In mulling over the list of nine finalists up for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame this year, one thing kind of stands out: Half of the artists ain’t rock and roll. Yes, we have Metallica, Wanda Jackson, Jeff Beck, and the Stooges. And even Run D.M.C., though a rap act, has had a major impact on rock and roll, thanks to their use of rock samples and groundbreaking collaboration with Aerosmith on "Walk This Way." But then there’s soul/doo-wop singers Little Anthony and the Imperials, funk band War, soul/R&B singer Bobby Womack, and the most miscast "rock and roll" act on the list, Chic (nominated for a second year in a row). Now, I know "rock and roll" can be loosely applied to a lifestyle, an attitude, the rebellious side of pop music, if you will, and I know its roots in blues an R&B make nods for Bobby Womack and War seem plausible. But I really can’t understand how Chic, a disco band (and a very good one at that), is up while Bon Jovi and Stevie Ray Vaughan (artists with the requisite 25 years since the release of their first records) sit on the sidelines.
Who else got snubbed, PopWatchers? Are you into the Hall’s loose interpretation of "rock and roll," or do you think they took a wrong turn by inducting Grand Master Flash last year?
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after looking at the list for newly eligible artists (http://www.futurerockhall.com/year.php?eligible_year=2008), it’s the smiths and cyndi lauper who jump out at me, though i’m also shocked last year’s nominees (and not inductees) the beastie boys are nowhere to be found.
Rush, Rush, and oh yeah, Rush. And the Hollies, too.
I’m all for inducting other popular genres, but not quite sure how they fit under the “rock and roll” umbrella. I’ll be in Cleveland this weekend for a work conference and am headed to the Rock Hall, of course – I’ll have to do some further research…
Rush, Yes, ELP, Genesis, the list goes on and on and on and on……
I wonder if Billy Joe Royal ever made it into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame. Does anyone know? What about Tom Jones, Ricky Nelson, Bobby Sherman and a few others from way back when. If those aren’t in there, they should be.
Well, what we are talking about here is another phenomena that is unique to our fair nation, in the same way that we measure using feet (as opposed to meters) and we enjoy football (as opposed to what we call soccer).
In any other country, common sense dictates that the music most popular with listeners is referred to as “Pop Music,” regardless if it is created with guitars or with turntables.
However, since 1967, our country has been held captive to the notion created by Jann Wenner that since he considers rock n’ roll to be the most culturally important American creation of the century, ALL popular music should be viewed through that distorted prism.
Btw, this should also explain why RS magazine has floundered so badly in trying to stay relevant in an age when hip-hop and country continue to rule the airwaves and the popular imagination…
Winona, I was going to post almost the exact same thing. It was definitely going to mention Rush several times.
Rush.
I agree about the Beastie Boys, but more importantly, what about Electric Light Orchestra? They’ve broken more ground and had more hits than Chic and War combined!!
Other than the aforementioned Bon Jovi and Stevie Ray Vaughan, the ones that jump out at me the most are Cheap Trick, The Cars, Motley Crue, Kiss, Def Leppard and Judas Priest. All ROCK groups… all very influential and popular.
The RNR HOF has been a joke for years. I still haven’t gone to it. Probably won’t.
I also have to agree with Rush. Not only have they influenced a lot of bands, but they were HUGE in the late 70’s/early 80’s, and have just about the most dedicated fanbase I have ever seen. I’d also agree with Bruno, and say that the fact that SRV isn’t in the Hall is an absolute travesty.
Gotta agree with Cracker on his choices. I am especially peaved that Madonna, who started as a fluff dance act and still is, gets in. But Kiss, who along with Genesis pioneered the whole grand scale rock perfomance are not in. The reason….the people in charge of deciding are New Yorkers who think they know better than the public. They try and make picks they think are cool, not necessarily worthy. I live in Cleveland, love the hall, but hate the system for choosing who gets in.
ABBA was very influential. Not exactly rock, but deserve induction.
Ach, my brother’s gonna plotz when he sees Todd Rundgren’s been passed over again.
Stevie Ray Vaughn is so supreme none of these other bands except Jeff Beck and Metallica should even be mentioned in the same breath. For him not to be nominated is disgraceful. I have lost total respect for the Hall of Fame now.
SRV should be sitting next to Hendrix, on a throne, at the Hall of Fame. I am no longer interested in the cheap carnie act atmosphere of the Hall of Fame Cronies.
Shame – apparently Rush didn’t benefit from The Colbert Bump. And as much as I love Beastie Boys, it wouldn’t be right if they got in ahead of Run DMC.
