Thursday, December 17, 2015

Class of 2016

It's not fitness related but I had to take a minute to comment on one of my biggest passions, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame!  The Class of 2016 was announced this morning (well, Eddie Trunk actually leaked it last night), and I couldn't be more pleased with this year's class:

  • Cheap Trick
  • Chicago
  • Deep Purple
  • N.W.A.
  • Steve Miller

Any of the nominees in the running this year (other than Chic and Chaka Khan) would have made me happy honestly, but you can't get much better than this class.  I was mostly ecstatic that N.W.A. got in, they were the band I was pulling for the most.  Of course there's always the "herp a derp, it's not the RAP Hall of Fame" people, but honestly screw them lol.  I've spoken about my feelings on the subject of N.W.A. and rap acts getting into the Rock Hall before, but my definition of rock and roll tends to be somewhat broad.  A band like N.W.A. pushed boundaries, and their music is full of defiance, protest, shirking authority and confronting injustice.  Their music makes people uncomfortable, and honestly, sometimes music should make you uncomfortable and make you question the ways of the world.  To me they are pure rock and roll, and I highly recommend people seeing the movie Straight Outta Compton.  Besides the fact that it was a great movie, I think it would give people respect or at least understanding of where they came from and why their work is important to music.

A lot of people were bothered that a woman was not part of the final class this year, and I suppose I'm a bad feminist because I was not quite as bothered by that this year as I have been past years.  For me, and this is just me personally, Janet and Chaka just were not strong arguments for the Hall compared to some of the other nominees.  I don't want women to get in just because they're women, I want them to be the best woman you know what I mean?  Again, I know both of those ladies have passionate fan bases, and I'm not saying they should NEVER get in, but they are not as glaring of an omission as say Chicago or Deep Purple.

Lots of people ask me questions about the Rock Hall, who is in/not in so I put a couple of links below from my favorite site Future Rock Legends.  Neil has the most professional, comprehensive overview of everything Rock Hall and it's awesome!

Future Eligible Artists by Year - Pearl Jam eligible next year!
The Snubbed List - Lots of forehead smacking on this list of wonderful artists who have yet to be nominated.  Seriously, many will shock and infuriate you.  I mean Jim Croce?


  1. I agree that women should not get things simply because they are women--who wants to get an achievement simply because they filled a specific quota?

  2. Jim Croce.. wow. really? Had no idea. That is wrong. So thrilled for Chicago and NWA!

  3. Is Gordon Lightfoot in? Because he should be too. I adore him.

  4. A great class this year but I'm a little disappointed Yes didn't get it. And Bad Company has been snubbed for 15 years??? How is this even possible?

  5. I'm glad to see that NWA got in! I agree - they're more than just rap and their contribution should absolutely be recognized!