Madonna, the Beastie Boys, the Dave Clark Five, Leonard Cohen, Afrika Bambaataa, John Mellencamp, the Ventures, Donna Summer, and Chic have been nominated for induction into the 2008 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Metallica's absence from the list of nominees is downright shocking. Every act nominated today deserves their nomination, although I’m not sure what took so long for Donna Summer to receive her's. Unfortunately, only five of the acts will actually get inducted.
Here are the acts that I think should be inducted this year:
1. Madonna: This will cause a lot of debate among her detractors, who have been trying to convince the rest of the world that Madonna is irrelevant every year since 1983. A string of top ten singles – which started with “Borderline” in 1984, and has continued all the way to “Hung Up” in 2005 – will most likely win the voters over. “Live to Tell,” “Like a Prayer,” “Ray of Light,” and “Don’t Tell Me,” all records that Madonna co-wrote and co-produced, remain some of the best crafted pop singles ever recorded. The only thing going against Madonna is her influence on creating such disastrous pop-tarts as Stacie Q, Britney Spears, Lindsay Lohan, and Gwen Stefani.
2. Donna Summer: Donna Summer may not have had Madonna's longetivity, but her musical output remains solid. “Love to Love You Baby,” “I Feel Love,” “Last Dance,” and “Bad Girls” remain some of the most orgasmic hits ever made. Besides the production on her hits, nobody could deny Ms. Summer’s amazing vocal ability. Both of these factors should get her inducted in 2008. The only thing Ms. Summer has going against her is the fact that disco music still isn’t taken seriously and Donna Summer has always been considered the Queen of Disco.
3. The Beastie Boys: The group released their first album in 1982, opened up for Madonna’s Virgin Tour in 1985, and scored their breakthrough album, Licensed to Ill, in 1986. Songs such as “Fight for Your Right,” “Sabotage,” and “Intergalactic” remain some of the best party songs of the past two decades. They are also a significant crossover group who have enjoyed success on the pop, dance, and R&B charts. Unlike Madonna and Donna Summer, I can’t think of a reason they wouldn’t be inducted.
Article comments
1 - Brad Laidman
Gwen Stefani rules!
2 - daryl d
Yes, she does rule. Just not as a solo artist. I think I should have been more clear in my article.
3 - Brad Laidman
I'll buy that - I can go either way on her solo material, but I love everything that No Doubt has done, especially the much maligned second album.
4 - daryl d
I love the second album! I think I need to write an article on Gwen Stefani solo vs. Gwen Stefani with No Doubt because I always give the impression that I think she is talentless crap and she isn't. I just don't like her solo work but I'm in the minority since she has been very successful as a solo artist.
5 - JC Mosquito
B Boys & Mellencamp are the only two acts here that qualilfy as rock and roll to any degree. Typical of the corporate mentaality that uses "awards" as promo acts.
6 - Ray Ellis
"Metallica's absence from the list of nominees is downright shocking."
Actualy, not shocking at all. Their first album was released in 1983. They won't be eligible until next year.
7 - Glen Boyd
Yngwie is to metal guitar as Mariah Carey is to pop vocals. Too many ill-advised nots per second without a hint of taste.
In both cases, it's like their masturbating (or puking) all over the damn song.
-Glen
8 - Brian aka Guppusmaximus
*Oops* Wrong Article...Glen?! *Smirk*
BTW Green doesn't look good on you..
9 - Glen Boyd
It doesn't look good on the song either Brian. Regardless of the ability to read scales and play (or sing) them at breakneck speed without a hint of soul or emotion...
-Glen
10 - Brian aka Guppusmaximus
Glen,
I can understand the fascination with Blues guitarists, ya know, playing the notes incorrectly, bending the strings. It gives it that heart,that vibe. I can even understand Jazz guitarists, the toneality, the swift fret work. So, yes, it's easy to see how those styles would display a sense of taste & soul but let me ask you this: How can you judge what that soul or heart should sound like when you are adapting a style of music to electric guitar? Even when you listen to classical works being done on acoustic, it is very sharp and precise. What Yngwie is showcasing is his love of Paganini who had shown the world his capabilites of playing three octaves across four strings in a hand span.His fingering techniques included double-stops, parallel octaves (and tenths), and left-hand pizzicato, which are now routine exercises for aspiring violinists. Yngwie brought that level of talent & perfection to the guitar world. What Paganini was to classical violin, Yngwie is to Classical Electric Guitar. To say he has no soul or hint of taste merely reflects your inability to understand what you hear and see.
