Here’s your annual reminder that induction into the so-called Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame, an institution run by a cabal of wealthy men in suits, means absolutely nothing. Nothing at all. Not one thing.
Oh sure, induction may very well serve as a form of overdue validation to artists that, over the course of their respective careers, might never have received their well-deserved credit, let alone financial reward, for their contributions to art and culture. I made that case when Devo were fleetingly being teased with a nomination. And, of course, they didn’t make the cut.
More often than not, it’s just another tentacle of music industry that reveres the market over the merit. No surprises there.
The latest list of confirmed inductees reinforces all of this. Apparently, Sheryl Crow, for example, is more rock’n’roll than Iron Maiden, but there’s that type of upset every time the list is revealed. I’m still smarting over the notion that The MC5 (above, in furious mid-rock frenzy) have been repeatedly snubbed. This year, Rage Against the Machine (who, I should point out, I genuinely like) are being inducted. But the notion of letting RATM in before The MC5 – a band who basically created the template for everything Rage does – continues to burn my fuckin’ toast. It’s essentially the same affront as when Green Day were inducted prior to the legions upon legions of vastly superior punk bands who provided the very foundation upon which Green Day has lucratively plied their wares.
Green Day are in the Rock N’ Roll Hall of Fame.
The Buzzcocks, The Damned, The Stranglers, Generation X, Black Flag, The Dickies, The Saints, X-Ray Spex, The Slits, Siouxsie & The Banshees, X, The Weirdos, The Voidoids, etc. etc. etc.?
They’re not.
Explain that to me.
Simply put, it’s fucking disgraceful to the point of laughably utter meaninglessness.
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