So far my favorite blog reply to our Hall of Fame coverage at Rollingstone.com is from Captain Duck:
"Jesus Iggy, buy a shirt for fucks sake. Still, at least we know what Antony Keidis is gonna look like in a few years." (Yes, the typos make it even funnier.)
While I agree that Iggy is looking more and more like the sunbathing lizard that gave him his name, I defy anyone to come up with a more rock & roll statement from last night's ceremonies than the pic of a topless Iggy posing with the impressively talented but infinitely less rocking Madonna and Justin Timberlake. And I would argue, and no doubt many would agree, Iggy deserves to be in the Hall of Fame more than Madonna, or at least he should have been inducted before her.
This reminds me of a late-night bar conversation with my best friend Steve. We grew up together as big music fans and we used to discuss the Rock Hall of Fame inductees every year and predict future inductees with the same passion we'd argue over the Baseball Hall of Fame. Many years on (and long past the point where the Rock Hall means not much more to me than another story for the magazine) I still get an annual e-mail from Steve when the new list of inductees is announced, which my pal dissects like a caller to the Mike & the Mad Dog show on WFAN. (One of the first things Steve said to me when I first got the job at RS was, "Can you talk to somebody over there about getting Leonard Cohen into the Hall of Fame?" Now, I have zero influence over who gets chosen, but what the hell: Mission accomplished! And you're welcome.)
When the latest batch of Hall of Famers was named, the most blatant omission was Iggy. Over beers at Connolly's, Steve rattled off a list of the eligible bands and artists (first recording at least 25 years ago) we grew up on who could reasonably be considered at least borderline, and I ruled YES, NO or MAYBE, using whatever internal, unofficial, unscientific metrics I've devised over the years of Rock Hall watching. This doesn't mean I think these artists shouldn't make the Hall. YES means the artist has a very good chance of making it. MAYBE means the artist has somewhat of a chance/probably not. NO means dream on. Below is our list, with my predictions.
YES
Iggy Pop/The Stooges
Tom Waits
Run-DMC
Beastie Boys
Genesis
Peter Gabriel
Kraftwerk
Burt Bacharach
MAYBE
The Cars
Tom Waits
Can
MC5
Nick Drake
Devo
The Cure
The Smiths
Joy Division/New Order
Depeche Mode
The Replacements
Eurythmics
Motorhead
Oasis
Rush
Yes
NO
X
XTC
The Minutemen
Husker Du
Dead Kennedys
Black Flag
The Pogues
Television
Kiss
The Damned
The Specials
The English Beat
Anyone else I've left off the list?
[Photo: Getty]
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DeNiro, M | May 2, 2009 5:22 AM
Roxy Music is the most glaring omission from the Rock Hall. The Guardian in the UK considers them the 2nd most influential band after the Beatles; at a minimum they are in the top 5. U2 had to shout out Roxy and Television as their Hall of Fame during their induction ceremony to embarass the "hall" voters. Like the Velvet Underground, people who went to Roxy concerts were inspired to create bands (U2, Smiths, Duran, Banshees, Ryan Adams, Franz Ferdinand, Oasis, ABC, Lloyd Cole, and tons more). Also a careful reading of the RS top 500 - shows that Brian Eno is #1 in terms of entries - if one counts Roxy, solo, and production credits.
Paul | April 4, 2008 5:24 PM
Jethro Tull!
JP | March 18, 2008 3:38 PM
I don't have enough time to come up with a list. Even though I agree that Cheap Trick should be in by now.
I do have one question for everybody: Why does it matter when people get into the hall of fame? I don't care if Madonna gets in before someone I think more deserving. Just as long they induct who I think is deserving before they all pass away.
mattgee | March 16, 2008 11:26 PM
iggy pop opening for madonna should have cemented any doubts anyone had as to the credibility of the rock and roll hall of fame. it's bullshit. it doesn't matter. the sex pistols got it right.
deran | March 16, 2008 9:01 PM
So many shoulda been in long ago such as(in order):
Tommy James and the Shondells
Heart,Sonny and Cher,Kiss,
Alice Cooper,Donna Summer,
Johnny Rivers,Pat Benatar,
Deep Purple,Steve Miller Band,
Yes,genesis,Doobie Brothers
3 Dog Night,Don McLean,
the Carpenters,Moody Blues,
Electric Light Orchestra
Cheech and Chong,Chicago,
the cars,..
all way more deserving than such members as: Dave Clark 5,
Blondie,Gene Pitney,OJays,
Dusty Springfield,Ronettes?! ..
