I will admit I don’t follow music/musicians anymore because of hearing loss, and never really paid attention to yet another Hall of Fame. I knew who I liked, and didn’t care about awards, etc…
There’s something off about applause that arrives 30 years too late.
This year, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame will finally open its glitzy doors to Cyndi Lauper. And yes, the girl who just wanted to have fun earned it. No question. You could argue she should’ve been inducted before now, and you’d be right. But her long-overdue invitation isn’t the only story.
While cameras will flash, and industry types will slap backs and nod as if they saw it coming, there’s an ugly truth hiding in the lights: some of the greatest women in music history still haven’t made it into the Hall. Not because they lacked talent. Not because they lacked influence. But because the Rock Hall has a long, slow habit of forgetting the very women who built the foundation beneath its stage.
Full article, HERE from PJ Media.
When you read the article, and look at who is NOT there based on their music, or how long it took for them to get there, it becomes obvious they are slow rolling the women… ALL the women…
Much like the record labels took advantage of the bands over the years, and the continuing ‘scuffles’ over royalties/contract payments/ASCAP fees, etc. This is, to me, just one more money grab at the top levels, and to hell with the artists…
Grrrr…
In recent related news Carol Kaye refused induction in the hall of fame for similar reasons. Carol is a session bassist who appeared on many major tracks since the ‘60’s.
My VA hearing aids (oticons) work with my phone (android and Iphones) and provide me with the best sounding music I have heard in 30 years.
Hie thee to the VA, amigo!
Not to belittle the case of the distaff side, there was also Yes. Delayed so long it was a posthumous induction for their bass player. Going the way of the Hugos?
Hey Old NFO;
I touched on it with my blog with Irene Cara, she had an 8 year running battle with her record company after “Fame” was released because how one sided it was. She had taken them to court and finally won after her reputation got trashed and it impacted her career. She was one of my favorite singers along with Stevie Nicks.
https://mydailykona.blogspot.com/search?q=irene+cara
You are correct, considering how progressive everything else is, somehow they are shafting the female singers. and Cindi lauper is a good singer and a huge influence on rock and pop and she also hits several of the “boxes” as I understand it for her personal activism.
Unfortunately this doesn’t surprise me. Heart only got inducted a few years ago. Ann Wilson can still belt those songs out like it’s 1975! On a similar note, I believe The Moody Blues, as well as Bad Company still haven’t been inducted yet. Meanwhile there a number of rap/hip hop artists who have been inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame?
The recording industry took notes from publishing on how to screw over the artists, slow rolling women now isn’t much different. Abusive contract terms, shitty payments that are late or short, you name it the record labels (like trad pub) do it. I remember reading Janis Ian recount that the merch tables are the only way she makes any money on tour, all the revenue from ticket sales goes to the ravenous horde of 10%ers attached to the tour.
Boy howdy can the Wilson sister still rock, their performance of Stairway to Heaven at Kennedy Center for the Led Zeppelin honors event was just amazing.
The various HoFs have never held any significance to me, just like the Hugos and Nebulas turned into the Tor club long before Sad Puppies I they were ‘awarding’ artists that I had no interest in (especially hip-hop and (c)rap).
X2
The members of Jethro Tull would like a word…
Grand Funk Railroad still hasn’t made it in. It’s actually something they consider a good thing by now.
Electric Light Orchestra had some of the biggest and most expensive concerts during its career and finally got inducted in 2017, fully 20 years after their last album.
Alan Parsons Project still isn’t in.
It’s not just the women. The HoF has screwed over lots of really good bands and male artists.
Seriously, the whole ‘who gets nominated and who wins’ thing has been hosed for decades.
All of the “Hall Of Fame” out there don’t induct based on talent or accomplishments. It’s based on money and popularity. It’s a racket.
All- Good points, and yes, more that ‘just’ women. Mark- I did, it’s better, but still not good.
The R&R HoF has been a joke ever since the inducted ABBA. ‘Nuff said.