Rock and Roll Hall of Fame- Induct These Women: Bette Midler

Inspirer
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame- Induct These Women: Bette Midler
By Marcelina Hardy | January 9, 2017

In the world of rock and roll, there aren’t too many people who have been able to capture the essence of the Rock ‘n’ Roll spirit quite like Bette Midler. This is why we believe it’s a shame she has never been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Bette Midler is a successful singer and songwriter, along with being an actress, comedian, and film producer. With 14 studio albums as a solo artist, she’s been able to make the record charts with, “The Rose,” “Wind Beneath My Wings,” “Do You Want to Dance,” “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy,” and “From a Distance.”

During her career, Midler has received three Grammy Awards. four Golden Globes, three Emmy Awards, and a Tony Award. Out of the 35 million records she’s sold worldwide, she’s achieved multiple gold, platinum, and multi-platinum albums.

Bette Midler has done her fair share of favors in helping her fellow rock and roll artists. In 2011, she inducted Darlene Love, and in 2012, Laura Nyro. What about Midler? The favor has not been returned.

Terry Stewart, President of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum has said this about nominations and inductees:

“The entire nomination and induction process is coordinated by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation in New York City. Individuals can be inducted if they fit into one of the four categories-performer, early influence, non-performer, and side-men. The only formal criteria for the performance category is that an artist has to have had their first record 25 years ago. That said, candidates are reviewed and discussed relative to their impact on this music that we broadly call rock and roll. The innovation and influence of these artists is also critical. Gold records, number one hits, and million sellers are really not appropriate standards for evaluation.”

There you have it. Fame from the people that matter the most – the fans – simply doesn’t matter to the Nominating Committee. So, what is it that the members in the committee care about?

“Artists become eligible for induction 25 years after the release of their first record. Criteria include the influence and significance of the artists’ contributions to the development and perpetuation of rock and roll.”

The generality of this criteria enables the committee to vote on whomever they believe fits into the mold. The problem is that no one truly knows what the mold is.

So, our heart goes out to Bette Midler, and many of the other female Rock and Roll legends of our time. While they may never make the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, they will always be known for their contribution to the spirit of rock and roll in the eyes of the millions who adore them.