Yearly Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Debate Thread

Yes, that's my opinion. One shared by the voters, as it turns out.

And critics did not fawn over Chinese Democracy. The Metacritic score -- an average of all reviews, judged on a scale of 1 to 100 -- was a 64. That's lower than the averages for the last two Rush albums.

And if you think critical opinion means less than nothing, should we just go by sales? Kick out the Kinks and the Who, put in Miley Cyrus and the Backstreet Boys?

 

PC, I disagree with you completely about Rush ... but I laughed out loud at this. Touche.

My only question about tonight ... will the early/mid-1970s Genesis lineup be there, including Hackett and Gabriel? I hope so. Would love to see them bust out an old classic or two.

 

What exactly is the criteria besides 25 years after the first album? From reading this, it seems that a small sect of sports writers have completely different thoughts on who should be in. To quote Neil Young, who is in the Hall twice, is it better to burn out than it is to rust?

At one time, it was supposed to be "influential" bands. That is why Velvet Underground, who did four albums that barely sniffed the charts, got in, while The Box Tops, who were a contemporary and sold millions, has not. However, the addition of Abba ( I'm sorry, I still don't like the chose) baffles me. They were a purely commercial band that has had no influence outside of drunken wedding dances. Of course, I welcome to be proven wrong.

 

Rolling Stone adored Chinese Democracy.

http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/gunsnroses/albums/album/24024297/review/24161281/chinese_democracy

That's the group of critics you gleefully throw in with, as you cite "the voters."

Yes, critical opinion means less than nothing. Unless a person happens to agree with it on that particular topic.

 

That's the problem--there is no criteria. And just to head this off at the pass--while I concur that's it's hard to build objective criteria on a subjective topic like music, the zero criteria factor leads one to what Piotr has been saying..that it's strictly a Jann Wenner and friends led decision, whether that's true or not. (I heartily believe it is true, btw).

And to the above point, 'influential' can be translated into.... Jann liked them.

 

So, critical opinion means nothing... because Rolling Stone's critic liked "Chinese Democracy" more than other critics? Is that your argument?

 

KISS - will get in when Gene or Paul dies.
Depeche Mode - No.
The Cure - No.
Chicago - No.
Hall and Oates - No.
Rush - Hate 'em, but sure why not.
Alice Cooper - should've been in 10 years ago
Moody Blues - No.
E.L.O. - No.
Cheap Trick - Yes.
Bad Company - Sure, why not.
Peter Frampton - No.
Heart - Can't believe they aren't in already
T-Rex - YES!
Bon Jovi - Fuck no, but they've played the game right and will be in.
Journey - No.
Foreigner - No.
Public Enemy - Maybe? Can't say that any of their stuff has stood the test of time.
Red Hot Chili Peppers - Yes. Mainstream appeal across several decades. Lots of great songs.

 

And add Yes to the list of bands that should have been in long, long ago.

I seem to recall back in the 70s, the 3 biggest bands around, at least in my neck of the woods, were Zeppelin, Skynyrd and Yes.

 

Once again, to this, I have two words: The Pretenders.

PC, aside from your obvious Bubbleresque hatred of Rush, which is obviously clouding your judgment here, what is THE compelling reason Rush doesn't belong in that edifice located in Cleveland?

And the Jamie Moyer comparison, humorous as it may be, isn't applicable.

The Pretenders were inducted to that building, the name of which I refuse to acknowledge. The Fucking. Pretenders.

Enough said.

 

Why do I feel Rush doesn't belong? Because I find Rush to be soulless and incredibly pretentious. Their musicianship is certainly impressive, but in my view, that's all they've got.

It just so happens the voters agree with me, so as for now, Rush is out.

I'd vote for the Pretenders over Rush, but not with any great enthusiasm. I like them, but they don't strike me as a band that's in any way integral to the story of rock and roll.

 

And if you want to throw in with that group of cronies and idiots and use their agreement as validation, good for you. You'll wonder what they're thinking when they inevitably disagree with you on other bands, as you noted.

(That was my point from above)

 

Ok, here is a simple formula for putting people in the Rock Hall.


(JWBJ X RSC/RSN70) + (CS + MS + PS - AS/H) + (S/.243 + RT + VH1S - GW X 666) + (BFTJWL/Rush)

A score higher than 100 is considered a lock.