2012 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Yellfest

Kind of weird that they haven't gotten in, more than 25 years after having their names on the Live 1975-85 set.

Only explanation I can think of is that all the Bruce-worshipping Rock Hall people might think that inducting the band might diminish Bruce in some way.

 

Rush.

That is all.

 

Video games are a waste of time, too.

 

I don't think so. People still relate to their music and their influence allowed many more groups and individual rappers to flourish. NWA's songs weren't even on the radio, for awhile, and they still became one of the top groups around. I think their cultural influence gets them in.
If it weren't for NWA, where are Dre and Cube? NWA smashed through doors and many people followed. Them and Public Enemy should be in.

 

If it weren't for Them, where is Van Morrison? If it weren't for Temple of the Dog, where is Eddie Vedder?

 

Chic and Nile Rodgers were far, far more influential to American music than Kraftwerk.

 

Temple of the Dog was a one-off tribute to Andrew Wood of Mother Love Bone, not really a legit band. That album only came out 3 months before "Ten."

 

I had some of the chronology mixed up and thought that was when Vedder met Stone Gossard and Jeff Ament, but you're right.

 

My take...

Randy Newman -- This is a tough one for me. He's brilliant, and would be an absolute no-brainer if he didn't shift midway through his career to focus almost solely on movie soundtrack work. I'm still a yes vote, I guess.
Public Enemy -- Yes.
N.W.A. -- Not my thing at all, but the influence alone seems undeniable. Yes.
Donna Summer -- Eh. Hard to get enthusiastic on this one. Yes, she was a huge figure in disco, but it seems to me that had more to do with her producer. I could go either way. I suspect she'll be in because of the timing.
Rush -- I'm a no vote, obviously. But as I've said before, they're going to get in eventually, because the hall is running out of nominees fast, and they're going to start looking pretty good in a couple of years. They're three or four years away from a nominee list that's down to Chilliwack, Taco and Rush.
Paul Butterfield Blues Band -- Nope.
Chic -- There's a strong case to be made for Nile Rodgers, but taking Chic as a whole... no.
Deep Purple -- Nope.
Heart -- Eh. Really seems like a "hall of pretty good" selection. I could go either way. For all of you who insist it's all a Rolling Stone/Jann Wenner conspiracy, here's your big test case. Nancy Wilson was married to longtime RS contributor Cameron Crowe.
Joan Jett and the Blackhearts -- No. I think the Runaways have a stronger case, and Joan Jett deserves serious consideration minus the Blackhearts.
Albert King -- No.
Kraftwerk -- Yes. Hugely influential in techno music.
Marvelettes -- No.
Meters -- No.
Procol Harum -- Seriously? A nomination that seems based entirely on the organ solo in "Whiter Shade of Pale." No.

Honestly, even given the diminishing field to choose from, this is a pretty horrid list. And I just realized that Jane's Addiction is now hall eligible, which makes me feel very old.

 

Chilliwack should be in too, tough guy.

 

You Canadians, man. Who you supporting next year, Snow?

 

I'd put Tiny Tim in before Rush.