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Future Hall of Famers?

Using Rolling Stone's 100 Best Guitar Songs as a Predictor for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

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Rolling Stone magazine recently came up with a list of the "100 Greatest Guitar Songs of All Time." Despite the name, the list isn't really indicative of the best guitar songs, but more of a rundown of the greatest artists of all-time with tracks selected from each.

These types of lists are generally good indicators of who Rolling Stone thinks the important artists are. And because of the overlap between the Rolling Stone writers and the members of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Nominating Committee, it might show who could be headed for future induction.

Here is the list of artists in order, with their Hall of Fame status in parentheses. The guitar song can be found on Rolling Stone's website -- it's irrelevant here.

  1. Chuck Berry (yes)
  2. The Jimi Hendrix Experience (yes)
  3. Cream (yes)
  4. The Kinks (yes)
  5. The Rolling Stones (yes)
  6. Van Halen (yes)
  7. The Beatles (yes)
  8. Led Zeppelin (yes)
  9. The Allman Brothers Band (yes)
  10. Nirvana (eligible in 2013)
  11. Led Zeppelin (yes)
  12. The Jimi Hendrix Experience (yes)
  13. Derek and the Dominos (eligible since 1995)
  14. Bruce Springsteen (yes)
  15. The Who (yes)
  16. Neil Young With Crazy Horse (yes)
  17. Black Sabbath (yes)
  18. Ramones (yes)
  19. Prince and the Revolution (yes)
  20. The Impressions (yes)
  21. The White Stripes (eligible in 2024)
  22. The Beatles (yes)
  23. The Yardbirds (yes)
  24. Rage Against the Machine (eligible in 2017)
  25. The Rolling Stone (yes)
  26. B.B. King (yes)
  27. The Paul Butterfield Blues Band (eligible since 1988)
  28. U2 (yes)
  29. AC/DC (yes)
  30. Bill Haley and His Comets (yes)
  31. Queen (yes)
  32. Dire Straits (eligible since 2003)
  33. Metallica (eligible since 2007)
  34. Aerosmith (yes)
  35. The Stooges (eligible since 1994)
  36. Pink Floyd (yes)
  37. Elvis Presley (yes)
  38. The Faces (eligible since 1995)
  39. Santana (yes)
  40. The Who (yes)
  41. Television (eligible since 2002)
  42. John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers (eligible since 1990)
  43. The Sex Pistols (yes)
  44. Sleater-Kinney (eligible in 2020)
  45. The Beatles (yes)
  46. Dick Dale and the Del-Tones (eligible since 1987)
  47. Van Halen (yes)
  48. The Clash (yes)
  49. Jimi Hendrix (yes)
  50. Pixies (eligible in 2012)
  51. Ozzy Osbourne (eligible since 2005)
  52. Radiohead (eligible in 2017)
  53. Creedance Clearwater Revival (yes)
  54. Stevie Ray Vaughan (eligible in 2008)
  55. Cream (yes)
  56. The Byrds (yes)
  57. Grateful Dead (yes)
  58. Link Wray (eligible since 1985)
  59. Jeff Beck (eligible since 1992)
  60. Funkadelic (yes)
  61. Sam and Dave (yes)
  62. Albert King (eligible since 1987)
  63. Guns n' Roses (eligible in 2011)
  64. Lynyrd Skynyrd (yes)
  65. The Police (yes)
  66. Stevie Ray Vaughan (eligible in 2008)
  67. Bruce Springsteen (yes)
  68. B.B. King (yes)
  69. Pink Floyd (yes)
  70. Smashing Pumpkins (eligible in 2015)
  71. The Strokes (eligible in 2026)
  72. Weezer (eligible in 2019)
  73. Blue Cheer (eligible since 1993)
  74. ZZ Top (yes)
  75. Frank Zappa (yes)
  76. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers (yes)
  77. Pearl Jam (eligible in 2016)
  78. Buddy Guy (yes)
  79. Sonic Youth (eligible since 2007)
  80. Steely Dan (yes)
  81. Michael Jackson (yes)
  82. The Ventures (yes)
  83. Sublime (eligible in 2017)
  84. John Mayer (eligible in 2024)
  85. Phish (eligible in 2013)
  86. Jeff Beck (eligible since 1992)
  87. King Crimson (eligible since 1994)
  88. Quicksilver Messenger Service (eligible since 1993)
  89. Joan Jett and the Blackhearts (eligible since 2005)
  90. The Smiths (eligible in 2008)
  91. The Mars Volta (eligible in 2027)
  92. Mick Jagger (eligible in 1995)
  93. My Bloody Valentine (eligible in 2010)
  94. Dire Straits (eligible since 2003)
  95. Moby Grape (eligible since 1992)
  96. Hüsker Dü (eligible since 2006)
  97. Queens of the Stone Age (eligible in 2023)
  98. Red Hot Chili Peppers (eligible in 2009)
  99. My Morning Jacket (eligible in 2024)
  100. Tool (eligible in 2017)

