It seems like the perfect example of “cause and effect” or “stimulus and response.”
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland releases its annual list of nominees – and the response is often a weird mix of anger, indignation, and vitriol from the large – and yes, vocal – legions of rockers everywhere.
And truth be told, I’ve been one of them the past couple years. I like to think of myself as one of the more rational-but-pissed-off voices in the musical wilderness. Still, the historic choices made by the nominating committee in the conference room of the Rock Hall seem….well, political, odd, offensive, and irrational.
Last year was a case in point. My blog post title said it all:
“My One-Word Reaction To The Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame’s List Of Nominees For 2022: AUGGGHHH!!!”
And the image at the top summed up my level of frustration once against last year:
My contention has been that while artists like Lionel Richie, Eminem, and Fela Kuti are amazing talents that have entertained millions with their music, they aren’t “rock and roll.”
Last year, the poster girl for the Rock Hall’s misguided choices was none other than Dolly Parton. No argument – she’s an icon and a treasure – a singer, songwriter, and all-round amazing human being. But in the Rock Hall?
Interestingly, Dolly initially turned down the honor for ostensibly the same reason until relenting months later.
The more vocal critics have historically pointed to key superstars in the rock n’ roll club who’ve been systematically snubbed by the Rock Hall – for years. Among them, Boston, Bad Company, Emerson, Lake & Palmer, and Peter Frampton – all of whom have made demonstrable contributions to Rock as we know it today.
Last year, Beasley’s talented Senior Digital Content editor, Erica Banas, got in my grille, making the argument the Rock Hall’s nominating choices have historically been, well….eclectic. And my off-brand argument about the Rock Hall is old, tired, and misses the point.
We agreed to disagree.
The fact the Rock Hall puts its nominees out there, and then sits back, and lets the fur fly is always part of the issue. Award committees and shows are always controversial by their very nature. In fact, they thrive on it. But c’mon.
The nominees make for great morning show fodder, as well as segments on TMZ, E!, and so many others. It’s this attention that keeps tourists trekking to Cleveland every year to visit the always interesting Rock N’ Roll Hall of Fame.
But none of that negates the frustration and palpable anger that always follows the list of nominees. Many fans are just a click or two away from being fanatics. Seeing a favorite performer dissed by an august group of “experts” riles them up. They take it personally.
But this year was different. The Rock Hall uncharacteristically did two smart things.
Their list of nominees was more rational this time around, generating much less WTFing from the masses. Warren Zevon and Soundgarden made the cut. As always, there were strange choices – Missy Eilliot and George Michael – among them.
Music savant, Matt Pinfield, gave the list two thumbs up;
Good well rounded list of nominees this year! pic.twitter.com/wcPutKVBvT
— Matt Pinfield (@mattpinfield) February 1, 2023
Long-time Detroit music critic, Gary Graff, concurred, especially as it pertained to Grunge staples, Soundgarden:
Seattle’s first, and maybe finest, are up for the @rockhall once again https://t.co/MhSYqEtUyH@soundgarden @UMG
— Gary Graff (@GraffonMusic) February 1, 2023
Perhaps the improved response to this year’s list was because the powers that be at the Rock Hall threw rockers a bone. Iron Maiden made the cut, along with
Rage Against The Machine, giving the list some grit and attitude.
And then Willie Nelson. Like Dolly last year, Willie is beloved, an American treasure. A great fit for the Rock Hall? Maybe not, but we’ll let that one go.
Not everybody, however, was mollified by the Rock Hall’s choices, especially metal master, Eddie Trunk. He spoke for millions of head bangers everywhere with this tweet:
Today an institution called the Rock Hall Of Fame announced 14 nominations for potential induction… and being generous maybe 7 are rock acts… join me live 3-5P ET today for #trunknation @SIRIUSXM 103 Faction Talk or SXM app. I talk rock & know what rock is.
— Eddie Trunk (@EddieTrunk) February 1, 2023
But the organization’s other move this year was to finally explain itself albeit at the 11th hour. The day before the list of nominees dropped, the Rock Hall released something they should have crafted decades ago – a mission statement.
In essence, they explained their “why?” – their raison d’être, the purpose behind their choices.
