Top 10 bands from the ‘80s that should be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
(Love to the Mayor of Simpleton, for giving me the idea)
The news hit the AP wire today, announcing that four acts from ‘70s and Miles Davis, who died in the early ‘90s at the age of 375, were inducted into the Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame. They’re technically the Class of 2006, but I call them the Class of ’81, since any band whose debut album was released in 1981 or earlier was eligible for inclusion. The very fact that only two of these bands were within sniffing distance of the ‘80s leads me to believe that a ton of also-ran ‘70s bands will get in before any of the truly worthy ‘80s bands will, and that, frankly, disturbs me.
And so, without further ado and in no particular order, I submit my top ten list of ‘80s bands that should be inducted into the Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame sooner rather than later. U2 is already in, so they’re obviously disqualified.
1) REM. Forget the Bill Berry-less train wreck that the band’s become of late, and remember when they and U2 ruled the rock world the way Darth Vader dreamed of ruling the galaxy with Luke Skywalker. Between 1987 and 1994, they were bulletproof, and there are thousands of bands and nerdy record store clerks who worshiped at their altar.
2) Madonna. If she doesn’t get inducted in the Class of 1983/2008, she will have Guy Ritchie and her children dropped off the Empire State Building. Which is really hard, because there are these tall metal bars on the rooftop deck with sharp points that curl inward. I’m guessing she uses a catapult.
3) The Smiths. Forever changed the face of modern rock, they did. Johnny’s done some good stuff with Electronic and The The, but he has to know that his best work rests within this band’s catalog, feuds with Steven Morrissey be damned.
4) New Order. Simply put, there is no electronic music scene without these guys. Kraftwerk may have gotten there first (something I’ll get to in a minute), but New Order was the band that fused a rock and roll sensibility into those machines, which in turn created a legion of knockoff bands by the late ‘80s. Even the Cure nicked half of their best licks from these guys. “In Between Days,” anyone?
5) Guns ‘n Roses. It may have ended in a haze of lawsuits and coke, but Goddamn, when Guns ‘n Roses was clicking, there wasn’t a band that could come within a thousand miles of them. And forget Appetite for Destruction: their best stuff was all over the Use Your Illusion albums, the greatest single album that never was.
6) Janet Jackson. Because you don’t make it to First Name Only status without earning it, bitches.
7) Public Enemy. Because their records from the ‘80s still scare white people.
8) Run DMC. The kings of rock. There is none higher.
9) Beastie Boys. It’s safe to say that not even Rick Rubin had any idea what kind of band the Beastie Boys would become. After all, find another band who went from the Juvenile But Massive Debut to Groundbreaking, Trendsetting Sophomore Album.
10) Motley Crüe. If only because they lived the life of rock and roll excess to a degree that would even make Bonzo and Keith Moon go, “Whoa, dudes, let’s not go nuts here.” Few bands embody the spirit of rock and roll more than Motley Crüe. Oh, and they also wrote some kickass tunes.
Bubbling Under: Bands and artists I would like to see inducted but will likely need some help
• Duran Duran
• Depeche Mode
• Stone Roses
• Talk Talk
• The The
• Ministry. The birth of industrial, people.
• English Beat/Madness/Specials. Someone from the ska era has to be represented, dammit.
I didn’t list Nirvana (whose first album Bleach came out in 1989 when none of us were looking) because they’re a no-brainer first ballot inductee. Ditto the Pixies (comment entered after Neil totally faced me on their omission).
Five holdovers from the ‘70s
1) Kraftwerk. Man, how on earth are these guys not in? They were and are light years ahead of their time. Hell, Coldplay’s stealing their songs and claiming them as their own, fer crissakes.
2) Van Halen. And so, a generation of shredders was born.
3) T. Rex. Yeah, okay, Bolan’s dead, so he’ll never know you didn’t induct him, but for crying out loud, bands are still ripping him off. That has to be worth something.
4) Cheap Trick. Few bands have meant so much to so many different genres of music. Cheap Trick is that band. Big Star gets all the love, but Cheap Trick was the better band, by a country mile.
5) Rush. Thrown under the progressive rock bus only because no one knew what to do with them. But they have amassed a body of work that today’s popular bands would be lucky to emulate.
