Doing the Right Thing

As much as I (and many other rock and roll obsessives) rip the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for their decisions on various things, I need to give credit where credit is due. In addition to the inductions announced in December, the Rockhall has decided to rectify some longtime wrongs with a few additions to the Class of 2012. Many years ago, for reasons nobody seems to be able to recall, the Rockhall inducted Gene Vincent, Bill Haley, Buddy Holly, James Brown, Hank Ballard and Smokey Robinson alone as solo artists. Each of these artists made their biggest impact as leaders of groups or bands. Yes, they went on to do important things with other backing musicians, but their most important work was accomplished leading stable groups.

It is rare that the Rockhall admits to mistakes, but they have on these inductions. Therefore, as part of the Class of 2012, Vincent’s Blue Caps, Haley’s Comets, Holly’s Crickets, Brown’s Famous Flames, Ballard’s Midnighters and Robinson’s Miracles will all be inducted to join their leaders. Rock and Roll is a collective thing. James Brown would not have been as funky without his Famous Flames and Buddy Holly would not have been as groundbreaking without his steady Crickets rhythm section. Perhaps the Hall will continue to fix more of these omissions in the future. For instance, why was Tom Petty inducted as part of Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, yet Bruce Springsteen was inducted alone without his E Street Band? Obviously it is a case by case analysis, but it makes sense that Van Morrison was inducted alone, as he never really had a stable band and changed personnel almost every record. He played with many fine musicians who made great contributions to his music, but nothing was stable enough to really honor anyone other than Van for the music released under his name. With Springsteen, his E Street Band has been relatively stable through his most celebrated work, the band is acknowledged as crucial to the entire Springsteen sound, and several members have justifiably reached a level of fame of their own. The E Street Band should be inducted with Springsteen.


ABOVE: Buddy Holly didn't record "Peggy Sue" alone

Anyway, good for the Hall for at least starting the process of fixing some glaring past mistakes. One downside: members of these bands being inducted will add even more older voters to the voting induction pool, not helping the Hall address their deficiencies in 80’s, prog rock, metal and other underrepresented genres. But this was the right thing to do.