EO: When does the new U2 exhibit open?
JH: The U2 exhibit will open in early 2003. We don't have an exact date yet. This exhibit is another example of how valuable our relationships are. I first met U2 back before their first album, Boy, came out. I did a story for Rolling Stone — the first American interview with them — and we became friends. When I started at the Hall of Fame, I approached them about getting some artifacts, and we put together a small exhibit on their earliest years — it includes items like the first U2 T-shirt which was made in a high school art class, a bio of them when they were still called the Hype, etc.
Then, when they were on tour last year, they came by the Hall of Fame on an off-day and spent a lot of time here. They loved the place and said they wanted to give us more materials for an exhibit. It took about a year to pull it all together, but they came through. We are still in the process of collecting things, but we have numerous outfits from their tours and videos, instruments, lyric manuscripts, set designs, etc. I think U2 fans are absolutely going to love it, and I think the general public will find it informative and fun.
EO: What is the nomination and voting process for the Hall of Fame?
JH: Artists become eligible for induction into the Hall of Fame 25 years after the release of their first recording. The nominations and inductions are handled by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation, which is based in New York and which is essentially the museum's parent organization. The Foundation is made up of the heads of most of the record companies, as well as other major music executives.
Each year, the Foundation puts together a comprehensive list of everyone who is eligible. That list then goes to the Nominating Committee, which is a group of about 70 people, including journalists, record execs, producers, etc. That committee then meets and discusses the potential nominees. They then vote and develop a ballot, which includes about 15 people. There is then a voting body of about 1,000 people who vote on the final inductees. The voters include all of our current inductees, as well as journalists, historians, record execs, etc.
Article comments
1 - Sean Hackbarth
What does Mr. Henke think of the many bands who are eligible for induction that haven't made it? The first one off the top of my head is Rush. They've been making quality music and filling arenas for 30 years. They've progressed from heavy metal and prog rock to radio-friendly radio rock. What's prevented them from getting into the Hall of Fame?