The web is ablaze today with talk of the announcement of nominees for the 2011 class of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. In my opinion, overall a pretty weak bunch, though not as bad as last year’s class (Abba, Genesis, The Hollies). It isn’t so much who is on the ballot, but who is not. And that big ‘not’ is KISS. I'm not a huge fan, or a zealot, by any means, but to say that KISS wasn't a giant in rock for most of the 70's and 80's (and continue to sell out stadium shows today) is just a travesty. Even going by the Hall’s own criteria, KISS would seem to fit the bill to a T:
“…shall consider factors such as an artist's musical influence on other artists, length and depth of career and the body of work, innovation and superiority in style and technique…”
I don’t know why the Hall continually shoots itself in the foot by not nominating KISS (the band made the ballot once, in 2009, but did not garner the necessary votes for entry). The large, vocal fan base of boomers and younger would provide tons of ticket sales for the ceremony and ratings for the TV broadcast.
Not to talk bad about the other nominees, because there are certainly deserving artists (Bon Jovi, Alice Cooper, J. Geils Band), but LL Cool J? Chic? Really?! They would be more deserving than KISS? I really don’t think so. And don’t even get me started on the presence of disco or rap artists in the ‘Rock & Roll’ Hall of Fame.
Ballots are mailed to 500 voters and the final class will be announced in December for the ceremony that will take place next March in NYC. Comments?
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