Being less and less a fan of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame I take no pleasure in writing this particular Substack. It is less about the doors opening too wide and letting a broader group in and more about the fact that the number of worthwhile artists over the years has dwindled to such a point, it is harder and harder to find viable candidates.
Therein lies the problem and explanation for putting Rap and Hip Hop artists in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. They have run out of legendary artists. Period.
It’s like the Baseball Hall of Fame in that there are some years that no one reaches the required minimum to get in. It happens in Baseball, it should happen here as well. I guess the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is way more concerned about revenue than authenticity.
Let’s take this class for instance: Pat Benatar, ehh. Had a few hits. Maybe a couple of great songs but did she deserve entry. No.
Duran, Duran? I can see this group getting in. They were the biggest stars in an era lacking big stars and they actually were talented and I have no problem at this point accepting them.
Eminem? Sorry, never a big fan and I do know his impact in a certain genre. He is a verifiable superstar in the rap and Hip Hop world but this is Rock and Roll and he isn’t rock and roll and never will be. No. Plus, I think he is a hypocrite. Raps about poverty and life on the streets. Give me a break, the only streets he has seen in 25 years have been from the backseat of a limo. Give it up. Rap about being rich and call me.
Eurythmics? A toss up. They were huge back in the day and Annie Lennox had one of the most incredible voices ever. Dave Stewart, her collaborator, is one of the most talented musicians of the last 25 years. However, they barely crossed over and were popular for a decade or so, not 100% sold on them being “Legendary”. I am not crying that they got in and I wouldn’t cry if they didn’t make it either.
Heres one for the books. Dolly Parton made it in without her blessing. She understood where her historical significance lies and she had enough class to initially turn down the nomination. Unlike LBJ she changed her mind and here she is. Should she be in? Ok. She’s country as country can be but that did not stop Johnny Cash from getting in or Chet Atkins or even Hank Williams. So, I am ok with her induction. Remember a lot of different genres have inductee because those inductees were influential in many ways and Dolly Parton may not be as influential as Cash or Williams, I think her overall record as a musician and influencer has made this an acceptable induction.
Lionel Ritchie, spare me. No
Carly Simon. Eh, I can see it. Not the strongest candidate ever but she had a successful career and had a pleasant voice. I didn’t vote for her but it’s not head scratching like some in the past.
Judas Priest. Not my thing but they had an incredible career and there is no doubt that they were true Rock and Rollers. I will say, this is probably long overdue.
Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. Again, another stretch by the Hall to open the doors for artists from genres that I don’t feel belong here. Talented, yes, Rock Hall worthy, no.
Harry Belafonte, another long overdue acknowledgment. Was he a major influencer musically? Maybe, for a short time but his influence and importance went deeper and more longer lasting.
Elizabeth Cotton? Never heard of her until today. Looked her up and there are some pretty impressive things on her resume like playing left handed with a right handed guitar. She turned the guitar upside down and played like that for years.
Then there is the list of candidates that should be in. Jethro Tull, J.Giels Band, George Thorogood, Gram Parsons, Grand Funk, Emerson Lake and Palmer, Dick Dale, Link Wray and the list goes on.
As I said in the beginning, the bigger picture is that the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is trying to do two things: Keep revenue flowing from the induction ceremony and broaden the appeal of the building. It has lost sight of what its initial mission was and now has veered off into territory that is quickly changing its base. The trustees obviously don’t think that being a repository of Rock and Roll is a sustainable mission and attracting a younger generation to its doors is the only viable alternative. Isn’t it funny that institutions around the World are trying to adapt to a new generation and forget the generation that made them great in the first place. The surprise will be on them when attendees that pay full freight are discouraged and the generation that feels everything should be free and they are entitled to it are there only options. They will wish for the days when people like me travelled to Cleveland and paid 28 dollars admission and bought $125 books in the gift shop. Good luck with this new business model.
I can't believe it, just can't believe it, another purist on this planet. I appreciate that you pointed out their contribution to RR, not whether or not you appreciate their music. My suggestion is they change the name of the RRHF. To what? not printable. Today, you have aced this subject, Thank You for speaking up against this travesty.