Blogcritics: Comments on 2004 Rock Hall of Fame inductees announced

Comment by Eric Olsen

Tue, 23 Mar 2004 11:40:26 EST

Rick James would fully appreciate the contributions of the Dells, bitch.

Comment by The Great Danguini

Tue, 23 Mar 2004 11:37:02 EST

First off...All the artists inducted (besides the Dell's) deserved it. This was a great year of induction (minus the Dells). Who the hell are the Dell's and who cares? But, comparing Prince to the Beatles..come on try to hide your ignorance by having someone with common sense proofread your statements before you submit them. ZZ Top are a great blues band...Billy Gibbons one of the leaders of Texas fuzz blues and a personal friend of Jimi Hendrix. That's right, he used to open for the Experience when they toured Texas in 67, his band was called the "Moving Sidewalks". Skynryd...definetly should be in there...any fan claiming Skynyrd who hasn't heard "All I can do is Write About it" does not know the full talent of Ronnie. I feel sorry for any of you "critics" that cannot find inspiration and appriciation in the music of any of the previosly listed... I'm Rick James, bitch

Comment by Craig Lyndall

Thu, 12 Feb 2004 13:10:22 EST

Prince isn't an artist that would typically fit into my radar screen, but to think of some of the beautiful songs he wrote. Sure he had some serious party music going, but then there were songs (late in the 80's and early in the 90's I think) like Seven, Diamonds and Pearls, etc. that only added to the legacy of his Purple Rain era stuff. Anyway, my knowledge on Prince is lacking, but I know his impact is great.

Comment by Eric Olsen

Thu, 12 Feb 2004 12:48:55 EST

Shark, On Prince: a black hole of wrongitude. On the Rock Hall: what do you want, a shack? There is much to be gained from a visit to the Rock Hall in educational, entertainment and cultural terms. Re voting: it is n't the public, it's a group a rock critics. You are correct about Traffic, though.

Comment by Mark Saleski

Thu, 12 Feb 2004 12:10:48 EST

Smells like chicken --- tastes like shit. shark, on Prince we disagree....but THAT was funny.

Comment by Shark

Thu, 12 Feb 2004 12:03:55 EST

Okay... Another aside: And I know everyone says Jim Morrison is dead... but ya just never know. heh.

Comment by Shark

Thu, 12 Feb 2004 09:17:59 EST

Just an aside: Hey Al, I've noticed the "filed under" categories for your entries on Blogcritics; Are there any categories that your entries DON'T FIT INTO? Maybe you should ask the administrators to assign you a special "ALL OF THE ABOVE" key. Just tryin' to be helpful.

Comment by Shark

Thu, 12 Feb 2004 08:52:52 EST

Might I add: 1) re: Al on Traffic - Al, you have a right to an informed opinion; which means you need to remain silent on the subject of music history. 2) re. "...Let's be honest, southern blues rock based on women and alcohol is nothing ground-breaking." Let's be honest: rock and roll was originall based on women, alcohol,drugs, testosterone, and mindless rebellion. "...Ladies and gentlemen, coming down the red carpet is the renowned killer Billy the Kid--- dressed in a spiffy Ralph Lauren suit to accept his induction into the Outlaw Hall of Fame." 3) I visited the place once, and it was money and time wasted. The "Rock and Roll Hall of Fame" is a gigantic, over-designed architectural monstrosity that is more of a SHRINE TO MARKETING than rock n roll. Like most contemporary 'non-profit' musuems etc, they have more space dedicated to their friggin' "gift shop/book store" than to 'rock' history. 4) Besides: what self-respecting rocker wants to be canonized by some idiotic Board of Directors based on polling the public? I hate the idea of Jim Morrison or Sex Pistols or the Ramones or Lou Reed et al dressing up in tuxedos to receive corporate-approved blessings---between commercials for Cadillacs where Led Zepplin provides the background music. ("...where's the tower, where's the gun, where's the tower, where's the gun...) 5) PRINCE - sorry, but I've never gotten Prince. I've tried. Smells like chicken --- tastes like shit. I think he might be the most over-rated artist in rock history. I hear people link him with the word GENIUS and I just don't get it. CAVEAT: But then again, Ronald Reagan won two terms and was adored by the public as "the great communicator" ---while I thought he was a stuffed meat puppet who couldn't orate his way out of a paper bag. Nevermind...

