Hall of De-Fame
Here's something that's ridiculous. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Straight from their web site:
Since its opening in 1995, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum has established itself as the preeminent home for the celebration and study of rock and roll music.
Rock and roll music? Then why was Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five inducted this year? Again, from the website:
Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five fomented the musical revolution known as hip-hop. Theirs was a pioneering union between one DJ and five rapping MCs.
That musical form is all fine and good, but it is not Rock and Roll. That would be like the baseball hall of fame inducting Wayne Gretzky. After all, he too played a sport.
One of the greatest bands of Rock and Roll history (not just my opinion, but also a fact when you look at record sales, concert attendance, historical longevity and relevance to the genre) is KISS. KISS in the 70's was one of, if not the, largest bands in the world. They've had, arguably, one of the greatest rock and roll songs of all time - 'Rock and Roll All Nite'. 'Detroit Rock City', 'Deuce', 'Strutter', and 'Shout It Out Loud' are popular, amazing rock songs that have endured the test of time. And that's just a few; there are so many others I could list. KISS Alive II was one of the best selling live albums ever.
And they are not inducted. But look who is:
Since its opening in 1995, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum has established itself as the preeminent home for the celebration and study of rock and roll music.
Rock and roll music? Then why was Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five inducted this year? Again, from the website:
Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five fomented the musical revolution known as hip-hop. Theirs was a pioneering union between one DJ and five rapping MCs.
That musical form is all fine and good, but it is not Rock and Roll. That would be like the baseball hall of fame inducting Wayne Gretzky. After all, he too played a sport.
One of the greatest bands of Rock and Roll history (not just my opinion, but also a fact when you look at record sales, concert attendance, historical longevity and relevance to the genre) is KISS. KISS in the 70's was one of, if not the, largest bands in the world. They've had, arguably, one of the greatest rock and roll songs of all time - 'Rock and Roll All Nite'. 'Detroit Rock City', 'Deuce', 'Strutter', and 'Shout It Out Loud' are popular, amazing rock songs that have endured the test of time. And that's just a few; there are so many others I could list. KISS Alive II was one of the best selling live albums ever.
And they are not inducted. But look who is:
- Brenda Lee (2002)
- Ritchie Valens (2001)
- The Moonglows (2000)
- The Impressions (1991)
- Dion (1989)
This isn't to say that these performers aren't deserving. Frankly, I've never heard of them, (other than one song by Valens) so they may well have deserved it. But to be hall of fame worthy, shouldn't all casual fans know the performers as well, or, at least have HEARD of them?
But these acts are all in (and there others that I've never heard of), and KISS is not. Heck, the ones I listed all got in before AC/DC (another strong rock and roll band historically) did (2003). If the hall was TRULY about the best rock and rollers, how can KISS not be in?
posted by One Man's Thoughts at 11:47 AM
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