I’ve always had mixed feelings about the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. My initial reaction to it was SELL OUT, but I grew up and got over the idea that there was something innocent lost when big business got involved with music. Not to say I don’t wish things were different, I do- but they’re not. I also just thought the idea was kinda lame. I still think that, but a few induction ceremonies later I admit it’s appealing (favorite moments, Bono inducting Springsteen and Springsteen inducting U2… ) And if I ever find myself in Ohio, I think it’s worth making a trip to Cleveland to see the Hall itself.
So the 2006 Hall of Fame nominees are out. Chic, The Dave Clark Five, Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, R.E.M., The Ronettes, Patti Smith, The Stooges, Joe Tex and Van Halen. One of my biggest issues with the hall is the nominees each year. I think they try too hard to be all-encompassing and neglect many bands/musicians that truly deserve it.
My thoughts on this year’s nominees after the jump.
Chic No. All I know of them is “Ah, freak out! Le freak, c’est Chic Freak out!”
Dave Clark Five No. I really like both Glad All Over and Bits and Pieces. But they’re still a Beatles knock-off. Sorry.
Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five Yes. Look at the influence they had on my suburban white girl play list. Blondie’s Rapture, the Tom Tom Club…
R.E.M. Yes. Yes, yes yes yes. Automatic for the People is still one of my favorite albums of all time.
The Ronettes No. I do like Ronnie Spector’s voice, but I really think any girls who could carry a tune would have made the same music with Phil Spector producing.
Patti Smith Yes. I can’t say I’ve been a big fan, but she was so incredibly influential as punk morphed into New Wave. And the bands she influenced- that was my music as a kid.
The Stooges No. I’m sorry, Iggy Pop was a caricature of himself from day one.
Joe Tex Yes. I have to admit I know nothing about him, but based on what I’ve read today, I’m gonna let him in. A pioneer in funk & rap.
Van Halen Yes. I wouldn’t be a suburban white girl if I didn’t let Van Halen into the Hall! Besides, don’t you want to see if David Lee Roth and Eddie Van Halen will agree to play together again at the induction? On a sad note, Hall rules say Sammy Hagar is SOL. Bummer.
I’ve always ignored this event. There are a lot of deserving honorees but there are a few I never heard of. How did I miss those?
The R&R Hall of Fame is definitely worth a visit! We were there during the U2 exhibit–it was quite cool to see a T-shirt that one of the band members (I forget which one) had silk-screened in art class when they got together back in high school.
As for the nominees, I’m obviously musically challenged and couldn’t name a song by any of them except Van Halen. I’m not a big fan of theirs, but they probably belong. And I definitely know music by some of the others, just not to be able to match it to the artist.
Um, again, I’m clueless….altho I have heard of Van Halen! But it would be neat to visit!
Please tell me you’ve both at least heard of REM?
One of my friends has a high position at the Hall. Nevertheless, he is well aware that Grand Funk Railroad’s drummer/Legend Don Brewer said “We’ll never be inducted and we know it. Here we are 38 years later writing and rehearsing and playing new music but FM Radio refuses to regard us as anything more than a Classic Rock band”. What a shame. Here these guys started out in a blue collar town of Flint, where GM cannabalized all the jobs, then the band cut their Gold Records at Cleveland recording Company. Shame! I am happy for the truly deserving guys. Have The Ventures made it in yet? That too was a shame. Most of the guys have passed away and were really not at all a part of my generation. But I appreciate those who pay their dues!
Oh, I’ve heard of REM! And The Dave Clark Five. And the Ronettes. Grandmaster Flash et al.–new to me.