Dear Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation, Museum, and voting members:
It’s a shame that at a time when we should be celebrating and ecstatic, many folks are unhappy and bewildered with the Hall of Fame Induction Class of 2012. When the nominations were first announced and then again finalized, there was a feeling of blasé by fans, critics, and people in the music business. Where is Todd Rundgren? Warren Zevon? Harry Nilsson? Gram Parsons? There would be a healthy discussion about the merits of Stevie Ray Vaughan or Richard Thompson going in. Superstars like Steve Winwood, John Fogerty, and Sting have been acclaimed solo artists besides known for being in a band which has been inducted. Lyle Lovett and Steve Earle are cross over artists that could get some rock hall consideration. Of course, folks every year clamor about groups like Yes and The Moody Blues… yet their names don’t even appear on the press release of nominations?
I grew up in Canton and the Pro Football Hall of Fame is the fabric of that town. Floyd Little, the star running back of Syracuse and Denver Broncos is an example of a player that was inducted on the very last year of eligibility in 2011. Former Ohio State and Minnesota Viking wide receiver Chris Carter is on the ballot once again awaiting a call from the HOF next month. Both players have been on the ballot multiple times and sometimes they get in, and sometimes they don’t. Having a decent knowledge of players and the history of the game, I follow baseball’s HOF balloting process as well. Bert Blyleven, who played for the Cleveland Indians along with the Minnesota Twins and Pittsburgh Pirates, finally was inducted last year. The late Ron Santo will not be able to bask in the sun of his HOF induction this summer. Time ran out on Santo’s eligibility on the main ballot, but he will be going in as a Golden Era Committee’s choice. Again, both players have appeared on the ballot multiple times making for healthy discussions for years why they should or should not get in.
Where I’m going with this is that there are musicians, songwriters, and rock ‘n roll bands that should be announced as being on the ballot. I hope you think about changing things up next year with many more deserving names announced as nominations. Borrow some of the things the other Hall of Fames do with needing a minimum percentage of votes to remain on the ballot and a certain time allowance once eligible that they can be elected.
I love the Rock Hall and have been a member since day one. I’m proud to be from Northeast Ohio and always touting the need to visit or revisit the museum. It’s been great to see the live feed of the ceremonies from New York at the museum over the years and I felt Cleveland blew them away with the pageantry of holding the inductions at Public Hall three years ago. Although not enamored with this year’s class, I’m still looking forward to attending my second Rock HOF Induction ceremony. Induction week looks to be bigger and better than ever and we will be proud of your efforts. Many folks in town are here to help and make the event and city shine brightly. I just hope down the road more people will agree with your choices and the selection process instead of scratching their heads and wondering why more deserving candidates aren’t being mentioned.
That’s all … thanks for listening ….
See you next year ….
