# RnR Hall of Fame -WTF?! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [March 12, 2003, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rnr-hall-of-fame-wtf/160831 "2003-03-12T15:33:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![t-keela](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a3d4f5/32.png) [@t-keela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/t-keela)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2003, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rnr-hall-of-fame-wtf/160831/41 "2003-03-13T02:45:04Z")
I’m not sure what it is about Rush that divides US, but there is definitely a difference in peoples taste of music. I’m an old hard rock & head-banger from way back. To me Rush is like fingernails on a chalkboard. I WILL turn off the radio when they come on. But, I gotta give’m their card. They’re doing something right. Hall of Fame material…not in my opinion. I’d much rather listen to Ozzy anytime. ---
**Author:** ![Coldfire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a587f6/32.png) [@Coldfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coldfire)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2003, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rnr-hall-of-fame-wtf/160831/42 "2003-03-13T02:50:03Z")
**Jonathan** , fully with you on **Rush** ’s influence on other bands. Although I have to say that the **Smashing Pumpkins** ’ version of _Limelight_ makes my skin crawl. Just reminds me why I’m not a fan of SP, and that they should have just stopped after making that one classic song, _Disarm_. **Rush** will live forever. If Geddy can’t hit those high notes anymore (let’s face it, he’s getting up there - 52 or so?), they can always hire the singer from **Placebo** , and let Geddy concentrate on playing bass and keys. No one will hear the difference! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![SkipMagic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skipmagic/32/20706_2.png) [@SkipMagic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SkipMagic)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2003, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rnr-hall-of-fame-wtf/160831/43 "2003-03-13T03:07:05Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Max Harvey \* > **There’s more “melody, hooks and riffs” on Get Happy!! alone _than the Police or AC/DC ever managed._** (Italics mine.) And then: > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Max Harvey \* > \*\*There’s nothing objectively wrong with thinking Costello is boring, or the Clash couldn’t write songs. _But you better back it up with specific examples if you want to be taken seriously._ \*\* (Italics, once again, mine.) I think your advice on backing things up should be heeded by more than just **Rib Eye**. But then again, I’m the guy that thinks Chicago should be inducted. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Denis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/5e9695/32.png) [@Denis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Denis)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2003, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rnr-hall-of-fame-wtf/160831/44 "2003-03-13T03:15:29Z")
Oh hell, **Coldie** , Rush will live as long as those such as thee and me buy and _appreciate_ their offerings. If we no longer give them support, well, they’ve always got the Orbit Room to fall back on. ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2003, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rnr-hall-of-fame-wtf/160831/45 "2003-03-13T03:24:20Z")
Yeah, but that’s just Alex. I have visions of them at 70 doing some weird fusion-jazz thing in small clubs. And FTR…Ged turns 50 this year. God, that’s scary. They released that first record so damn young. ---
**Author:** ![Valgard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/7feea3/32.png) [@Valgard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Valgard)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2003, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rnr-hall-of-fame-wtf/160831/46 "2003-03-13T03:37:16Z")
(Relaxing to “Let There Be Rock” live after a long day) AC/DC fan here. Fine, they aren’t incredible Musical Innovators, I’ll be the first to admit that, but I betcha that there’s an awful lot of rock and roll bands that count them as important influences one way or the other. Per the RIAA they have sold over 63 million albums, have the 6th-highest selling album of all time and are the 5th best-selling group in the US ever (behind the Beatles, Zeppelin, Floyd and the Eagles - not bad company), I think about 10th worldwide. Keep in mind that this has been done over a 30 year period, most of it without the benefit of MTV, videos, etc - say what you like but they certainly aren’t a flash in the pan and I think that it’s entirely appropriate for them to be in the HoF. Believe that they also just signed a new $25 million contract so not exactly slowing down (OK “Ballbreaker” had strong sunction-like qualities). They’ve been doing the same act for decades but I don’t see what’s wrong with that frankly - it’s simple, bar-band R&B/RnR and they do it well, just happens to be in Olympic stadiums instead of bars now. The show is still basically one funny-looking short Aussie who runs all over the place playing guitar and I’ll take that over lipsynching, prerecorded music, cutesy costumes and carefully coordinated dance steps any time. Valgard ---