Planet Rock, out of the UK, put it this way:
“The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame issues statement redefining their meaning of ‘rock and roll’“
Finally. A mission statement, an explainer that provides clarity to what the Rock Hall is doing and how they define greatness. It came from the top – the organization’s president and CEO, Greg Harris:
True that. You don’t have to accept it, like it, or agree with it. But it is firm, clear, and gives the Rock Hall nominating folks a lot of wiggle room today, and down the road. And given the overall state of today’s rock, this may turn out to be a highly sustainable move.
Trunk Nation and its black t-shirt clad acolytes won’t be happy. But the Rock N’ Roll community has always worn a visible chip on its shoulder. And the Rock Hall’s done little to sand it down. And that’s OK. When it comes to the music you love, a little attitude isn’t a bad thing.
I, for one, am moving on.
This experience, however, is an important reminder of something else:
Standing for SOMETHING. Your WHY.
It’s true whether you’re a musician, a museum, an radio host, or even a consultant. What do you believe in? What defines you? What makes you tick? And why should people align with you. The very best media outlets – and that includes great radio stations – have values and a purpose.
This quality is what has enabled both Christian and Public Radio to capture the loyalty of its respective and highly different audiences.
Back in the 80’s, consultants charged companies thousands to craft their “mission statements,” a piece of paper that often ended up framed in lobbies all over the world. They may have been well-intentioned, but they were one-dimensional descriptions that often ran counter to the way organizations actually behaved.
True statements of purpose are embraced by all the players in the game – ownership, management, the employees, and the customers.
We’ll see in future years how the Rock ‘N’ Roll Hall of Fame lives up to its stated WHY. Kudos to them for doing it.
Jacobs Media has consistently walked the walk in the digital space, providing insights and guidance through its well-read national Techsurveys.
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Fred was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 2018.
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Great article, Fred! I think the Hall has always been consistent in their use of the classic definition of “rock & roll,” which is what they describe in their statement. (After all, I don’t have to tell you that we were well into the ’70s before Top 40 stations stopped being called “rock.”) That’s why a Whitney or Duran Duran has never bothered ME, but I get why people who only think of rock as RAWK! get upset.
Hopefully this will help get us past that hurdle and back to what really matters: talking smack about these acts based on their product. (Spinners? Absolutely. George Michael? Um.)
But it’s still BS that Boston and ELP aren’t in. Sorry, not sorry.
Everyone’s got that rock n’ roll cross to bear, Brian. Thanks for the comment.
I totally agree! Boston and especially Brad Delp belongs there!
No singer before or after has the range and holding power of Brad! Period!
The RRHOF seems to have acknowledged that it will running out of great candidates for induction from the mainstream rock universe. Very few true rock superstars have emerged in the last 25 years, so the Hall is unilaterally broadening the “rock” universe to stay relevant. That said, there are still some legends being wrongfully excluded ::cough cough:: Jethro Tull.
It would be ok with me if they called it the MUSIC Hall of Fame.
But Whitney Houston , Dolly Parton, Jay Z , Lionel Ritchie, to name a few are are not Rock and Roll!
On that issue, many others share your viewpoint.
Why not?
Radio has defined music in ways that the general public often has not. I first noticed this after getting my first Karaoke machine back in the beginning of this century. Songs that I knew and loved could often be found on CDs labeled “Classic Rock.” I mean, as a life-long radio guy, I never would have looked for The Carpenters under classic rock.
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame recognizes, that music like America itself, is a melting pot of creativity and now has clearly stated that position.
Kudos
And you know, Dick, they could have done this years ago. But at least they did it now. Thanks for weighing in on this one.
Thank you, Fred. Good reading.
Something else to consider. THE genre most-ignored by Rock Hall, Christian. Bands such as Petra, Stryper, Skillet and POD. These guys broke all sorts of barriers, and inspired other bands.
And while Rock Hall’s “mission statement” may say, “Born from the collision of rhythm & blues, country and GOSPEL, rock ‘n’ roll is a spirit that is inclusive and ever-changing.” They really should consider removing the words “Gospel” and “Inclusive.”
Ken, good observations!
Ken, I played all the bands you cited back in the day, along with Bride, Mad At The World and (seemingly tame in comparison) Jesus Freak by DC Talk, leading one observer to call me “America’s first Christian shock jock” because you don’t play “that” kind of music on Christian radio. At least not then. But if non-stop lit up phone lines and sold out concerts meant anything (as well as a Christian music skate night at a local roller rink that regularly had to turn people away), we were doing something right. The HOF may have overlooked these amazing bands. Thankfully, millions of others didn’t.