There are 46 songs from non-Hall of Famers by 43 different artists. Of these artists, 20 are already eligible for induction, with at least seven having been "previously considered" by the Nominating Committee (Albert King, Jeff Beck, Dick Dale, The Faces, The Stooges, Metallica, and The Paul Butterfield Blues Band).

As for the artists that aren't eligible yet, many of them are very likely future Hall of Famers. Bands like Nirvana, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Pearl Jam, The White Stripes, and Radiohead are almost certainly going to be inducted. As for the Mars Volta, the Strokes, and My Morning Jacket, it's probably a little too soon to know if they'll make it, but making this list is a sign they're on Rolling Stone's radar.

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Slash Discusses a Potential Guns N' Roses Rock Hall Induction


Former Guns N' Roses guitarist Slash was recently asked about the possibility of a future GNR reunion at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Speaking of Guns N' Roses, Slash admits he has no contact with Axl Rose, nor has he heard material from the long-awaited "Chinese Democracy." But any silence between the camps is bound to end come 2012, when the influential hard rock act becomes eligible for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Slash, McKagan and drummer Matt Sorum experienced firsthand what could be in store based on the drama that ensued last year around Van Halen's induction into the Rock Hall. With Eddie Van Halen in rehab and David Lee Roth refusing to attend after a set list squabble, Velvet Revolver ended up jamming with Michael Anthony and Sammy Hagar.

"I never even thought about it until we had to do that," Slash says. "Somebody asked me, 'Do you think you guys will be able to show up for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (induction ceremony) in five years?' I was like, 'Oh, I guess we're eligible.' It never dawned on me before then. If this comes up, I'd hope we'd be mature enough to get up and do that, but I have no idea."

When asked what his gut feeling is about Rose and the other original members coming together, Slash says, "My gut doesn't count because it's not just about me. It's about everybody. And if it was easy to predict, we probably wouldn't have had so many hassles in the first place."

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History has shown that volatile bands don't instantly start loving each other again just because of a Hall of Fame induction (Van Halen, CCR, Blondie, etc.). So you can bet that when GNR gets honored, it will be worth watching.
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Rock Hall's "The Craft" series offers insight into Future Hall of Famers

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This year, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame began an artist interview series called "The Craft" that features a number of potential Future Hall of Famers. The first artist featured was Elvis Costello, a member of the Rock Hall Class of 2003. Other artists have included Patty Griffin, Jim James of My Morning Jacket, and Ben Gibbard of Death Cab for Cutie. The latest to be interviewed and perform was Paul Westerberg from the Replacements, who first became eligible for induction last year but haven't made the ballot yet.

The next artist in the series is a sure-fire Future Hall of Famer, Black Francis of the Pixies. Aimee Mann rounds out the group who have been announced so far, but more are on the way.

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Beastie Boys and the Rock Hall

The Beastie Boys are eligible for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame this year for the first time. They were recently asked if they would be honored to get inducted.