Comments, suggestions, hate mail? Bring it, suckaz.
Post script: It just hit me that I left off the Red Hot Chili Peppers, whom I meant to include, so you Fleabies out there, quit hatin’ right now.
Posted in: Electronica, Lists, News, Pop, Rap, Rock
Tags: Beastie Boys, Cheap Trick, Depeche Mode, Duran Duran, Guns ‘n Roses, Janet Jackson, Kraftwerk, Madonna, Ministry, Motley Crüe, New Order, Public Enemy, R.E.M., Red Hot Chili Peppers, Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame, Run-DMC, Rush, Stone Roses, T. Rex, Talk Talk, The Smiths, The The, U2, Van Halen
Not arguing, but what about…
They Might Be Giants
10,000 Maniacs/Natalie Merchant
Tears For Fears
The Cowboy Junkies
The Replacements
As much as I’m a fan of The The, I think all of the above have a better chance of getting in.
By the way… is XTC in already, or not? I wouldn’t know.
Oh yeah… and then
Husker Du
The Pixies
Sonic Youth
Any of them first ballot before Motley Crue. Good god, man!
I didn’t list the Pixies because they’re shoo-ins. They Might Be Giants? Not a chance. Ditto 10,000 Maniacs. I love Tears For Fears, but they don’t have a chance, either. XTC will have trouble the same way Squeeze is having trouble. No one takes them seriously, no matter how many people adore them.
The ‘Mats will get in, though.
But what of the Monkees, dammit…?
The 10,000 Maniacs don’t have a chance?
I’d be surprised if 10,000 Maniacs made the Hall.
Most of the top 10 above are shoe-ins. Many like REM and Madonna will make it their first year of eligibility (by the way, the pre-1987 REM stuff was their best).
Motley Crue has a chance, but they’ll have to wait for years. Van Halen, on the other hand, should make it in their first year of eligibility.
< Van Halen, on the other hand, should make it in their first year of eligibility. I thought so too, but their first year of eligibility was 2003. Maybe the voters are blocking the shredders the same way they tried to keep Black Sabbath out of the Hall.
The fact that Buddy Guy got in last year and Sabbath & Skynyrd got in this year gives me hope that the hall voters aren’t all just a bunch of Rolling Stone Mag, College radio elitists.
That being said, since the contributions to R&R is what should matter to your list, Where is ABBA? more records sold than the beatles worldwide and constantly being ripped off by the likes of Madonna should put them in long before Blondie. I like Blondie but lets be real, but every year there must be a nod to the CBGB’s crowd.
In the Heavy Metal dept. after VH & Rush, Deep Purple, Grand Funk, Maiden and Metallica are easy choices for just their influence alone.
Jim Croce anyone? I guess folk stopped at James Taylor for the Hamptons crowd.
As for Bar Bands, NRBQ would be a shoe in if they ever considered bar bands.
And now for the most glaring omission and its pretty scary. How Stevie Ray Vaughn is not already in is just plain wrong. Very sad.
Anyone of these listed here should be in long before any of those listed above with the exception of Madonna and REM.
Steppenwolf should be ahead of any band listed.
“Born to be Wild” and “Magic Carpet Ride” alone should get them in.
Abba hit me about a second after I hit Send. I totally agree, they should be in.
Motley Crue? What about The Pretender’s?
The BEST band you never heard of was “Concrete Blond”. Should be in the Hall, but won’t be. Alice in Chains/Jerry Cantrell better not have any problem getting in on their first year of eligibility, or I’m a social parasite.
Aside from blogs like this… is there any documented serious discussion from the people who actually VOTE somewhere to be found. For sports figures… so many of the HoF voters are commentators who have 12 chances a day to give reasons why they are voting the way they are. What about the R&R HoF voters? Where do they speak out?
I’d really like to read from the voters how Squeeze and XTC are not being taken seriously. I mean, that just boggles my mind.