Right there with you, David. (I still DJ skate nights!) thinking about it even more, the genre has had amazing talent that was/is overlooked. John Elefante (Kansas & Mastodon), Mylon LeFevre (created Atlanta Rhythm Section & played with the Who’s who of music).
So many others.
LOVE Mastadon! Right Hand by Mastadon would be an instant rock classic anthem on rock radio!
Great article Fred. I’ve always said the RRHF needs to continually remind people of the original definition of Rock & Roll, which is the one the RRHF was organized under. The problem is we now have several generations that think that Rock & Roll began with Led Zeppelin. They don’t realize the term was coined in 1952 to describe rhythm & blues music like Fats Domino, Louis Jordan, etc. Eddie Trunk and headbangers like him need to brush up on their history. Rock & Roll is not just loud guitars and banging drums. It is a combination of various genres that came together. And if it all started with R&B then we can’t say R&B and other styles don’t qualify now.
Brian, the true roots of rock is always a great topic. Had the Hall provided more clarity in the early years, it could have avoided much of the vitriol that’s followed. But maybe they actually quietly welcomed the buzz. Thanks for weighing in.
The RRHOF reminds me of a museum of African-American culture built and operated by white guys; try as they might, they do NOT understand the subject. They don’t “get it” and never will. And in their ignorance, THEY presume to redefine the word? Um…no, that’s not how this works.
Missy: NOT Rock & Roll.
Willie: ditto.
Dolly: same.
Etc.
It is more accurately a MUSIC HOF. Unless, of course, they begin induction actors and stand-up comedians….
You don’t see The Temptations being induced into the Country Music HOF, as great as they are. THEY know their genre.
Jimi was Rock & Roll. The Spinners??? They’re SOUL/R&B artists. Remember in Woody Allen’s “Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex” movie where they had guys portraying sperm, dressed in white sperm suits, and there was one black guy in a brown suit looking confused saying, “What am I doing here”? That flashes to mind when I see rappers, country artists and soul/Motown performers get inducted. As superb and worthy of recognition as they may be, THEY’RE NOT ROCK & ROLL!!! A friend of mine in another forum charged them with “diluting their value.” I agree. Their award shows are great spectacle and one hell of a commercial to bring in the rubes, but they completely dishonor Rock & Roll with their ignorance of it’s history and definition. I hate his politics, but Ted Nugent rejecting his nomination because Madonna was inducted first and she’s not even CLOSE to the genre was spot-on! Respect goes two ways. For all we know, the guys in Bad Company might be fans and even listen to Missy or Dolly, but they should respond as Ted did if the RRHOF ever does nominate them, because every non-genre inductee before them was a slap in their faces.
There, I said it.
Stuart,
I have to respectfully disagree when people say that soul and R&B ain’t Rock & Roll. The problem is we now have several generations that think that Rock & Roll began with Led Zeppelin.
The term Rock & Roll was coined in 1952 by DJ Alan Freed to describe the R&B music in the south that he played on his Moon Dog show. Artists like Fats Domino, Louis Jordan, etc. R&B is the foundation for what became rock & roll. And if it all started with R&B then I don’t think it’s fair to say R&B doesn’t qualify now. Of course everyone has an opinion and there is mine!
And I’m glad you did. Thanks, Stuart.
Essentially, their statement plagiarized what Levon accurately said in 1976.
https://youtu.be/jMSGB98sJEs
My definition too is expansive enough to include multiple genres including country – maybe not Dolly country though she is an amazing musician – the same way the Blasters were accepted in the LA Punks scene and shared stages with bands like X and The Circle Jerks in the 80’s.
But this private organization was started by music executives with biases and an agenda and from the very start, I could see my biases and agenda did not match with theirs so I didn’t put thought into their selections. They have no status and authority other than what we give them and if they elected Liberace, it wouldn’t make me think any more or less of them. I have never felt the urge to visit even when I passed through the area.
I am not a person of faith but I admire people that have it. I don’t sense the RHOF has any faith or convictions other than money though. One word I would use to describe them is “pandering” and that is low on the list of traits I admire.
