2012 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Yellfest

For the record, I like Kiss. I have several Kiss albums in my music collection.
However, I think they lack the aesthetic value and/or the influence/inventiveness to merit inclusion in the HoF.

I'm not saying Kiss sucks. I'm saying, even though I like them, Kiss doesn't belong in the HoF.

 

Ace Frehley's solo on "Rock and Roll All Nite" caused as many kids to pick up guitars in the 1970s as anyone.

 

Marked out big time when Bobby Heenan smashed his boom box over the ring post. He was no Jake "The Milkman" Milliman!

 

I don't consider that influence, necessarily. Ace didn't influence the way subsequent musicians played guitar.

Granted, if I had my druthers very few people would be in the HoF. I'd prefer that it was a real distinction or carried real prestige.
I realize it's a marketing issue. You have to generate an induction class every year to drive interest. Your inductees have to have enough broad appeal to interest the public but they have to have enough aesthetic credibility to create the illusion of exclusivity.

From marketing aspect, it's a fine balancing act.

But I'm not the marketer. I'm a music fan, so I don't have to consider it the way I think about my job.

 

Kiss and Alice Cooper (who had to wait way too long to get in) influenced the way a rock and roll live show could look more than just about anyone who ever lived.

This guy should be in too!



Can't believe that Warren Zevon (way more rock cred - and a Rolling Stone fave - than Randy Newman and Laura Nyro) and Little Feat don't get more love. The Feat were one of the 70s best live bands and critical darlings (and deservedly so).

 

I would have guessed Warren Zevon was in the Hall. He should be.

 

There might be 50 acts in the RnR HoF that couldn't hold a candle to Journey.

Glad that Rush finally got the respect due, but it won't ever be complete without the inclusion of Steve Perry, Jonathan Cain, Neil Schon, Ross Valory and Steve Smith.

 

Other than, say, Iron Maiden, sure.

 

Absolutely on SRV

 

I absolutely agree that SRV deserves to be in the HoF.

 

There's no argument against Stevie Ray Vaughan. B.B. King is in, so they can't say he wasn't rock enough.

 

I think if you asked every heavy metal band member from 1980-something on, they would likely say KISS influenced them.