The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Beclowns Itself (Again)
Latest inductees confirm everything wrong with Cleveland-based institution
Willie Nelson got an odd gift for his 90th birthday.
The country music legend learned he finally made the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame cut.
Huh?
Is there any sane argument against the singer/songwriter’s legendary status? Did the Hall’s voters need another year of Nelson above ground to finally say, “It’s time?” Did they miss his decades-worth of essential songs, tours and collaborations?
And, by the way, isn’t he a country singer, not a rock ‘n’ roller?
Absurd. All of it.
Then again, absurdity rules this Hall, which officially opened its doors in 1995. The institution is meant to honor rock legends, but through the years it’s welcomed acts whose songs soar beyond the “rock” category.
Think this year’s nominees, including Nelson, Missy Elliott, Chaka Khan and “Soul Train’s” Don Cornelius. Do any of those names scream, “rock” to anyone?
It gets worse.
Bon Jovi, the band that brought the song “Bad Medicine” into existence, is enshrined in the Hall but Iron Maiden isn’t. A more embarrassing case of exclusion comes via the so-called Pre-Fab Four.
The Monkees remain uninvited despite their outsized impact on pop music. The faux band became the real deal, reportedly outsold the Beatles at its musical peak and enjoyed musical rebirths in both the ’80s and mid-2010s.
Their wacky TV show built on the Beatles’ visual legacy and became a precursor to MTV.
And the songs! So many perfect pop moments – think “Last Train to Clarksville,” “Daydream Believer,” “Sometime in the Morning,” “I’m a Believer,” “Shades of Gray” and “Pleasant Valley Sunday.” Even the deep cuts count, and the band’s 2016 “Good Times” album delivered more essential tracks.
The same holds true for the Indigo Girls, a tireless duo with a string of killer tracks and albums. They’re one of the most beloved touring acts around, and yet they still stand outside the Cleveland Hall.
Warren Zevon, Soundgarden and Joy Division also await their induction, assuming it ever happens. Maybe Hall voters are waiting until they each turn 90, which hits Zevon the hardest since he passed in 2003 at the age of 56.
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Rock & Roll Hall of Fame chairman John Sykes accidentally summed up the institution’s irrelevance via this quote to Variety.
“Sometimes it takes a major moment like Willie’s 90th birthday or, in the case of Kate Bush, music being played in ‘Stranger Things’ to shine a light on them for a lot of younger people who didn’t know who she was in 1985; they probably weren’t even born yet.”
Good thing Nelson lived to be 90, otherwise his body of work might have gotten ignored.
Embarrassing.
The Baseball Hall of Fame is special, in large part, due to the brutal barrier to entry. Some of the best players of the modern era, including Curt Schilling and Don Mattingly, have yet to make the cut. The former’s political positions clearly play a role in his omission.
Other MLB giants excluded from the Hall include Lou Whitaker, Dale Murphy and Dwight Evans. That means getting a Hall pass means something significant to the culture and the sport.
The musicians who make the Hall cut? The honor means little in the long run. Perhaps that’s why we’ve seen inductee no-shows over the years, including three-fifths of Van Halen, Paul McCartney, Axl Rose and David Bowie.
To quote Bill Murray in the classic camp comedy “Meatballs” … it just doesn’t matter.
George Thorogood – defines rock and roll, and some of the all time classic songs of the genre. Several others too as said by others. Stop being a farce, rrhof!
It’s ridiculous that George Thorogood is not in the RnRHOF, they’ll probably put George strait in there before Thorogood if he ever gets in. If any country artist deserves to be in the RnRHOF it’s Hank Williams Jr. he did more for rock n roll than Dolly Parton or any other country artist save for Waylon Jennings.
I lost all respect for the Hall of Fame. I guess they don’t have any sense as to what their Job is supposed to do. What about groups like Foreigner, Kansas, and many other Greats. Cheryl Crow??? A 2 hit wonder
Willie is a legend and should be in their. To me they just snub their noses up in the air and don’t take the required stats into account. Done with the Hall!
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No Jethro Tull means it’s a total joke. C’mon the band has released 24 albums, sold over 60M albums, had over a dozen top 10 albums including two number 1 albums, played more concerts than any act alive, has a huge following around the globe and has created a unique sound all to themselves. Also arguably the best front man of all time. Hall of Shame is more appropriate.
