5/2: MY REVIEW ON THE R&R HOF CEREMONY ON HBO
Hope everyone had a chance to see the R&R HOF induction over the weekend. As someone who has hammered the Hall for decades now I also must acknowledge some progress is finally being made. In the last few years alone we have seen the LONG overdue inductions of Kiss, Rush, Alice Cooper, and this weekend Deep Purple and Cheap Trick. Better late than never, but to me this will always be tainted some because they were snubbed and disrespected for so long. And one of the tragic things about snubbing Deep Purple (who should have been in over 30 years ago!) is that one of their founding members has passed away. I couldn’t help but to get angry seeing photos of Jon Lord, instead of him standing on that stage like he would have been, if the Hall didn’t ignore Purple for decades. I thought it was absurd Blackmore wasn’t there. I don’t know what the reasons are or who’s fault it is, but it just sucked. We are losing legends it seems monthly, so it was really bizarre to see someone talked about like they were not among the living when they are! He didn’t have to play with them, but he couldn’t have stood there?! Weak and selfish considering what a moment it would have been for the fans. Again, I truly don’t know who’s fault it is, but work it out somehow! I did like that all members of Purple were at least mentioned. I also thought it was ridiculous Steve Morse was not inducted. But good to see they are finally in and I am very happy for good friends David Coverdale and Glenn Hughes as well! Also GREAT speech by Lars. You could not have found a better person to induct them. I have hung with Lars when he has preached the gospel of Purple, he is a MASSIVE fan and they were the most important band to him as a kid.
Cheap Trick was an example of exactly the RIGHT way to go into the HOF. They have been at odds with original drummer Bun E Carlos for years. He has not been a member of the band touring or recording and there was even a law suit. But guess what? Cheap Trick, who truly are a peoples/fans band, sucked it up and not only had him on stage with them, but played with him! So many bands talk about how they do it for and love their fans, Cheap Trick talks to talk and walks the walk. No greater example than how they handled the HOF. They are still great live and just made a really good new album as well. Very happy for the guys and did right by their history and their fans the way they handled it. Solid job by Kid Rock on the induction, some funny moments there.
As for the rest of the show Chicago was well overdue to go in. This was the first year I have a vote for the HOF and I voted Chicago, CT and DT, so three of my five made it. And although I’m not a hip hop guy by any stretch if they are going to include this genre NWA certainly is worthy. I found the Steve Miller induction a bit strange in the sense that it seemed like The Black Keys were really mailing it in. Did they even know who they were inducting? I don’t know those guys personally but it seemed as if they were just reading what someone else wrote. When all the presenters had so much passion for who they were inducting, this fell really flat and felt weird.. But Steve certainly deserves being in. Also very cool move to show that Prince clip at the very end.
Although progress is being made much still to be done. My current snubs list includes; Journey, Foreigner, Yes, Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Motorhead, Def Leppard, Bon Jovi, Motley Crue, Scorpions, and probably a ton more I’m forgetting. Feel free to post your list in comments. This show repeats often now on HBO if you missed it.
I’m pretty sure Robin Zander’s speech was edited, because I read somewhere he took a swipe at Bun E. and I didn’t see that. I’d be curious if Chicago drummer Danny “F–kin'” Seraphine’s speech was edited; they told him to “wrap it up” and he said “screw you! I’ve been waiting for this for 25 years!” but then he was done, and it looked fishy.
TODD RUNDGREN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I read a story that said the guys in the Black Keys were treated like garbage by Steve Miller before his induction, and that he had no idea who they were, and that they bailed right after the induction speech. Just repeating what I read. Who knows what is true.
Yup. Steve Miller was apparently a major a–hole throughout the show. The Black Keys have said they completely regret being involved in Miller’s RRHOF deal.
There’s an interview on Rolling Stone about it.
That’s what I heard too. So maybe that’s why it was so lackluster.
Great review. Thanks.
While I’m all for these well-served bands getting the recognition they certainly deserve, I also believe in “waiting your turn” (e.g., how did Green Day and GNR get in before Deep Purple and Cheap Trick?). That being said, you have to give props to 70s-era bands such as YES, Moody Blues, Mott the Hoople, Bad Company, Grand Funk Railroad, Ted Nugent, Todd Rundgren, Bachman-Turner Overdrive and Joe Walsh before considering 80s-era bands.