2008 Rock Hall Nominees
Please be so kind as to cover your mouth when you yawn. The nominees for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2008 aren't likely to cause shrieks of joy from most classic rock fans. (Do they ever?)
Three of the latest nominees (John Mellencamp, Dave Clark Five and Chic) are repeats, having missed the cut in previous years.
And the nominees are ...
• Afrika Bambaataa
• Beastie Boys
• Chic
• Leonard Cohen
• Dave Clark Five
• Madonna
• John Mellencamp
• Donna Summer
• The Ventures
As always, eyebrows will be raised at some of the nominees whose connection to rock ranges from tenuous to obscure (like, say, a hip-hop DJ and a folk songwriter) but that is always the case, and doesn't seem to faze the folks who determine the nominees and eventual inductees. Here's how the Rock Hall nomination/induction process works.
And if you really have nothing better to do, here's a list of everyone who has ever been inducted into the Rock Hall. It's a long list, but there are those who would argue that an even longer one would contain the bands and artists who haven't been inducted, but should be.
The five "winners" will be announced in January, followed by the induction ceremony in March, nowhere near the rock Hall (which is in Cleveland) but in New York City.
So, whaddya think about the 2008 nominees? Punch the 'comments' link below and let fly! You can also join the conversation taking place in the Classic Rock Forum.
John Mellencamp photo by Jamie Squire / Getty Images
Comments
I don’t even really know what to say about this years list. I suppose Madonna should be inducted but I can’t say I’m much of a fan of any of these artists, if I had to choose another two I would go with The Beastie Boys and Leonard Cohen, Mellencamp would be close behind. I think it’s a pretty sub par group this year.
Bogus!! These people are nominated and Alice Cooper hasn’t even been considered yet! It’s a travesty of the worst kind. If they wanted a pop music hall of fame, they should have called it that. For sure one place I will never visit.
They should just change the name to the “Pop” Hall of Fame, because that’s what it’s turning into. The HoF is turning into a joke.
Sad, very sad. Are they seriously going to put five off of this list in the Hall of Fame? I’m a fan of Leonard Cohen, but certainly wouldn’t put him in the ROCK & ROLL Hall of Fame.
As always, the vendetta against prog is apparent, as there is no Rush, no King Crimson. Yes is left off the list, as is Genesis. There’s no way Fleetwood Mac can be in the HOF for ten years and leave their obvious influences out. As to Rock & Roll, only John Mellencamp and the Ventures really count, since the rest are pop/hiphop/folk. I agree that Leonard Cohen deserves to be there. Dave Clark Five is a lock this year. I’d even allow Mellencamp. But the rest need to be reevaluated, since they are clearly NOT rock. Also left off the list (again): The Stooges (why REM if no Stooges?), The Cure, and Sonic Youth, as well as the perennial snubbing of those commercial darlings, KISS.
Vote for the most deserving but overlooked artists for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on the rateitall website. The top 20 at this point are:
Chicago
1) Rush
2) Yes
3) Deep Purple
4) The Ventures
5) Stevie Ray Vaughan
6) Genesis
7) Alice Cooper
9) Madonna
10) Pete Townshend (solo)
11) Jethro Tull
12) Dire Straits
13) Duran Duran
14) Moody Blues
15) The Cars
16) The Smiths
17) Peter Gabriel (solo)
18) Neil Diamond
19) Heart
20) The Stooges (Iggy Pop)
My apologies to the Rock Hall nominating comittee. I thought last years group was pitiful and I stated this. I was wrong. This year’s is even more pathetic. The only worthy candidates on the list is the Dave Clark Five and the Ventures. When are the members of the nominating comittee gonna wake up and get serious. I get the feeling they are all young “hip” writers trying to be cool and nominate different and edgy groups. They haven’t a clue as to what rock music is about. They miss the whole point. It’s sad too. If I had a membership, I would revoke it.