FYI…here’s the list of current inductees:
1986
performers
Chuck Berry
James Brown
Ray Charles
Sam Cooke
Fats Domino
The Everly Brothers
Buddy Holly
Jerry Lee Lewis
Elvis Presley
Little Richard
early influences
Robert Johnson
Jimmie Rodgers
Jimmy Yancey
lifetime achievement
John Hammond
non-performers
Alan Freed
Sam Phillips
1987
performers
The Coasters
Eddie Cochran
Bo Diddley
Aretha Franklin
Marvin Gaye
Bill Haley
B. B. King
Clyde McPhatter
Ricky Nelson
Roy Orbison
Carl Perkins
Smokey Robinson
Big Joe Turner
Muddy Waters
Jackie Wilson
early influences
Louis Jordan
T-Bone Walker
Hank Williams
non-performers
Leonard Chess
Ahmet Ertegun
Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller
Jerry Wexler
1988
performers
The Beach Boys
The Beatles
The Drifters
Bob Dylan
The Supremes
early influences
Woody Guthrie
Lead Belly
Les Paul
non-performers
Berry Gordy, Jr
1989
performers
Dion
Otis Redding
The Rolling Stones
The Temptations
Stevie Wonder
early influences
The Inkspots
Bessie Smith
The Soul Stirrers
non-performers
Phil Spector
1990
performers
Hank Ballard
Bobby Darin
The Four Seasons
The Four Tops
The Kinks
The Platters
Simon and Garfunkel
The Who
early influences
Louis Armstrong
Charlie Christian
Ma Rainey
non-performers
Gerry Goffin and Carole King
Holland, Dozier and Holland
1991
performers
LaVern Baker
The Byrds
John Lee Hooker
The Impressions
Wilson Pickett
Jimmy Reed
Ike and Tina Turner
early influences
Howlin’ Wolf
lifetime achievement
Nesuhi Ertegun
non-performers
Dave Bartholomew
Ralph Bass
1992
performers
Bobby “Blue” Bland
Booker T. and the M.G.’s
Johnny Cash
The Isley Brothers
The Jimi Hendrix Experience
Sam and Dave
The Yardbirds
early influences
Elmore James
Professor Longhair
non-performers
Leo Fender
Bill Graham
Doc Pomus
1993
performers
Ruth Brown
Cream
Creedence Clearwater Revival
The Doors
Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers
Etta James
Van Morrison
Sly and the Family Stone
early influences
Dinah Washington
non-performers
Dick Clark
Milt Gabler
1994
performers
The Animals
The Band
Duane Eddy
The Grateful Dead
Elton John
John Lennon
Bob Marley
Rod Stewart
early influences
Willie Dixon
non-performers
Johnny Otis
1995
performers
The Allman Brothers Band
Al Green
Janis Joplin
Led Zeppelin
Martha and the Vandellas
Neil Young
Frank Zappa
early influences
The Orioles
non-performers
Paul Ackerman
1996
performers
David Bowie
Gladys Knight and the Pips
Jefferson Airplane
Little Willie John
Pink Floyd
The Shirelles
The Velvet Underground
early influences
Pete Seeger
non-performers
Tom Donahue
1997
performers
The (Young) Rascals
The Bee Gees
Buffalo Springfield
Crosby, Stills and Nash
The Jackson Five
Joni Mitchell
Parliament-Funkadelic
early influences
Mahalia Jackson
Bill Monroe
non-performers
Syd Nathan
1998
performers
The Eagles
Fleetwood Mac
The Mamas and the Papas
Lloyd Price
Santana
Gene Vincent
early influences
Jelly Roll Morton
non-performers
Allen Toussaint
1999
performers
Billy Joel
Curtis Mayfield
Paul McCartney
Del Shannon
Dusty Springfield
Bruce Springsteen
The Staple Singers
early influences
Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys
Charles Brown
non-performers
George Martin
2000
performers
Eric Clapton
Earth, Wind & Fire
Lovin’ Spoonful
The Moonglows
Bonnie Raitt
James Taylor
early influences
Nat “King” Cole
Billie Holiday
sidemen
Hal Blaine
King Curtis
James Jamerson
Scotty Moore
Earl Palmer
non-performers
Clive Davis
2001
performers
Aerosmith
Solomon Burke
The Flamingos
Michael Jackson
Queen
Paul Simon
Steely Dan
Ritchie Valens
sidemen
James Burton
Johnnie Johnson
non-performers
Chris Blackwell
2002
performers
Isaac Hayes
Brenda Lee
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
Gene Pitney
Ramones
Talking Heads
sidemen
Chet Atkins
non-performers
Jim Stewart
2003
performers
AC/DC
The Clash
Elvis Costello & the Attractions
The Police
Righteous Brothers
sidemen
Benny Benjamin
Floyd Cramer
Steve Douglas
non-performers
Mo Ostin
2004
performers
Jackson Browne
The Dells
George Harrison
Prince
Bob Seger
Traffic
ZZ Top
lifetime achievement
Jann S. Wenner
2005
performers
Buddy Guy
The O’Jays
The Pretenders
Percy Sledge
U2
lifetime achievement
Frank Barsalona
Seymour Stein
2006
performers
Black Sabbath
Blondie
Miles Davis
Lynyrd Skynyrd
Sex Pistols
lifetime achievement
Herb Alpert & Jerry Moss (A & M Records)
Thanks Steve… was going to Google it… but you did the work for me.
