The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is considering a move not unlike “Desperate Housewives.”
In fact, you might call Jann Wenner the “desperate despot” of rock.
Sources tell me that Wenner is considering doing exactly what the TV show did a couple of years ago — jump ahead five years.
Currently, the RRHOF charter says that in order to be inducted, a band or act isn’t eligible until 25 years have passed since its first record release.
But now that popular music has passed into its retirement, the number of possible new inductees has thinned considerably. This winter, the Hall will induct Genesis, the Hollies, Iggy Pop and the Stooges, Jimmy Cliff and ABBA. They’ve all been the on the ballot for a long time and have finally made it mostly because the choices are diminishing.
I’m told that Wenner has looked at the next group of possible inductees, for 2011, and it’s not good: The only superstar who’s had a major career and influenced rock and roll is Sting. Otherwise, the perfectly nice but not exactly big game changers are ‘Til Tuesday, Chris Isaak, Suzanne Vega and Simply Red.
Of course, Wenner could do what many consider the right thing and induct the many missing names from Chubby Checker, Billy Preston and Mary Wells to Chicago, the Moody Blues, Todd Rundgren, Linda Ronstadt, Carly Simon, Carole King, Neil Diamond, Neil Sedaka, Rufus & Carla Thomas and so many more it’s hard to list them. But that’s unlikely.
The new idea is to change the charter so that it only takes 20 years to get in. That would move up a lot of acts on the ballot that are more current and carry some name value, which would be good for TV rights. Believe it or not, the following would then be eligible for the 2011 ceremony: Guns N’ Roses, Green Day, Public Enemy, Nirvana, Kid Rock and Smashing Pumpkins. Also a possibility right away: Keith Richards as a solo artist.
The fear, of course, is that with these new guidelines, the artists who’ve been snubbed previously will now never get in. Of course, one other solution would be just to shut the doors, stop inductions entirely and make the annual dinner a revisit of inductees. But TV doesn’t want Nursing Home Rock, so Wenner — who has no one to stop him — will probably not do that either.
January 3rd, 2010 at 3:36 pm
the Hall has yet to induct Motown’s first ’star’ girl group,The Marvelettes;
the band that served as the proto type for punk and new wave, The New York Dolls;
the king of shock rock whose name is still a grabber, Alice Cooper;
the band who IS rocknroll to several generations,KISS..
and the band band that ,right after Woodstock, made rock colorful,fun,and exciting again,as big in England and Europe as Beatle Mania, wasT.Rextasy, the fevor induced by Marc bolan & T.Rex;
there’s your next 5 right …..
January 3rd, 2010 at 3:54 pm
Duran Duran? Not only were they instrumental in the MTV launch, they practically invented the music video.
January 3rd, 2010 at 3:58 pm
Perhaps Ms. Wenner should be ousted and a level headed, pro-music, ALL music individual should be installed as head of RRHOF.
January 3rd, 2010 at 9:29 pm
Jann Wenner is the reason the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is a joke. Get rid of him and replace him with someone who isn’t prejudiced against certain artists. He has blocked many good artists who aren’t in the Jann Wenner Hall of Fame…oops..The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He should be kept away from it for 20 years.
January 4th, 2010 at 2:24 am
How can you take the RRHoF seriously when it refuses to induct an artist of the calibre of Neil Diamond? What a joke.
January 4th, 2010 at 10:28 am
As most peoples taste in music is very subjective, obviously so is Mr. Wenner’s.
