CantonRep
The Farr Side: Heart of Rock and Roll Hall
By David Farr
10/10/2012
Each year, I’m usually geeked to learn who made the cut when the nominees are announced for the Rock Hall of Fame. That is, until they’re made known. Then I’m usually miffed.
The term “rock ”˜n’ roll” means different things to different people, thus we have the class of 2013 nominees. They include first-timers Rush, Deep Purple, NWA, Public Enemy, Albert King, The Marvelettes and Procol Harum, along with the previously nominated Chic, Heart, Donna Summer, Kraftwerk, Joan Jett & The Blackhearts, Randy Newman, Paul Butterfield Blues Band and The Meters.
Before I go further, I must say: How are Ann and Nancy Wilson of Heart not already in the Hall of Fame? That makes no sense to me.
You mean to tell me the rockin’ sisters who belted out “Barracuda,” “Crazy On You,” “What About Love,” and “Alone” have been up for the honor before but weren’t inducted?
I find it necessary to point out rules of eligiblity. Artists must have released works at least 25 years prior to being on the ballot. This year’s nominees would have had to release their first single in 1987 or earlier.
Heart has been making awesome music since the mid-’70s, yet they’ve not made the cut when other acts such as Public Enemy, whose first release came in 1987.
Of the first-time nominees, I can see Rush making it in. Why not? This Canadian band has recorded more than 20 albums and toured almost non-stop since its inception in the early ”˜70s.
Who isn’t a fan of “a modern day warrior, a mean mean stride, today’s Tom Sawyer, mean mean pride”? The trio deserves to be in the Rock Hall.
I also can see The Marvelettes going in. Without groups like The Marvelettes and artists like Albert King we wouldn’t have had so many of the others to come afterward.
Although there are 15 nominated for the class of 2013, only five will be inducted. So who else is deserving? I’m inclined to say Donna Summer, not because she died this year, either. As Queen of Disco, some may argue her relevance to rock, but let’s not forget she was the first female to receive a Grammy for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance for “Hot Stuff.”
I’m happy Joan Jett is nominated, but also perplexed that Pat Benatar was not. I figured Benatar would have made it first.
A more interesting storyline is not who was nominated but who hasn’t been nominated or already inducted.
Bon Jovi, Chicago, REO Speedwagon, Foreigner, Def Leppard and Journey have been overlooked, as well as Cyndi Lauper, Carly Simon, Bette Midler, John Mellencamp and Sammy Hagar. I could go on forever naming names.
This time, fans can have a say in who gets a much deserved place in the house that Rock built. From now through Dec. 5, fans can vote at several sites including www.rockhall.com/vote.
The top five will become part of a special fans’ ballot that will be counted alongside the international voting body of more than 600 artists, historians and industry members.
I’ll keep my fingers crossed for Heart.
David T. Farr is a Sturgis, Mich., Journal correspondent. Email him at farrboy@hotmail.com. You can also find The Farr Side on Facebook.
Related articles