As far as the 80s go I’d throw in Peter Gabriel, Joe Jackson, The Cars, Stray Cats, Devo, Def Leppard & Dire Straits.
To open up a bigger can o’ worms:
Why is prog rock ignored? Yes, Genesis, ELO, Rush…the list goes on.
And I’m not sure about Miles’ influence, but why not include Neil Diamond and Tom Jones?
Cars were ’70s… but I think a late round consideration.
Joe Jackson absolutely, but again ’70s… same with Peter Gabriel.
I do wonder about Prog Rock. That was so formative for me, a kid in the ’70s it was the stuff I listened to before I discovered Punk, Post Punk, New Wave and Alternative in the ’80s. I can’t believe Genesis/Gabriel/Collins are not in consideration.
Is there a list of who is nominated? Like with the Oscars?
I love Joe, and you would think that if Elvis gets in, then Joe would too. But I don’t think Joe’s going to get in, or if he does, it’ll be when the bands eligible for induction are people like the Jets, Tiffany, Kon Kan and Will to Power.
For the Cars, see: Cheap Trick. Both should be in. And on that note, you just inspired a new list, gentlemen. Stay tuned…
XTC would not tour, amybe they are milli vanilli, how come nobody mentions peter frampton or steve miller
To All.
This RRHOF thing really sucks, makes no sense and pisses me off.I agree with most of the people posting so far..
In no particular order these are no-brainers IMHO:
Jim Croce – greater than some already in
Yes – unbelievable
Deep Purple – just listen
Genesis – unique
King Crimson
SRV – what a joke, just like the RRHOF
ELP
Cars – definitely
REM – the same
ELO – check out thier collection and tell me otherwise
Cat Stevens (if hes not in)
Social Disorder (my obscure vote)
Rick Derringer, Johnny & Edgar Winter- try some-buy some
T REX – no brainer
Marc Bolan
The Outlaws
Joe Walsh solo
GNR
Moody Blues – no brainer
STYX – love em or hate em they made a big mark
Humble Pie
Lonnie Mack
Frampton
This is Fred Zappelin signing off. I know there`s more but…..
The RRHOF sucks.
Ummm…… Jimi Hendrix (just himself)
Roy Buchannon
Rory Gallagher
Rush
I`ll be back with more
I love the Moody Blues, but I think their mid ’80s work will cost them. The gods were okay with the Long Distance Voyager stuff, but everything after that was crap, quite frankly.
Guys, keep your claws sharp, because I’m about to unveil a new list: RRHOF Artists on the Bubble: Artists that I think should be inducted but will likely need a lot of help. In other words, I’m about to bare my soul, and I expect all of you to do the same.
ABBA? Now that’s funny. Dude – it’s the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. ABBA? This is not the disco or easy listening hall of fame. There isn’t a rock & roll bone in their collective bodies. You may as well include KC and the Sunshine Band, or maybe The Partridge Family. They sold lot’s of records but they certainly weren’t R&R.
So Nick, you do know that the Bee Gees are in the Hall, right? Would you throw them out? How about the Supremes, Miracles, Temptations or Michael Jackson? They weren’t rock and roll, either.
