry, the Hall is irrelevant so I haven’t been paying attention, did The Replacements get in last year? Because if not, then why the hell aren’t they up for it this year?!?
Mellencamp totally deserves to get Hall of Fame recognition. This may just be because I’m from Indiana and live in Bloomington currently, but around here he is a legend. Not a football game goes by without everyone in the stadium singing a Mellencamp song. Don’t hate!
No the Mats didn’t get in last year, and will most likely continue to get the shaft every year.
Regarding this:
“Chic, Donna Summer, the Beastie Boys, and Afrika Bambaataa — were hugely influential, each and every one of them. But hey, disco and rap didn’t play any important role in the last 25 years of popular music, right?”
But it’s not called the Popular Music Hall of Fame. (It probably should be, but it isn’t). So assuming we buy into the name “Rock and Roll Hall of Fame”, what in hell’s bells would Donna Summer being doing in there?
I think that The Replacements released their 1st album in 1984 so they are not eligible yet.
Nope, Sorry Ma came out in 1981, so they are eligable. Now Let it Be came out in 1984, their last on TwinTone, but their first major label debut (Sire, division of Warner Brothers) was with Tim in 1985, but I don’t think that matters if it was TwinTone or Sire, it’s still a release.
I’m not John Mellencamp’s biggest fan, I don’t even own any of his music. But I think he is really taken for granted, especially among music elitists. The hall of fame has more than its fair share of one-hit wonders enlisted, so I don’t see how anyone could possibly argue that JCM doesn’t have the breadth and weight to be considered one of America’s great musicians.
I consider myself to be a harsh music critic. I have music training and I have seen many of the greats. Mellencamp is one of the best of his generation. He is a gifted artist and a great performer. Play his Greatest Hits CD and you will realize that you know almost all of the songs. He is one of those, “I didn’t know he sang that! That song is awesome!” artists. You show your ignorance by not recognizing that he deserves a place in the hall of fame. I was actually shocked to see that you had such a bad opinion of him.
The most egregious omissions remain Roy Brown, who was the first rock and roll shouter with “Good Rockin’ Tonight” and numerous others, Lee Dorsey who had dozens of influential hits and recordings, and Leon Russell, who aside from his illustrious solo career, played on hundreds of rock and roll classics from the 60s. Until these people get in, there’s no point in recognizing anyone else. Leonard Cohen: great folk artist, but give me a break! I am happy for The Ventures though.
Mellencamp is a worthy inductee because he’s somehow evolved into “America’s Balladeer” during the past two decades. Plus he’s been a champion of beleaguered farmers everywhere, which only adds to his stature.
C’mon, Small Town is a classic, as is Jack and Diane. Until he sold his soul, um, song rights to Chevy, JCM was all about small farmers and rural America and the common man, and his music is still great. Why the hate, dude?
Are you joking me about the Mellencamp comments? Here in the Midwest he is to us as Springsteen is to Jersey. While I agree Springsteens great and all and I am a huge fan, they are looking at different social situations, Springsteen just doesn’t always resonate as much as Mellencamp does with the people here.
My problem with Donna Summer and the Beastie Boys is that they are singers, not artists. Put Giorgio Moroder in, put Rick Rubin in, they were the real talent behind Summer and the Boys.
And Mellencamp? I think he did a lot in the eighties to help steer the decade away from synth pop. And if you’re going to knock Mellencamp for being a Bruce knock-off, isn’t Bruce a Dylan knock-off?
Yes, Slezak is on vacation. Otherwise he’d be raising hell for Vanessa Williams’ GG snub.
At first, I thought John Cougar Mellencamp was a hack, but he’s hung in and delivered some classics. and I think it’s ridiculous that Neil Diamond is not in the RRHOF.
To Jill – I love John Mellencamp, but he has in no way been as popular or as influential as Madonna. For decades, Madonna has defined fame and had a major impact on the world of music, pop culture, fashion, etc. There’s not enough space here for me to even begin telling you how much of an impact she’s made.
Has Cougar even had a hit since Paper And Fire? Don’t count Wild Night with Meshell either. He has been DOA for years. Tom Petty? Peter Frampton?
Uh…John Mellencamp not a legend!! Now, yes Madonna is more popular and definitely influenced more pop tarts, but Mellencamp is rock and deserves to be in there. You’re not a music critic, I hope?
but Like a Virigin is probably her weakest album. I am so glad that Leonard Cohen is inducted. He is such a great songwriter who cares if he can’t sing. I rather listen to great songs sung with conviction then some singing robot like Josh Gorban.