January 4th, 2010 at 1:38 pm
Neil Diamond…???you absolutely have to be totally kidding…
Are u one of those fans who wear guitar pic necklaces and froggie slippers, in honor of Neil…? that should pretty much explain part of what keeps him out of the HOF….how could anyone take ND seriously with a fanbase who behave as they do? He is not worthy of RRHOF…and then why do u all scream he should be in it and then say it isnt worth him being in? Make some sense please
January 4th, 2010 at 2:53 pm
opps wrong email in my submission
January 4th, 2010 at 3:00 pm
roger
ure bisases against wenner and the hall r well known and not necessarily wrong but u really need to get ure facts in a row
the hollies, jimmy cliff and genesis were on the ballot for the first time, not for a long time even though they could have all been nominated many times in the past
then u say that wenner can induct many people as in your list. some of whom have the needed credentials, some perhaps not, but what r u suggesting about wenner inducting people is it something we don’t really know but u really do not want to say we have heard that he overruled the voters wish of a British rock for a rap act a few years ago, but he never put an act in that was not on the ballot unless in the supporting categories such as early influence or sidemen r u suggesting the voters really dont count
changing the eligibility rule means that after the batch of acts get squeezed in for non existant tv rating, then there will be another fallow period and the eligibility rule will go fown to say 15 years, then 10,……then a 1 hit wonder in its first year since the act might get a tv rating
the rock hall is run like the pro football hall where a minimum number of people have to be inducted every year baseball sometimes has no new inductees it should be a privilege and an honor and nt a meat packing institution we all have favorites but the roc hall is an old boy’s club run by a few people to honor their favs
January 4th, 2010 at 3:26 pm
Good for Wenner for keeping out SCHLOCK like Neil Diamond. He has NOTHING TO DO with Rock and Roll music. Remember that SCHLOCK, “You don’t send me flowers” with Streisand? THAT IS NOT ROCK AND ROLL.
January 4th, 2010 at 3:33 pm
No need to induct Keith Richards twice. Everyone knows Keith IS Mr. Rock and Roll. He’s about the only rock and roll cred the Stones have left.
January 4th, 2010 at 3:34 pm
Carly Simon is not rock and roll either. She made mellow or lite fm tunes, AT BEST, never anything approaching rock except “You’re so Vain” with Mick.
January 4th, 2010 at 4:58 pm
No Diana Ross and the Supremes mentioned here. Would be nice if the Hall would graciously undue the lack of appreciation for her/their talents through the years.
Many times, many years, I’ve found the Hall’s selections to be grossly out of touch with what is in people’s hearts for music legends.
January 4th, 2010 at 10:01 pm
[...] to Roger Friedman of Showbiz 411, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is considering changing its charter that says that in order to be [...]
January 5th, 2010 at 7:09 am
Let’s start that Boyzone petition NOW
January 5th, 2010 at 8:21 am
“The only superstar who’s had a major career and influenced rock and roll is Sting.”
RUSH!!?? far more influential on Rock and Roll than Sting in 1988. And yes, Duran Duran too. You let in Madonna….
January 5th, 2010 at 8:23 am
Not only does the Rock Hall need to respect the older artists who deserve induction (if they’d seriously consider Kid Rock over KISS, Chubby Checker, Carole King or even Sting then someone should throw a spear at Jann Wenner), they need a clearer mission statement so people can quit the high-horsing about “wahh this artist isn’t rock and roll.” Rock and roll isn’t just a genre or a type of sound. It’s a cultural statement, a way of creating vigorous art that can transcend race or class. And if I’m wrong, then someone better un-induct James Brown, Miles Davis or anyone ever signed to Motown. See how well THAT gets received.
January 5th, 2010 at 11:27 am
I was actually feeling they should ADD years to the qualifications, not subtract. The latest nomination ballot already contained a couple names that simply feel too soon, namely LL Cool J and Red Hot Chili Peppers. While names like Guns N’ Roses and Nirvana are inevitable, are we seriously ready to induct Green Day? Especially when, yes, there are a lot of legends still left out that deserve first pick. We haven’t even exhausted the 80s yet, so why let in acts that didn’t come to popularity until the 90s?
