I’m pulling most for Deep Purple (why the heck have they waited this long?), Peter Gabriel, and Link Wray. All three should have been in long before now, IMHO.
No strong feelings about Hall and Oates, Yes, Linda Rondstat, or KISS. Like H and O, but don’t feel like they HAVE to be one of the acts who gets in this time around.
Disagree with the nominations of The Replacements, NWA, and LL Cool J.
Oh yeah, and when the heck is someone gonna nominate Rainbow?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ble0pQHUb8c
70’s Rock/Metal doesn’t get much better than that, IMHO.
Link Wray was previously entered in the Hall as a “one hit wonder”. A “wonder” who inspired Pete Townsend to pick up a guitar. A guitarist who is still celebrated by Bob Dylan. A guitarist who inspired Keith Moon to strip naked and run around the studio screaming his name in 1972. A guitarist cherished by Jimmy Page. A guitarist who made John Lennon turn fanboy. The guy Bruuuuce Springsteen originally wrote “Fire” for.
One hit wonder indeed.
Lightnin’ Hopkins belongs in there as well for inspiring countless musicians (big name black blues artists as well as 1960s art school Brits) to pick up a guitar. Ringo Starr almost moved to Houston (just a few months before he was tapped to join the Beatles) because that’s where Lightnin’ was. He at least belongs in the hall as an influence.
The HOR is a mess. They don't have a definition of Rock and a list of criteria that propel them. Rolling Stone is behind the endeavor, so it's always been geared too much to commercialism and sensationalism in their choices. Some of their earlier, original work was doing a real good job telling the story of the foundations of rock and 1950s early rock, but now that part of the story is being obscured.
It's worth the trip for rock fans. Some of the artifacts are interesting, and it's a fun place to see people of all ages enjoying music history. As a HOF it's a farce. What can you say positive about its education arm providing lessons on how to perform rap?
And where are the Moody Blues? They've never even been nominated!