I promised myself I wouldn’t do this but I here I am, doing it.
Doing what? You may ask.
Starting my annual bitch fest regarding the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
For the new subscribers let me explain. For the four years I have been writing this column, I have been calling the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame out on it’s loss of focus and direction. They have admitted multiple artists that either have zero connection to Rock or are borderline artists, not worthy of induction.
I have been to Cleveland multiple times over the years and have always went to visit the Museum. Honestly, it is worth the trip even if I don’t agree with the direction the institution has taken. For a Rock fan like myself, it is just amazing. The displays, the films, the artifacts. One day is not enough to get the full scope and really dig into what the museum has to offer. Go during the summer, take a long weekend, go to “The Jake” watch the Indians play and maybe rent a car and drive to Canton to the Pro Football hall of Fame as well. Cleveland is a hidden gem and I can’t wait to go back there even if I feel like,WTF, Missie Elliot?
I know it’s a little early and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame being the disorganized mess that it is, we really have no clue when they will put out there list of potential inductees. My guess is that it will be in the next few weeks and as per usual, I will have a lot to say about it.
Doing some online research and putting two and two together I have come up with a list of potential nominees and a quick commentary.
I will start with A Tribe Called Quest. First things first, I like this band. I think they are unique, funny, talented and can jam with anyone but are they Rock and Roll enough for me? No, but and this is a big but, if this band wanted to rock, they could but I am not sure if it’s enough. I have very mixed opinions about them being nominated again and the possibility that this may be the year. I am going to say a very wishy washy no.
A band that might fit this same category is Wu Tang Clan. I am not a fan, never have been but i do understand that these guys had and have influenced multiple artists over the years and not just Hip Hop artists. I say no but I do think they will get in.
Alanis Morrisette. Uh, No! Anyone remember Kate Bush?
Coldplay. Again, not a favorite of mine but I do get the importance of Chris Martin and the band. They had several hits, none of which I liked. He has a baby named Apple. They are a no, but they may sneak in.
Mariah Carey. Who? What? Why? I have read in several different places that there is a push for her. Not sure if you could ever consider her a Rock performer but she is one of the most popular artists of her generation. Yuck. I say NO! Forever NO!
Sting. 100% yes. No doubt in my mind that he should be inducted. Unique talent and killer songwriter. He won’t get in this time but he will.
Sinead O’Conner. I say no and it has nothing to do with her ultra liberal stance on pretty much everything. I just don’t think she was a star long enough. I don’t think her influence was that deep. Admittedly, I usually chafe at any artist the NY Times venerates while they leave truly great artists in the dust. This is referring to the coverage of her passing as opposed to the passing of Tony Bennett. You don’t remember? Look it up. It was so disrespectful I can’t even think about it.
Dave Matthews Band. Without a doubt, they should be in. To put Kate Bush in and not put in Dave Matthews is like putting Wally Pipp in and leaving Lou Gehrig out of the Baseball Hall of Fame. Case freaking closed.
The White Stripes. This is a tricky one. I think they were very unique. Jack White might be one of the ten greatest guitarists alive today and Meg White? Well, she was a good partner. They really didn’t have any earth shattering albums or break any molds or actually do anything great other than being a real live Rock and Roll soap opera. I say No but if they get in, I won’t piller the Hall.
MC5. Enough already with these guys. They were a foundational band for a scene that really has never gotten a lot of traction at the Hall, Punk and it’s offshoots. They were a seminal band that 98% of the US population has never heard of or heard. They get in, ok. They don’t, ok.
Iron Maiden. Another group that I was never a big fan of but I give respect. They were HUGE back in the day and they are Rock and Roll to the core. Put them in and save yourselves.
Peter Frampton. I say yes and it’s not on the back of Frampton Comes Alive either. However, based on the Hall’s ability to elevate less than mediocre artists to inductee status based on one song, how about one of the best live albums ever recorded? Frampton rose to fame as the lead guitarist of Humble Pie, which on it’s own is enough for me. Then he goes out as a solo performer and kills it. He should be in, no question.
The next group is a firm no with zero explanation. Cyndi Lauper. John Mayer. Lil’ Wayne. Outkast. Alice in Chains.
Here’s who will be left off and this is where I start an accelerated heartbeat and want to storm the castle with the citizens.
Emerson, Lake and Palmer. Sorry, but this is a Rock and Roll travesty. Probably the most talented, cerebral group to ever fill a stage with instruments. This is one of my Group of Five that the Hall needs to correct.
War. Another one of my Group of Five. They were a blend of Soul, Rock, Funk and you name it. Great musicians with a powerful voice to a very contentious period in US history. They should be in just on the back of “Slipping Into Darkness”. Damn shame.
J.Giels Band. You can’t get more Rock and Roll than these guys. Not sure why they never gained the traction they needed but they should be in. If you want me to make a stellar case for them, reach out to me. Be prepared!
Joy Division/New Order. Not a popular pick amongst many of my readers but these two bands (same people, different name) had a pretty powerful impact on a whole generation of artists in England. They may never get in but their music, as weird as some of it is, and their impact should help get additional votes this year.
Jethro Tull. Looking at an overview of their catalog, there is a lot of dusty stuff that may never get put on anyones playlist but the ones we do listen too need to be appreciated for what they were at the time, groundbreaking. You can mock Aqualung all you want, it was a groundbreaking record that had so many sub meanings that it would take an Egyptologist a career to figure them out. What about Thick As A Brick? Another seemingly rambling piece of music but if you actually break it down, it has multiple ideas and lessons intertwined. I like long pieces of music but Thick as Brick is over 43 minutes. Might be a bit much but think about how creative and talented you have to be to produce something of such extraordinary length.
Chic. Kill me for this one. I don’t care. This band was great. They were the number one band in the World during those crazy Disco days and say what you will, Nile Rodgers was one of the funkiest guitarists who ever graced a stage. This was a Rock band that played dance music and the Hall puts in mediocre artists of that genre all the time. There isn’t a hip hop group on this planet that hasn’t stolen or borrowed a riff from Chic.
Lastly, the aforementioned Humble Pie. No doubt in my mind that these guys should be in the Hall. Look at their lineup and tell me they couldn’t be one of the greatest Rock and Roll bands ever. Steve Marriot, Peter frampton and eventually, Clem Clempson. They were the epitome of a Rock and Roll band in the early 70’s and that eventually did them in. They should be in.
It will be a long, cold, wet winter until the nominations are announced so sit back, create a good wintertime mix and let’s wait and see what those geniuses in Cleveland have in store for us. Trust me. I won’t miss an opportunity to lambaste them for the Cher nomination. God help us all.
Couldn't agree with You more. Don't turn it into a Pop Hall of Fame.