Note: I'm once again pretty late posting this. I've always posted the results for each year for the Hall ever since I started this blog so I will keep to that tradition. These are simply my thoughts on each act getting in and more rambling on about who should be in.
The 2015 Rock N Roll Hall of Fame inductees were announced last month. I'm happy to see that 4/5 of my ballot were inducted. Along with the five inductees are a few additional inductees. Here are my thoughts on each artist and their induction.
Lou Reed- It was only a matter of time: Lou was going to get in after he passed away in 2013. This is Lou's second time getting inducted into the Hall, his first being with the Velvet Underground in 1996. While many might see Lou's career as hit or miss, the man kept making music. If he made a great album, it was great. If he made a bad album, it was bad. I like to think that Lou made a handful of great albums. Along with Transformer and Berlin, I think Coney Island Baby, Street Hassle, The Blue Mask, New York and Magic and Loss are all fine albums. Even his collaboration with John Cale- the Andy Warhol tribute Songs For Drella- is damn good. Speaking of which, I would love to see Cale induct his former band mate. That would be very touching.
Joan Jett and the Blackhearts- While the Runaways aren't in yet, Joan is finally in the Hall. I'm actually surprised by some of the comments I'm reading in response to her induction. Some people actually think she's a one hit wonder. That's just depressing. While a couple of her hits were covers of other songs, Joan and the Blackhearts are very deserving of this induction. As many know, the Hall hasn't inducted a lot of women. In fact, women in rock n roll are of a minority. Joan was able to succeed because of her rebel persona and during the 1980s, she was pretty badass. She still is.
Stevie Ray Vaughn- I'll admit that I'm not a big fan nor am I really a fan of the singer/songwriter guitarist genre. However, SRV should've been inducted a long time ago. The man was one helluva guitarist.
Paul Butterfield Blues Band- Again, I'm not a fan (or not yet) but they deserve to be inducted. From what I know, their historical significance is that they were one of the first rock bands to be signed to Elektra Records- before the Doors or even before Arthur Lee and Love. A little part of me is praying to see Love get on the ballot next year.
Green Day- I said it before on my blog: I really don't like Green Day. It just pisses me off that the Hall waited until the first year they were eligible- given their first release was an EP in 1989. Can one non-Green Day fan name one song from that EP? While I will not argue that they aren't deserving, it's just a joke that they got in first before Deep Purple, T. Rex, Jethro Tull and dozens of other bands (even the Replacements, who were a big influence on the band from what I know). The only good thing that can come out of this induction is that the members of Green Day will be able to vote for future nominees. They can go right ahead and give nods to all of the bands that influenced them.
Along with these five acts, there is one other inductee...
Ringo Starr- The Hall surprised many by announcing Ringo Starr would be inducted for his solo career. However, he is not being inducted as a performer but instead being given an award for "musical excellence." While most people are calling bullshit on this, I'm happy that Ringo is in the hall for his post-Beatles work in some way. It's true: Ringo struggled throughout his solo career. It was at it's peak during the early 1970's in which he had hit singles with "Back Off Boogaloo" and "It Don't Come Easy." His 1973 album Ringo earned him two #1 hits- "Photograph" and "You're Sixteen." While Ringo did struggle, the guy didn't give up. He was able to find success with his All Starr Bands and even before then, Ringo played on a handful of albums by other artists.
The "5" Royals are also being inducted as Early Influences.
The ceremony will take place on April 18th at the Public Hall in Cleveland.
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