Not to mention as Ian Anderson put it after their debut album . We figured out we were from the Uk and not Bluesmen from Chicago. Thus Jethro Tull was one of the first artists to incorporate this breakthrough observation and make some of the best, classicrock music of the past 50 years . On those reaction channels younger generations are now discovering and being overwhelmed by the genius of Ian Anderson and Jethro Tull
I have no musical ability whatsoever, other than turn up the volume on the stereo. I can’t sing, play a musical instrument, read music, produce records. I CAN sing badly in the car and frequently do.
I fully expect to admitted to the Rock HOF within a few years, along with Milli Vanilli.
MC5 are in my R&R Hall of Fame.
KOTJMF!
I am tired hearing people complain about the Rock Hall inductees every year. I myself am a guitar player and am from the Rock and Roll Capitol of the world, Cleveland, Ohio, originally. The vast majority of the complainers are those who no nothing about Rock and Roll or even music in general! Did you know that Willie Nelson performed Rock and Roll, Blues, Blues Rock, Jazz and many other genres, not just Country?? And did you know that the Monkees also played Country Western?? Mike Nesmith was from Texas and he formed his own Country Western band as a side project??
I read that because Willie Nelson turned 90 years old and it is the 50 anniversary of Hip Hop the hall choses overruled their lack of intelligence over fan votes. Last year the top 8 made it in, which made for an incredible show. This year only will watch for George Michael, I didn’t vote for any of the others inductees. Cyndi Lauper, Iron Maiden, Soundgarden and Warren Zevon should have made it. No excuses why they didn’t. Big Disappointment to me.
When will the complainers realize that rock and roll shares a family relationship with other genres? If you recall Progressive Rock radio stations, you know how varied their playlists were, including Willie, Chaka, and others! It’s all about what INFLUENCES rock. Stop making rock out to be a niche format.
Right you are ! Tom Brady , Pele , Billie Jean King , Dale Earnhardt, Bobby Orr , all deserve to be in the Baseball Hall of Fame
You are the only person to actually realize that fact.. well played sir…I was surprised none of these other “EXPERTS”..can seem to figure that out.
Emerson Lake and Palmer
Without question-a travesty. Guess they were TOO talented-more musical genius than 90% of all the no talents combined.
ELP and so many Prog Rockers. King Crimson 100% should be in the Hall!
And the band with one of the greatest selling debut albums of all time , Boston , isn’t in either. Criminal !
I’ve felt this way for years. Where as I don’t think Iron Maiden should be in it either because they suck, hip hop, country etc. are not rock n roll bands.
Really? You must not know too much about music. Iron Maiden are masters. They were headliners from 1983 and on. Never second to anyone. From Monsters of Rock to touring around the world….fans all over the world. You should be ashamed of yourself for saying such a stupid thing. Why don’t you go listen to some of their albums before you make such foolish comments. They have 17 studio albums…they influenced Metallica and countless other bands and genres of metal.
Wow, how clueless some people are.
Don’t confuse the Museum with the HoF, they are different entities.
Tears for Fears ??? Since 2007 they’ve been eligible.
They will SHOUT it out till they reach THE TIPPING POINT! Is the Hall, HEAD OVER HEELS about other artists? Or does EVERYBODY (there) WANTS TO RULE THE WORLD? And yes it’s a MAD WORLD and time to CHANGE to SOWING THE SEEDS OF LOVE for them.
A few years back I had sick relative getting extensive treatment in Cleveland. I went to the RRHOF several times over a year. The Beatles were in a closet, The Stones, all the greats. Elvis had a small room, John Cougar Mellencamp had THREE ROOMS! the third time I inquired about that, since nothing had changed for almost a year. It was like they moved two tractor trailers of everything he ever owned in there! They claimed they changed those rooms out. So if you’re a hoarder, and get in yippee they’re also a lazy museum! So do they play favorites….ahhh yeah!
So many great bands that actually influenced Rock are missed, and others that are not even Rock get in. How about Slade? They influenced many bands that are in there. Quite a few others above are mentioned…and so many are wrongfully missed.
Yes, Slade, they were great definitely should be in.
Another band that is predicted not to get in,and they’ve been around for over 25 years with minimal changes and recently a Grammy winner!! Dream Theater!!