Question of the Week: What’s your view of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and its record of artist inductions?

Local Spins’ Question of the Week (Feb 9, 2022)

What’s your view of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and its record of artist inductions?

The winner in last week’s drawing of email subscribers who responded to our question of the week was reader John Denton. To be placed in a drawing for a Local Spins gift pack, sign up for email updates and the weekly newsletter here: https://localspins.com/subscribe-local-spins-mailing-list/

THE READER RESPONSES:

John Denton – What can you say about this so-called Hall of Fame, other than it is so political. Their choices are just so totally out there and not Rock ‘n’ Roll. I always thought that I would just love to visit it, but I have no interest in it. Maybe if they someday change their way but don’t hold out much hope of that. Thanks for letting me vent.

Dale J. Dreyer – I have no clue what their process is. Does anyone? It’s a crap shoot — so much real talent ignored. It’s like American Bandstand for awards…basically hits and promotion. Not talent or history.

Stephen Aldrich – The demographics for Cleveland visitors, tends to run 40-ish, as such, don’t look for the voting committee to clean up its previous exclusions from the ‘70s on back. If those acts are not already there, they likely won’t be until something like the MLB Veterans Committee is established. If they are looking for 40-year-old visitors, and as acts have to have a 25-year history of recording, do the math. The ‘90s is where most nominees will spring from in the immediate future. Savoy Brown, not going; Shania, first ballot lock.

Don Clapham – I have boycotted the Rock Hall of Fame because: 1) They have broadened their definition of what constitutes rock ‘n’ roll to include genres that are clearly not rock music. 2) Their bias against certain progressive rock bands, e.g. Jethro Tull, King Crimson & Emerson, Lake & Palmer, neither of which have even been nominated.

Tricia Boot – Yes to Kate Bush, without a doubt. Oh, wait. You were asking more broadly about the hall? No opinions there.

Jack Droppers – I couldn’t tell you which bands are in and which aren’t in the Hall as it has a minimal impact on my understanding of an artist being great; however, I am grateful Warren Zevon is getting broader attention because of this.

Mary Ellen Murphy – You’ve opened a can of worms. I now understand why they open it up to other genres, but I’m fearful so many great rockers will pass on before they are inducted. That bothers me. Then there is the whole Warren Zevon bs. It’s been a tough few weeks in the world of music with many passing on.

Greg Baxter – I hear you, but I support stretching the definition for reasons beyond simple inclusion. Artists from Django to Willie Nelson to Jay-Z have influenced so many artists. Loving the inclusion of Kate Bush, Zevon and Willie. All inspiring and unique talents.

Michael Hempstead – They really need to rename it to The Every Single Different Type of Music Hall of Fame.

Rich Emerson – The definition of Rock ‘n’ Roll has really changed over the years.

Nic Stubbs – Kate Bush should have been inducted years ago.

Matt Jarrells – They should form a legacy committee of artists to induct 1 or 2 artists per year, in addition to the popularly voted artists, similar to baseball’s Contemporary Era Committee.

Barbara Hass – White Stripes! Jack White will be on SNL February 25 supported by our own Dominic Davis on bass!

Dennis Goebel – With the body of work, longevity, and the fact that after 40 years they still perform to sold-out arenas and stadiums, Maiden should’ve been inducted years ago. I think this alone speaks volumes of the legitimacy of the RRHOF. Just an old music nerd’s humble opinion!

Rick Lanting – They should change the name to “The Popular Music Hall of Fame.” Rock ‘n’ Roll left the building a long time ago.

Dave Mish – It sucks. Plenty of artists who should be in the Hall aren’t, and too many who don’t belong get inducted. It’s a popularity contest, not a recognition of achievement.

Michael Van Denend – If Warren Zevon gets in, I will have no more complaints.

Steve Middendorp – Who cares? The best in any genre of music is subjective, so people will always argue. That’s why I have never cared about awards shows.

Andrew Ogrodzinski – With so many major omissions of the likes who’ll never see the light of day and whose contributions are “still” heard in much or it from being passed down from generations now, it’s more of a beauty pageant that a venture into rock ‘n’ roll history. Sure, plenty of legends are in, but more aren’t than are.

Copyright 2023, Spins on Music LLC