Solo artists and bands that get voted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame are usually legends, the kings and queens of popular music that generations of fans have grown up with. And while acts like Bob Dylan and The Beatles already call the hall home, it seems as if we’re running out of iconic stars as the organizers behind the hall are talking changing the biggest entrance criteria.
According to Showbiz411.com (via Spinner), Jann Wenner (who heads the hall when he isn’t busy running Rolling Stone) wants to change the charter that says a band would only have to wait 20 years after releasing their first album and not 25 years in order to meet the expectations for induction. That would mean that bigger bands could get in sooner than ever before.
The change, it seems, comes as Wenner and the other heads look ahead to 2011. While this winter the likes of Genesis, ABBA, Iggy Pop and the Stooges, and the Hollies are being given the honor, next year’s field of candidates includes the perfectly adequate Chris Isaak, Susan Vega, ‘Til Tuesday, and Simply Red. If it were moved to 20 years, acts like Nirvana, Public Enemy, Green Day, Guns ‘N Roses, and even Keith Richards could be eligible. However, the fear is that smaller acts, everyone from Chubby Checker to Red Hot Chili Peppers, could continue to be snubbed. Or, out of the generosity of his heart, Wenner may induct those neglected legends. Maybe.
We’ll keep you updated if the change does go through. If it does, Weezer would be eligible in 2014. Fingers crossed, everyone.
