The highly-esteemed, highly-rightly-dissed Rock Hall of Fame have released their ballot finalists this year, with the inductees announced in December.

the Beastie Boys
Neil Diamond
Alice Cooper
Bon Jovi
Donovan
Tom Waits
LL Cool J
Dr. John
the J. Geils Band
Darlene Love
Laura Nyro
Donna Summer
Joe Tex
Chuck Willis.

Random Thoughts:

(1) Alice Cooper shoulda been inducted years ago.
(2) As do KISS, who get snubbed again! Haha! No really that's...WTF?
(3) Beastie Boys deserve it, but they won't get in again.
(4) Figured those assholes would have elected Neil Diamond earlier. Not that I give a shit about him, but he's one of those people you figure woulda been there earlier.
(5) Hell yes to Tom Waits.

http://new.music.yahoo.com/blogs/stopthe...-straight-year/

I'm not a huge KISS fan but I'm curious other than "Strutter" and "God of Thunder" what gets KISS into the HOF? I haven't heard a lot of their stuff...

I used to be a huge Kiss fan as a kid. What makes them Hall worthy is not their music in and of itself. They really were the first hard rock band to put on a mammoth stage show, complete with pyrotechnics and a spectacular visual presence. Kiss was the blueprint for the massive stage shows later adapted by Van Halen, Motley Crue, Scorpions, Def Leppard, and Bon Jovi (just to name a few).

In 1976, Gene Simmons financed the demo for the then-unknown Van Halen, which lead to the latter's first record deal. In their later years, Kiss brought Motley Crue and Bon Jovi on as opening acts during their tours.

Lastly, the Kiss "Alive!" record was one of the most successful live albums of the past 30 years. It was their breakthrough which lead to a huge audience, which up until "Alive's" release, Kiss had a large cult following based less on their first three albums but almost entirely on their bombastic live show. From 1975-1978, Kiss was one of the most popular and financially successful groups of its time. They re-created a career revival when the four original members reunited between 1996-2000 and toured together. Their 1996 Kiss and Make Up Tour was the most profitable of the year.

Here's a quick sample of their spectacular live show from 1977:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e83wPKqh47E&feature=related

I think the fact that Gene Simmons tries to merchandise everything and anything (i.e. Kiss Koffin, Kiss Kondoms) has negatively impacted Kiss' HOF candidacy.

I don't really know the criteria is used other than the longevity of the inductee (25 years?). I'm not a fan of several, don't even know a couple (Nora Nyro, Chuck Willis).

I too would have thought Alice Cooper should have been years ago, as well as J. Geils, Neil Diamond. Gosh and Donovan & Darlene Love too. They've been around forever.

As far as Kiss goes, I can't say I've been a fan (although I don't dislike them). I guess I'd agree that if they were inducted for anything it probably would be for their shows. Years ago I was in L.A. showing my family around and we stopped at the Hard Rock Cafe. The line was huge and we just assumed there was a wait because it was a popular place. When we walked in we saw statues of KISS (and others). I still didn't think much of it. I mean, we were in the Hard Rock. As we were eating they introduced, for our entertainment none other than KISS. My niece jumped up all excited and grabbed her camera.

My poor parents were sitting right by the speakers as they blasted the music. The waitress came to the table to give them earplugs. Needless to say, my parents didn't even know who KISS was. My father still laughs and says, "well, at least I'm glad I got to see KISS."

TIS

People either love Neil Diamond or hate him, but regardless he belongs in the Hall. I thought Cooper was more of a novelty act and am surprised he is in contention. Ditto for Kiss.

Do you think Neil Diamond will thank "E.T." during his induction speech?

I agree - Cooper did not have the longevity of Kiss, although their "shock rock" inspiration was inspired in part by Alice Cooper and the New York Dolls.

There was an unusual story about Kiss. They played at sold-out Dodger Stadium on Halloween 1998. After the show, they were still in full costume while being driven back to their hotel. There was so much gridlock that they got out and walked. Since it was Halloween, not many people even game them a second glance.

Goombah, I just read "Look Me In The Eye". It's the autobiography of John Elder Robinson, brother of author Augustin Burrroughs ("Running With Scissors"). He was diagnosed with Asperger's as an adult, but suffered for years as that boy who had no place in society.

He was a genius with electronics and explosives, though, and he devised many of the KISS pyrotechnics. His stories of touring with the band and blowing up Ace's Les Paul's are probably something you would enjoy. Most of the time, his "lab" consisted of the other bed in his hotel room. Before John invented the smoking guitars and explosions that made KISS famous (implementing ideas of Ace's), it truly was unheard of.

You know, I never gave it a second thought about Neil Diamond being in the R&R HOF until some comments here AND as I was listening to the radio this morning where they are having a "call-in" to see if he should be.

I realize he has many (if not mostly) ballads but in his day, and when I was young teen he definitely was a top forty favorite and played only on the R&R stations. My dad always laughed and said he "mumbled" his words, which I found amazing since I loved his deep clear voice. NOW, my dad admits he really isn't that bad.

