Reflections On The Rock Hall Of Fame
After visiting the hall for the first time in 11 years I was really impressed-a silver pyramid as the anchor spot on Cleveland’s lakefront, the featured exhibits included the Doors and the Beatles film “Help”. Another thing that impressed me was its souvenir shop with a pretty good stock of cds. Strolling through the store I noticed that there was a special section for the inductees. Skimming through the non-inductee section I was surprised at some of the names. Joe Cocker, Linda Ronstadt, Tom Waits not inducted? I was a bit surprised and had to educate myself on the official inductee list.
Does it matter anyway? Does induction the rock hall really matter? Is this really legit? Is this just another baseball, basketball, college football hall of fame designed for music nerds? Does it matter? I think it matters as this place recognizes itself as THE rock hall of fame, and housed within the halls are the mementos and history of the greats. To sum it up- Since it’s there, it matters.
So why are some of the aforementioned not in there? Others not included, Three Dog Night topped bills and charts throughout the country in the 60s and early 70s. Its record stable mate Steppenwolf will always be remembered for kicking off the film “Easy Rider” with the immortal biker tune “Born to be Wild” Is it because they were stuck on the defunct ABC-Dunhill label and have little representation now? Are they impossible long shots now?
Do groups like Paul Revere and the Raiders and the Steve Miller Band ever have a chance? The Raiders were rocking the Northwest when the Beatles were ensconced in the Cavern Club. The Steve Miller Band transformed from a blues band, to a psychedelic band, and then into a 70s top ten hit machine. Will Donna Summer be in there before Linda Ronstadt? And what’s up with Linda Ronstadt? Isn’t one of the greatest singers and performers of the 60, 70 and 80s a virtual shoo-in?
Apparently not.
So what’s going on? What is it with the Rock hall and the 60s anyway? Is the hall self- conscious about it’s hip, we’re with it, up to date credentials that it forgot to induct most of the British groups in the 60s, and seemingly begrudgingly just acknowledged the Dave Clark Five? What’s with ignoring progressive rock?
The Moody Blues, Procol Harum and later Jethro Tull were the vanguards of the genre, toured yearly and hit the festival circuit en masse. No one can dismiss that the Moody Blues and Jethro Tull through sheer musical talent and determination became bill and chart toppers and recognized world wide. Joe Cocker and Leon Russell aren’t in the Rock Hall and names like Grandmaster Flash and Blondie appear. Billy Joel is acknowledged but not Neil Diamond. By the same rationale, Bonnie Raitt and Patti Smith are in there, but not Joan Baez.
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