I agree with Mark. Either redefine rock ‘n’ roll or change the name. Call it the Pop Hall of Fame, or the Billboard Hall of Fame. Inclusions like Grandmaster Flash or Madonna don’t exactly make me think of rock, especially considering there are numerous bands who will never get in, like King Crimson or Budgie for example, but are famous among fans who actually listen to rock.
WoW….I would have thought The Ventures and Dave Clark Five would have been inducted years ago……They were part of the foundation of Rock and Roll!!!!!!! Every guitar player I know are their fans…..John Mellencamp is a true rocker….The rest of the nominees have absolutely nothing to do with Rock and Roll.
I think they should ditch the whole Hall of Fame thing and just stick with the museum. The museum is great. Its nice to look at all the rock n roll stuff. If stuff from a particular band is on display in a museum, they must have done something noteworthy. Thats good enough for me. (there are plenty of things on display from non inducted bands). Just ignore the voting BS,its useless.
Donna Summer and Madonna in the RRHOF? They’ve risen to a new low now. the Beastie Boys I can kind of see,but even that is questionable.And Prog and Hard/Metal artists are still being snubbed?
Grand Funk Railroad, Uriah Heep, Not even considered to the Rock and Roll Hall Of Shame!
Garrett has it right for the most part. No prog acts are considered, as Rolling Stone founder/editor Jan Wenner has always made it known that he dislikes (hates) progressive, experimental and electronic music, so that leaves out The Moody Blues, Yes, Genesis, King Crimson, Jethro Tull, The Nice, ELP, Renaissance, Tangerine Dream, etc. What’s worse is the long list of artists from the 60s and 70s who HAVE been influential and ROCK but have not been enshrined. Like them or not, you can not ignore Alice Cooper, Kiss, Deep Purple, Cat Stevens, Heart, Grand Funk, or The Zombies.
Here’s the logical thing to do: finish what they used to do- put in the 60s acts while they are still alive and can perform at the ceremony, like the Zombies, Hollies, Moody Blues, etc., then move to the 70s. Entering 80s acts while ignoring so many older artists makes no sense. I understand trying to have a diverse set each year, but how about some common sense?
Is it not called the ROCK ‘N’ ROLL Hall of Fame!!!. It’s suppose to be about making a difference, not everybody and any one.Plain and simple…clean it up or shut it down.
Hey R&RHOF Board Members I’m surprised you didn’t nominate these “rockers”
1. Englebert Humperdink
2. Johnny Mathis
3. Frankie Yankovic
4. Montovani and 101 Strings
5. Perry Como
Etc..Etc..
Like I’ve said before, the whole R&R HOF is a joke
I had a membership and supported the museum the first six years it was opened.Now with the last few years od garbage being inducted, i canceled my membership and no longer make contributions. How about a new museum that knows what they are doing?
Where are the greats like Mitch Ryder and he Detroit wheels and Melanie? http://LetHerIn.org
I agree that some of those not yet inducted( Genesis,Heart,Chicago) should be. I do not however agree with this BS notion that they should only induct White male guitar acts. That is not in line with the history of the music. Yes Dance,folk, hip hop and the like are a part of the Rock and Roll era whether you like it or not.The music has always had several sub genres and been a combination of many things.Go back and look at the early Rock and Roll posters. Groups like the Rolling Stones were not even around until Rock and Roll was in existence for several years. It’s the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame not the Rock Hall of Fame.
Looks like Queen Jann (Wernner) and her merry men have take over the hall.
I’m gay and I hate disco.
I hope some sanity prevails this year and The Dave Clark Five are inducted into the Hall. It’s long overdue for the boys from Tottenham!
These guys are up for nomination, yet Hall and Oates, who brought back Blue Eyed Soul, has been eligible for about 10 years and still have not been nominated is crap. I mean, Chic, what have they done to be on the list?
I understand where these guys are comeing THE ROCK – AND – ROLL HALL OF FAME IS A JOKE! I mean I’m 13 years old and I have good enough rock sence to know that madonna is not rock.where are some of the good ones from back in the day!
