The OtherArena

[Fong]

Nominees were announced a while ago. Again, up to five can be elected, and all artists had to have their first official release before Dec. 31, 1982:

Madonna*
Beastie Boys*
Afrika Bambaataa
Dave Clark Five
Leonard Cohen
Donna Summer
John Mellencamp
The Ventures
Chic

* - first appearance on ballot

Seems like a no-brainer that Madonna and the Beasties are going in. Madonna's induction will once again spur that debate whether the HOF recognizes "rock and roll", or is it just a way to throw in every pop star who sells a certain number of records. Dave Clark Five didn't get in last year, and I suppose that will be rectified this year.

The others? Not so sure. Mellencamp is an interesting one - he had that identifiable sound; heartland rock mixed with 80's bombast. On occassion, he tried to expand his sound, even though it never felt like he strayed too far from home. But his words never carried the gravitas that Dylan did in the 60's, and he often seemed a simpler, more heartland-ish version of Springsteen. He's made some really good stuff, like the Scarecrow album. But he wasn't consistent enough a performer to make me think he deserves immediate induction. That, and I hate hearing his song nine times a day during NFL doubleheaders.

Donna Summer, I can't see getting in. The Hall has enough time validating heavy metal's existence, taking seven years to induct Black Sabbath, not even mentioning KISS or Rush (I know, Rush wasn't a metal band, work with me here), and it'll be interesting to see how Metallica fares next year.

So if they can barely even acknowledge metal, the prognosis for the Queen of Disco can't be all that strong.

Any thoughts on the others?

-HJF

[Bob Morris]

A lot of it really has to do with the influence an artist had.

Madonna definitely had a lot of influence on the music industry. The Beastie Boys did as well.

Donna Summer is kind of iffy as far as influence goes, ditto for John Mellencamp.

As I understand it, there's more to Kiss not getting in than just the Hall having no clue what to do with metal/hard rock. But regardless of the reasons (unless there is a "years in the industry" rule that Kiss somehow hasn't met), the fact Kiss isn't in the Hall is a joke.

I don't care what anyone here thinks of Kiss. Yes, Gene Simmons is sometimes kooky. But those who say Kiss had no influence on the music industry are those who know nothing about the music industry.

[Tomer]

John Mellencamp apparently announced that he got voted in, which leaves 4 other spots. Please, there's going to be 1-2 nonperformer inductees this year as well and a sidemen inductee. I hope Brian Eno finally gets in as a nonperformer...

[cNJ Chris]

Leonard Cohen is one of my all time favorite musicians and maybe that taints my view, but I can't imagine any rock and roll hall of fame that wouldn't include him.

I own a few Beasties albums and really wouldn't care if they got in or not... they're damn fine musicians. I don't consider anything rock and roll about Madonna, but I don't know what sort of criteria this place has. She is a very good performer and has had lots of good songs, I wouldn't be up in arms.

I've heard 3 seconds of Afrika Bambaataa, I'm told he's important to hip hop. No comment.

I can't name anything the Dave Clark Five did... I was gonna say How Do You Do It, but that's Gerry and the Pacemakers. They're so third class British Invasion.

I've liked the instrumental style that the Ventures popularized (I've enjoyed the Shadows), although I can't say I'm familiar with them specifically apart from Walk Don't Run and Hawaii Five-O. They probably should go in.

Chic was a really good band and I hate disco music. Oh, and no to Donna Summer.

I can't stand John Mellencamp, too bad he's in.

I will give a second thought on the merits of this HOF if they promise never to let Kiss in.

[Tomer]

There are some rumors that the Ventures are in as well. As a note, the HOF announcement is tomorrow.

[Frank_Jewett]

Dave Clark Five had 8 top ten hits from 1964 to 1967, including "Over And Over" (#1), "Because" (#3), "Bits and Pieces" (#4), and "Glad All Over" (#6). Gerry and the Pacemakers had 3 top ten hits from 1964 to 1965.

I wouldn't put the Dave Clark Five in the HOF because they were well below The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Who, and The Kinks, but they were around the same level as The Yardbirds, The Hollies, and Spencer Davis Group.

Frank

[Tomer]

[Frank_Jewett]

DC5 used to get some rub for influence. Their early hits were throwbacks to the early sixties sound (sax, organ) that got crushed by both the British Invasion (Yes, they were part of the invasion, too) as well as Motown. I haven't listened to enough of their later stuff, though I seem to recall reading that they produced an album that got bandied about with "Sgt. Pepper's" and "Pet Sounds."

DC5 was rare on vinyl for years because Dave Clark owned the rights and hadn't authorized anything for decades. They eventually issued a two-disc anthology that was priced right out of the oldies market. I think they didn't understand the potential audience for a "ten greatest hits" disc and that given a couple of years, those fans might want more, so instead they targeted the hardcore fans.

Frank