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▲ 3 r/rockhall

Grammy Hall Of Fame

How does the Grammy certification work for the deceased? The Grammys rarely email back about families who are in the Grammy Hall of Fame looking for certification. Does anyone work at the Grammys office anymore?

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u/SameAsNeuralMagic — 3 days ago
▲ 4 r/rockhall

Early (Musical) Influence category for rock hall

Musical Influence has become new "musical excellence" in 2025 and 2026, since two consecutive years ME is only used for inducting sidemen, and producers, songwriters now.

The new consolation price is MI now for acts that failed to be voted in on ballot (Warren Zevon, Gram Parsons, Fela Kuti) or even struggled to appear on ballot (MC Lyte, Salt-N-Pepa, Queen Latifah)

New consolation price makes more sense than old one, because every act can be "influence" to some other acts.

Also interestingly, in these two years, every MI inductees are acts post-Beatles, so make me think has rock hall done with inducting 50s/early 60s acts using this category? No to likes of Odetta? Looking like Gram Parsons is oldest one in MI in two years, and everyone else are later era acts.

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u/Flat_Ad_8335 — 4 days ago
▲ 0 r/rockhall

The definition of rock and roll the Rock Hall should provide

The term “rock and roll” is interchangeable with other genres: R&B, rockabilly, blues, gospel, soul, country, folk, metal, jazz, hip hop, disco, pop, punk, and so many others.

Because:

Some genres exist on music charts. Those measure sales within specific markets. Billboard does not recognize “rock and roll” as a market, and neither do other charts. “Rock and roll” is music that has landed on R&B, jazz, country, gospel, pop, middle-of-the-road, adult contemporary, Top 40, rock, alternative, college, and other charts.

Other genres are created by academics to define and explain, critics and the music industry to interpret and sell, and artists to label themselves and what they make. The term “Rock and roll” was created by artists to describe partying and sex. A radio DJ named Alan Freed used it to describe music and then popularized it promoting it to young people. He used it interchangeably with R&B, marketed it energetically, and created sensational moments in the music industry that made a lot of people a lot of money, and subverted a lot of social and artistic expectations.

Genres naturally overlap. What separates them might be trivial: language, class, race, or lyrical content for example, which when performed by someone in a different language, of a different class, or race, with a different set of lyrics qualifies it as a different genre.

 

Rock and roll is not simply a musical style. It has musical, social, and commercial elements that must exist simultaneously. To avoid more abstract and confusing explanations of rock and roll that the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame provides, below are the essential elements of rock and roll that is the basis of a concrete definition.

 

Musical characteristics

  • Majority of songs are no more than 5 minutes long, usually between 2 and 4.
  • Lyrics are primarily in English. Lyrical content is varied.
  • Tempo can be upbeat or laid back. Volume can be loud or soft. Loud and energetic is common. Ballads are common.
  • Instruments commonly include guitars (acoustic, lead electric, bass), rhythm guitar, upright bass, piano or keyboards, drum kits and varied percussion, horns (especially saxophone). Multiple vocal styles exhibited, including spoken word and rap. Blues chord progressions are common. Backbeat is common. Improvisation is common.
  • Musicologists can complete this one with explanation of music commonly within specific mode(s) and keys, as in, majority of music is composed in Ionic mode(?) in keys of X. Y, and Z.
  • Band sizes are commonly three to five members but can (rarely) expand into the teens. Solo performers often use session musicians. Accompanying production may be minimal or intricate.
  • Virtuoso level skill is common but not necessary to succeed. Passion in performances and lyrical content often supplants musical skill.
  • Performances can include sitting still in an acoustic setting or huge ear-piercing pyrotechnic displays in arenas, yet both kinds are often deeply moving.

Social characteristics

  • It is subversive. Legally, morally, artistically, politically, or socially.
  • Established authority finds it threatening. Legally, morally, artistically, politically, or socially.
  • It is disseminated through mass media: radio, television, film, internet, and social media.
  • Performances are often large energetic social gatherings.
  • It is heavily marketed toward youth with disposable income. Music executives, producers, and artists often (try to) create or participate in social zeitgeists (trends, fads, crazes, fashions, political movements). Cultural relevance is strongly linked to overall success and influence.

Commercial characteristics

  • It is a form of popular music which means it is funded by mass sales rather than government grants, private patrons, or other means.
  • It is intrinsically linked to business and commerce. Commercial success is virtually necessary to be considered influential.
  • It transcends regional pockets, social segregation, and chart markets. Some charts are separated based on race and class. Others on lyrical content. These separations commonly become irrelevant in rock and roll.
u/Moni3 — 6 days ago
▲ 0 r/rockhall

Ok here's something probably stupid

Do any of these actually count as "rock and roll"?

