As time marches on, the pickings get slimmer and slimmer for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Nine candidates this year and only 2 arguably are worthy of making it.

This year's nominees are:

Van Halen
R.E.M.
Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five
Chic
Patti Smith
The Dave Clark Five
The Ronettes
Joe Tex
The Stooges

Van Halen is in for sure I would assume, same with R.E.M. (gag)

Me personally, I am not giving the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame any credibility until Rush is in. I guess I am just biased though.

R.E.M. in the R&R Hall of Fame? With the Beatles and the Rolling Stones? So much for any credibility the HoF may have ever had...

(FYI, I was a huge REM fan in college and can still sing along with some of their old songs, but they are far from Hall of Fame caliber in my view.)

Van Halen doesn't quite do it either - their body of work and influence wasn't quite long enough. Of course, I think Dave and not Sammy should be inducted if it comes to that...

Andrew

I can't stand R.E.M. Never have. Their music grates on me.

Van Halen should be inducted if nothing else but from the revolutionary aspect of their work. Literally millions of kids grew up wanting to be like Eddie Van Halen, and he remains one of the very few best axe grinders of all time. Especially in this class, how could they NOT get in?

I always liked the Dave Clark Five, of course if you induct them, you'd have to induct Hermans Hermits.

I vote for:
Sammy Hagar (Not Van Halen)
Ozzy Osbourne

The R&R Hall of Fame is a joke. Other than Van Halen and REM, none of those other artists should even be considered. And I agree with Brian, Rush is one of the all-time greatest bands and should be in as well.

"to recognize the contributions of those who have had a significant impact on the evolution, development and perpetuation of rock and roll" (emphasis added)

It's missing a lot more than Rush.

Rush, Jethro Tull, Status Quo, The Pretty Things, The Moody Blues, King Crimson, Little Feat, Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Todd Rundgren, Savoy Brown just to name a few that compare or exceed bands like Blondie, The Sex Pistols, Prince, Isaac Hayes, Flamingo ... who all are in.

I agree and disagree with just about everything that's been said. VH and R.E.M. are the two I'd suspect would gain entry. I'd vote for the David Lee Roth version and deduct a vote for the Sammy Hagar version.

I'll gladly stand alone in support of R.E.M. as they've long been one of my favorite bands, even if their last couple of albums haven't lived up to their early work. But still, they were highly influential in the early 80's and were one of the bands that actually lent credibility to the college-rock format that came into fruition in the 80's.

"The RR HOF is a JOKE." Indeed...

All hall of fames, and I include the oscars are a joke, because they are an elitist idea of what is good entertainment. What people like to watch and hear, is usually deemed trash, by said elitists.

I see david cassidy failed the nomination process again.

Sorry fellas, I think REM ought to be in and Van Halen isn't quite HofF material.

UGH! REM- absolutely NOT!!! One of the most overrated bands on the planet, AND FOR WHAT??? Michael Stipe is a whiney Bitch, and CAN"T SING!

"everybody hurts" -Listening to REM!

Van Halen, should be inducted.

"UGH! REM- absolutely NOT!!! One of the most overrated bands on the planet, AND FOR WHAT??? Michael Stipe is a whiney Bitch, and CAN"T SING!

"everybody hurts" -Listening to REM!

Van Halen, should be inducted."

I couldn't have said it better myself.

Rush, et al. as posted above.

Hear Hear!

One of the qualifiers should be how the music stands the test of time. Most of the bands mentioned in the post above are going to stand up very well for a good long time yet.

I'm of the opinion that REM will pass this test as will VH. The others? Can't remember half of them.

Patti Smyth has talent but never really contributed anything that one could call timeless, IMHO.

I'll have Rush & friends posted above on my playlist for all time. Distinctive, relevant themes, technical excellence. That's HOF material, not who made the social scene more twisted or got connected.

ladies and germs.. as somone who has an "in" on how the R& R works, let me explain on their motives:

The R&R has HUGE operations cost, which means that they " induct" ( aka elect based on income potential) artists who will make them money. There are hordes of bands that deserve to be in, but won't make them money- plain and simple.

is it right? Nope. I was just there this time last year, with my buddy Dick Dale.. Nope he's not in there either.

I was all prepared to put in a good word for Chic until Dick Dale, "King of the Surf Guitar" was mentioned. DD should be in.

Randy-

Yes, you are right. I have spent a bazillion hours with the guy, and his guitar playing is something that can't be explained. He is the sole reason for heavy metal..Alot of people think it's Hendrix- nope. If you listen closely to the begining of " third stone from the sun", Jimi says " you'll never hear surf music again".. It's up to debate of what Jimi meant, but in my opinion it's a reference to when Dick was diagnosed to cancer and given months to live..( mid 60's) .

Dick's still here..

Dick Dale.....Very Cool. But Prog Rockers never get their due either other than Pink Floyd.

Fan of YES, ELP, KANSAS, Refugee, The NICE, etc.