Thanks for this, Mike. I agree it’s in the eye of the beholder. Everyone has an opinion. But when you’re an organization that claims to represent a certain genre, it behooves you to be clear about who and what you’re honoring.
When we launched our ‘Pure Rock’ format on Radioacktiva in 1998 (please note the word ‘rock’ hidden in the name), we clearly stated the following:
“For being the only existing Rock station in Colombia, we can afford to define what the word ‘Rock’ means.”
Obviously 99% of the music that was broadcast entered within the natural boundaries of Rock. However, we occasionally include songs like Chumbawamba’s “Tubthumping”, Stereo MC’s “Connected” or The Outfields’ “Your Love”. We even played “Beat it” by Michael Jackson at some point.
This might sound strange in other countries, but it was perfectly adapted to what the public expected from the only Rock station in Bogotá.
The station has been a success since its inception, always staying in the Top 10 most listened to stations in Bogotá for 25 years now.
Making a universal definition of the word ‘Rock’ is very difficult, and even more so when we live what you clearly say in your article: “And given the overall state of today’s rock, this (mix of genere) may turn out to be a highly sustainable move”.
In the meantime, I’m still hoping artists like Alice in Chains, Bad Company, Emerson, Lake & Palmer, The Guess Who, INXS, Jethro Tull, King Crimson, Mötley Crüe, New York Dolls, Procul Harum, Slayer, Streppenwolf, STP, and many others will be nominated very soon…
Ironically, all four of the specific songs that you mentioned did indeed receive a good amount of airplay on commercial Rock (AOR/Mainstream Rock and/or Alternative/Modern Rock) stations in the U.S.
For me, the biggest issue–albeit one that the Rock Hall can’t address easily (or perhaps even at all)–is how to represent artists who’ve had a huge, multi-generational impact, but not in the U.S.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xpYrRiLY9Q0
Something tells me to stay out of it but . . . . . inclusivity is fine, it’s a bigger net, sells more tickets, creates a bigger PR and media platform, and controversy makes for a lot of coverage, and let’s face it, that is what is going on, it’s the trend, and I don’t think it will stop.
Redefining Rock and Roll. Really?
When you think about Eddie Trunks’ response, to me, it’s not about anything other than artists that should have gotten the nomination already, before the Country artists, before the Pop artists. The fact that Bad Company and the list is long isn’t in the HOF, dilutes and cheapens the premise of the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame. It’s not just the spirit, it’s the contribution to the industry. Radio, the Concert Industry, and the Music Industry from the Rock and Roll perspective were built from Brands that aren’t in the HOF. Why does everything these days have to be bent and distorted to fit someone some executive’s version?
Honestly, try putting Michael Jordan in the NFL Hall of Fame, that is what is going on.
You’ll get no argument from me on any of this, Billy. I give the RRHOF credit for defining its mission; I don’t have to agree with it. Your last line says it all.
How about George Harrison for the Hip Hop HOF + Museum! ELO? Not everything belongs in the Rock Hall. When 7-up stopped being the Uncola it became invisible. That’s a clue. The Rock Hall needs focus.
OK, Lalo, you made your point. And it’s a good one.
“WTF? ” sums up this Boomer’s opinion of the RNRHOF. Acts that haven’t had a decent run of live shows in addition to recordings for their careers. Acts who have little, if any, true and deep connections to Rock ‘n Roll or to Rock (as the case may be).
While performers like Paul Revere and the Raiders aren’t even nominated, they’re live shows were very entertaining and their multiple Top 40 hits combined for a great deal of cash for Columbia Records but, with the Byrds, spearheaded the label’s advance into the RNR market.
While I’m not advocating for the band directly, it’s a matter of pointing out those who had some direct import that the HOF should recognize; as opposed to those who have had minor, if any, impact or connection to the genre.
Russ, it will always be an enigma. There are so many “illogical” situations behind who’s in, who’s out, and who’s never even had the chance to earn votes. As I mentioned in the post, some of this is simply the nature of awards shows and institutions like the Rock Hall. They haven’t helped themselves with their vagueness. At least this year, there’s a stated mission. But of course, that won’t mollify those whose favorite performers have been snubbed.
For the record, I very enjoyed Paul Revere * the Raiders, seemingly the house band on ABC’s “Where The Action Is,” a favorite of mine after school in a galaxy far, far away.