BLOBBY'S BLOG

ROCK and/or ROLL

If you haven't been to the Rock N Roll Hall O'Fame, I don't know that I can recommend it. Sure, it's a destination, if you are in Cleveland. Even the architecture is only ok. I.M. Pei (you are who?) did it and it looks oddly like his J.F.K. Library.

I was a member of the Hall when it opened 10-11 yrs ago. I went two times, was not impressed and never renewed my membership. Clearly it's as much, if not more, about audible displays as it is visual. But piping in music over those audio displays made it impossible to get anything out of those exhibits. Maybe they've solved the problem.

I lost immediate interest in the clothing/costume displays. The Sgt. Pepper uniforms were kind of cool. The penny loafers on loan from Michael Jackson were not. Especially when the loan insisted the display card as saying: Designed by Michael Jackson, King of Pop. And there was a trademark symbol after that last line. I kid you not. The shoes looked no different than any Bass Weejuns. Way to go Designer Mike!

I think it's great that no artist can be nominated until 25 yrs after their first recording. That seems logical. It stands to reason that the music and their artistry holds up and has shown some contribution to the history of, oh Rock and/or Roll. Other than that, I don't what the criteria is. I would assume to be a first at something, or the best at something (sales, charts, etc) - but who knows. It just seems all very subjective.

No offense to the groups who are in, but how much of a difference is there really between the Shirelles, the Ronettes and Martha & the Vandellas? Overall most of the performer choices were on the mark. Sometimes they eventually get on the mark.

Case in point - two inductees slated for 2007: R.E.M. and Patti Smith. The former on the ballot for three years and no nod. Patti Smith for like six. Yet Bob Seger and Jackson Browne get in first. I like Jackson Browne! But Hall of Fame material?? I'm having a hard time with that - especially over R.E.M. (granted, I am talking pre-Monster R.E.M., but......) and Smith. Jackson didn't sing "Rock N Roll Nigger" - he wouldn't have the balls.

The Grateful Dead fought the Hall when they were to be inducted. Only a handful of their ever-rotating roster were even on the list. G-d love Jerry Garcia, who called them on it and said - everyone gets in or no one. The Rock Hall caved.

But for bands like Fleetwood Mac, only some members got in and it had nothing to do with longevity, founding members, but seemingly with commercial success. It's either about band or Hall preference. Which version of the band gets the nod? And if they pick a member here and there, is it THE band at all? Some of these people have never met, let alone played together.

I love that my nephew is into the Hall though. He's a member and has met the surviving members of The Clash down there. How cool is that? I'm glad another generation is getting something out of it - but the structure isn't all that it was meant to be. There are no concerts - or even performing space. There was only one induction ceremony in Cleveland.

By all means - if you're in Cleveland stop by the Hall. Drop a line. I'll meet you for a drink before or after - I just probably won't join you.