His first song was Solitary Man (a ballad) but his first big hit was Rock, Cherry Cherry Also, Thank The Lord For The Nightime and don't forget "Brother Love's Traveling Salvation Show", one of my favorites. Perhaps bubblegum music, but Rock nonetheless. Oh, and Neil is a songwriter for many artists including The Monkees (I'm A Believer, to name one), if writing counts. Oh, and I can't say I was one of them, but back in the day it was not unusual for a teenage girl to have his picture hanging in her room.

His voice isn't as crisp today, I'm guessing due to age. However, I had the privilege of seeing him in person in the late 60's at a local college in Grand Rapids. He was awesome.

Oh, and FWIW, listening to the radio poll which admittedly is an Oldie station (then again, wouldn't those who actually remember be credible?), so far 63 percent say he IS considered R&R.

Interesting discussion though. I never ever would have questioned or thought about this until hearing the backlash.

TIS

Wait a minute...Neil Diamond is rock and roll?

Boy, I must be old. Not that I don't "get" the other side of this, cause I see what you mean, BUT I'm so surprised this is even an issue. I never really thought when I woke up this morning that I'd actually be defending Neil Diamond of all people.

What about other inductees like: The Righteous Brothers, Roy Orbison, Abba, Simon & Garfunkel, Little Anthony???? Where exactly is the line as far as R&R? I see even Johnny Cash made it. Come on, my old peers, chime in.


TIS

Perhaps it should be renamed the "Popular Music Hall of Fame."

The other posts have made some valid points - some of the inductees are not coming from the "rock" genre. Come to think of it, isn't Run DMC in the HOF? They have as much similarity to "rock" music as Metallica is does to "country."

Madonna is in the Rock Hall of Fame so like you say it probably should be just popular music. But "rock" is so broad anyway I don't know where the lines are....probably somewhere right around Neil Diamond... (just kidding all you Neil Diamond fans...)

In the comment section of the yahoo link I saw this and thought it was funny.

And why hasn't Rush been inducted? Perhaps it's because of the combination of pseudo-intellectual lyrics, overly-busy drumming and guitar playing, and Geddy Lee's 'my balls were crushed' voice and 'play as many notes as possible' bass playing. A trainwreck.

I think I'm gonna buy Lilo Neil Diamonds Greatest Hits for his birthday, so he can hear some real R&R.

TIS

Coming to a town near you in June 2011!!!!!

Mad, Bad and Dangerous to Know: Neil Diamond, Neil Sedaka and Barry Manilow

Together again for the first time these titans of rock perform all their greatest hits and several new ones. Bring your earplugs and hide your daughters-these bad boys play by their own rules!!!

Ha ha ha ha!!!! It's gonna get wild Lilo!!! Don't know if you can hang with such a group.



TIS

I heard they do lines of Metamucil right off the top of the piano!

I agree but if Neil belongs in there, then SO does Barry Manilow. Laugh it you like, but Manilow made some great music during the 70's & 80's and has continued to perform and record to this day. (Not looking to terrific, though...from photos it seems he had some pretty lousy facework done.)

That said...unless it's already happened and I missed it, I am awaiting the R&RHOF recognition of Stevie Nicks. She deserves induction on her own, as a solo artist not just with Fleetwood Mac.

Apple

Rock 'n Roll HOF has a very wiiiiiiiiiiiiiide definition, like those crazy rockers Simon and Garfunkel, so let them have their fun. I like the choice of Donovan, definetly not a "rocker" but he had a major influence on the folkie scene in the 60's. (The call me(?) Mellow Yellow) It's funny how different organizations define "Hall of Fame". Baseball is all about stacking up statistics via longevity. Not sure what the R&R criteria is.

Neil Diamond belongs. I like Alice Cooper a good bit, but if the Hall is to induct the cream of the crop, I think he needs to buy a ticket to get inside.

Tom Waits is NOT in the Rock'n'Roll Hall of Fame???
What are you doing to your great artists?

Wow, I'm a huge Donovan fan so Im really happy he's being considered. Donovan never gets enough credit for the music he wrote or the effect that he had on psychedelic folk music so that a really nice gesture from the rock n roll hall of fame.

LL Cool J? Really? Give me a break. The effect that he's had on music is so ridiculously minimal compared to bands not nominated, like KISS. What a Joke.

What effect did they have?

Kiss' 1976 "Destroyer Tour" is one of the most kick-ass events in Rock history (not that I'm old enough to remember) but so I've heard

Danito,

KISS, in my opinion, is not an exceptional musical act. Though I do believe that they are the masters of 'arena rock' (whatever that is), I've never been a big fan of theirs. However, I think it would be hard to argue that they haven't played a massive role in the evolution of the live show; transforming a gig into a concert, a performance.

Kiss's live album 'Alive!' has also left its mark on music history. Besides being one of the biggest selling live albums of all time, it re-popularized the live album in the mid 70's.

Regardless of your feelings on their music, you have to give them credit for being the most recognizable band in the world!

2010 Rock n Roll HOF Inductees

Neil Diamond
Alice Cooper
Dr. John
Darlene Love
Tom Waits

http://ca.topmodel.yahoo.com/s/capress/101214/entertainment/us_rock_hall_of_fame

I was glad to see Neil Diamond get in.

With the exception of Tom Waits, who I am not that familiar with, I like them all.




TIS