The next Rock and Roll Hall of Fame class?

[eplovejoy]

For the next group of inductees, first-time contenders include Elvis Costello and the Attractions, The Police, The Clash and ABBA.

Any act that released its first record more than 25 years ago is eligible, so The Sex Pistols are eligible for the second year.

Predictions?

If you could anoint a performer or a band, who would it be?

[brian_igo]

The R&R Hall of Fame is wholly a creation of the baby boomer generation. They've done an admirable job of honoring the lesser-known regional and blues artists that made rock possible. But its going to be interesting to see how they respond to the pioneers that rebelled against everything they created and stood for.

All of the seminal punk bands of the seventies and early eighties are going to become eligible in the next few years, if they aren't already. Husker Du, Black Flag, Meat Puppets, Dead Kennedys, Butthole Surfers, Replacements and the Smiths were all trememdously influential. None are even being mentioned as possible nominees. (Nor are rap pioneers like Grandmaster Flash and Kurtis Blow.)

Anyway, the Police are a lock just on the strength of Sting's solo career. ABBA has no business being inducted. But I don't get the appeal of the ABBA musical, either, so what do I know? Elvis Costello will be the safe alternative/indie vote, which means the Clash will get jammed just like the Sex Pistols did last year.

And I'd annoint Black Flag just to see Henry Rollins destroy the ****in place.


Brian

[Joubert[$]]

Is it limited to three? If so, I see Costello not making it? If not, all four probably will. ABBA's chart success in the early 1970s will have them inducted, to say nothing of what they did worldwide. There's tens of millions of records out there that someone bought. I suspect that The Clash get in on the basis of influence before Costello, so if there are only three in, they go. Plus, Costello's career tanked after the incident with Stephen Stills over the Ray Charles comments.

I wouldn't mind seeing The Smiths and Dead Kennedys eventually. They're not eligible yet, are they? Please God, we're not that old.

After hearing about his imminent demise and the fact that he's not in the H.O.F, I'd fast-track Warren Zevon.

[eplovejoy]

Should have included this the first time:

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's site

Apparently there is no set number of acts that can be inducted each year. The most was 15 performers in 1987, the least was five in 1988. (The Hall also inducts in the following categories: "early influences"; "lifetime achievement"; "non-performers [including record label executives and DJs]; and "sidemen".)

The most rebellious act inducted so far is probably The Ramones, inducted in 2002.

As for the acts that have been mentioned so far, here is my informal and perhaps inaccurate list. Acts can be inducted 25 years after their first release, which I think means 1978 for members of the class of 2003. I don't know if singles count, so I've limited this to albums and, in the case of the Butthole Surfers, EPs.

Warren Zevon is eligible. Wanted Dead or Alive was released in 1970.

The following are not eligible yet:

Kurtis Blow: The Breaks was released in 1979. (Acts that have influenced rappers and are inducted include Parliament-Funkadelic and Curtis Mayfield.)

Dead Kennedys: Fresh Fruit for Rotten Vegetables was released in 1980. I was surprised to learn that The Dead Kennedys are still touring.

Black Flag: Damaged was released in 1981.

The Replacements: Sorry Ma, Forgot to Take out the Trash was released in 1981.

Meat Puppets: self-titled album was released in 1981.

Husker Du: Land Speed Record was released in 1982.

Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five: Greatest Messages was released in 1983. Flash didn't released a solo work until later, so the group will be eligible before he is.

Butthole Surfers: self-titled EP was released in 1983. Their first album was in 1984.

The Smiths: self-titled album was released in 1984. Morrissey won't be eligible as a solo act until later.

[Joubert[$]]

I like File's idea. It's important for folks to reach out to those who are terminal and provide that closure. I sure as hell would hate to see Zevon honored six years after his death.

[eplovejoy]

The Class of 2003 (the Hall's 18th group of honorees) that will inducted on March 10, 2003 is:

AC/DC
The Clash
Elvis Costello and the Attractions
The Police
The Righteous Brothers (Bill Medley and Bobby Hatfield)

[brian_igo]

ABBA didn't get in and The Clash did? There is a God!!!

And, umm, how did we miss AC/DC in our predicitions?



Brian