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I was just looking at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame website. I couldn't find anywhere on there how or who votes to induct people/bands into the H o F. Does anybody know? There's a few inductees who I don't understand why they are in the H o F.

I think you have to get nominated, right?

According to the R&R HOF website:

Artists become eligible for induction 25 years after the release of their first record. Criteria include the influence and significance of the artists’ contributions to the development and perpetuation of rock and roll.

The Foundation’s nominating committee, composed of rock and roll historians, selects nominees each year in the Performer category. Ballots are then sent to an international voting body of more than 500 rock experts. Those performers who receive the highest number of votes - and more than 50 percent of the vote - are inducted. The Foundation generally inducts five to seven performers each year.

They also induct non performers like Dick Clark, early influences like Robert Johnson and Elmore James, sidemen like Johnny Johnson and a lifetime acheiivement award as well.

Yeah these are the people who inducted Jethro Tull under the category of heavy metal. Go figure.

Apparently they have a little more liberal voting criterion than say Cooperstown where Pete Rose is still banned. Some of the R and H inductees are dubious choices IMO (Tom Waits e.g.)

fisherman bob wrote:Apparently they have a little more liberal voting criterion than say Cooperstown where Pete Rose is still banned. Some of the R and H inductees are dubious choices IMO (Tom Waits e.g.)

I love Tom Waits, I can see why he was chosen. He has written some great songs. Downtown Train, Ol'55, Jersey Girl... more recently Hope that i don't fall in love with you. He's influenced many writers and performers.
Though I would say he's an acquired taste with a very loyal, almost cult following.

Nav4c wrote:Yeah these are the people who inducted Jethro Tull under the category of heavy metal. Go figure.

Tull was nominated for a Grammy as Metal some years ago. I don't believe they're in the RRHOF.

As in ANY institution where membership is based on subjective opinion (academy awards) there is going to be some inductees that people will question why. I didn't realize Tom Waits was that FAMOUS a rock and roller. Is his influence that great also? Little Walter is in the R & R Hall of Fame. I never thought of him as a rocker. And was he THAT influential on rock and roll. As much as I enjoy Little Walter I don't think he deserves to be an inductee. I wonder if there's a blues Hall of Fame?

I believe Memphis has the Blues Hall of Fame.

As for Waits I looked up his Discography he never charted very well in the us but overseas they seem to have more appreciation for him. He has released over 20 discs and has been involved in 50 plus movies as a writer, composer, performer, or actor.
It took a while for me to appreciate his voice but if you can get past it you'll see what a great writer he is. I think the few songs he wrote that became popular by other artist was probably the push that got him nominated.

Jahva wrote:

Nav4c wrote:Yeah these are the people who inducted Jethro Tull under the category of heavy metal. Go figure.

Tull was nominated for a Grammy as Metal some years ago. I don't believe they're in the RRHOF.

Yes he was nominated but not inducted, I misspoke by using the word inducted instead of nominated.

Oh what a sore subject this is. I have been aroind a long time and a drummer. There are bands that should have made it in a LONGGGGG time ago. There are some that are in or maybe getting in and you want to throw something through a window.

I guess if enough people protest then the ones who deserve it would get in. But the panel who picks the artists should be replace, REALLY. Just like our government, we keep electing the same assholes in and if you do that, then you deserve what you get.

Nav4c wrote:Yeah these are the people who inducted Jethro Tull under the category of heavy metal. Go figure.

What's even harder to believe is JT won!!!

fisherman bob wrote:As in ANY institution where membership is based on subjective opinion (academy awards) there is going to be some inductees that people will question why. I didn't realize Tom Waits was that FAMOUS a rock and roller. Is his influence that great also? Little Walter is in the R & R Hall of Fame. I never thought of him as a rocker. And was he THAT influential on rock and roll. As much as I enjoy Little Walter I don't think he deserves to be an inductee. I wonder if there's a blues Hall of Fame?

I might be wrong but I think that "Ole Blue Eyes" is in the Hall Of Fame.

Black57 wrote:

fisherman bob wrote:As in ANY institution where membership is based on subjective opinion (academy awards) there is going to be some inductees that people will question why. I didn't realize Tom Waits was that FAMOUS a rock and roller. Is his influence that great also? Little Walter is in the R & R Hall of Fame. I never thought of him as a rocker. And was he THAT influential on rock and roll. As much as I enjoy Little Walter I don't think he deserves to be an inductee. I wonder if there's a blues Hall of Fame?

I might be wrong but I think that "Ole Blue Eyes" is in the Hall Of Fame.

I did some googling and found an interesting discussion. It is about inducting Frank Sinatra, it is about nominating Nancy. -schedule-4hr-rocknroll-hall-fame-concert-39440/