ROCK HALL OF FAME, II

November 25, 2003

Comments

The HOF’s web page is functioning properly now; perhaps it was in flux due to the new enshrinees over the weekend. At any rate, the list of inductees, with links to the rational for their enshrinement, is now up.

Let’s look at the first class, the 1986 inductees, looking only at the main category of “performers”:

Chuck Berry
James Brown
Ray Charles
Sam Cooke
Fats Domino
The Everly Brothers
Buddy Holly
Jerry Lee Lewis
Elvis Presley
Little Richard

Anyone on that list about whom there is the slightest doubt as to whether they are worthy? I don’t think so.

Compare them with the 2004 list:

Jackson Browne
The Dells
George Harrison (Post-Beatles)
Prince
Bob Seger
Traffic
ZZ Top

Does anyone really think The Dells, Harrison, or Traffic belong in the same category as the original inductees?

Your mission–should you choose to accept it–is to nominate up to ten artists from the current HOF who should be removed. Bonus points for explanations.

8 responses to “ROCK HALL OF FAME, II”

Steven

November 25, 2003 at 11:33 am

I couldn’t name a song by the Dells, although they make fine computers.
James Joyner

November 25, 2003 at 11:35 am

But their customer service isn’t that great. Another reason to take ’em out.

Not to mention those annoying commercials….
Rodney Dill

November 25, 2003 at 11:54 am

Dude….
Venomous Kate

November 25, 2003 at 12:28 pm

ZZ Top???? Gah. How our standards sink.
lefty skeptic

November 25, 2003 at 12:50 pm

It’s strange because the 2003 performers were a pretty strong group –

AC/DC
The Clash
Elvis Costello & the Attractions
The Police
Righteous Brothers

with only AC/DC and the Righteous Brothers being a little borderline (IMHO, of course).
James Joyner

November 25, 2003 at 12:58 pm

The Righteous Brothers, especially. They had three or four great songs in a very short period.

AC/DC has been around forever, which is a big bonus. But I can’t think of one of their songs from the last 15 years. Really, after “For Those About to Rock…,” the follow on to “Back in Black,” I don’t know that they had another meaningful album.
mark

November 25, 2003 at 1:32 pm

Remove Ritchie Valens. No to sound disrespectful of the dead, what has he done besides La Bamba and being in a plane crash with other artists?