Time to bitch about who’s not in The Rock and Roll Hall of fame again.
When the idea of a hall of fame for rock music was first discussed in the 80s, I was all for it. What a cool way to recognize legendary performers, right?
I’ve since reconsidered that impression. The whole thing has been botched, ruined by recording industry politics, lobbyists, and old boy networks.
Listen, I know why country and hip-hop were ultimately included in the Hall. Rock was born out of the merger of country/western and rhythm and blues. And if you start pulling on the R&B thread, it won’t be long until you get to rap and hip-hop. Fine.
But there’s still some screwy shit around who is and who isn’t in the Hall. Let me illustrate.
Johnny Cash, Hank Williams, and Jimmy Rogers–great country singers all–have all been inducted. Willie Nelson, however, has not.
Madonna, Donna Summer, and The Bee Gees are in but Whitney Houston is not. Does that make any sense?
Here is a list of artists still looking for some RnRHoF love.
- Kraftwerk
- Depeche Mode
- Iron Maiden
- Alice in Chains
- Judas Priest
- Motorhead
- The Smiths
- Rage Against the Machine
- Soundgarden
- Nine Inch Nails
- The Pixies
- Blur
- Oasis
- Smashing Pumpkins
- Alanis Morissette
- Brian Eno
- Joy Division AND New Order
- Kate Bush
- Sonic Youth
- Etc.
Sadly, little will change under the current nomination and voting structures.
