ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES - 2007

PLAY THE SHOW

This week, we honor a brand new batch of inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Despite my misgivings regarding anything that ‘legitimizes’ rock and roll, I now see this organization as a means of celebration, even though, by definition, it waters down the rebellious nature of the very medium it wishes to celebrate.
This year’s nominations are among the most eclectic ever nominated, especially when listed side by side. The Ronettes are finally making the cut, almost twenty years after they initially qualified (twenty-five years need to have passed since your initial recordings). Van Halen is the first bonafide ‘metal’ act to be included, and Patti Smith joins The Ramones as representatives of New York City’s punk aristocracy. Speaking of New York, Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five represent another first, being the first rap act to achieve nomination. The final inductee is R.E.M., an alternative, post-punk, do-it-yourself band that eventually became superstars in their own right.
Here’s a list of the songs we chose to represent these inductees;
1) Be My Baby – The Ronettes
2) Walking in the Rain – The Ronettes
3) Ain’t Talking ‘Bout Love – Van Halen
4) Panama – Van Halen
5) Dancing Barefoot – Patti Smith
6) So You Want to Be a Rock ‘n Roll Star – Patti Smith
7) Gardening at Night – R.E.M.
8) Daysleeper – R.E.M.
9) New York New York – Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five
10) The Message – Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five