Not a lot of responses so far in my quest for suggestions to add by subtraction at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
So, here are my suggestions:
My criteria:
- Aretha Franklin – Huge, in both senses, R&B artist. She ain’t rock and roll.
Clyde McPhatter – Who?
Big Joe Turner Who?
Muddy Waters deserves to be there, but should really be an “early influence.” He’s not rock.
Dion – He had, what, three songs?
Hank Ballard – Huh?
Bobby Darin – Name a song not involving a knife named Mack.
LaVern Baker – Who?
The Impressions – Not much staying power
Jimmy Reed – Who?
Ike and Tina Turner – Not really a rock act. CCR did their best song better.
Bobby Bland – Who?
Booker T and the MG’s – Minor act
Ruth Brown – Early influence, yes. Rock act, no.
Frankie Lymon – Frankie Avalon but not as good.
Etta James – Sorry, but wrong Hall.
Duane Eddy – Really?
Bob Marley – OK, I’m letting him slide. But only because he was man enough to admit to shooting that sheriff.
Al Green – Cool dude. But not rock.
Martha and the Vandellas – Ya gotta have a Motown girl band just because. But that would be Gladys Knight and the Pips.
The Shirelles – See above.
Parliament-Funkadelic – A very cool funk band. Is funk rock and roll? I don’t think so. But, hey, one funk act should be in just to set a boundary; PF stays.
Lloyd Price – If your name is Lloyd, you’re automatically DQ’d. (Pink Floyd is okay, though)
Gene Vincent – Very similar to Lloyd Price.
Curtis Mayfield – Very cool. But not enough crossover appeal, unlike the many Motown bands I left in.
The Moonglows – Who?
Solomon Burke – Who?
The Flamingos – Please
Michael Jackson – Not really a rocker. Plus, he ruined MTV singlehandedly. And he’s a child molester. Bye bye.
Isaac Hayes – He gets to stay just because of Shaft. Sue me.
Brenda Lee – Oh, hell no.
Gene Pitney – Didn’t I already kick him out?
Slim Whitman – Okay, he’s not really in. Consider this part of the doctrine of preemption.
If you wanna keep any of these–or kick others out–make your case.
