Over the years there has been a wealth of criticism directed at the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, based in Cleveland. They are sure to get more today. Out of a list of 15 possible nominees that was released in September by the hall, Tom Waits, Neil Diamond, Alice Cooper, Dr. John, and Darlene Love all made it. The 6 artists will be officially inducted during the ceremony in March. All of them are amazing musicians and deserve their induction, but what is news today is not who will be inducted but rather, who won’t. New Jersey 80’s rock group Bon Jovi headed by the lead singer who bares its name was announced as a possible candidate for induction, but in a surprising turn of events, was snubbed when it mattered. Nobody seems to understand why.
I’m no expert on rock and roll, so the best I can do is give you my mildly researched take. And seeing as how I have a blog, you’re gonna listen. What seems to be universal about the concept of a Hall of Fame is induction is rewarded to people who have been great influences within the particular spectrum the hall covers. “Fame” is also a shortened version of the word famous and therefore refers to how well-known and popular among the people this particular musician (in this case) was.
So I’ll ask you a series of questions: When is the last time you went to a wedding and didn’t hear the band rocking the fudge out to “Livin On A Prayer” and every man, woman, and child singing along? When’s the last time you went to a bar and didn’t here at least one Bon Jovi song or went to a club and didn’t here a techno remix of one? What English-speaking American do you know that couldn’t name a Bon Jovi song? Can you get Bon Jovi tickets? How much are they? Age/Sex/Location? Forget that last one, but if any of the answers to the previous questions weren’t hard evidence that Bon Jovi is worthy of being in a Hall Of Fame, then write your own blog because I would love to read it. 80’s music, for the most part, is saved for humorous nostalgia and being ripped off by hipster bands, but to this day Bon Jovi gets a room pumped like no other, and that should be good enough for any music Hall Of Fame, let alone the Rock And Roll one.
The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame is no stranger to criticism and controversy. They have been accused of everything from inducting too many musicians (seems strange today), and overlooking acts based on their own taste rather than the entire rock world. They have also been accused of ignoring specific genres. A good example of this is Progressive Rock or “Prog Rock” which is highlighted by the Hall’s decision not to induct Rush, a band that basically pioneered the movement, has one of the greatest drummers of all time in Neil Peart, and is easily as popular as any of the groups inducted today. Famously in 2006, The Sex Pistols refused to attend their induction ceremony calling the Hall a “piss stain”. After today that doesn’t seem too ridiculous a characterization.
