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Here are the inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2020. Whitney Houston over MOTORHEAD? What bullshit!

So much for the fan voting.

Each year, the voting committee for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame pretends to give fans a voice with a sham voting procedure. Out of the millions of fan votes submitted, the winner will count as one (1) vote against the 900+ voting members of the Hall. Big frickin’ deal.

Here are the results of the fan voting this time around.

  1. Dave Matthews Band, 1,005,657 votes
  2. Pat Benetar, 882,207
  3. Doobie Brothers, 784,729
  4. Soundgarden, 722,951
  5. Judas Priest, 675,434
  6. Whitney Houston, 593,374
  7. Depeche Mode, 563,612
  8. Thin Lizzy, 556,476
  9. Motorhead, 512,918
  10. Todd Rundgren, 440,898
  11. Nine Inch Nails, 380.869
  12. T.Rex, 365,290

Now compare that against this list, highlight who actually was voted into the Hall this year.

  1. Dave Matthews Band, 1,005,657 votes
  2. Pat Benetar, 882,207
  3. Doobie Brothers, 784,729
  4. Soundgarden, 722,951
  5. Judas Priest, 675,434
  6. Whitney Houston, 593,374
  7. Depeche Mode, 563,612
  8. Thin Lizzy, 556,476
  9. Motorhead, 512,918
  10. Todd Rundgren, 440,898
  11. Nine Inch Nails, 380.869
  12. T.Rex, 365,290

Whitney Houston? There had to be a LOT of arm-twisting behind the scenes from her estate and those with an interest in launching her posthumous career (holograms tours, etc.) Then again, less than 10% of all Hall inductees are woman. That needs to be addressed. But what about Pat Benetar who killed it in the fan voting? What a bunch of clowns.

And no cigar for Judas Priest again. Expect to hear a lot of wailing from metal fans.

Answer me this: What is ROCK about Whitney Houston? A singing talent, to be sure. A super-successful artist, yes. But what sort of musical ground did she break? Who’s next? Mariah Carey?

And what kind of universe is this that Nine Inch Nail and Whitney Houston are mentioned in the same breath?

Total. Utter. Bullshit. There is no credibility here.

There are also two inductees for the Ahmet Ertegun Award, which is reserved for non-musicians: executives, producers, songwriters, journalists, and radio people. This year, the award goes to:

  • Irving Azoff (manager of The Eagles, Bon Jovi and more)
  • Jon Landau (Bruce Springsteen’s manager for the last 45 years)

The 35th Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will happen on Saturday, May 2, in Cleveland. The TV broadcast is set for HBO on May 2.

Alan Cross

is an internationally known broadcaster, interviewer, writer, consultant, blogger and speaker. In his 40+ years in the music business, Alan has interviewed the biggest names in rock, from David Bowie and U2 to Pearl Jam and the Foo Fighters. He’s also known as a musicologist and documentarian through programs like The Ongoing History of New Music.

Alan Cross has 39372 posts and counting. See all posts by Alan Cross

5 thoughts on “Here are the inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2020. Whitney Houston over MOTORHEAD? What bullshit!

  • Whitney Houston and T Rex? I’ not doubting their talents or success or impact, but I think others are far more deserving. Juads Priest for sure. Motorhead, Pat Benatar.

    Still though, I’m super excited to see Depeche Mode and Nine Inch Nails get in. Definitely well deserved.

    Reply
  • They should change the name of the award to Rock & Pop Hall of Fame.All of the musicians are talented,but the mental image of the title …Rock & Roll seems to be getting stretched out. There are a lot more female artists that should have received this honor.

    Reply
  • Booking our tickets. Seeing NIN in their hometown? Yes please. All the bands on the list will get thier due. You can’t please everyone every year. Just enjoy it or ignore it and shut the !@#$ up.

    Reply
  • The R&R HOF has become a total joke, in my opinion. How many artists were influenced by Motörhead? I would think a lot more kids picked up an instrument after hearing Motörhead, not because they heard the Doobie Bros.

    Reply
  • I think the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame isn’t really “rock” music per se. And that’s fine. i think Whitney Houston was very talented (not my type of music though), and deserves accolades. That said, they should listen to the fans a bit more. Pat Benatar was killing it in the fan vote and totally deserves to get in…before Whitney

    Can’t please ’em all. All awards will inevitably feel like a screw up. That said, I can’t believe Motorhead and Soundgarden didn’t’ get in. My votes for MC5 didn’t make much of a dent either I guess 😉 Oh well, they’re legends in my heart I don’t need others opinions

    Reply

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