Some of these artists are questionable. Donna Summer? I like the fact that Leonard Cohen finally got a nod, as just about every artist has covered a cohen Tune. When will the Rock Hall Open its eyes and induct Tom Waits? I agree with the Alice Cooper nod as well.
Mellencamp is definitely a rocker! Madonna and Donna Summer………..ummm….no. These two might be accomplished artists, but they belong in a different hall (i.e. not the RRHF).
The Ventures maybe, the DC5 definitely, and Mellencamp probably, but the others have nothing, repeat, nothing to do with rock. The Hall of Fame will never be considered valid until the great metal and prog bands of the 70’s are considered. No Deep Purple? No Yes?
THE VENTURES definitely. It is unbelievable that this is their first nomination. Are we to wait for the 50th year anniversary of WALK, DON’T RUN which could either be 2009 or 2010 depending upon hos one counts. I agree with the person above who thinks that the voters have a “cool” hang up. No, THE VENTURES were not cool in the way Zappa, Dylan and Hendrix were cool. They were merely working musicians who are still rocking after almost 50 years! They made the Chamber Music of rock and roll. Their problem is that they made more albums than God and therfore people who do not know them don’t know where to start. Here are some possibilities: LIVE IN JAPAN IN 1965, THE VENTURES PLAY THE COUNTRY CLASSICS, WALK DON’T RUN: THE VERY BEST OF THE VENTURES or their odd seasonal record THE VENTURES CHRISTMAS ALBUM.
THE VENTURES definitely. Listen to THE VENTURES LIVE IN JAPAN IN 65 and realize that they have been playing that rock and roll for almost 50 years and have not gotten real credit in the US but only in Japan! They were never “cool” they were merely great rock and roll working musicians. Give credit where credit is due!
The Ventures…..alright!
The Dave Clark Five…..YES, YES, YES!!!
Leonard Cohen? NO, NO, NO!!
He’s a poet, for crying out loud……..not a rock musician!
What about Wanda Jackson? She ran right alongside the boys who started Rock ‘n’ Roll. Shame, shame, shame on the Rock Hall for ignoring her again.
It’s a travesty that she hasn’t already been inducted and now they nominate Madonna?
Elvis Costello even wrote a letter to the Rock Hall telling them they should induct Miss Jackson.
The Rock Hall sucks. They can’t come up with an original idea of their own and they don’t listen to the fans or the musicians.
I recently went to Cleveland and the one thing I made sure NOT to do was go to the Rock Hall.
Very Sad that Rap artists were given the shaft…it’s kind of like when MTV started and they didn’t play any black artists for a couple years…Rap has had a HUGH influnence on the music and culture of the last 25 years, and to deny an innovator in the field like Afrika Bambaata a place is fairly sacriligious if you like modern music…name me a rapper today who wasn’t influenced by Bambaata, and I’ll name you a rapper who doesn’t know his history. Beastie Boys- hell, they’re WHITE and they didn’t get in- few are as responsible for making rap accessible to the suburbs…oh, but the dave clark five get in, right- they were VERY influential!
How can Jethro Tull and Steve Miller not be included? Don’t forget Chicago and Heart. The names they come up with are a joke. I use to think it was quite a feat to get in, not anymore.
Mike Smith and Denis Payton will be smiling down tonight upon Dave, Lenny and Rick!
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is about money… somebody is profitting but it isn’t the artists or bands or the public who made them famous by buying the music they loved and followed through the years.
I think it does dishonor to many of the early artists who to this day still are not recognized and as well to the bands of the 60’s & 70’s.
As far as I’m concerned the only people who should be entitled to vote is the public, the ones who bought and loved the music these gifted artists gave to the world to enjoy.
What started out as the Rock N’ Roll Hall of Fame has turned out to be a bad fit for other genre. John Sebastian nailed it in his song “Do You Believe In Magic” with the line “it’s kinda like tellin a stranger about Rock N’ Roll” nobody seems to have a definitive consensus on what qualifies. So maybe there should be a “Music Hall Of Fame” and then break it down to each genre. Then list the genre and only the applicable songs that would fit.