Before we get into it, let’s get a couple things out of the way. I know that the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is a controversial subject. It’s considered by many a joke, a corporate money-grab, a biased, flawed, inconsistent, mess of an institution that barely even represents the very thing it’s named after. I can’t argue those sentiments. Hell, I agree with pretty much all of them. But we find ourselves at a time in history when rock and roll is going through a dark period, waiting for that next big revolution that inevitably pulls it up from the depths that come every decade or so, like prog, punk, metal and grunge did before. If nothing else, it’s a talking point that can be fun to debate. I’ll confess, I don’t hate it – despite its flaws. I got downright misty when Cheap Trick was inducted, and seeing an unexpected name on the list of this year’s inductees (for a “Musical Excellence Award”) triggered a similar emotion. With that, here are my thoughts about this years inductees.
Tina Turner
Her contributions as a solo artist are...noteworthy. Private Dancer was huge – and she toured with the Stones in ‘81 and had some other high points since leaving dirt-bag Ike in the dust back in the mid-70s. It’s hard to argue against inducting another woman – they are shamefully under-represented in the hall.
BUT: She’s already in the RRHOF (with Ike) and I struggle with bringing her in a SECOND time when so many (male AND female) artists are still waiting in the wings. This could be remedied by inducting people rather than bands (of course bands must still be represented at some level, but…”once you’re in, you’re in” is the way I’d like to see it). Just seems that there are hungry people who deserve their first piece of pie before others get seconds.
Carole King
A no-brainer as a performer. Tapestry alone warrants the induction, with a career around it that wove its way through the 70’s on up to recent years supporting the induction.
BUT: As with Tina, Carole is ALREADY IN the hall, as a songwriter, with Gerry Goffin, with whom she wrote so many great songs. Yes, they deserve it, but Emmylou Harris, Karen Carpenter, Pat Benatar, The Runaways and a long list of other female artists deserve a seat first, before Carole and Tina get their second nods.
The Go-Go’s
Hard to argue this one. One of the first, one of the best, ground-breaking, original. influential, successful women. All the boxes are ticked. It was inevitable and deserved, so cheers to them!
BUT: What about Suzi Quatro and The Runaways? There is a trajectory here where the predecessors paved the way. The Go-Go’s were significantly more successful than either, so I get it, but let’s hope the door is now open for some of these other deserving acts who made The Go-Go’s, Joan Jett, and Madonna possible.
JAY-Z
What is rock and roll anyway? The website says performers who “have created music whose originality, impact, and influence has changed the course of rock & roll.” JAY-Z rules, he’s super talented, he’s an artist and every bit a musician, he’s worked with some rock and rollers, and there are elements of the rock and roll spirit in his career…
BUT: Sorry, it’s not rock and roll and I’m just not sure that what he’s done has changed the course of rock and roll. With RUN-DMC there was clear crossover. The same argument can be made (to a lesser extent) with Public Enemy and maybe even Ice T. I don’t see it with JAY-Z. Sadly, that ship has sailed, there’s a long precedent, hip-hop artists and rappers will continue to get inducted while deserving rock bands and artists are left in the wings.
Foo Fighters
I have mixed emotions about this one, but ultimately they deserve it pretty easily. With Pearl Jam, they have been carrying the flame of stadium-level, honest, loud, raw rock and roll for a long time, especially considering they’re doing it on the backs on NEW material, not careers and catalogs that peaked decades ago. They’ve had mega-hits, longevity and influence, and somehow kept their integrity intact throughout it.
BUT: Do I think they’re more deserving than Thin Lizzy? Is there a FOO’s without the New York Dolls? Um, no. But that’s a different argument and they deserve the nod on their own merits.
Todd Rundgren
Third time’s the charm for Todd. On the website they say “…songwriting and production” and it’s hard to knock that. Bat Out of Hell alone justifies it, but tag on the New York Dolls debut and great records by XTC, Grand Funk Railroad, Cheap Trick, and many others, and I’m good with it.
BUT: …no “but” here. Dude deserves a seat at the table.
In the interest of time and space, I’ll skip most of the award nominees but I can’t let the name RANDY RHOADS, who is inducted this year with a Musical Excellence Award, go unmentioned. Let’s face it, we’re a long way away from a time where guys like Randy Rhoads are going to get inducted as performers on their own merits. You can make a strong argument that Ozzy deserves to be in as a solo artist, but that would be without all the great players who, again – let’s face it – had more to do with his success than he did. Not everyone knows the name Randy Rhoads, but he changed rock and roll, and he deserves to be in there with the rest of the inductees; past, present, and future. This award seems appropriate and oddly out of place in a sea of questionable moves. Cool that he’s watching from the same table as Billy Preston, too. BIG cheers to the HOF on this one.
Finally, no RRHOF discussion is complete until you start talking about the glaring omissions. The discussion always lands here. I know Iron Maiden and most of their fans don’t give a squirt that they were nominated, and then not inducted. I was still rooting for them. They are more deserving than most and the Hall would be better with them in. The worst is when it happens so late that key members have passed before they are recognized. As rock and roll gets older, this is happening more and more. A lot of our heroes are in or approaching their 70’s. Thin Lizzy, Pat Benatar, Bad Company (and ok, Ricki - The MC5) also top my personal list. That’s a discussion for another time, maybe another Pencil Storm article or series, or a tribute band. Let’s continue to debate, and at least try to hold the RRHOF accountable – if for no other reason than to keep rock and roll front and center and get some appreciation for these overlooked artists.
Jeremy Porter lives near Detroit and fronts the rock and roll band Jeremy Porter And The Tucos. Follow them on Facebook to read his road blog about their adventures on the dive-bar circuit.
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Twitter: @jeremyportermi | Instagram: @onetogive & @jeremyportermusic