I could name hundreds of others as deserving as some that are in
deran | March 16, 2008 8:37 PM
I could swear these artists were already in:
Linda Ronstadt,Nilsson,Donovon,
Neil Diamond,monkees,Hollies,
Peter paul and mary..
especially when there are so many put in each year that seem questionable or too soon
John Dioso | March 15, 2008 12:19 AM
Dennis, thanks for the link to futurerockhall.com. In my rush to post the original blog, while we were closing the current issue, I didn't even bother to look online for such a website. (Silly print dude!) Everyone check out this site, and revise your lists accordingly.
Steve, if there is a God, the Smiths will make the Hall while we're young. But as Christopher Hitchens knows, there is no God. And there is no way in hell the Smiths will make it while Morrissey still has hair.
I hope to (not) God I'm wrong, but I just don't think they're on the radar. Not yet at least.
When I first starting working here, there was an editors meet and greet with various sales and business types associated with the magazine. In a Q&A session they asked us each who would be our dream cover for Rolling Stone. I had two: the Ramones for a career retrospective, or annniversary of their first album and the birth of punk, and the Smiths for their reunion.
The Ramones got some murmurs of approval. The Smiths? You could hear the crickets.
otisredn | March 14, 2008 10:43 PM
The 3rd best band of the british invasion - the Zombies . . .
Sugarhigh | March 14, 2008 8:41 PM
Joan Jett & The Blackhearts!!!!! (first & foremost!)
Beastie Boys
Duran Duran
The Cure
Kraftwerk
The Go Go's
Heart (hello, shouldn't they already be in?)
Steve | March 14, 2008 4:38 PM
Proposed class of 2009:
The Stooges
Roxy Music
Genesis
The Smith (first ballot!)
Burt Bacharach
Heart
I am having a tough time not including The Shaggs in this list. I think the worst band since we crawled out of the muck needs to be recognized in some way.
Also, I'm pretty sure Greg Kihn will not get in - I know I'm really going out on a limb here. Just a hunch...sorry Greg
David | March 14, 2008 11:18 AM
The B-52's
Duran Duran
Squeeze
ShoupdeVile | March 14, 2008 9:40 AM
Iggy deff. needs to be in the Hall of Fame I mean he's on Guitar Hero!
John Dioso | March 14, 2008 12:29 AM
Sorry, Dude!
I thought Metallica were an obvious choice. My list was leaning more toward the on-the-fence candidates.
Dude! | March 14, 2008 12:06 AM
You didn't list Metallica even on the "Maybe" list. I think they'd be an obvious choice once they're eligible. What gives?
The most obvious one | March 13, 2008 11:30 PM
Rush.
Obviously. Eligible since 1999.
Regarding the Rock Hall, they're at or near the top of practically every "most snubbed" or "worst snubs" list you can find.
Plus, Rush is still going after 33 years, still playing arenas to large crowds (not the casino circuit), has roughly 18 gold records, 12 platinum records, over 30 million records sold, has influenced dozens of other famous bands, including Metallica, for one, all three members of the band have won many awards for their performances and influenced countless professional musicians. Plus, they've been honored several times for extraordinary contributions (in work and money) to many charities. They still have a fan base larger and more active than most famous bands will ever have... again, 33 years and counting.
As you can see, these guys have truly extraordinary accomplishments through their music and other efforts. Like them or not, there's no denying the facts. They've had an impact on many musicians, bands and music listeners, and are more accomplished in many respects than many current and former inductees. So the question is, when is the junta who controls the Hall going to cave in to reality and induct this truly deserving band?
Anonymous | March 13, 2008 8:30 PM
the runaways
joan jett and the blackhearts
alice cooper
Dennis | March 13, 2008 7:17 PM
You missed quite a few:
http://www.futurerockhall.com/eligibles.php
How about Lou Reed for his solo stuff? And two words: SONIC YOUTH!