Comment by Dan Saddler

Thu, 12 Feb 2004 06:06:59 EST

First of all, The idea of a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is rediculous in the first place. Michael Jackson a rock and roll artist? Come on, give me a break. It seems like this hall of fame is just another politically correct manifestation of corporate showmanship. Lynyrd Skynyrd is probably one of the top 10 rock and roll acts of all time if you take out the PC Rhythm and Blues artist from the hall. When I was a kid, I liked rock and roll, and all the Pop fans hated Led Zeppelin, The Eagles, CCR, The Rolling Stones, Rush, Van Halen, Pink Floyd and the like. All the Pop fans liked Michael Jackson, Rick James, Kool and the Gang, Prince, The Bee Gees(The Saturday Night Fever songs), KC and the Sunshine Band, and all that other Soul Train type stuff. Now, All these acts are considered Rock and Roll. I doubt it! You guys need your own hall. It should be called the Pop music dance party corporate music hall of fame. It's just a matter of time until Britney Spears, 50 Cent, Clay Aiken, Snoop Dogg, Sir Mix-A-Lot, Whitney Houston, and Selena are inducted! What the hell, Lets let Perry Como, Frank Sinatra, Ferrante and Teicher, Yanni, Mozart and Irving Berlin in too! Where do you draw the line?

Comment by HW Saxton Jr..

Sun, 4 Jan 2004 19:17:12 EST

1)I agree that Lynyrd Skynrd should be included in the RRHOF.That they're not,isn't any real big surprise though. The nominee process for the HOF has always been kinda suspect anyways. 2)Why are some of you out there in blogland always comparing Lynyrd Skynyrd w/ Z.Z.Top? They are nothing alike. L.S.is a Southern R 'n'R band and ZZ Top are Texas blues rockers. 3)In defense of ZZ Top:Yeah, maybe some of their material is similar sounding,some of it.They have(IMO)a great formula & stick with it. Sticking with what works hasn't hurt:The Ramones, Bo Diddley,Jimmy Reed,James Brown,Hank Williams Sr or a host of others.It isn't as though Rock'n'Roll is music by and for geniuses anyway.

Comment by BigFloppyCock

Sun, 4 Jan 2004 14:19:22 EST

Lynerd Skynard should be in and the Patti Smith group as well.

Comment by Al Barger

Fri, 26 Dec 2003 14:10:12 EST

Not to put too fine a point on it Eugene, but you obviously wouldn't know a song from a tree stump. Beyond anything else, he's one of the most accomplished dozen or so songwriters in the rock music tradition. Or perhaps you never heard "Little Red Corvette" or "Kiss."

Comment by Eugene Refakes

Fri, 26 Dec 2003 14:02:40 EST

Prince in the Hall is a joke. This guy has been over hyped for too long. His contributions to music are a myth that has been manufactured by the music industry for pretty obvious reasons. He sucks. Seger's induction makes sense. He has truly been a Rock and Roll icon. Its too bad he has to share the stage with Prince.

Comment by Ralph Del Rio

Sat, 6 Dec 2003 23:06:00 EST

USUALLY he speaks about war, land mines, famine and disease. But yesterday, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan revealed another passion – George Harrison of the Beatles. At a tribute dinner for the 50 years of celebrities who have served as UN goodwill ambassadors, Mr Annan said Harrison's work on behalf of Bangladesh in the 1970s was a landmark in social activism. "George Harrison was the first to understand and use the power of rock music to motivate people to embrace causes bigger than themselves," he said. "Not only did George's sensitive and spiritual music bring profound joy and poignancy to millions of people around the world, his character, compassion, conscience and sense of common humanity compelled him to do even more than that. "When George heard a call for help, he wanted to answer it." Harrison, who died two years ago, is credited with staging the first major star-packed benefit concert in 1971, in New York for Bangladesh. Mr Annan said advocacy by celebrities had multiplied "but it is hard to imagine how all this could have happened without the contribution of Harrison, or the sound of his guitar gently weeping." Agence France-Presse

Comment by Eric Olsen

Sun, 23 Nov 2003 17:27:58 EST

I have covered most of the induction ceremonies and they range from fascinating, killer parties, to bloated, forced sap-fests depending upon the inductees and the presenters. Overall it's a good thing, I think, because induction has revived careers, shone a brighter light on those out of fashion, and forces those paying attention to think about each artist as they get in, whom they wouldn't have otherwise given the time of day.

Comment by Natalie Davis

Sun, 23 Nov 2003 17:03:24 EST

Can't disagree with that. At the same time, it is cool to see folks you haven't seen in a long time receive public adulation -- especially when you believe they deserve it. And when I visited the HoF a few years back, I had an awesome time, which was most unexpected but definitely appreciated.