Joe Cocker, The Wings, Doobie Brothers…to name a few of the deserving
Hmmm… what about Roxy Music/Bryan Ferry?
You know I love Roxy/Ferry, but I’ve accepted that they’re not getting in.
New List tomorrow, I promise.
Just a Moody re-booty….Yeah they made a few stinkers nut so did most of all the acts already in there. I`ll bet their best of collection can stand up to many of those already in.
In fact they made a few masterpieces to say the least.
I like Cocker, Doobies and Roxy Music also,
J Geils Band ?
This thing really gets my goat.
Why he hell is Elvis Costello in ?
Nat King Cole? Rock & Roll ?
Here`s more that should be in but thanks to the idiots who are tha RRHOF……..
Eddie Kramer – producer extrodinaire – Hendrix-Zeppelin…..
Les Paul – are you kidding?
Hank Williams- rockabilly king
Nugent
War
Eric burden and the Animals – these guys were worlds ahead of all the so-called British invasion bands
Procol Harum
Mountain/Leslie West
Tommy James and the Shondells
I`m going to start my own Real Rock & Roll Hall
Well I now see that Les Paul and the Animals are in……
Good thing or I would have kicked some booty !
Thanks for letting me spew.
Adios!
How about Paul Weller? Huge with The Jam, innovative with The Style Council and huge again as a solo artist. And totally lost on America.
Here is my list of groups that should be in the rrhof, Dave Clark Five, Herman’s Hermit’s,Paul Revere and the Raiders, Moody Blues,Doobie Brothers,Yes,Chicago,Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble,The Cars,The Monkees,Kiss,Marshal Tucker,Blue Oyster Cult. Ther are so many others.Having the Sex Pistols in is a joke. What’s next the Beastie Boys,and the Fat Boys.
To Mr. Devlin:
The Beastie Boys are getting in. Bank on it.
To Mr. Zeppelin:
I get the impression that your Hall of Fame would be the whitest place on the planet. Wouldn’t you get bored with such a lack of variety?
Some great bands have been mentioned and a lot of them should be in the RR HOF. In addition to Steppenwolf (which I have already mentioned), I certainly agree with the Doobies, Bad Co, Mountain, and Deep Purple. These bands are legendary rock bands. I would also add Grand Funk Railroad.
To the chauuffer,
Are you kidding me? I agree with most of who is already in less some of the lame acts like Elvis Costello but for you to say mine would be the whitest is a joke. I mentioned producers performers and musicians among who are NOT YET IN. I love the Temptations , Hendrix, Sly and the Family Stone, Steveie Wonder and many more black musicians who are ALREADY IN.
Here`s another one for you guys: R.L. Burnside
Tommy Bolin is one more.
The James Gang would be another.
If you think I`m going to mention something like Flock of Seagulls or Style Council or Boy George you are on crack.
The eighties were the dark ages for good hard rockin music.
The nineties were better but nothing beats the seventies IMHO.
I agree. When it comes to Rock music, the eighties was a big, blank void. I grew up in the 60’s and 70’s when Rock was Rock. The 70’s will live forever. My son is 22 and he along with a lot of his college friends agree. They have listened to a lot of my music and are amazed at the quality of the music and musicians of the era.
Dear Fred
Taken on their own, The Style Council would never qualify. I mentioned them in the context of Paul Weller’s career. And again, totally unknown to the majority of America. Looking at the list of inductees, the R&RHOF seems to be more inclusive than exclusive. I look at many of the proposed inductees and can’t imagine why anyone would even listen to them, so individual taste is the reason we all post here.
BBQ,
The Chauffer got me riled, I respect your input as I don`t know enough about Paul Weller/Style Councel to knock him or his music. My point is that there were too many techno fag bands that pulled some good acts into that vacuum
Mike P,
It sounds like you and me are from the same pond. I love Grand Funk , they were a great live band, Mark Farner was a God in his time. My favorite unappreciated musician is Rory Gallagher.
How can there be a RRHOF without Alice Cooper ?
The Chauffeur’s riling you because you’re running the discussion way, way off course.