January 5th, 2010 at 2:09 pm
it’s clear that rocknroll is anything that made an impact with youth culture since the dawn of Elvis Presley, everything from bubblegum pop to hip hop falls under that umbrella, and so does, for that matter,Paris Hilton, who will be inducted in the year 2525…
January 5th, 2010 at 2:31 pm
What a joke !!! There are already a ton of older acts who need to get in…..KISS and Alice Cooper should be leading the induction parade through the door!! Behind them I can name about 20 more older acts that should already be in!!! Rock hall needs to worry about going back and getting the acts in that have been screwed over for years!! Forget about jumping ahead 5 years….if they are going to be that dumb why stop at 5 years ??? If they are that worried about inducting newer unworthy acts why not throw in Lady Gaga and The Black Eyed Peas….The rock hall is a joke!! The entire board should be fired…they should not be running a garage sale let alone a hall of fame!!!
January 5th, 2010 at 3:45 pm
So I did some research to see if some artists I feel are deserving are indeed already eligible. They all were, some have for awhile. The names…Bon Jovi, Pat Benatar, Joan Jett, Styx, Journey, Foreigner, it could go on. With all these recognizable names in the fold, how could such a change possibly seem necessary?
January 5th, 2010 at 4:31 pm
If the eligiblity number to 20 to make the likes of Kid Rock,Green Day and No Doubt Hall Of Famers at the expense of Linda Ronstadt,Rush and KISS,then Jann Wenner should be beaten to a pulp!
January 5th, 2010 at 5:21 pm
Considering the thing is called ROCK AND ROLL hall of fame, how about inducting Alice Cooper, Deep Purple, Motörhead and KISS? And all the other great rock bands so far exlcuded?? There is no need for a damn 5 year jump as long as these bands are not in!
January 6th, 2010 at 8:35 am
As much as a stain Jann Wiener is on rock and roll, your “yacht rock” choices (Chicago? Carole King? Neil Sedaka???) are really not better, Roger…
January 6th, 2010 at 11:42 am
please save Neil Diamond for the old aging set who love waiting yearly to play Neil Bingo and Neilo at their annual Neil Birthday parties. the fans say it all. They are not rock and roll material, neither is ND. The biggest excitement he caused this year was hosting an ugly Christmas sweater contest, which naturally all the old women ate up like crazy.Please leave Rock and Roll up to true magical performers. Not even close, Neil.Neil fans, time for bed.
January 6th, 2010 at 2:59 pm
[...] must have been in the business at least 25 years since their first record release. According to Showbiz411, it’s now considering to cut off five years and only require [...]
January 6th, 2010 at 5:13 pm
in regard to the post above, The Supremes were inducted the same year that The Beatles and The Rolling Stones were inducted;
and Miss Ross was a no show cos she didn’t want to rub shoulders with Mary Wilson;
Martha & the Vandellas are also in, but not so the group that gave Motown it’s first ever #1 Billboard Hot 100 pop hit, The Marvelettes(they did it with “Please Mr.Postman”, which The Beatles went on to record as a cover version);
no tears for The Supremes, they’re in, but there’s no excuse for The Marvelettes not being included!
January 6th, 2010 at 9:02 pm
[...] must have been in the business at least 25 years since their first record release. According to Showbiz411, it’s now considering to cut off five years and only require [...]
January 7th, 2010 at 7:05 am
[...] to Showbiz411.com (via Spinner), Jann Wenner (who heads the hall when he isn’t busy running Rolling Stone) [...]
January 8th, 2010 at 2:49 am
Joy Division must be in the running for 2011, perhaps I’ll turn my full attention to them once Mick Ronson has been inducted into the Sidemen category this year, well here’s hoping anyhow, sign here http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/Ronno – but we’re doing a lot more than just the petition.
January 9th, 2010 at 2:50 pm
Great looking Blog! Found it through Yahoo. Just as an FYI, it didnt display right when I opened it in the Opera Interet Browser.
January 11th, 2010 at 2:09 pm
[...] Will the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame skip ahead five years? [...]
