The 2012 “Rock and Roll” Hall of Lame Inductees
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The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
One Again Ignores Talented Musicians
This year’s nominees proves once again that talent is does not necessarily get you into the Rock and Roll Hall of Shame
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame started out as a great idea: the original inductees include Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, and Jim Morrison. And others who have been inducted over the years are Rod Steward, Neil Young, Crosby Stills & Nash, Queen, Paul Simon and, of course, the Beatles and Led Zeppelin.
That was a long time ago. And here’s my extremely biased rant about the inductees this year. This opinion does not necessarily reflect the views of Mad Mike’s America.
Lately, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has made appallingly horrible inductees. You can look up the more recent “talent” for yourself. Apparently, talent is not a requirement: an inductee must be around for at least 25 years and made a significant impact in Rock and Roll.
So, why is ABBA in the Hall of Fame rather than Rush? (The band’s been together for 40 years). Or hydrangea-hating Madonna for Yes? (This band’s career also spans 40 years? I was happy to see AC/DC get inducted at one point, but am not a big fan anymore since they sold out to Wal*Mart. Most of the inductees aren’t rockers—just a whole lotta pop…
This moringing, the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame announced the latest abysmal (for the most part) inductees. Sure, some deserve the honor: Heart is long overdue for the honor. Ann and Nancy Wilson actually play rock. And I’m glad to see folk-rocker Donovan finally get some recognition.
The other nominees only have a loose affiliation as true rockers: The Cure, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Eric B. & Rakim, Joan Jett And The Blackhearts, Beastie Boys, and Donna Summer.
According to Joel Peresman, president and CEO of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation, Inc., the initial selections are made by a committee of 30 to 35 music industry business people—not musicians. He also stated, It’s not really that this one sold this many albums or this many tickets. It’s really ‘What’s the significance of that artist? And why should they be inducted?’ OK, I get it. Pink Floyd has no significance. Thank you for letting me know.
The Rock and Roll Hall of Lame, once again, overlooked many, many artists, favoring (this year’s) one-hit “wonders” like Joan Jett. Jeez, Joan, I’m sorry, but do you really think you have the same amount of talent as Geddy Lee? I Love Rock and Roll is pop. Does that pretty much sum up your significant contribution to the genre?
Only eight of the 15 nominees become Hall of Fame-rs. The entire selection process is ludicrous. The people who make the selections have no true music appreciation. Seriously, imagine Eric B. & Rakim entering in their dead animal fur-coat glory.
Well, here the the new inductees for the Rock and Roll Hall of Lame:
- Beastie Boys
- The Cure (Goth New Wave)
- Donovan
- Eric B. & Rakim (Rap?)
- Guns N’ Roses (one good album)
- Heart
- Joan Jett And The Blackhearts
- Freddie King
- Laura Nyro
- Red Hot Chili Peppers
- Rufus With Chaka Khan
- The Small Faces/The Faces
- The Spinners
- Donna Summer (Uh, Disco. Rockers in the 70s burned Disco records en masse.)
- War
After the biz end of the music industry makes their selection, more than 500 voters will determine who makes the hall. New members will be inducted at a ceremony in Cleveland on April 14.
Heart, who have been together 40 years also (well longer—they’re sisters) received their induction 15 years too late. The rockers made an indelible mark on the rock scene of the 1970s and ’80s as one of the first women to front an aggressive rock band. They inspired generations of women.
For 25 years, The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has made it clear that progressive rock musicians don’t have any influence on the industry. No prog rock artists have ever been inducted except Genesis. Fans of Yes, Rush, ELP, Pink Floyd, and the Moody Blues started online petitions to get those groups a nod. The committee ignores the petitions every year. What these bands have in common other than their style of music is the fact that they’re all British, except that one is from Canada.
Progressive rock bands are still packing thousands of fans into stadiums: they’ve pushed the boundaries of rock. Perhaps their impeccable musicianship and thoughtful lyrics might be a bit overwhelming to those selecting the artists.
I go through this rant every year for a few minutes. I’m airing my ire with all prog rock fans.
Neal Peart is, hands down, one of the greatest drummers (pardon me, percussionists) in the entire genre—yes, even surpassing John Bonham (who was a damn fine drummer).
Here’s music from two bands that are not in the hall. It’s a compliment, guys.
Rush: The Body Electric from “Grace Under Pressure
Yes: Real Love from “Talk”
Mad Mike’s America thanks the AP, but not the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Your turn. Which rockers have been egregiously overlooked as inductees for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame?
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i love prog rock, too. i totally get where you’re going with the talent versus popularity thing, and a lot of these recent R&RHOF inductees definitely don’t jive with the R&R tradition. but consider this: the definition of rock had to change and expand in order to accomodate some artists now considered standard-bearers. however cliched or distilled, rock and roll is an attitude. madonna has it. the beasties surely have it.
though a lot of these new inductees may not have the raw talent and refined abilities as a yes or rush, they make up for it in cultural impact and visibility. everybody knows who donna summer is, and disco is an offshoot of funk and soul, which have common roots with rock.
then again, maybe they just went with the safe bet every time. i’ve never been a huge wenner fan mostly due to RS’s continually terrible record reviews and music coverage.
Glad you liked it.
Since I love the Beastie Boys and The Cure, I’m hoping they get in. Know what you mean though as far as rock, Donna Summer=Rock as the Glee cast= actual singing( as a Gleek I know, I know it’s like wrestling, FAKE and autotuned). I thought Pink Floyd was already in there. I am now going to be using my youth as an excuse for my ignorance, so you cannot take that away from me 🙂
Oh my Gawd I love this Dorothy and I agree with you about the Hall of Fame, in that it is more infamous for its lousy selections than anything. Thanks for a great article.
Thank you so much, Jenny. I’ve been bitching and moaning about the exclusion of Yes and Rush for years. I had no idea until yesterday that Pink Floyd was overlooked, too.