In 2015, Green Day was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Till this time, I'm still not sure why when so many other deserving acts had better resumes. Don't get me wrong. I don't hate the band. Perfectly serviceable in the post grunge era and had a fine pseudo-punk sound (though I will never agree with any idea of "pop punk" - those two things do not go together.) They are a good band and maybe they were inducted because the HoF wanted to get better views, but they did not deserve it when compared to so many others over the years.
I spent more than a few hours over many weeks with some friends in 2015 compiling a list of 100 bands (artists) that deserved it far more than Green Day and had yet to see their induction. Today I revisit that list after the latest class was announced. Here is where we stand:
[Note this list is in no particular order and those since inducted show the year after 2015]
Jethro Tull
Yes (inducted in 2017)
Soundgarden
Eurythmics (inducted in 2022)
The Cure (inducted in 2019)
The Smiths
The Zombies (inducted in 2019)
Mott the Hoople
Adrien Belew
The Cars (inducted in 2018)
Blue Oyster Cult
UFO
Deep Purple (inducted in 2016)
Iron Maiden
Iggy Pop
Willie Nelson
Warren Zevon
Phil Collins
Graham Parker
Townes Van Zandt
Steve Earle
Emmie Lou Harris
Herbie Hancock
Judas Priest (inducted in 2022)
The Misfits
Dead Kennedys
Motorhead
Ozzy Osborne
Duane Allman
Bjork
Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds
Joy Division
MC5
King Crimson
David Crosby
Stephen Stills
Dire Straights (inducted in 2018)
The Replacements
Indigo Girls
Huey Lewis and the News
Janes Addiction
Journey (inducted in 2017)
Meatloaf
Sinead O'Connor
Harry Nilsson
New York Dolls
Tears for Fears
XTC
Jeff Buckley
The Pogues
Ted Nudgent
Henry Rollins
Peter Frampton
Ministry
Steppenwolf
NWA (inducted in 2016)
Joe Cocker
Chicago (inducted in 2016)
The Doobie Brothers (inducted 2020)
Black Flag
Roxy Music (inducted in 2019)
New Order
Steve Miller Band (inducted in 2016)
The Moody Blues (inducted in 2018)
Cheap Trick (inducted in 2016)
Def Leppard (inducted in 2019)
X
John Lydon
Sonic Youth
Pat Benatar (inducted in 2022)
LL Cool J (inducted in 2021)
Pavement
Rage Against the Machine
Thin Lizzy
The Commodores
ELO (inducted in 2017)
Jeff Lynne
Devo
Squeeze
Slayer
Anthrax
Roky Erickson
B-52s
Tina Turner (inducted in 2021)
Blind Faith
Steve Winwood
Annie Lennox
Robert Palmer
Nine Inch Nails (inducted in 2020)
Procul Harem
The Germs
The Go Gos (inducted in 2021)
Tommy James and the Shondells
Danzig
Graham Parsons
Sting
Rick James
Husker Du
Tori Amos
This year of 2022 marks somewhat of a personal vindication as Eurythmics FINALLY gain entry (and I still think Annie Lennox deserves it on her own as well as Dave Stewart). Too long in coming, if you ask me. We did not even have Duran Duran on the list, but I have no issue at all with that selection. I am honestly surprised that Carly Simon was not already in there and if Dolly Parton gets in (despite her public pronouncement that she is not worthy of such an honor) then why not Willie Nelson? Interesting to me that Lionel Ritchie gets in without his group The Commodores having been inducted. Wrong! Whose songs do you remember more? And Eminem gets in before Chris Cornell and Soundgarden (much good it would do for Chris at this late date.)
It's a good class all things considered, righting some wrongs. But so many more remain. The aforementioned Soundgarden to be sure. Jethro Tull. Iggy Pop. Warren Zevon. Motorhead. King Crimson. Indigo Girls. Harry Nilsson. Procul Harem. Rick James. Tommy James and the Shondells. These are but a few of the bands/artists that should already be there and certainly before Green Day ever lightened their doors. Now that Eurythmics is in, my new favorite champion is Iron Maiden surprisingly enough. Not much of a metal guy, but this seems egregious after the acts already inducted. Also would like to finally see Roky Erickson and/or 13th Floor Elevators in there. And hope upon hope, someone realizes how great Thin Lizzy was. Also we never had Boston on the list, but they likely deserve it too.
In 7 years, 23 of these bands/artists have been finally given their due. AFTER Green Day. I am keeping a running tally and will continue to do so until these folks finally get their deserved day. I'm sure that there are many others that I and my friends forgot or failed to mention. Please feel free to offer your own suggestions in the comments. You need not complain about the Hall itself because that is a given. Since its inception in Cleveland, they have become worse and worse about who gets in and especially why. A Hall of Fame is itself a subjective thing these days and the music industry is one of the worst offenders. But I love music and would like to see those I love honored. I'm keeping tabs and will continue to do so. Billie Joe Armstrong has his when so many others are so much more deserving. I am never going to let that go. That is all.
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