January 14th, 2010 at 7:38 am
Roger your column makes me want to puke with regards to the rock and roll hall of fame. List is “thinning” out? Are you serious? Are you aware that Rush, Journey, Boston, Chicago, Foreigner, KISS, Styx, REO Speedwagon, Def Leppard, Bon Jovi, Cheap Trick, Alice Cooper, Pantera, Iron Maiden, Yes, Asia, Joe Cocker, Deep Purple, UFO, Jethro Tull, The Cars, Moody Blues, Stevie Ray Vaughn, ELO, ELP, King Crimson, Steve Miller Band, T-Rex, Thin Lizzy, Blue Cheer, Supertramp, Roger Waters, Uriah Heep, Rainbow, Dio, Jimmy Buffett, Doobie Brothers, Wings, Steve Winwood, Nazareth, Meat Loaf, Olivia Newton John, Carly Simon, Hall and Oates, Scorpions, Roxy Music, Joe Walsh, Lou Reed, John Fogerty, Foghat, Grand Funk Railroad, Barry White, New York Dolls, Montrose, Sammy Hagar, Tom Waits, Tina Turner, Bad Company, Judas Priest, Jefferson Starship, Robert Palmer, Kansas, Alan Parsons Project, Ted Nugent, Motorhead, George Thorogood, Air Supply, Heart, Pat Benatar, Stevie Nicks, Eddie Money, Eric Johnson, Joe Satriani, Devo, Dire Straits, Joe Jackson, Saga, Toto, Whitesnake, Bryan Adams, The Knack, Survivor, Weird Al, Twisted Sister, Ratt, Simple Minds, INXS, Billy Squire, Joan Jett, Ozzy Osbourne, The Smithereens, Peter Cetera, Motley Crue, New Order, Phil Collins, Stray Cats, George Strait, Duran Duran, Ministry, Queensryche, Sheena Easton, Wham, John Waite, Robert Plant, The Fixx, Janet Jackson, Cyndi Lauper, The Smiths, Steve Vai, Steve Perry etc….I just listed enough bands to fill the rock and roll hall of fame roster for the next 2 decades and I am only going off the top of my head.
Thinning list?
Horse crap…you just don’t pay attention. All of those artists listed above have sold over 3 billion records combined world wide.
January 15th, 2010 at 9:07 pm
Actually Steve Winwood, Lou Reed, John Fogerty and Ozzy are already in via their previous bands which is appropriate when you consider that most of them may not have even achieved solo fame without those bands first (save Winwood, perhaps). As far as that list goes, I can tell you which bands should NEVER be in the RNRHOF that you listed: How about Air Supply? The Fixx? Ratt, Sheena Easton, Dio, Nazareth? Dude, what are you thinking? This is an award about impact, creativity and art. Dylan, Miles, Prince, sure… but Air Supply??? I think they are some folks that ruined RnR.
Now I could certainly back Roxy Music, Joy Division/New Order, T. Rex (for sure) and my all time favs, Mott the Hoople.
But Olivia Newton John?
Jeez…
BTW, you left off Rick Springfield!
January 16th, 2010 at 4:40 pm
Are you kidding me? Jan Wenner is an idiot. The number great nominee’s for the R&R HOF has thinned? That’s because Wenner and the current Board of Directors have nominated and inducted all their hero’s that they feel nobody good is left. I have a problem with the R&R HOF in that sometimes they wait to long. You have band such as Deep Purple that have been eligible since 1993 and should have been put in while Richie Blackmore and the rest of DP were getting along. Then you the band Boston which could have been inducted since 2001. Not that Boston can’t still be inducted one day, but with the death of singer Brad Delp it is ALMOST pointless.
Many of these postings have been right that Wenner and other members of the board, or should I say bored? Should be replaced. A few postings above mine a guy named Doug put up the names of a whole bunch of band or solo artists that have long been eligible. Wenners excuse is that they couldn’t get the celebration dinner to sell out. I think personally he’s full of shit. There’s a dirty little secret that I’ve noticed. Ahmet Ertegun who founded Atlantic Records which later became part of Warner Bros records. If you look with exception of the Motown artists and some music artists from Europe. At some point many of the artists were at some point in their careers with either Atlantic and some division label of Warner Bros. records. This is why many groups like Jethro Tull, Rush and Judas Priest to name a few have never been given a nomination. This is why Wenner and the board want to change the rules. Green Day, Kid Rock and Simply Red all on record labels under the Warner Bros Records at some point in their career.
