The annual nominees for the R&R Hall Of Fame have been released today. And with that usually it’s a day I go crazy and rant and rave about who is and isn’t on the ballot as I have since the thing opened. But I have thought about it and decided I’m done doing that. Why? Not because it has been fixed at all, quite the opposite actually. It is SO damaged and SO clueless and SO disrespectful of real rock bands that it has actually become irrelevant and not worth my time or aggravation. After years of screaming about Rush, Kiss and Alice Cooper, all who finally did go in, I noticed something else, it was forgotten about 24 hours later. I mean it had zero impact on any artists careers. It did nothing to spike sales of albums or tickets. Many don’t even see it because it is expensive to go to and the TV broadcast is now on a premium pay channel. Having attended the induction last year as a guest of Ace & Peter’s it was a really nice moment of course, and of course there are tons of worthy bands in the Hall. But looking at the nominees this year as far as who is on it and who is not even in the conversation after being snubbed for over a decade I realized something. Why get upset? This is NEVER going to change! It is a private club of the music industry snobs and never was the voice of the fans. They have run this thing into total irrelevance in my opinion because they are so hung up on what they think is cool vs what millions of music fans buy and care about. It just doesn’t matter at all in the big picture because the history of who has and hasn’t gone in (and how long some waited to finally get in) just taints it. If you are a real rock music fan and take a step back you just have to laugh at all the obvious bias going on. I get the sense the same people that made fun of me for liking Kiss in high school have all moved to the Hall nomination group. It’s that type of elitist music snob vibe. It always has been but I thought when Rush, Kiss, Alice, etc finally got in the tide would turn and progress would be made. But nothing has changed. Deep Purple, Bon Jovi, Dio, Motorhead, Motley, Def Leppard, Cheap Trick, Journey, Styx, Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, and COUNTLESS other huge selling and influential acts are still snubbed in the rush to get Green Day, or Sting solo in. I have decided by ranting about it I am giving this thing way too much credit and validity. I kind of thought that all along but actually thought some progress was finally being made. But it is as disrespectful as ever for real rock music and to the millions of fans these bands have. So it doesn’t move the needle, half the artists don’t want to go, most fans can’t go or even see the broadcast, and fans have very little to do with it and THEY make the bands careers! It’s irrelevant to me now and a total time waster. Yes I get it still means something to some artists to go in, and I would never belittle that moment for anyone. But it really has become irrelevant in so many ways to REAL fans of REAL rock bands that sold MILLIONS of albums and INFLUENCED generations that it isn’t worth my time and effort. And I know many will say “somebody needs to start their own Hall”. Heard that a million times, tried and still try to find an interested partner with the resources. Maybe one day. But until then I, or any other real rock fan, shouldn’t acknowledge this joke of a private club. I did for so long because I thought it would help change the tide, but I see that is just not going to ever happen and it’s time to move on. Especially when you consider in the big picture the way it’s done it means very little in the end.
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189 Responses
Well said, Eddie. The RRHOF is irrelevant, and music fans should treat it accordingly and simply not allow it to own any real estate in any music conversation.
First off Eddie , I must applaud you for sticking to your guns and not wavering on your point of view . You’ve remained steadfast since I’ve known you in junior high . What’s really sad is this group of people are the same one who’ve driven the industry into what it now is . In a sense , Gene was right . It’s very hard to succeed and get the perks once associated with the craft . As slash said though , you’ve got to do it because you love R’N’Roll . Maybe it’s time for the artist and fans to start up their version of the hall of fame . Isn’t that what it’s supposed to be about in the first place , the artists and fans who tirelessly buy the music and support our bands in the first place ? Any takers ? You’re the perfect spokesman for it !
Eddie, I’ve been saying it for ages…the place is WORTHLESS and to be shunned. John Lydon’s example should have been followed. Mock Wenner’s gang and then belittle the event and institution. The Mall of Lame doesn’t want the hard rock/metal fan(they hate prog just as much) and I’m sure they’re planning a way to put each E Street Member in individually.
Like Grandpa Al Lewis said about the FCC in 1987. “Fuck ’em”!
Well, at least, you should be really satisfied that KISS got into the HoF last year.
A TMS Hall of Fame doesn’t have to be elaborate or expensive, and can easily be included in the limited budget. You can buy cheap trophies from a local Wal-Mart. Make up some stickers to place on them. Then every year you can induct 5 bands or artists of your choosing. That way none of us will have to continue hearing about the RRHOF rant of yours year after year after year. Sounds simple enough Ed?
….but hey, look on the bright side! NWA has been nominated!…….