**Author:** ![Coldfire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a587f6/32.png) [@Coldfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coldfire)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2003, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rnr-hall-of-fame-wtf/160831/47 "2003-03-13T03:53:31Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Jonathan Chance \* > **I have visions of them at 70 doing some weird fusion-jazz thing in small clubs.** Why? I saw them play in California last September (it was like a catholic going to Lourdes, lemme tell ya :D), and these geezers rocked harder than a lot of 20-something bands I’ve seen. Sure, they don’t dance around on the stage a lot, but they’ve never done that. The compositions don’t lend a lot of room for it anyway, it’s musically quite intense. Seeing as they live life a lot healthier than, say _Keith fucking Richards_, I see no reason why they can’t rock as hard at 60 as they did last fall. Or at 70! ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2003, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rnr-hall-of-fame-wtf/160831/48 "2003-03-13T04:32:02Z")
You should have seen them in the early 80s, rookie. Heh heh heh. Plus, if they’re still doing the same thing in 20 years they’ll be bankrupt. They change. That makes them work. ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2003, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rnr-hall-of-fame-wtf/160831/49 "2003-03-13T04:37:56Z")
You should have seen them in the early 80s, rookie. Heh heh heh. Plus, if they’re still doing the same thing in 20 years they’ll be bankrupt. They change. That makes them work. ---
**Author:** ![Max\_Harvey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ac8455/32.png) [@Max\_Harvey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_Harvey)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2003, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rnr-hall-of-fame-wtf/160831/50 "2003-03-13T04:47:53Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by SkipMagic \* > **I think your advice on backing things up should be heeded by more than just Rib Eye.** Fair enough. The difference is that I have no problems at all with AC/DC or the Police in the HoF, I don’t begrudge their influence, and I’m familiar with almost all their work. Speak of the devil, Costello is hosting Letterman **right now**. “By coincidence, my first band was called the Shingles.” ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2003, 5:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rnr-hall-of-fame-wtf/160831/51 "2003-03-13T05:23:37Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Miller \* > \*\*When discussing the legitimacy of the Rock’n’Roll Hall of Fame, one cannot overlook the fact that it is located in _Cleveland_. > Cleveland, _Ohio_. There ain’t nuthin’ rock’n’roll about Cleveland, Ohio. > > That’s all I have to say, but Frankenstein’s Monster wants to contribute the following opinions: > > Clash good. Elvis Costello good. Rush **BAD!** > > I wouldn’t argue with him, he looks angry. \*\* All you need to know about ELvis Costello: 1. “You wanna know why critics love Elvis Costello so much? Because critics LOOK like f\*\*\*ing Elvis Costello, that’s why.” - David Lee Roth 2. Elvis Costello called Ray Charles “a blind ignorant nigger,” and got his ass kicked by a girl (Bonnie Bramlett) for it. He’s a bigot, a wuss, and a mediocre songwriter. End of story. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2003, 6:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rnr-hall-of-fame-wtf/160831/52 "2003-03-13T06:45:34Z")
So, he’s an asshole with poor fashion sense. That doesn’t say a thing about his musical talents. And, okay, Rush is hugely talented and influential. They still sound like a helium truck crashed into a recording studio. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2003, 6:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rnr-hall-of-fame-wtf/160831/53 "2003-03-13T06:48:36Z")
Oh, and **Jonathan Chance** : Memphis. ---
**Author:** ![Junior\_Spaceman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/eb8c5e/32.png) [@Junior\_Spaceman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Junior_Spaceman)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2003, 7:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rnr-hall-of-fame-wtf/160831/54 "2003-03-13T07:57:16Z")
I’d like to agree with all those who suggested that **Turbonegro** belong in at least the homo-erotic scandinavian sailor wing of the Roque and Rowle HOF. Where the hell are the **Dictators** though? Where would rock be without them? It would be a hell of a lot less fun, that’s for sure. I’d like to see Sting come up with a verse as poetic and just damn inspiring as: > [@](#): > > I knocked 'em dead in Dallas > We didn’t pay our dues > I knocked 'em dead in Dallas > They didn’t know we were Jews It just shows what happens when you let a bunch of old hippies hold the keys to the history of Rock. ---
