Well, it's back. The list I wait to post about every year (and usually it gets flagged by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and taken down because they act like a bunch of little children). The 2014 nominees for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. This years list is pretty interesting in the fact that many bands on this list should have been in long ago and again we have a mix of rap, disco and pop that doesn't belong in the Hall. Here is my list from least favorite to most favorite excluding Link Wray, The Replacements, The Paul Butterfield Blues Band and The Meters because I just don't know enough about them.
12. Chic - Really? Chic? LaFreak? I remember never missing a Chic rock concert back in the 1980's because .... Oh, wait. I never went because Chic isn't rock!
11. Linda Ronstadt - While not a least favorite of mine as far as singers are concerned, I don't think that Linda belongs in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Especially since there are so many others that could be nominees that are actually rock and roll.
10. LL Cool J - I'm pretty sure this is the second time that LL Cool J has been up for nomination and my thoughts haven't changed. LL seems like a fun guy (not like moss) but still is not rock and roll, unless the concept has changed. Still, I like some of his music and his acting ...... kinda.
9. N.W.A. - If you look them up in Wikipedia it says Hip-Hop, Gangsta Rap not Rock and Roll. Are these individuals talented? I say yes but some would argue. Do they belong in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame? Maybe, but not now.
8. Hall and Oates - While many would argue the fact that Hall and Oates belongs in the Hall there are many acts that should be put in before them. With songs like Maneater, You Make My Dreams Come True and Sarah Smile, they are more of a pop band than anything else. Love their stuff and if they had been a band in the 60's there would have been no doubt they should be in the Rock Hall.
7. Cat Stevens - We are now getting in to the I would put them in the Rock Hall list. While Cat Stevens is one of my favorites singers, he would be the last on my list that I would actually put in the Rock Hall. Any other year he might rate a lot higher but this year there are just too many groups that would be placed before him. Still, Morning Has Broken remains as one of my all time favorite songs.
6. Peter Gabriel - OK, before you all get bent out of shape as to why Peter Gabriel isn't in the top five at least hear my theory. If you get nominated in with a group (Peter was with Genesis) you're already in. They should put you in as a solo artist as well. In other words, Peter should already be in as a solo artist since he got in with Genesis. Look at the Beatles, they took up four inductee spots alone. If you wonder why it wasn't five, Ringo has not made it in as a solo artist yet. Poor Ringo. Even though Shock the Monkey and Sledgehammer are fantastic songs, let's keep the slots open for other acts. Don't be greedy!
5. Nirvana - With the lights out, it's less dangerous. We belong now, so vote in us (I know vote us in but it doesn't rhyme). Yes I really believe Nirvana belongs in the rock hall and, according to the voting page (CLICK HERE TO VOTE!) the people agree. Nirvana's music is catchy and they have definitely had an influence on rock and roll.
4. Yes - Yes? Yes. Roundabout, Owner of a Lonely Heart, I've Seen All Good People and Rhythm of Love. With awesome keyboards by Rick Wakeman and some of the most recognized music ever, Yes is a band that's been a long time coming in the Hall.
3. The Zombies - Apropos for today's society of zombie loving people. With World War Z as a big screen hit and one of the most watched shows on TV being AMC's The Walking Dead what better time for The Zombies to be inducted in to the Rock Hall. With hits like Time of the Season and She's Not There, The Zombies deserve a spot in the Hall.
2. KISS - WAIT! WHAT'S THIS? A list for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame that Dan Robison put together and KISS is not number one? While I do agree that KISS has had one of the biggest influences on Rock Music and they should have been put in a long time ago, you will see why I put them at number two in a minute. There is no doubt that they belong in the Rock Hall. Maybe the Hall is finally waking up. In their short article about KISS the R&R HOF said, "Few bands short of the Beatles inspired more kids to pick up the guitar than KISS." Shoot, they should have their own wing and, if they finally do get inducted, Gene Simmons may make sure that they do. Nevertheless, nobody would argue the fact that they do belong and since this is their second nomination their chances just went up. Besides, how many other 60 somethings are still jumping around on the stage in make-up today?
1. Deep Purple - Seven years after I graduated the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio began inducting artists. Ten years after I graduated Deep Purple should have been in the Hall. Almost anyone that picks up a guitar for the first time plays Smoke On the Water and Deep Purple has had a major influence on many of the rock stars from the past and today. Wikipedia says They are considered to be among the pioneers of heavy metal and modern hard rock. Pioneers!! To quote another line from Wikipedia - The group has influenced a number of rock and metal bands including Metallica, Queen, Aerosmith, Van Halen, Alice in Chains, Pantera, Bon Jovi, Rush, Motörhead, and many New Wave of British Heavy Metal bands such as Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, and Def Leppard. Many of these bands are already in the Rock Hall before the people that influenced them. Shameful!
