October 31, 2006 by A.S. Van Dorston

And the nominees are: Van Halen, R.E.M., The Stooges, Patti Smith, Chic, Joe Tex, the Dave Clark Five, Grandmaster Flash, and the Ronettes.

Six weeks later than usual, only nine artists were nominated instead of the usual fifteen. The R&R Hall of Fame Foundation reduced the size of its nominating committee, currently chaired by Bruce Springsteen’s manager Jon Landau, to streamline the process. Hopefully they got rid of the ones who are probably too old to care anymore. The nominees certainly seem to reflect that. While there are usually six or seven actually inducted, I’m not sure how many of the nine will be. We’ll find out in December. Ballots are being mailed to an international pool of voters, including record company executives and previous inductees.

I certainly hope The Stooges, responsible for the greatest rock album ever made, make it. Patti Smith too. Of course, the usual reaction every year is a colossal amount of pissing and moaning about everyone’s favorite bands who were left out. A few years back when they made some questionable choices, I was one of them. But as long as the choices they are making are solid, why whine about it? In comparison to, say, the Grammys, the R&RHOF committee has exquisite taste. So what if not every deserving artist gets nominated? It may end up being some stupid plaques and artifacts for tourists to gawk at in a museum, but at least the ceremonies themselves are a celebration of rock ‘n’ roll. I’ve enjoyed watching a few of them in recent years (last year had Metallica, eligible for 2008, doing awesome Black Sabbath covers, Blondie and Lynyrd Skynyrd, Sex Pistols were no show, but sent in a hilarious letter).

The Foundation’s nominating committee was founded in 1983, composed of “rock and roll historians.” It’s difficult to find out who exactly these people are, but they’re most likely middle aged white guys who wrote books about music. Jann Wenner is one of the founders, along with Dave Marsh. So the question is, will younger members be invited to join the committee or the pool of voters? Will there be Pitchfork/Stylus writers and MOGgers lurking amongst them? As more artists from the ‘80s become eligible, it’ll be a real culture clash of generations. Will they induct Mission of Burma, The Replacements, Hüsker Dü, The Minutemen, X, Sonic Youth, The English Beat, The Cure or The Jam? I think a few of them might, along with other previously passed-over artists like King Crimson, Captain Beefheart, Zombies, Small Faces, Tom Waits, Tim Buckley, MC5 , Big Star, Modern Lovers, etc. I previously wrote part of this as a comment a couple months back on someone’s post, and I predicted the Stooges and Patti Smith. Go go pre-punk pioneers!

With the Stooges reunited and slithering about Chicago as I write this, recording a new album with Steve Albini, you know the ceremony next spring will be awesome. Patti Smith, who just performed at the final night of CBGB ’s should also be great. And don’t forget the inevitable Diamond Dave reunion with Van Halen, aw yea.

Posted in: Rants