R.E.M. made such an impression on Georgia’s rock elders, they’re getting an upgrade! For the first time, the Athens quartet is eligible to enter the real Hall Of Fame. As you know, a band is eligible for induction only 25 years after its first album is released. Specifically, Billboard explains, “to be eligible for induction, the 2007 class had to release their first single no later than 1981.”
“Radio Free Europe” was released as a single the year before Chronic Town, so the math is right. Also on this year’s ballot for the first time are Van Halen. Assuming they get in, will Dave and Sammy share a podium? Expect some drama in the weeks leading up to ceremony (3/12). The other ’07 noms — the Stooges, Patti Smith, The Dave Clark Five, Chic, Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, Joe Tex, the Ronettes — are holdovers from previous years. Rush, Yes, Genesis, ELO, Joan Jett, Def Leppard, Alice Cooper, Heart, Deep Purple, Pat Benatar … still shit out of luck. And Cat Stevens: on the ballot for the first time last year, now no 2nd chance? Guess they don’t like his new single.
Who else debuted in ’81? Duran Duran? A Flock Of Seagulls?
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R.E.M. deserves it. Whee!
In a perfect world, the bands inducted would be R.E.M., Van Halen, The Stooges, Patti Smith, and Grandmaster Flash. Of course, that’s highly unlikely to happen.
R.E.M. needs to be inducted, becasue I doubt that they would play the induction without bill berry. The problem with Chic, ronettes, and grandmaster flash is that even though they were talented and influential, I’m not sure they have enough songs to be inducted, but I know there’s a good chance someone will prove me wrong.
Well, at a minimum, Chic has “Good Times,” which also includes, “Rapper’s Delight”, “Another One Bites The Dust” and “This Is Radio Clash” and I’m sure several other deviations…
Anyway, I thought I’d toss that out instead of the usual “the hall of fame is a joke” rabble.
But seriously, no KISS? KISS is just as “important” as WINGS.
Debuts in 1981? Violent Femmes and the Crue, dude!
And Depeche Mode (who might be more HoF-worthy than Femmes or Crue, but probably not enough so), Spandau Ballet, and Heaven 17 (I hear Bill Gates is personally spearheading their revival!) all released debuts within a week in February 1981.
Modern English, the Church, Sisters of Mercy and Soft Cell are now HoF-eligible, as well — so good luck with all that.
Sonic Youth cut their first tracks in December 1981, but “Sonic Youth” wasn’t released until early 1982.
it’s criminal that the Ronettes haven’t gotten the nod yet.
The Replacements, Husker Du, X, and Black Flag are all now eligible, but I don’t expect any of them will be getting in anytime soon.
Don’t forget about the cars and devo, they both started in the 70s and not even a mention.
Who else debuted in ’81?
Listed here: http://www.futurerockhall.com/year.php?eligible_year=2006