For Hall of Fame, anybody but Madonna

What do Madonna, John Mellencamp and the Beastie Boys have in common? They are among the nine nominees for the 2008 Class of the Rock N' Roll Hall of Fame, just announced today.

Other nominees include Donna Summer, Chic, Afrika Bambaataa, Leonard Cohen, The Dave Clark Five and The Ventures. Only the top 5 vote-getters are inducted.

Mellencamp and the Beastie Boys are strong choices. But Madonna? Have you ever heard anyone call her a rock star? Puleeeze. Let's hope the rock journalists who vote on the honor come to their senses and leave her off their ballots.

Performers become eligible for the hall 25 years after the release of their first record. So for Mellencamp, go back to 1982 and you'll find "American Fool," definitely the first of many classics. The Beastie Boys had a couple EPs in '82 and '83. Their landmark "Licensed to Ill" album didn't come out 'til 1986, so they seem like they're maybe a year or two early. As for Madonna -- her 1983 effort was her self-titled debut, which included "Borderline," "Holiday," and "Lucky Star." Ready to rock out? I don't think so.

I can think of a half dozen other acts that HAVE to be ahead of Madonna.

• Heart: Ann and Nancy Wilson! "Barracuda" ... "Magic Man" ... Come on! It's criminal they're not in the hall yet.
• Duran Duran: Unlike Madonna, these guys really are Brits AND actually know how to play instruments!
• Styx: I can see it now. Dennis DeYoung rejoins the band for the induction performance.
• Kiss: I want the full makeup treatment, fire-breathing, blood-spitting, drum-solo, "Beth"-singing version of the band.
• And while I'm at it ... Huey Lewis, Rush, the Go-Go's, the B-52s, Billy Idol, REO Speedwagon, Journey. The names just keep on coming to me.

Anybody but Madonna. Really. It would be the equivalent of electing Michael Jackson as president of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America.

[AP photo]

Comments

[Big Tex]

I love Chic, but I can't see them being called a rock band, either. It's a shame they must induct five each year. The HOF is going to get watered down quickly at that rate.

In that photo, Madonna looks like the aliens from Close Encounters. And to think...I had a Madonna poster on my dorm room wall 20 years ago!

[Spears]

Good point about Chic, Tex. Not a rock act either. It's a shame the HOF is going down this road. It has really lost any credibility at this point.

Heck, I think my garage band first made a record in 1984, so I'll be waiting by the phone next year for my call from the Hall of Fame.

It's like the Hollywood Star Walk of Fame. Just get a big enough sponsor, and -- poof -- you're there.

Speaking of which, time to start saving up for that Stuck in the 80s star.

[One Man Band]

I think Madonna's vagina should be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. It's had more "hits" than all the bands in music history combined!

[Mike]

Madonna is not rock. She doesn't deserve to be in. Neither do rap and/or R&B acts. It's called ROCK AND ROLL. Why Heart, KISS, and Huey Lewis aren't in, but some of these other bands are is beyond me. Corporate people suck.

[Skippy]

Madonna? Please. I'm still fuming about Genesis not even being nominated yet.

[Tonianne]

Genesis has never been nominated? Seriously? Yet Chic of "Freak Out" fame has?

Inconceivable.

[Bill]

Madonna's music is just as crappy as the rest of the "product" of the era. I think she deserves to win.

[Johnny B. Goode]

Steve,
Since you mentioned your garage band from Clearwater, you'll have to do a podcast soon with an unplugged version of its biggest hit, "Tryin' Not to Suck Too Much." You owe it to your loyal readers...

[Eric S.]

Rush, Heart, Styx, Journey, Duran Duran and Kiss are all good choices and should be in. REO Speedwagon may be pushing it just a bit there Steve.

I also would put in Judas Priest, Scorpions and Iron Maiden. Each of them have left a huge mark on the metal scene and have inspired countless bands.

[Spears]

I wondered if anyone was going to call me on my REO comment.

The Genesis addition is a no-brainer. I think it's time to sack whoever's in charge of nominations. Clearly they have worse judgement than the people running the Grammys or MTV Video Music Awards.

[Big Tex]

On the plus side - I'm headed to Cleveland next week (don't ask why) and I'll make my first visit to the HOF.

[Marissa]

I'd like to see the criteria required for a nomination. Why did they choose Cleveland for the home of the HOF? Was it from the Drew Carey Show theme song "Cleveland Rocks!" or was that after the HOF was built?
I'm feeling like 5 year old with endless questions. It's early. I need coffee. Have a nice day.

[Mike]

Hold on, the you want the "Beth-singing" version of KISS. They've got some rockin' songs! Shock Me, Cold Gin, Firehouse, etc. And Judas Priest isn't in yet? What are these people smoking?

[Spears]

I'm just saying I like that generation of KISS. The whole schlocky late 70s version. And of course, they'd have to play "Detroit Rock City" after being inducted.

[Blue]

I'll have to be the lone dissenter and say Madonna is just as worthy as some previous inductees. And as an 80s head I can't believe you don't still see the new wave spirit that's at the heart of her work.

Chic should've been in years ago, and Duran Duran should be inducted now. Face it, the RnR HOF has never been purist about 'rock.' If it took ac/dc years to get in, you should know they don't have any hard & fast rules about style.

[Christina]

You want Genesis inducted into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame? I thought they were easy listening. Har de har har.

[Dennis]

I am just awaiting the years to come + hope for nominations of New Kids On The Block and Backstreet Boys...

[Marissa]

Madonna? New Wave Spirit? Prelude to the dance music that's played now for those high on E, maybe. I don't see her as "new wave" or perhaps i'm missing the point.
'cuz all I need is this shoe...and this thermos

[oly]

Why don't they just bring in Britney also and the day of the induction do a replayof the famous lesb kiss.
Bring on the end of the world, there is no respect anymore, it just makes me barff

[Bassnote]

There are only about three names on that list of people up for nomination that are worthy, and Madonna ain't one of them. I would rather see Wierd Al Yankovic induted into the Hall Of Fame.
And I agree with everyone that says Genesis deserves induction. Let's go farther and say that Peter Gabriel deseves to be inducted. Honestly, Madonna is only being nominated because of her impact on Mtv, because they couldn't keep her face off of it. Peter Gabriel deserves to be inducted for his impact on Mtv also because his videos were actually innovative.
If Madonna gets inducted you are opening the flood gates for truely talentless people like Britney, N'Sync and even Lidsey Lohan to be inducted later on.

[daVid]

Everyone loves saying how irrelevant Madonna is, yet can't stop talking about her. She is no doubt an influence in music and pop culture, like it or not. You've listed several artsits who should be in the Hall of Fame, and they are worthy. So is Madonna.

[anthony]

perfectly stated, daVid. thank you!

[Jennifer]

Madonna definately deserves to get nominated, but there are countless others that should go before her, Heart, for sure. Madonna influenced an entire generation of women in music and most of them could only wish to be as successful as she. I am thrilled to see that the forty something Madonna can still push the envelope and piss people off, just read these blogs and you will see she still has it man, like it or not!!

[tommyduncn]

http://absolutemadonna.com/achievements/