January 20th, 2010 at 6:10 am
Wow, Deanne; for a not-fan, you sure know a lot about Neil Diamond fans’ parties! I guess you are thinking ill of your mother or Granny, because you are clearly too young to know of ND’s early R&R its (e.g., “Cherry, Cherry”).
But to the major topic: The POINT—or at least what used to be the point—of the R&RHoF was to induct INFLUENTIAL Pop musicians, and to ignore the ridiculous compartmentalizing of genres the way modern CC radio does (only young’uns think “Rock and Roll” means, to the exclusion of other genres, “heavy metal”).
Thus, Carole King is way past due, as are…well, see “Doug” at 7:38 a.m.
January 20th, 2010 at 9:33 am
It is a travesty that the legendary E Street Band is not yet inducted due to some idiotic “technicality.” Springsteen is in, but not the Band.
Dumb!!!!!!!
January 21st, 2010 at 4:51 am
What Dave said on January 4th:
“Roger your column makes me want to puke with regards to the rock and roll hall of fame. List is “thinning” out? Are you serious? Are you aware that Rush, Journey, Boston, Chicago, Foreigner, KISS, Styx, REO Speedwagon, Def Leppard, Bon Jovi, Cheap Trick, Alice Cooper, Pantera, Iron Maiden, Yes, Asia, Joe Cocker, Deep Purple, UFO, Jethro Tull, The Cars, Moody Blues, Stevie Ray Vaughn, ELO, ELP, King Crimson, Steve Miller Band, T-Rex, Thin Lizzy, Blue Cheer, Supertramp, Roger Waters, Uriah Heep, Rainbow, Dio, Jimmy Buffett, Doobie Brothers, Wings, Steve Winwood, Nazareth, Meat Loaf, Olivia Newton John, Carly Simon, Hall and Oates, Scorpions, Roxy Music, Joe Walsh, Lou Reed, John Fogerty, Foghat, Grand Funk Railroad, Barry White, New York Dolls, Montrose, Sammy Hagar, Tom Waits, Tina Turner, Bad Company, Judas Priest, Jefferson Starship, Robert Palmer, Kansas, Alan Parsons Project, Ted Nugent, Motorhead, George Thorogood, Air Supply, Heart, Pat Benatar, Stevie Nicks, Eddie Money, Eric Johnson, Joe Satriani, Devo, Dire Straits, Joe Jackson, Saga, Toto, Whitesnake, Bryan Adams, The Knack, Survivor, Weird Al, Twisted Sister, Ratt, Simple Minds, INXS, Billy Squire, Joan Jett, Ozzy Osbourne, The Smithereens, Peter Cetera, Motley Crue, New Order, Phil Collins, Stray Cats, George Strait, Duran Duran, Ministry, Queensryche, Sheena Easton, Wham, John Waite, Robert Plant, The Fixx, Janet Jackson, Cyndi Lauper, The Smiths, Steve Vai, Steve Perry etc….I just listed enough bands to fill the rock and roll hall of fame roster for the next 2 decades and I am only going off the top of my head.
Thinning list?
Horse crap…you just don’t pay attention. All of those artists listed above have sold over 3 billion records combined world wide.”
I quit buying Rolling Stone YEARS and YEARS ago. If I wanted to read about Rock and Roll I had Creem and, to a lesser extent, Circus. RS was more politics (music, gov’t, et al) and I didn’t care… And now that I do, RS is on the opposite spectrum. And Jann Wenner ran ALL of it.
January 21st, 2010 at 3:44 pm
THE SMITHS YOU IDIOTS!
January 24th, 2010 at 6:37 pm
Rush
Yes
Marillion
Chicago
Moody Blues
And all the others listed by “Browncoat”.
At least Genesis is getting in.