David | March 13, 2008 7:05 PM
Artists LEFT OUT -
Duran Duran
The B-52's
Squeeze
David | March 13, 2008 12:05 PM
All I'm saying is if Paul Westerberg and the rest of the Mats don't make it in then the whole thing is just "rock stars" jerking off other "rock stars". Don't get me wrong, a lot of the artists that are in there deserve to be there, but Madonna? Really?
Helvis | March 13, 2008 8:54 AM
The Minutemen: Yes!
Helvis | March 13, 2008 8:49 AM
You mean to tell me King Crimson and Roxy Music haven't been nominated? Unbelievable! What about Bad Religion and the Red Hot Chili Peppers? Both of them have done recent gigs that are better than their fine early stuff, unlike U2 who have not surpassed their early 80's greatness.
When is Fishbone elegible?
zenidog | March 12, 2008 9:38 PM
Sonic Youth should be in.
is it possible for THE FLAMING LIPS to ever be inducted?
Dear Dioso | March 12, 2008 8:05 PM
Thank you for that link. I will now start a new prank based on the rick rolled meme. I shall call it cheap tricked.
Justin Howard | March 12, 2008 6:41 PM
It's a shame that so many influential artists are being overlooked by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in favor of far younger, more popular artists. Madonna and Mellencamp have no business being inducted before artists like Iggy Pop, Alice Cooper, Tom Waits, and Brian Eno. If the Hall doesn't get the message and induct the Stooges in 2009 they will loose a lot of credibility in my book. I would also like to see them start recognizing the English Post-punk bands of the late 70s/early 80s like Joy Division and The Cure. Hell, maybe even Bauhaus.
Jim | March 12, 2008 4:07 PM
I would really love to see Michael Bloomfield in there. His work with the Paul Butterfield Blues Band, Electric Flag, Super Sessions, not to mention guitarist on Blonde on Blonde, others.
A seminal influence on so many.
ROCKSTAR70 | March 12, 2008 3:27 PM
MOTLEY CRUE and METALLICA
jokes on us | March 12, 2008 3:09 PM
Anyone who thinks the R&RHOF is meaningful has been deceived. Don't bother getting into a tizzy about madonna. It doesn't change anything about the artists. All it really shows is how absurd the panel is that nominated these obviously non rock musicians.
Jack in the Chi | March 12, 2008 3:00 PM
I see that I missed Joy Division/New Order in Dioso's original post. My bad.
And I missed one of my other overlooked:
Grandmaster Flash/Furious Five
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6e9G-ump3Y
Jack in the Chi | March 12, 2008 2:50 PM
The only four I can possibly add to these well-considered lists (esp. Davey Tice's) would be the following, the first two of which I wholly support, the third of which I do not support but probably has support somewhere on the interweb, and the fourth of which has had massive influence (especially in this decade), but untimely suicide tends to really hurt the "extensive catalog" category:
Sonic Youth
Duran Duran
Metallica
Joy Division
And as an aside, being from Chicago does not mean supporting the band Chicago.
Jim | March 12, 2008 2:02 PM
I thought Tom Hanks' induction of the Dave Clark 5 was priceless. He really brought back that era, as he described listening to Bay Area radio stations KYA and KEWB, and getting those shots of adolescent rock adrenaline that used to come out of transistor radios in those days. It made me think that perhaps the DC5 was a major influence on the "Oneders" of "That Thing You Do". Dave Clark seemed genuinely touched by Hanks' fan enthusiasm-a nice moment.
John Dioso | March 12, 2008 1:46 PM
Davey Tice, great to hear from you! Excellent list. Compelling arguments can be made for almost everyone on it. From the comments so far, Roxy Music is the equivalent of a 300-game winner who somehow gets overlooked year after year.
The rest of the first part of your list is probably my favorite era of music, punk-New Wave: The Jam, Jonathan Richman/The Modern Lovers, Joe Jackson, Squeeze, Buzzcocks, etc. It pains me that some if not all of these artists have lost rock-crit cachet. Of these artists, I'd say Squeeze has the best chance to eventually make it, based on longevity, song catalog and artistic cred.
Joe Jackson and Paul Weller are two of my favorite songwriters. They'd both get my vote, but since I don't get a vote ... Jackson is probably a NO. If Weller is lucky, he'll be the Joe Torre of the Rock Hall, and eventually make it based on his combined success: in two bands and as a solo act. For me, the Jam are right there, below the Ramones, Sex Pistols and the Clash, and above the Buzzcocks, as undoubtedly worthy.
