The Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame has announced its nominees for possible induction in 2009. A lucky 5 of the following will be elected by more than 500 voters:
- Jeff Beck
- Chic
- Wanda Jackson
- Little Anthony and the Imperials
- Metallica
- Run-D.M.C.
- The Stooges
- War
- Bobby Womack
I know you’re excited!
Those of you who’ve bitched about the exclusion of The Stooges, will you be happy if they’re finally inducted?
Those of you who have felt that disco and other forms of dance music have been overlooked, is the induction of Chic your key hope for the Class of 2009?
Fans of Jeff Beck, who’s already in the HoF as part of The Yardbirds, do you even scratch your head and say Huh?
Will Metallica’s therapist be recognized as part of the band’s inevitable induction ceremony?
I can tell you that Mr. Mod’s main concern and rooting interest is whether War, if elected for induction, will also recognize its Eric Burdon and War roots.
Previously: Rock Town Hall Interviews the Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame’s Curator.
Okay, I’ll start: As stupid as this whole Hall of Fame concept is, it’s only made stupider by the exclusion of the MC5, Big Star, Tom Waits, the Replacements,Husker Du and KISS (that’s right, KISS!), among others.
Chic’s nomination crystallizes how they’ve taken the wrong approach to the Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame from the beginning, how they were too slavishly beholden to other halls of fame on a conceptual level.
Would I vote to put Chic in the Hall of Fame? No. But would I vote to put the bass line from “Good Times” into the Hall of Fame? Yes!
If I were to start a Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame from the ground up, that’s the approach I’d take. Some bands or artists have the goods to get in as a band or artists. But some have just done one thing so great, why not put that thing in the Hall of Fame itself?
Come on, Bobby Womack? I think they may need to go to an every-five-year schedule. They’re obviously struggling to come up with nominees. It can’t be a hall of ‘fame’ if the inductees aren’t famous enough for your average rock fan to know who they are.
And Jeff Beck may be a good guitar player, but he’s been a real underachiever as a solo artist.
I will happy if The Stooges make the grade. I’m not a KISS fan by any stretch of the imagination but do believe that they should be in as should The Monkees.
I need to understand the criteria for getting in there (if it even exists). Is it influence? Innovation? Sales? Cultural phenomenon? Just one really good song? At least 3-5 good songs? Do you eventually just get grandfathered in?
Is there any science invloded in this decision making process at all?
I don’t know the specifics, but I believe the formula is some kind of index tied to popularty and guilt.
Considering the people who are already in, the biggest omissions that you can’t argue against adding to this Hall as it currently exists have to be KISS, the Monkees and ELO.
KISS is the one I most want to see go in. I say this as a Lynne and Nesmith fan, since merit is kind of out the window, but KISS offer the best trainwreck potential, even better than Van Halen did. Who do they get to induct them? Do Paul and Gene let Ace and Peter onstage? Do they let them play? Do they fire either of them during the ceremony? Does Gene Simmons give an even worse speech than Mike Love? This is what I want to watch.
My guess is that Bobby Womack will be elected provided that Keef slurs the speech for everyone’s amusement.
That’s easy: Sebastian Bach.
I think the only thing that would’ve made the JaBru “Satisfaction” more awesome would’ve been if Gene Simmons were doing Mike Love’s weird pointy dance in full Demon regalia. And imagine Jagger throwing those shoes out into the crowd.
It just occured to me: Bobby Womack but no Don Covey?!?!
Back me up in my indignation, Mr Mod
I say we open an entire museum to Covay, Joe Tex, and Steppenwolf.
I think the proper rock and roll attitude to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame goes “I wouldn’t want to be a member of any Hall of Fame that would have me as a member.”
Sure, that’s who they could get, but if you’re the Hall of Fame, do you let Sebastian Bach induct someone for you? Somehow, Bach is an even more embarassing person to go to than Kid Rock, who at least has the benefit of being more recent in his awfulness.
This may be what has been holding KISS up. Gene should throw some of that merchandising money at Bono to induct them. Preferably in Catman facepaint.
Please. For the Children: http://www.geocities.com/dminthehalloffame/
But semi-seriously, of the folks on that list I think that these will “make it” this year:
Chic
Wanda Jackson
Little Anthony and the Imperials
Run-D.M.C.
Bobby Womack
BigSteve [Member]
“Come on, Bobby Womack? I think they may need to go to an every-five-year schedule.”
People are down on Bobby Womack these days? Geez, if he only recorded “It’s All Over Now” and “Lookin’ for a Love” with the Valentinos I’d put him in. What, is Billy Joel too cool to be in the same club as Bobby Womack?
He played guitar on a couple of the prime 60’s Aretha records and made a nice record with Gabor Szabo as well. His solo career is somewhat uneven but I’d put him up there with Sam and Dave’s career, at least.
Roxy Music for sure should be in but has any one deserving been dissed longer than The Monkees?
Great call, person who just added T. Rex to the poll.
Even if they won’t put The Monkees in, they could at least put Nesmith in, right?
The band that most confused me for its long delay on getting in was Skynyrd. What ever you thing of them, what about them kept them out of the Hall as it is for so long? It wasn’t a popularity, sales or recognizability issue, and they’re as good or better at what they do than many of the bands already in. What was that hold up about?
Three cheers to the wag who nominated Taco for the RRHoF!
Of course, all this industry means we must get cracking on our RTH Foyer of Fame nominations.
HVB
Is Michael Anthony eligible for the Foyer’s nomination slate this year?
I wouldn’t mind seeing Hamish Stuart up for some kind of honor. If not, perhaps he could be the musical director for the Foyer Induction Ceremony’s band this year.
I think Hamish should be nominated in the newly-created “Oliver” category
And why no Cheap Trick and no Raspberries?