  • Otis Redding
  • Hank Williams
  • Miles Davis
  • B.B. King
  • Kool and the Gang
  • Cat Stevens
  • Frank Zappa
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u/Key_Independence_103 — 8 days ago
▲ 30 r/rockhall

Why do ppl act like the hall is only for “rock” musicians when that was clearly never the intent.

The first few classes (deservedly) had fucking Sam Cooke, James Brown, Aretha Franklin, Smokie Robinson, Drifters, Supremes, Temptations, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, and Otis Redding.

It’s clearly intended for popular music that descended from blues and gospel (which is what the original music labeled “rock and roll” was) and always has been.

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u/AnyEverywhere8 — 12 days ago
▲ 1 r/rockhall

My Top 10 Picks from the Country Music Hall of Fame who deserve to be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Just because I see people complaining about country artists in the Hall and I thought it was dumb lol, but I do genuinely stand by this list here. Maybe I'd alter it if it was for country music in general, but this is based on artists who are already part of the Country Music Hall of Fame. Believe it or not, there's already a bit of overlap! There's currently 18 artists who are inducted into both Halls, which is awesome, and I definitely think that list can get bigger. So here's pick, what do y'all think? And who would you swap out?

  1. Marty Robbins (Maybe as an Influence?) 

  2. Toby Keith

  3. Garth Brooks 

  4. Emmylou Harris 

  5. Kris Kristofferson (Probably via Musical Excellence)

  6. The Carter Family (As an Influence) 

  7. Loretta Lynn

  8. Kenny Rogers

  9. Waylon Jennings

  10. Merle Haggard

 

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u/Keanu_Norris — 12 days ago
▲ 43 r/rockhall+1 crossposts

Pet Shop Boys Deserve a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction. It’s Long Overdue

Hey r/rockhall (and fellow music fans),

The Pet Shop Boys (Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe) are one of the most influential, consistent, and groundbreaking duos in pop music history. It’s time they get the recognition they deserve.

Why?

• Cultural impact that can’t be ignored: Since bursting onto the scene in 1981 (with their first big hit “West End Girls” in ‘85), they’ve sold over 50 million records worldwide. They basically defined intelligent, witty, danceable synth-pop. Their sound influenced everyone from New Order to Madonna to modern artists like The Killers, Lady Gaga, and even hip-hop producers who sample their tracks.

• Songwriting mastery: “West End Girls,” “It’s a Sin,” “What Have I Done to Deserve This?”, “Suburbia,” “Rent,” “Being Boring,” “Heart” aren’t just hits; they’re perfectly crafted mini-masterpieces that mix social commentary, melancholy, and irresistible hooks. Neil Tennant’s lyrics are literary and sharp, often exploring class, sexuality, regret, and fame in ways that still feel fresh.

• Pioneers of electronic and queer visibility: They brought high-concept art to the mainstream with their stylish videos, stage shows, and unapologetic queerness at a time when it was far from easy. Chris Lowe’s understated synth mastery paired with Neil’s voice created something timeless. Albums like Please, Actually, Behaviour, and Very are stone-cold classics.

• Longevity and versatility: 40+ years in the game, constant evolution (from hi-NRG disco to orchestral reworkings), and they still tour and release strong material. They’ve collaborated with everyone from Dusty Springfield and Liza Minnelli to David Bowie and Elton John. Their influence on dance music, house, and modern pop is massive.

The Hall has rightly inducted electronic/dance icons like Kraftwerk, Giorgio Moroder, and Donna Summer. Pet Shop Boys belong in that conversation. They took the synth blueprint and made it emotionally resonant and massively commercial. They’re witty, stylish, and profoundly influential without ever chasing trends.

#InductPetShopBoys

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u/PlotTwistPenguin — 14 days ago
▲ 0 r/rockhall

Rock Hall's Obsession with Traditional Rock Sound

The Rock Hall committee is still too conservative. Even when it comes to 1990s artists, they seem determined to preserve the traditional rock sound by continuing to nominate retro-rock acts that evoke the "golden age of rock and roll."

I wouldn't be surprised if they keep bringing back acts like The Black Crowes and Melissa Etheridge year after year. After that, they could easily move on to artists such as George Thorogood (though he is in 80s), Hootie & the Blowfish, Counting Crows, and even Blues Traveler, Spin Doctors, The Wallflowers...

This shows how the case of Black Crowes are weak, though they are most obvious choice that will be reminded of when people talking about retro rock in 90s, their streaming number, album selling and charts performance and hits in rock ratio in US is not much different to likes of Blues Traveler, Spin Doctors, The Wallflowers...

I won't be surprised by any name I mentioned that will be suddenly appeared on ballot.

It feels like they're willing to dig deeper and deeper into the pool of classic-rock-oriented artists in order to keep that tradition alive.

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u/Flat_Ad_8335 — 12 days ago