Journalist: Would you be honored to get inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame?
Mike D: Will they pay you for that?
Journalist: I think you have to pay for your table.
Mike D: You pay to show up? So what’s the perks? Do you get a key to the city? Do you get a key to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame?
Journalist: Probably.
Adrock: Do they give you a medallion of some sort?
Mike D: Do you get resort perks? Do you get to use a spa, for free?
Journalist: Let’s say all you get is the honor of it, would you be honored by it?
Mike D: You mean so there’s no perks, no spa package…
MCA: Let’s just say, can you get a placard? … I would be honored to receive a placard.
Mike D: I might like a medallion better.
Adrock: A trophy.
Journalist: If invited, would you pull a Johnny Rotten.
Mike D: That letter, was that ever [authenticated]? When I saw it reprinted it looked so fake.
MCA: I don’t think it was, because I was in LA and heard, what’s is name, the guitar player? Steve Jones. And they (Jones and John Lydon) were going on about it. And even Steve Jones, who’s more reasonable, was going on a tear, [mimics cockney accent] “I’m not going out there for a fucking…”   
The Beastie Boys are one of the few artists who are locks to be inducted in the future. It may not be this year, but you can bet that they will be accepting their medallions/placards/keys to the city within the next five years.

Thanks, David.

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New hope for KISS

This week, soldiers in the KISS Army descended upon Cleveland to protest the fact that Kiss has been excluded from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. With all of the attention around the event, Terry Stewart, the new Rock Hall President and CEO, weighed in on KISS' chances for future induction:
"They're worthy of induction," Stewart said. "They've influenced many other artists. They've also extended their band into almost a lifestyle, through merchandising."

So why hasn't KISS been enshrined?

"It's not a slight," Stewart said.

"The process is rigorous and methodical."

Worthy inductees eventually are honored, just not always quickly enough for fans or the musicians themselves, Stewart said.
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This is unbelievable news for KISS fans who have felt that Kiss should have been inducted years ago. With Terry Stewart on the nominating committee, Kiss has an insider who has now gone on the record for supporting their nomination. Stewart will still have to contend with Dave Marsh who is firmly entrenched in the anti-Kiss camp (assuming Marsh hasn't been recently removed from the committee as part of the shake-up). Marsh has said, "Kiss is not a great band, Kiss was never a great band, Kiss never will be a great band, and I have done my share to keep them off the ballot." Marsh is widely regarded as one of the most influential nominating committee members, so it will be interesting to see if Stewart can shake things up.
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Let's talk about... KISS

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Most fans are able to recognize the impact that KISS has made on rock and roll, so it's puzzling that they have yet to even be nominated for the Rock Hall. A big reason they're on the outside could be music critic and Rock Hall nominating committee member, Dave Marsh, who once said:
Kiss is not a great band, Kiss was never a great band, Kiss never will be a great band, and I have done my share to keep them off the ballot.
With that kind of prejudice, it's no wonder that Paul Stanley has become bitter about the Rock Hall in general:
The beauty of America is that you can basically start any kind of private club you want to. This one happens to be called the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. It's a very impressive name for a club but it's an illusion. It's the creation of a group of industry people and critics who decide who they deem as qualified to be in their little admiration society. It's their Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, but it's not the people's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Have you ever voted? I know I haven't. That's why the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, besides having people who very much belong in there, have an abundance of people who most people will scratch their head and not even have a clue who they are. I don't have anything against anybody who's been inducted, but more than a couple of them are a joke. A band or musician's impact is measured by how they change and influence society and other musicians. That and how many albums and concert tickets they sell should be what gets them into the Hall of Fame. As far as I'm concerned it's a private club with a misleading name. It's a sham.
KISS are one of those bands that have gone through their entire career without much critical acclaim or industry awards, but have legions of fans who couldn't care less.

Fans can rest assured that the KISS legacy will live on whether they are recognized by the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame or not.

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