Comment by JR

Sun, 23 Nov 2003 16:47:25 EST

I don't know, I think the greatest of the great are honored by having their music stay in the record stores year after year. I understand the HoF does other worthwhile work in preserving the history of the not-so-famous; but the whole induction thing just strikes me as more famous people patting each other on the back. Not to be a buzzkill, but I don't see the point.

Comment by Particleman

Sun, 23 Nov 2003 16:15:09 EST

Natalie, You rock. I have no wish to beat a dead horse, but I fail to see how Freebird (a few simple chords and a drawn out, melodramatic guitar solo) stands out in the realm of rock n roll. I see the band as southern fried Led Zeppelin hacks with two extraneous guitar players.

Comment by Natalie Davis

Sun, 23 Nov 2003 14:58:26 EST

Thing about the HoF, it's supposed to be honoring the greatest of the great. If all the great bands are inducted, what is the point behind it? Lynyrd Skynyrd -- great band, I think most would agree. Greatest of the greats? Time will tell, for some. Remember, just because Skynyrd didn't make it in this year or previously doesn't mean they won't be inducted in the future. And think about the future -- does anyone really think too many artists from the current generation will qualify? That said, I would count myself amonth those who see Skynyrd as superior to ZZ Top. Don't get me wrong: I love the bearded ones. Their greatest song, IMO: "I'm Bad, I'm Nationwide." I do love "Legs," but in general, I prefer pre-MTV Top. And Jackson Browne -- definitely earned his induction. I love the thunder.

Comment by Elena Woontner

Sun, 23 Nov 2003 13:40:52 EST

Is this a music writer? Read your Roch 101 before attempting to write music articles. Traffic are the most influential, inventive, greatest band since the Beatles. They are way past due for an induction in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame! Go back to write about college football!

Comment by Al Barger

Sun, 23 Nov 2003 02:26:13 EST

Producing movies and organizing a benefit show are nice, but irrelevant to being picked for the Hall of Fame. He wrote some fine songs, numerous standards- but almost all of them were written and recorded as a member of the Beatles. All Things Must Pass was pretty good, but it's just one album- and it's no Pepper. It starts running pretty thin after that.

Comment by Ralph Del Rio

Sat, 22 Nov 2003 23:23:15 EST

I am a big Beatles fan. So I am a little biased on George's belated selection. I'll try to brief. His early foorays into Eastern and Electronic music( Woderwall music and Electronic Music respectively) His late 60's relationships with members of Cream, The Band, Dylan and being the catalyst for Derek and the Dominoes were a terrific start to a unique solo career. After the monster "All Things Must Pass" (with Phil Spector) came The Concert of Bangledesh which will continue to amaze as an achievement as time goes on. Not to mention that the show gave us Dylan back. Living in the Material World gave us a uniquely spiritual and fine sounding #1 album which that is truly original. The remaster will prove it again. The Dark Hoarse Tour which was dreadful is talked about :"all" the time. His plagarism suit for "My Sweet Lord was a dramatic point in his solo career. Great Rock stars branch out. and George did that with movies, soundtracks and different projects. He also peppered his career with hits. He was a pioneer with his own record label and contributed to countless projects by Badfinger, Monty Python, Carl Perkins and even Madonna. His comeback in the late eighties to early nineties was excellent. Cloud Nine was huge and Wilbury's were legendary. Now that he's gone, The Concert for George is a fitting testament of his profound effect as an individual in Rock.

Comment by Al Barger

Sat, 22 Nov 2003 16:20:20 EST

"fun, drink-a-lot party music"? That does not describe most of their songs. How does that describe "Free Bird" or "Simple Man" or "Saturday Night Special" or "That Smell"? How can you get that dismissive description? That would be a reasonable description of only maybe one or two of the songs you yourself listed.

Comment by Taloran

Sat, 22 Nov 2003 15:03:51 EST

Is JJ Cale in? Probably not, since you should actually be famous before they put you in the Hall of Fame.

Comment by Taloran

Sat, 22 Nov 2003 14:59:05 EST

The Ballad of Curtis Loew Needle and the Spoon On The Hunt Gimme Three Steps Tuesday's Gone Simple Man Some of the great tunes from the Southern Rock sub-genre. If there were a Southern Rock Hall of Fame, Skynyrd would undoubtedly deserve one of about 5 spots in it. They did some really fun, drink-a-lot party music. And they did some truly killer covers of JJ Cale tunes.