Around this time of year, I look at the upcoming list of inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Of the hundreds of musicians and songwriters inducted into the Hall, I am blessed that during my time with Goldmine, I was able to interview six of them (the songwriting team of Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, Grandmaster Flash, Earth Wind & Fire, Ronnie Spector of the Ronettes, the Drifters, and James Brown).
And every year I look at the list of inductees… and I notice some groups and singers that seem to have been shut out each time. And then I also notice that some groups and singers HAVE NEVER EVEN BEEN CONSIDERED for induction.
So I’m going to list ten rock acts – groups, singers, songwriters – who have not yet received enshrinement into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Work with me on this. I know you have your own favorites that have been so shunned. But as far as I’m concerned, any Hall that has such inductees as Madonna should at least have put these groups and singers in at some point. Right?
THE GUESS WHO
One of the biggest oversights ever. You’re telling me that a group with such fantastic songwriters as Randy Bachman and Burton Cummings, with songs like “American Woman” and “These Eyes” and “No Sugar Tonight” and “No Time” can’t get any love from the Rock Hall? Come on, people…
THE MOODY BLUES
This is the other major oversight as far as I’m concerned. Forty years of classic rock. Sold-out concerts. The original lineup is still touring. “Nights in White Satin,” for crying out loud. “Nights in freakin’ white satin!!” I realize the Rock Hall has a dislike for “art-rock” and “prog-rock,” which is why I don’t see Yes or King Crimson enshrined. But come on, show some love for the Moody Blues already!
GIL SCOTT-HERON
Grandmaster Flash and Run-D.M.C. are the first rap acts to get into the Rock Hall, but if you trace the legacy of rap music back to its roots in the Boogie Down Bronx, you have to acknowledge one of Rap’s most famous forefathers, Gil Scott-Heron. Just listen to “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised.” Compared to what Gil Scott-Heron wrote in the 1970’s, Eminem wouldn’t even be qualified to carry Scott-Heron’s shoes.
KISS
Where do we want to start? “Rock and Roll All Nite” – “Calling Doctor Love” – “Shout It Out Loud” – “Detroit Rock City” – heck, these guys could have hits with the makeup AND without it (“Lick It Up”, “Heaven’s On Fire”). We’re talking KISS, people.
BOSTON
Okay, this is controversial. I understand. I realize that this group has released new albums with the frequency of an Albany mayoral election. But the debut album sold 20 million copies and melded arena rock with pop music sensibility. Heck, you could even induct Tom Scholz alone on his musical inventions like the Power Soak and the Rockman.
ROBERT MOOG
Les Paul is in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for both his musicianship and for his invention of the electric guitar. How about some love for the man who created the electronic synthesizer? And for that matter…
KRAFTWERK
We’re coming up to the time where electronic artists and groups have become eligible for consideration (25 years after the release of their first album). Kraftwerk has had success both in aural electronic music (“Autobahn”, “Trans-Europe Express”) and in electronic dance (“Numbers”, “Tour de France”). You wouldn’t even have hip hop music had those New York City DJ’s gotten their hands on the “Computer World” LP.
THE SKATALITES
Trace the lineage of ska and rock-steady music – the foundation of groups like the Specials and the English Beat, like No Doubt and the Mighty Mighty Bosstones – all the way back to Jamaica and the classic sound of the Skatalites. Go find a copy of “Guns of Navarone” or “Ball of Fire” and take a listen. You won’t be able to stop dancing.
DEPECHE MODE
If I need to include an electronic / synth pop band at some point, I have plenty of choices. Human League. New Order. Heaven 17. But for a catalog that has evolved over the years from dance-pop like “Just Can’t Get Enough” to more visceral and emotional songs like “Enjoy the Silence” and “Personal Jesus,” there’s no way that Depeche Mode doesn’t get into the Rock Hall.
THE WRECKING CREW
You never heard of the Wrecking Crew? I understand. But you’ve heard their songs every time you turn on an oldies station. They were the Los Angeles session musicians – whose lineup included drummer Hal Blaine, bassist Carol Kaye, keyboardists Leon Russell and Larry Knechtel, and guitarists Tommy Tedesco and Glen Campbell (yes, THAT Glen Campbell) – who appeared on nearly every 1960’s American-made rock and pop hit, from “Mr. Tambourine Man” to “California Girls,” from “Monday, Monday” to “Good Vibrations.” They may have played on more hit records than Motown’s “Funk Brothers” band, another group that deserves Rock Hall enshrinement.
So what say you? Did I leave anyone out? Is there someone on this list that doesn’t deserve to be here? This is why I have a comments section on this blog. Comment, already!!
Chuck The Writer 
I agree with the Guess Who….the others ,it wouldn’t bother me if they were in. Although I never did see the appeal of Kiss..Gene Simmons is a genius, and a riot, but not a huge fan of the music.
LikeLike
My first instinct was to agree with you on Depeche Mode, Kraftwerk, and Moog, and basically nobody else. Then I thought about my reasoning for excluding the others, and what it came down to was art.
But then, that’s the problem. None of this is about art. The Hall is trying to get people to pay admission to visit some monstrous facility they threw up in Cleveland (Cleveland?!), so they have to stick to the big-selling acts, and maybe throw in a few acts that might be off the beaten track to satiate a few critics who pipe up only so long as they’re not getting a free ticket.
I guess my point is that because it’s by nature a bit of a farce, I can’t really take any inclusion or exclusion seriously. Not that this is the fault of the Hall, but rather the fault of the concept. A Hall of Fame works for a sport, because you can see numbers and pennants and championships and on-field accomplishments. Art’s a lot more subjective. It’s almost silly, even, to consider it.
LikeLike
One word: Rush.
LikeLike
I’m long past caring what the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame people do any more; with Madonna’s induction it was clear they’re not fans, they’re a business. That said, re: Bob Moog, yes, and the Wrecking Crew, YES, or session people in general. Most people have no idea about the people behind the music they grew up with, or they may have assumed the Beach Boys actually played on their own records (they didn’t, nor did a lot of bands in the 60s.)
Denny Tedesco has made a documentary (Google: Wrecking Crew Movie) that’s been making the festival circuit, wonder if someone couldn’t have the pull to get that screened here at the Spectrum or Proctors. Anyone?
LikeLike
I put about as much respect in to the R&R Hall of Fame board as I do on the Grammy people. While I’m at it I think I’ll include alot of the A&R people. Elvis Presley won a single grammy! WTF! Boston was beat out by the Starland Vocal Band(Who the hell are they?)for best new artist. John Mellencamp was just recently inducted into the R&R HOF many years after he was elgible. It should of been THE year he was elgible. Why in the hell are there any rap artists in the HOF? Makes no sense! VH1 is another waste as far as their top 100 lists. Elvis coming in at no.9, no Mellencamp or Boston….hmmm is that because Tom Scholz pulled the plug on Boston’s Behind The Music? I think so. Speaking of Tom Scholz and Boston….I truly believe their sound inspired and was solely responsible for a lot of 80’s power ballads! Which doesn’t get much better as far as I’m concerned! These people need to pull their heads out of their ass!
LikeLike
Ann & Nancy Wilson: HEART
LikeLike