Rush, Rush and more Rush!
Sorry folks, but the RnRHF is not a popularity contest, and never has been. Like the Halls of other industries, INFLUENCE is the key factor. That is why the induction speech is given by someone whom you’ve influenced with your art.
SRV is a Guitar God. He’s prob looking down on us from Mt Olympus w/ Mr Hendrix and Mr Rhoads. I teach guitar and most non-musicians just ‘don’t get’ the mans artistry, which they hear as derivative at best. Put on a SRV CD at work, see the blank stares. Like Bon Jovi, lay people don’t see SRV as having changed music, just having played it very well.
I know people heard Roy Orbison was gonna be inducted and some thought he was just a warbler at best. Roy’s ‘warbling’ though, influenced an incredible number of people who are, in turn, very influential today.
Don’t worry about SRV and Rush. When people start coming out and mentioning them in their Bio’s as influences, then what they brought to the table and how they changed the music will be acknowledged
Wow, SRV is not in the RnRHOF? I just assumed that the GREATEST blues guitarist ever to grace the planet would have already been voted in. WTF is wrong with this picture. Plus the fact that he was taken from us way too young, I just thought he would have been there. No matter Stevie, your true fans have you in their hearts forever.
Granted, Chic is “disco” music but isn’t disco just a dancier derivative of R&B (which many of the early songs lauded as “Rock and Roll” have more in common with than rock)? Despite your personal opinion of disco, the members of Chic went on to be hugely influential whether it be by their musicianship, production, or both. Nile Rodgers is a succesful producer, Bernard Thompson was also, Tony Thompson continued playing drums for a variety of bands (including the Power Station)…. I agree with the poster who said that the RNRHoF is more about influence than popularity. Heck, the bass line from Chic’s “Good Times” could almost be credited as the defining sample used in a lot of early rap and hip hop music.
where are Linda ronstandt, sold more albums than any other female artist in the 70’s and Neil diamond, J geils band and so many real greats- run dmc thats just wrong
two words – - Duran Duran
That Neil Diamond has never been nominated is a joke. He is still a major concert draw after 40 years in the businss; released two critically acclaimed albums in the last few years; has been covered by bands as diverse as UB40, the Monkees, Deep Purple and Sonic Youth and along with the likes of Carole King and James Taylor was one of the most infulential singer/songwriters of the 60s and 70s.
Chic were directly influential on rock and roll. How? Five words: “Another One Bites The Dust.” Directly inspired by Chic’s “Good Times.” But it’s true the HOF is not based on record sales or popularity; it’s based on which acts a small group of tastemakers consider to be cool.
Sonic Youth, The Smiths, Depeche Mode, The Cure, Robyn Hitchcock, Guided By Voices, Judas Priest, ELO, but more than anyone else (everyone together now) RUSH!
think of it like this… the first year the grammy was given out to a hard rock band, Jethro Tull beat out Metallica. these sorts or “awards” or recognition don’t mean squat to true rock fans because we know who are the true members of the hall of fame because we have their albums and play them on a regular basis. you wouldn’t catch me dead watching a grammy award or “hall of fame” award show anyway… i’m too busy listening to my music
Does anyone remember the 72-million sold albums & records group. . . called FOREIGNER!!?? They are still going strong today & sounding like they did in the 70’s. And. . . .let’s NOT forget about JOURNEY!!
Richard Thompson, Fairport Convention, Pentangle, Bert Jansch, Davey Graham. Ask Neil Young and Jimmy Page about the influence of those bands/guitarists.
Well lets see,
Foreigner
Journey
Squeeze
The Cure
Elvis Costello
Alice Cooper
MC 5
Rush
Judas Priest
Iron Maiden
Deep Purple
NY Dolls
Blue Oyster Cult
ZZ Top
Molly Hatchet
Poco
Badfinger
And the list goes on. Metallica? No offense but as mych as I loved Metallica as a kid, even they would say for arguments sake that them being inducted before Maiden, Purple,Cooper, Rush, and Priest is a bit insulting.
The RRHOF is such a travesty. Been there once….will never do it again. Who do we send e-mails to to complain?
Deep Purple???? Hello!!!!!
Stevie Ray Vaughn??? WTF!!!!
Oh and I totally forgot KISS. I mean, it’s just the Rock and Roll Hall o Shame.
Elvis C. and ZZ Top are already in, Steph…as for your choices of Poco and Molly Hatchet? REALLY??? Do you still have a mullet?