Jann Wenner – are you listening? Guess not – since you have done such a great job with the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Why don’t you just turn over the reins to someone who really understands the wide and all encompassing definition of Rock and Roll?
February 23rd, 2010 at 2:40 pm
There is a petition on facebook to get Delaney Bramlett Into R % R H of Fame..He gave Clapton the confidence to sing,taught George how to play slide,mentored too many to list..Leon Russell,Billy Preston,Rita CoolidgeDave Mason,Duane Allman,King Curtis,Tina Turner….why Mr.Wenner are Delaney & Bonnie not in…He was eligible a long time ago..He also played on “Tequilla”….The site is~~~~Delaney Bramlett Deserves Induction to The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame~~~Thank you
March 15th, 2010 at 10:51 pm
If the Rock Hall changes the rules, they are essentially admitting that they are refusing to recognize the underground 1980s that carried the torch of rock excellence 25 years ago. Joy Division/New Order, The Smiths, Sonic Youth, the Replacements, and the Pixies are all absolute no-brainers. A “hall of fame” ignorant enough to exclude at least these acts doesn’t deserve the name.
March 16th, 2010 at 8:33 am
What about Roxy Music? One of the top, most influential bands of the 70s. Influenced most “New Wave” bands of the 80s. David Bowie changed from “Ziggy” to “Station to Station” because of Bryan Ferry. America was out of touch in the 70s with terrible bands like BTO instead of following Roxy like in Europe. By the time America caught up in the 80s, Avalon was a nice album but was way past the unique 70s albums that were unbelieveable.
May 5th, 2010 at 5:47 pm
ive seen it all im 55yrs old amusiciannow asinger /songwriter i started in early 60s in all the copy bands i had to play i know more about rock n roll then anyone tryin to make it in the music buisnesstoday interms of rock and roll i learned how to rock from guys like roy orbison roy rogers and bobby darin ive played the parts all to well growin up as akid musicianles paul and jan and dean in spired me to play rock and roll the trogss wild thing started it all then the arrows with eric clapton next i saw greasers change from short hair to long hippie hair i even grew my hair down past my shoulders and wore awig in high school class of 72im sick of it all i sang in uriah heep and deep purple joe walsh and i sang better then all theseguys i think who forgot there words to there own songs.so if you wantmy opinion go back to the 70s where you left off and give theses bands and singers there duethese are the only true rockersoops even elvisdid some of there chourds and songs so get the story and now you got the truth, ive lived it and been there on stage doin it now im 55 and im waiyting for buddy love and that 70s band thats me to put it to-getherlike till i die im gonna rockps asinger song writer in cleveland any lead and bass and drummers feel like i do call me 216 206 1412 lets jam call mestii tryen to make itto the hall of fame like now pleasedo it .get out there.
May 14th, 2010 at 10:35 pm
WHHHHHHHHHYYYYYYYYYYYYYY no NEIL DTAMOND??????ASre you idiots anti semitic?
May 17th, 2010 at 8:52 am
DURAN DURAN
Like them or not,you can’t deny the influence The Fab 5 had during the eighties. These guys revolutionized music merging punk,rock,and dance together and they also are the true pioneers of the music video age. Let’s get them into the hall for all the great songs and awesome concerts they brought us during heir 32 years of existence (and still going….could the fab 5 also be the next Rolling Stones???).
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/duran-duran-to-the-rock-hall-of-fame
June 27th, 2010 at 11:05 pm
What about The Fleetwoods the first group from the NW to have to nationally charted hits in 1959?
July 19th, 2010 at 3:38 pm
How About Ratt,Winger,Cinderella,Poison, Whitesnake well people say whitesnake is overrated they are not jealous people. WhiteSnake cinderella deserve to be in the Hof.
July 19th, 2010 at 10:38 pm
How About Ratt,Winger,Cinderella,Poison, Whitesnake well people say whitesnake is overrated they are not jealous people. WhiteSnake cinderella deserve to be in the Hof.