And with that, I'm done... Obviously, you don't understand brilliant singing when you hear it either because as much as I don't Mariah Carey's latest material her pre-nervous breakdown work is absolutely stunning. I think she should focused on less mainstream material.
11 - casas jose luis
who is covered as her "The Confessions Tour" Donna Summer and her I Feel Love thats all folks
12 - Oscar
I also think Donna Summer should be inducted in to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. This lady is more than a disco act!! The woman has a Great Versatile Voice and Grammys in 5 different categories(Including Best Rock Female Performance)to prove it. She has also been nominated 3 other times in the Rock & Roll Grammy cateogory. She needs to be inducted.
13 - Darrell Russ
I agree with Oscar. Donna Summer is due! She is much more than the "Queen of Disco." But that is also not so bad because as Donna has said..."You gotta be the queen of something." Her voice alone has been a stylistic influence on such greats as Whitney Houston. Her musical styles have influenced, Houston, New Order, Janet Jackson and Madonna. Madonna without Donna Summer...unthinkable. She has also worked with Springsteeen, Quincy Jones, Michael Jackson and others.
14 - daryl d
Donna Summer definitely deserves to be recognized. Unforunately, the "Disco Sucks" backlash still has its leftovers. Yes, Donna Summer is much more than the Queen of Disco and has a voice that outdoes any Diva today. But, she is associated with Disco whether we like it or not.
15 - Peter
Everyone should note that DONNA SUMMER was the first black female solo to win a Grammy in the Rock catagory. She may have been the "Queen Of Disco" but in 1980 Rolling Stone magazine gave The Wanderer 4 1/2 out of 5 stars and called it "a Rock & Roll roadmap of Donna Summer's soul"!!! Add that to the fact that Hot Stuff is WAY more rockin' than anything Madonna ever did should get Donna in!
GO DONNA!
16 - eduardo lopez
Seria algo realmente historico que consedieran estar en el pasillo de la fama a una artista que reuna las cualidades presisas del por que de su triunfo....para mi y muchos en todo el mundo de los nominados.. la que vale la pena es Donna Summer por su calidad interpretativa, su estilo ademas de reunir todos los requisitos presisos que la convierten en toda una verdadera exponente de calidad ...Donna Summer debe ser ganadora
17 - Mario Maldonado Alvarado
DEFINITELY, DONNA SUMMER DESERVES TO BE INDUCTED IN THE ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME, THE INFLUENCE DONNA SUMMER HAS ON CURRENT MUSIC TODAY IS QUITE OUTSTANDING, JUST LISTEN TO BEYONCE, RIHANNA, AVRIL LAVIGNE OR GWEN STEFANI JUST TO MENTION A FEW, THEIR MUSIC OWES SOMETHING IN ONE WAY OR ANOTHER TO THE PRECEDENTS THAT DONNA SUMMER HAS STABLISHED, NOT TO MENTION THE MOST SUCCESFUL ACHIEVER IN USURPING HER MUSIC AND IMAGE; MADONNA (FROM WHO I'VE LISTENED TO EVERY SINGLE, ALBUM AND SONG, I LIKE HER, TOO). THAT'S ONE OF MANY REASONS WHY THIS MUST BE DONNA'S YEAR.
18 - Robbie
Donna Summer is way overdue. She's got the best voice in the universe; just incredible.. Ever heard her sing live??? I did and I can't wait to have this experience again. Donna Summer forever!!
19 - das bruce
Donna , although known for disco is so much more than disco. She started on stage, she's done rock songs, gospel, pop, and even has done opera. The woman has a greater range than Madonna (no slam to Madge, I love her also for different reasons), and everything she does is artistic, creative, and sometimes really pushes the envelope (another place and time cd cover), (the blonde hair "mistaken identity", "bad girls", "the wanderer: pregnant on the cover", and "donna summer: incredible state of independence track is classic".She even dabbled in country music for a second. There is so much more to this woman than most people realize.