Among the other bands on your list: Doug Sahm, Mott the Hoople and the New York Dolls stick out as interesting choices. I'd say they're MAYBEs.
I'd like to hear others comment on them.
Davey Tice | March 12, 2008 11:16 AM
John,
While I think Steve's on to something, a couple of adds came top-of-head; some seem to have been mentioned overnight, but I'm giving a shoutout anyway.
Roxy Music
Brian Eno
The Jam
Jonathan Richman/The Modern Lovers
Joe Jackson
Squeeze
Buzzcocks
Nick Lowe/Dave Edmunds/The Rockpile gang
Graham Parker
T Rex
Minor Threat
Stiff Little Fingers
Wire
Pere Ubu
Meat Puppets
Echo and the Bunnymen
A dear friend from Texas added:
The Dead Boys
New York Dolls
Sham Sixty-Nine
Slaughter And The Dogs
Joe Ely
Doug Sahm
Ian Dury
Link Wray
Ian Hunter/Mott The Hoople
Robert Fripp/King Crimson
Such lists are always the beginning of a conversation, not the end.
Davey
kca | March 12, 2008 10:59 AM
Love the Mott the Hoople comment, they never get any credit.
Greg Dimo | March 12, 2008 2:50 AM
Roxy Music
Squeeze
The Jam
Buzzcocks
Madness
Scorpions
Blue Oyster Cult
Go Go's
Deep Purple
X
Mott the Hoople
Midnight Oil
Dave Edmunds
Greg Kihn
Cheap Trick
Smiths
Thin Lizzy
Smithereens
rocknronnie | March 11, 2008 8:46 PM
Grand Funk Railroad
Chicago
Boston
Dire Straits
Steppenwolf
Hollies
Badfinger
Journey
Mountain
Doobie Brothers
Poco
John Dioso | March 11, 2008 6:34 PM
Christian, when I read your post about Roxy Music, I had to recheck my list of Rock Hall inductees.
RS listed Roxy as #98 in our top 100 Immortal artists of all time: http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/7250028/the_immortals__the_greatest_artists_of_all_time_98_roxy_music
I might need to recrunch the fake numbers I used to devise my original list. I would have listed Roxy as an eventual YES. But given how long they've been eligible and not made it, they're probably a MAYBE at best.
John Dioso | March 11, 2008 6:28 PM
dave takis | March 11, 2008 5:03 PM
cheap trick needs to be inducted NOW
Yes, on the strength of the "She's Tight" video alone: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iiSypDGFLVo
John Dioso | March 11, 2008 6:27 PM
Pete, Tom Waits < Jim Rice? That's magic! I almost forgive you for being a Red Sox fan. I'd love to see your album-by-album vs. season-by-season analysis: The Heart of Saturday Night (1974) through Frank's Wild Years (1987) vs. Rice's career from his 1975 rookie season through his last prime year, 1986 (seasons bookended by heartbreaking World Series losses)?
Chico | March 11, 2008 6:11 PM
hold on here! don't forget the godfathers of stutter rock - BTO baby! (that is Bachman Turner Overdrive to those of you who are formulating next year's ballots)
that's an automatic HOF induction!
Christian | March 11, 2008 6:05 PM
Why oh why is Roxy Music never given their due? They released their debut what, 35 years ago. Get on track folks!
Dave's right about Cheap Trick too. Jeez, if Mellencamp and Madonna get in (both worthy candidates mind you), why not these two immensely influential and great artists?
Pete Hayes | March 11, 2008 6:00 PM
Although Tom Waits is a fine choice for any hall of fame, there is no reason why he should have an easier time getting into the rock hall of fame than jim rice will have had getting into the baseball hall of fame.
austin | March 11, 2008 5:44 PM
i would think that the cure would be a yes. black flag deserves it with as much touring as they were capable of. they had to set a damn record. i bet kiss will get in eventually as well.
John Dioso | March 11, 2008 5:22 PM
On the strength of the "She's Tight" video alone: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iiSypDGFLVo
dave takis | March 11, 2008 5:03 PM
cheap trick needs to be inducted NOW