**Author:** ![anya\_marie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ebca7d/32.png) [@anya\_marie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anya_marie)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2003, 8:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rnr-hall-of-fame-wtf/160831/55 "2003-03-13T08:21:12Z")
Tim Finn is fifty as well, and I for one would love it if he got into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, for his work with Split Enz, his solo work and with Crowded House. ---
**Author:** ![SkipMagic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skipmagic/32/20706_2.png) [@SkipMagic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SkipMagic)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2003, 9:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rnr-hall-of-fame-wtf/160831/56 "2003-03-13T09:06:30Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Max Harvey \* > \*\*Fair enough. The difference is that I have no problems at all with AC/DC or the Police in the HoF, I don’t begrudge their influence, and I’m familiar with almost all their work. \*\* All **Rib Eye** said was that he wasn’t familiar with Costello’s entire catalog, and you jumped on him for criticizing Costello without giving specific examples. From my side of the screen, it looks like you’re only assuming he doesn’t know what he’s talking about because he doesn’t list the particular songs he finds, well, boring. (“Boring” is my word; I’m not sure **Rib Eye** actually said that.) How do you know that he isn’t thinking of more songs than you’re giving him credit for? And yet you rather nastily compare him to an ill-informed 12 year-old. Yet in the same breath (or, you know, keystrokes), you assert that both the Police and AC/DC rate lower than Costello on an artistic scale without citing specific examples. You’re asking us to assume that you know what you’re talking about absent any evidence to support that assumption. How do we know you’re familair with almost all of their work? None of which is to say that neither of you gave invalid opinions; it _is_ to say, however, that you still hold a negative view of his opinion when you, as of your last post, have provided the same amount of support for your opinion. It looks to me like a bit o’ the Pot and Kettle syndrome going on here. ---
**Author:** ![Governor\_Quinn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/d26b3c/32.png) [@Governor\_Quinn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Governor_Quinn)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2003, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rnr-hall-of-fame-wtf/160831/57 "2003-03-13T13:32:18Z")
Will the other members of the board please fill in the blanks as for who will be eligible in the next few years: 2004 (1979): 2005 (1980): 2006 (1981): 2007 (1982): ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2003, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rnr-hall-of-fame-wtf/160831/58 "2003-03-13T14:00:57Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Miller \* > \*\*Oh, and **Jonathan Chance** : Memphis. \*\* And Chicago And New Orleans And Detroit And St Louis Yes, there are many cities that provide roots music. But Memphis and the ones I mentioned aren’t the place where the term was coined, where there isn’t also a huge blues influence and where there wasn’t a large attempt to land the facility. And yes, most people can’t get past Ged’s voice. ---
**Author:** ![vanilla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/f19dbf/32.png) [@vanilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vanilla)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2003, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rnr-hall-of-fame-wtf/160831/59 "2003-03-13T14:24:22Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Mullinator \* > \*\ ***Coldfire said** > This confirms my hypothesis that only someone who is sick could possibly like Rush. \*\* Funny! (see sig) ---
**Author:** ![cornflakes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9d8465/32.png) [@cornflakes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cornflakes)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2003, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rnr-hall-of-fame-wtf/160831/60 "2003-03-13T15:37:34Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by P.T. Smegma \* > \*\*…and fuck you, **cornflakes**. \*\* And as Tiny Tim says, well GOD FUCK US EVERYONE! [sub]Yeah, I read your other post, same here. Actually, I like their pre-_Permanent Waves_ stuff, but I sat through a show on their _Moving Pictures_ tour waiting for something to happen.[/sub] Come to think of it, Rush has been pretty influential. Where would hair metal have been without a squeaky singer up front, and who squeaked before Geddy Lee? _d&r!_ [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rnr-hall-of-fame-wtf/160831.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rnr-hall-of-fame-wtf/160831.md?page=4)