The twenty eighth selection returns us back to the never ending Rock and Roll Hall of Fame question of inducting Progressive Rock acts. As a key player in the Progressive Rock movement; Yes was an impressive outfit regardless of which lineup they had.
Considering the vast amount of artists discussed here, only a small handful of them have achieved success through out their twenty five years awaiting eligibility. Even less on this list could sell out an arena internationally. Not only has Bon Jovi accomplished both feats; they could very well be the only group on this list with the best shot of maintaining that status over the next twenty five years.
We find that with our next selection that some things just don’t translate; even if it is in the same language. The music of The Jam fits that description, because as huge as they were in their native England, they just couldn’t find a substantial audience in North America.
Heavy Metal is one of those genres that will generate more passion from its listeners than most. Recent inductee, Metallica suffered a minor backlash for cutting their hair and softening their sound in the 90’s to become more commercially viable. Yet as successful as Metallica was, they may not be the Heavy Metal band with the most die hard fans. Iron Maiden might just have that honorary title.
As seen with our sixth selection the NIHOF committee elected to separate New Order and Joy Division. We may reevaluate that decision one day, but considering the separate “life of its own” that Joy Division appears to be garnishing lately; it made more sense to us to create individual entries.
With three nominations in the past ten years, it could be argued that Gram Parsons could be considered a future lock for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Considering that Parsons is considered the father of Country Rock there is a good chance he soon will.
When the NIHOF committee got together and threw around adjectives to describe the musicians on this list the word “revolutionary” was mentioned quite often. Revolutionary certainly fits the music of MC5 (The Motor City 5), but this could be the only band that actually wanted to start a political revolution one as well.
Had we done this list with the criteria of chart success, Chicago would have easily been in our top ten. Having charted over multiple decades, Chicago has enjoyed a devoted following that few on this list can match. One has to wonder if the band was a little flashier, and the fans a little louder if it would not come as such a great shock as to the average music fan as to just how successful they were.
The NIHOF Committee knew that we had would be placing many artists that achieved limited commercial success. Yet when we looked at Big Star, we just couldn’t figure out why they never did hit the mainstream. Had they achieved more than just critical acclaim, they would likely be in the Hall already.
With this selection, we approach an artist who we just couldn’t figure out where to place; or even if we should place him at all. Was John Coltrane right for the Roots and Early Influence category? We didn’t think so as his greatest success and period of influence was simultaneous with the British Invasion. Does Jazz have a viable place in the Hall? We think so, as Miles Davis is in and many a Rock genre is Jazz infused. Besides, if any Jazz great had a “Rock Star” quality, it was John Coltrane.