As a music geek, I often find myself in conversations, either online or over cocktails, about the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Indeed, I've been nerding out about the Hall since last Thursday, when the institution announced its shortlist for induction into the Hall Class of 2015. And when I find myself in polite but argumentative company debating the Rock Hall, I have an approach I use. It comes in handy when my fellow nerd has been griping about the definition of "rock and roll," and why this mysterious institution — inductor of Donna Summer, Madonna, and Grandmaster Flash; persistent nominator of Chic and N.W.A — has got it all wrong.
I call my approach the Supremes Argument. Here's how it works.
The Nominating Committee, the 30-to-40-person cabal that creates the shortlist, is the target of much rock-fan ire. But if it's doing its job, it is meant to act as a filter — couldn't they have waited on Green Day? If the Nominators are serious about finally getting Nile Rodgers into the Hall — his band Chic is now on its ninth unfulfilled nomination, nearly a record — giving a slot to Green Day right away seems counterproductive.
You don't wait to elect Greg Maddux in his first year of eligibility because Alan Trammell, Larry Walker, and Tim Raines haven't gotten a fair look from the electorate. That's the road to an election without any living person being honored at the ceremony. What the Rock & Roll HoF needs is a Veteran's Committee composed of some musicians, producers, and rock scholars. There's no reason for Link Wray, ELO, Chicago, or Jan & Dean to still be on the outside, and at a certain point it starts really hurting the Hall's credibility.
A very close friend of mine is a longstanding member of the nominating committee. He's very aware of the generational rift and has been doing his best to make other Boomers on the committee listen to the Gen X members & fans, while also advocating for groups like Chic and War. Predictably, there are some exceptionally parochial people on the committee. And the electorate is worse than the BBWAA.
Yes. I mean the band Yes.
It Can Happen if you Hold On. Love Will Find a Way. The Calling will come if you Lift Me Up and Make It Easy.
I've said it before, I'll say it again, the fact that Roxy Music hasn't even been nominated renders the entire hall suspect.
httpv://m.youtube.com/watch?v=kWhzG9cQGgc
Exactly. I know I'm biased towards Yes, for instance, but Yes and ELP (and others of course) are the preeminant Prog architects. Whether they deserve entrance is one thing, but to go many years before even being nominated last year is silly. Ditto Eno for his multiple roles in the industry, and several others outside the mainstream.
I suppose my opinion of the rock and roll hall of fame probably goes without saying.
I was gonna say that it's just a thing that I don't care about, but not enough death metal works, too.
Imagine being a fan of LSU, Texas A&M or Arkansas, knowing that your team is looking up in the SEC West standings at four of the top 5 teams in the nation. That's nuts.
I know rankings arent anything in CFB, but how the heck is LSU still #24 after losing at home by a billion points the other week?
This post title is missing a "?" at The End.
My chatty next-door neighbor had an aneurysm yesterday. Vietnam vet, retired, had been very active. I am hoping he pulls through.
Wow. He is in our prayers.
An Argument Supreme(s).
You don't wait to elect Greg Maddux in his first year of eligibility because Alan Trammell, Larry Walker, and Tim Raines haven't gotten a fair look from the electorate. That's the road to an election without any living person being honored at the ceremony. What the Rock & Roll HoF needs is a Veteran's Committee composed of some musicians, producers, and rock scholars. There's no reason for Link Wray, ELO, Chicago, or Jan & Dean to still be on the outside, and at a certain point it starts really hurting the Hall's credibility.
A very close friend of mine is a longstanding member of the nominating committee. He's very aware of the generational rift and has been doing his best to make other Boomers on the committee listen to the Gen X members & fans, while also advocating for groups like Chic and War. Predictably, there are some exceptionally parochial people on the committee. And the electorate is worse than the BBWAA.
Yes. I mean the band Yes.
It Can Happen if you Hold On. Love Will Find a Way. The Calling will come if you Lift Me Up and Make It Easy.
I've said it before, I'll say it again, the fact that Roxy Music hasn't even been nominated renders the entire hall suspect.
httpv://m.youtube.com/watch?v=kWhzG9cQGgc
Exactly. I know I'm biased towards Yes, for instance, but Yes and ELP (and others of course) are the preeminant Prog architects. Whether they deserve entrance is one thing, but to go many years before even being nominated last year is silly. Ditto Eno for his multiple roles in the industry, and several others outside the mainstream.
I suppose my opinion of the rock and roll hall of fame probably goes without saying.
Not enough Death Metal?
maybe this band deserves a nomination?
I was gonna say that it's just a thing that I don't care about, but not enough death metal works, too.
Imagine being a fan of LSU, Texas A&M or Arkansas, knowing that your team is looking up in the SEC West standings at four of the top 5 teams in the nation. That's nuts.
I know rankings arent anything in CFB, but how the heck is LSU still #24 after losing at home by a billion points the other week?
because LSU