The Farr Side: Who gets to be in the Rock Hall of Fame?
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame! Just hearing that makes the hairs on my arms stand on end. Music has always played a very important role in my life. It’s everything to me.
And, to honor those who’ve blessed us with their talents seems like a no-brainer to me. I love everything about the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame so much that I had the foundation’s trademark logo tattooed on my arm!
Rock 'n' roll music is something we can all love and appreciate. And, for different reasons, I might add. You see, it’s not just one thing. Rock 'n' roll music is a culmination of all styles and influences coming together.
The "rock era" was born primarily out of earlier eras consisting of country, jazz, folk and blues music.
I find it disheartening to see and hear some of the nominated artists of late being criticized as not being “rock 'n' roll.” It’s crazy to me. Just like everything else, music evolves, too.
Take, for instance, the very first group of inductees, inducted Jan. 23, 1986. They included Elvis Presley, James Brown, Little Richard, Fats Domino, Ray Charles, Chuck Berry, Sam Cooke, the Everly Brothers, Buddy Holly, Jerry Lee Lewis, Robert Johnson, Jimmie Rodgers and Jimmy Yancey. You have a pretty good mix of artists here: some rock, some pop, some soul, some blues and some country.
The following year in 1987, The Coasters, Eddie Cochran, Bo Diddley, Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye, Bill Haley, B.B. King and Clyde McPhatter were inducted. Along with them were Ricky Nelson, Smoky Robison, Carl Perkins, Roy Orbison, Big Joe Turner, Muddy Waters and Jackie Wilson.
These artists embodied a multitude of styles and do not conform to just one genre. That’s the power of rock and roll music. So, why the fuss now over who gets nominated? Because the criteria for induction is specific, an artist becomes eligible 25 years after the release of their first record. That means any artist who released an album before 1994 is now eligible. Is that so hard to figure out? I don’t really think it is.
There have been numerous pioneering artists throughout the rock 'n' roll era who have not ever been nominated. But, as time continues to go on and more artists see their time fitting into the 25-year mode, we are going to see "newer" artists getting nominated.
I can remember there being some backlash when Madonna was nominated and ultimately voted into the Rock Hall on her first nomination. Madonna is the epitome of a music icon. She deserved it. Her music forever changed a generation. She embodied female empowerment in the music business unseen before her time.
The 1980s was one of the best decades for music. We saw stars from the '70s become superstars in the '80s, such as Michael Jackson, Rod Stewart, Olivia Newton-John, Lionel Richie, Tina Turner, Billy Joel, Elton John and Bruce Springsteen. At the same time, we saw the decade make mega-superstars out of the likes of Janet Jackson, Whitney Houston, Prince, Bon Jovi, Def Leppard, Metallica, George Michael, U2, Phil Collins and Gloria Estefan.
The early '90s followed suit in much the same way. Mariah Carey came out of nowhere in 1990 and rewrote almost every one of the record books. And, folks, she’s eligible for induction. I’m quite surprised we haven’t seen her nomination yet.
In just a few weeks, we will see the Rock Hall open its doors for Kate Bush, Sheryl Crow, Missy Elliott, George Michael, Willie Nelson, Chaka Khan, Rage Against the Machine and The Spinners. I’m pretty stoked for George Michael and Willie Nelson.
I still have a wish list of artists I hope to see get inducted soon, including Olivia Newton-John, Phil Collins, Culture Club, Kenny Rogers, Cyndi Lauper, Gloria Estefan, Billy Idol, Kool & The Gang, Cher (solo), Huey Lewis and The News and Tears For Fears.
— David T. Farr is a Journal correspondent. Email him at farrboy@hotmail.com.
This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: The Farr Side: Who gets to be in the Rock Hall of Fame?