What started out as a discussion of bands from the ’80s that shouldn’t be skipped over in favor for the lesser ’70s bands – the ones that the voters clearly think aren’t Hall worthy – has turned into a pep rally for those very same ’70s bands. Enough, already! Grand Funk isn’t getting in. Deal with it.
Listen, I love ’70s music too, but I (that’s right, I started this entire discussion, under another name) was trying to get people to talk about the ’80s bands that were worth their salt. Instead, the discussion has turned into an extra special episode of “I Love the ’70s.”
The James Gang? Are you kidding me? Not even Joe Walsh would tell you that they deserve to be in the Hall.
Ok, lets break it down:
There aren`t many 80`s bands that are better than those “lesser 70`s” bands. Grand Funk may not get in but they will before any of the techno fag bands of the 80`s. Deal with it.
The eighties brought us more garbage than anyone can remember. Even the hot bands from the 70`s sucked in the eighties. EG – Van Halen etc….
I`d say the only things that came out of the eighties were:
Motley Crue who carried over into the 90`s
Stray Cats – I loved them
Queensryque (mis-spell?)
Metallica – whom I can`t stand
GNR
Living Colour
I think you get my point..The 80` was hair metal that were cookie cutter bands from LA ….techno fag bands from the UK ,,,and from all that crap sprung the 90`s with the Grunge bands who also became cookie cutter Seattle based dropped D baritone singers writing songs about God knows what.
You see in the 70`s the music was ahead of the business.
In the eighties the music execs took control and so now the business is ahead of the music. EG – Brittney Spears
The RRHOF is a joke.
The 70`s kicked ass for music. Deal with it.
I think right now we will have a re-birth in music due to the fact kids can create their own sound using PC based recording tools.
Bands like White Stripes & Jet kick ass.
I love good Rock and Roll and there aint much been made since the 70`s. There aren`t many bands that can put out more than one good album before they implode.That`s the main reason why the 70`s bands are held in such regard , because they wrer able to more than just one GOOD album or CD.
One Word….Genesis. (Peter Gabriel era through about 1985…OK, that is more than one word)
Paul Weller is a musical giant. A 30 year career unmatched by anyone else over that time period. The greatest song writer to amerge from punk by a country mile.
In the Uk he has had over 60 top 40 hits ( 60!). He is to receive the lifetime achievement award at the brits ( the british grammy’s) next month, an honour previously given to the likes of the Who and David bowie.
His output, influence and creativity is incrediable. None of the above british acts can hold a torch to the man and certainly would not be given the award Weller gets next month.
JESUS—DID WE FORGET “THE JAM” AND PAUL WELLER.
ok, I just had to throw out another vote for the replacements…. and another…. and another !!!
Come on, how can you leave out the Cure? The most interesting band of the Eighties, for me Disintegration was one of the best albums of the eighties, so original.
The MIRACLES are not in the Hall of Fame… Only their lead singer, Smokey, was inducted. They certainly DESERVE to be in.They are one of of music’s most influential acts. Over 50 of their songs have been covered by numerous performers… in every major musical genre, including POP, ROCK, COUNTRY& WESTERN, JAZZ, REGGAE,MOR/EASY LISTENING,ACAPELLA,RAP/HIP-HOP, as well as R&B/SOUL. Many British Invasion acts, including , The BEATLES,STONES,HOLLIES,THE WHO,ZOMBIES and others have covered Miracles tunes . In fact they are the most covered Motown act of All Time. (Wikipedia) .
They were the FIRST Motown group, and their success paved the way for every Motown act that followed them, including THE SUPREMES, TEMPTATIONS, STEVIE WONDER, MARVIN GAYE, THE MARVELETTES, and all the rest. Yet, for 22 years, they havent even been considered for induction.
They were also the ONLY Motown group during the sixties that wrote and produced their OWN material…and that of a lot of other Motown acts as well…
Almost all of the major Motown acts have been inducted. How can the RRHOF continue to ignore Motown’s first , and most important act ?
CULTURE CLUB SHOULD BE ON THIS LIST! MULTICULTURAL MUSIC AND GREAT LYRICS. VERY ORIGINAL BAND FOR THAT DECADE.
Best bands of the 80s in any order…u2, rem, police, depeche mode, cure, smiths, joy division, echo and the bunny, inxs, pixies…