I was just reading about the 2007 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nominations, and thought we could do our own version... not as a competition, but just make a list of which artists you think have had an enormous impact on rock music (and explain why).

* On a side note, I recently read that Van Halen *may* be planning a reunion with Dave Lee Roth in 2007, which would just happen to coincide with their probable induction into the Hall.

I think that Van Halen should be inducted. They were one of the “powerhouse” rock & roll bands of their time. Eddie Van Halen was a premier guitarist and arguably one of the best of all time. Their first album was solid from the first to last track. In my opinion they went gradually downhill (in raw rock & roll) progressively after that. Their first three albums were the best in my opinion and they seemed to “pop” rock it more and more in subsequent albums.

They covered some tunes like few bands before them did. Keeping a popular older song familiar while rocking it like never before was something I believe they “pioneered”. Many have done it since.

I have heard that David Lee Roth “copied” his stage persona from another front man (but unfortunately I don’t remember who) but his voice is quite distinctive. He got “too big for his britches” and got tossed. The Sammy Hagar era brought the band down from it’s once lofty position I believe.

I have seen Van Halen live a few times, once with Sammy Hagar fronting. Even though I like Sammy Hagar and hated David Lee Roth’s actions on stage, I liked the music better when David fronted.

I agree with everything Koz said..Edward Van Halen quite possibly the best I have ever heard--and I've heard them all..an amazing musician from a family of musicians..a true maestro..

Loved Hagar, but Roth was the true sound of VH; just amazing energy, uniqueness, and vocals when the man was "on"...

Well, if I was in charge the ONLY group inducted this year would be KISS ! They were pioneers it making concerts an event, not just a band singing and playing on stage. They are long overdue for induction.

Van Halen, with Roth, should certainly be in there. I have been lucky enough to see them in concert with both Hagar and Roth and there was no comparing the "pop formula synth" Hagar years with the raw energy that was early Van Halen with Diamond Dave up front.

R.E.M. is a no-brainer. "Losing My Religion" was huger then huge and made them a phenom long after the core fans had loved them.

I also would likely already have Def Leppard and Deep Purple in the hall (Yeah, I am a metalhead and my tastes are obvious) and maybe would nominate Alice Cooper and John Mellencamp.

Wow. It seems like a lot of my faves that should be in are still not. I think I'll pout.

I don't know who already IS in the Hall of Fame, but IO agree with Van Halen and Roth...I also love Aero Smith.

Kitty-

Aerosmith belongs--I still have a Steven Tyler harmonica that he threw in the audience during a concert at the New Haven Coliseum in the late 70's..

Do you want us to list artists people who aren't currently in the RNRHOF that we think should be? Or a list of all artists that IMO should be Hall of Famers, including those already in?

If the second, I've got far too many to list -- but will, upon request.

If the first, then the following should be in (using the RNRHOF's criteria of 25 years since first recording):

Kiss (Ace/Paul/Gene/Peter)

Alice Cooper Group

Van Halen* (but they should wait until the Hagar lineup is eligible -- yeah, I know -- but they waited for the Brian Johnson era to be eligible to induct AC/DC)

And I'm sure I'll think of more after I post this.

I think REM is a lock to get in (and probably The Stooges, too), but I wouldn't put either of 'em in.


* fyi: DLR ripped off Jim Dandy from Black Oak Arkansas. IMO, a reunion tour (w/ Eddie's kid Wolfgang replacing bassist Michael Anthony (!)) would be trainwreck -- and is at least 10 years too late -- have you seen Eddie lately? Or Dave? But: I'd buy a ticket -- I worship classic Van Halen, as any self-respecting rock fan should ... although I'm pretty sure it'd blow up before they got to Columbus.

quote:

have you seen Eddie lately?

He must have been on the way to his funeral.

quote:

Originally posted by TKO:
Or a list of all artists that IMO should be Hall of Famers, including those already in?

If the second, I've got far too many to list -- but will, upon request.

You can take it as far as you want to go.
That was what I had in mind... I like to hear from people with intense interest/opinions about music.

I think Three Dog Night is another group that should be in--had some GREAT tunes but were always slightly underrated for some reason..

I agree with the positive comments about Dave Lee Roth. He was the ultimate rock frontman, blending his own style of sexuality and humor with top-quality music. I'd like to see Dave get the credit he deserves, but I have mixed feelings about VH reuniting. I really feel that the VH brothers ruined VH, including the attempted reunion ten years ago (when it would have worked better), and a reunion without Michael Anthony would be a disrespectful slap-in-the-face regarding his VH contributions.

As for who else I think should be in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, I suggest: Duran Duran! I'm serious! I loved them in the '80s, and I think their music still holds up today. They were sometimes written off as nothing but pretty boys, with their musicianship and songwriting ignored. But their albums were actually very good, IF you like their genre of New Romantic/dance/pop-type music. And it cannot be denied what an impact they had on the '80s -- leaders of their genre (as well as the fashion that went along with it), innovators of music videos, the female hysteria over them that resembled the Beatles' invasion.

I agree, MsSueM, they contributed A LOT to the video age; Tears For Fears is another similar group who also made some good music at that time..

In Van Halen news:
Van Halen's road plans have taken a rocky turn

"Thanks," Ed and Al, for ruining things once again!

I would love to see Ted Nugent in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. I think he is eligible soon. Though never a critic's darling he has stuck around through the years and continued to be a unique presence in rock.

If I'm reading the inductees list correctly, then Aerosmith was inducted in 2001.

They have only been inducting since 1986, and it took the third year for The Beatles to make it, and Black Sabbath did not even get in until last year!

I'd like to see Deep Purple in.

VAN HALEN UPDATE:

The tour is on again!

List of confirmed dates.

What do you think of Dave's sales pitch during the press conference?

I live between the first two arenas. The last Van Halen tour also started in North Carolina. Do they like it here, or just use us to get the rust off before the rest of their tour?

I am taking bets on the implosion of the Van Halen tour.

I don’t see them lasting until middle November when they are supposed to play in my area. (I have no intention or desire to see them)

I will put my money on 10/30/07, I will be surprised if they can stay together any longer than that .

quote:

Originally posted by Koz:
I will put my money on 10/30/07, I will be surprised if they can stay together any longer than that .

I'll take that bet. Dave cannot afford to blow this, both financially and career-wise, and he'll/they'll finish the tour*, even if it means separate buses and their only contact is onstage.

*Assuming Eddie stays sober, and Wolfie can handle all the pressure.