Bumped because the Rock HOF is synonymous with Cleveland, the ceremony will be in Cleveland .. and the selection committee has gone mental. It seemed like they created a more open process by creating a fan ballot for entry into the Hall. This seemed like a good idea to drum up more visitors right?
But then the R&RHOF made a hard right turn and ignored the popular vote. The top two vote getters are Dave Matthews Band and Pat Benatar. Two legitimate rockers in an era where "rock" is being applied loosely as the taste of modern popular music changes. Neither received the nod, and neither did fourth place finisher Soundgarden or fifth place finisher Judas Priest.
I can't say I have a problem with the nominees who made it in: Doobie Brothers played legit rock before going more yacht rock with Micheal McDonald, Whitney Houston should be in if Madonna and Janet Jackson are in, Depeche Mode might be dance music but they are played on rock stations. I even applaud them for getting Nine Inch Nails inducted in Cleveland where Trent Reznor got his start. If you are going to bend the rules, do it for NIN in Cleveland.
But it seems like they are shoehorning a lot of dead people into the Cleveland induction because they would draw less of a crowd. Whitney, T Rex, and Notorious BIG can't perform from the afterlife. It feels like they are saving better performances for another venue. And the biggest issue: they just rendered the popular vote toothless and a waste of time.