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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No Emerson, Lake & Palmer Or UFO Or Yes Or Bad Company Or Iron Maiden Or Judas Priest Or Ronnie James Dio RIP Or Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow Or Deep Purple W.T.F?
As I saw the the nominations were out again today, I was interested to see (once again) who would and would not be considered. For the past few years, I have been personally pushing for Deep Purple, Bad Company and Cheap Trick to get in. None of these are even on the ballot this year. Deep Purple had been on the ballot the last two years. Even in the fan polls, they were coming in just a little after fan favorites like KISS. This year they seem to be omitted. So, I was just disappointed yet again. But, like many, not surprised. As a huge Stevie Ray Vaughan fan, I was surprised that he’s on the ballot. I think it’s ridiculous that they are considering both Sting and Lou Reed for their solo careers. Both of them have already been inducted through the Police and the Velvet Underground. There is really no bands from the 70’s on this ballot. To me, the 70’s was a truly innovative decade for Rock N’ Roll. But, those ROCK fans that keep hoping some of their favorite bands will be inducted are disappointed yet again.
Eddie is correct as always. If the bands do not really care, than the fans should not care either. It is an elitest group. There really needs to be a separate hall of fame to commemerate all the artists that were snubbed, included, and would never be considered that we all love and not limit the amount of inductees every year.
I have no problem with NIN and Green Day but they are so many more deserving artists first. The obvious have already been named. If NIN goes in than Gary Numan should be in to. He is Reznor’s primary influence and Cars is top 5 of all songs that get royalties. There are countless punk bands that need to go before Green Day. No one has mentioned Bad Religion, Minor Threat, or Fugazi.
ROR is a joke.
another to add to the list: Ted Nugent.
A 5 plus decade career. 40 plus million albums sold. One of the top concert grossing artists of the late 70s. One of the most widely recognizable music names outside the industry.
No chance to ever get in given his politics
Nicely put Eddie. I agree on all fronts. It’s shame that true recognition to those very deserving never happens. You are right, lets rush to get Green Day on the ballot. Glad Stevie Ray is on the ballot, but then again, I’m partial to SRV. My big rant, as was yours for Rush, is Grand Funk Railroad. The original American “garage” Band, that sold millions, never gets the nod they deserve. I also have another rant, but we’ll never see Thin Lizzy in there.