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This is a tough subject. Was once familiar with the selection rules, a little rusty now. But after watching the highlights of the inductees, I couldn't help but wondering IF Jimmy was going to make it in. Without listing all of his accomplishments, as far as record sales go ( we're all knowlegable about that ), its clear how popular he is. Hell, his music is so different, most don't even know what catagory its in. Isn't he then somewhat of a pioneer? It's funny to hear all the Jimmy wannabes on the radio. Don't know how Jimmy would react to a nomination. Just thought I would open a can of worms

I hate to say it, but I don't think JB would ever make it into the R&R Hall of Fame. I think he should for one reason, ticket sales. He is always one of the top grossing acts in the country, year after year after year.

He might make it in on the basis that that Hall of Fame is running out of quality inductees. I think he merits induction and will get in 5-10 years down the road.

I don't think the Hall of Fame is running out of inductees. By the same token, I don't think Buffett will ever be inducted even though he did the honors for the Eagles when they were nominated. By the way, record/concert grosses don't figure into the criteria used when nominating artists. From the Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame web site:

http://www.rockhall.com/hof/process.asp

Artists become eligible for induction 25 years after the release of their first record. Criteria include the influence and significance of the artist’s contributions to the development and perpetuation of rock and roll.

The Foundation’s nominating committee, composed of rock and roll historians, selects nominees each year in the Performer category. Ballots are then sent to an international voting body of about 1,000 rock experts. Those performers who receive the highest number of votes, and more than 50 percent of the vote, are inducted. The Foundation generally inducts five to seven performers each year.

I really doubt that the Rock and Roll HOF is in Jimmy's future (not enough "mainstream" appeal plus debate over is he country/is he rock n' roll, etc.) But I recently found out that there is a Songwriters Hall of Fame. I think that would be definitely the place for Jimmy.

http://www.songwritershalloffame.org

Big Red Parrothead wrote:I really doubt that the Rock and Roll HOF is in Jimmy's future (not enough "mainstream" appeal plus debate over is he country/is he rock n' roll, etc.) But I recently found out that there is a Songwriters Hall of Fame. I think that would be definitely the place for Jimmy.

http://www.songwritershalloffame.org

Mainstream appeal has nothing to do with an artist being inducted, neither does their musical style. For instance, Johnny Cash is in both the Rock n' Roll and Country Music Halls of Fame.

Gotta agree with Jah...

The rock and roll hall of fame is based more on what us self-proclaimed music geeks think is important and less what the fans like. It's in part a band's innovation and that band's contribution to the ongoing rock and roll conversation. Genre and ticket sales are just not mitigating factors when it comes to the music - those are more about the market.

Just remember the Grateful Dead are in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Their style was a mixture of rock, country, and blues, plus they only ever had one hit. I expect Jimmy to be nominated in the next few years.

The Grateful Dead had way more than one hit. Besides "Touch of Grey", "Casey Jones", "Truckin'", "Friend of the Devil", and many others have all received significant radio airplay over the years. The Velvet Underground are in because of their influence alone, very little (if any) of their music has ever been played on mainstream radio.

Plus the Dead's contribution was not radio singles, but rather the musical tradition that grew out of the Haight-Ashbury counterculture.

Aside from the Beatles(which is a pretty big aside) what was George Harrisons great influence as a solo artist?

Jahfin wrote:Mainstream appeal has nothing to do with an artist being inducted, neither does their musical style. For instance, Johnny Cash is in both the Rock n' Roll and Country Music Halls of Fame.

Key Lime Lee wrote:The rock and roll hall of fame is based more on what us self-proclaimed music geeks think is important and less what the fans like. It's in part a band's innovation and that band's contribution to the ongoing rock and roll conversation.

Both of you are correct and I apologize for using the wrong wording in my original post (I should have used the term "broad-based"). What I was trying to get at is that I doubt that Buffett will ever be able to garner enough support among the powers that be and the "self-proclaimed music geeks" to get into the R&R HOF. Whether we like it or not, there are a large number of musical "experts" (and I use that term loosely) who just don't take Jimmy seriously.

Think about it: every summer, various newspaper reviewers describe Jimmy as "the soundtrack for a summer beach party" but almost go out of their way to downplay or outright criticize his musical ability and songwriting. And every year, BNers will get all up in arms about these reviews and fire off e-mails to the relevant newspapers.

And therein lies the difference: whether you like their music or not, pretty much everyone can agree that Johnny Cash and the Grateful Dead had a substantial impact on the evolution of 20th century music. But can the same be said for Jimmy? For every Parrothead who would argue Jimmy meets that criteria, there is someone else out there who would argue he is little more than a party band. And like it or not, neither side is going to change the other's mind.

I think it is coming, though it may be a few years yet, and here's why.

From The R&R Hall of Fame
Leaders in the music industry joined together in 1983 to establish the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation. One of the Foundation’s many functions is to recognize the contributions of those who have had a significant impact on the evolution, development and perpetuation of rock and roll by inducting them into the Hall of Fame.

While many would argur that he has not been incredibly influential (though I would argue he was no less so than James Taylor) no one can argue that he has not spread music to generations of loyal listeners. We've seen that long overdue appreciation is just now coming to him, maybe this will be a part of that trend.

Not to be shallow, but lets not forget Jimmy has made alot of powerfull friends in well placed places.

poolboy Bob wrote:Aside from the Beatles(which is a pretty big aside) what was George Harrisons great influence as a solo artist?

The Concert for Bangladesh for one thing. George Harrison was years ahead of his time with that one, not to mention his unique guitar playing style and his songwriting abilities (which were pretty much stifled in the Beatles). If you've never heard it, I highly suggest listening to his first solo album, the double disc set All Things Must Pass. Now, if Ringo ever gets in as a solo artist I might have to question that myself...

Jahfin wrote:

poolboy Bob wrote:Aside from the Beatles(which is a pretty big aside) what was George Harrisons great influence as a solo artist?

The Concert for Bangladesh for one thing. George Harrison was years ahead of his time with that one, not to mention his unique guitar playing style and his songwriting abilities (which were pretty much stifled in the Beatles). If you've never heard it, I highly suggest listening to his first solo album, the double disc set All Things Must Pass. Now, if Ringo ever gets in as a solo artist I might have to question that myself...

Thanks. I asked the question not of sarcasm but for the reasoning.

poolboy Bob wrote:Aside from the Beatles(which is a pretty big aside) what was George Harrisons great influence as a solo artist?

All Things Must Pass...the only #1 album by a solo Beatle.

He was worthy...

BuPHett wrote:

poolboy Bob wrote:Aside from the Beatles(which is a pretty big aside) what was George Harrisons great influence as a solo artist?

All Things Must Pass...the only #1 album by a solo Beatle.

He was worthy...

No disagreement on the worthyness here, but I'm pretty sure that was the first, not only, number one album by a former Beatle. was not "Band on the Run" a chart topper as well?

PalmettoSon wrote:

BuPHett wrote:

poolboy Bob wrote:Aside from the Beatles(which is a pretty big aside) what was George Harrisons great influence as a solo artist?

All Things Must Pass...the only #1 album by a solo Beatle.

He was worthy...

No disagreement on the worthyness here, but I'm pretty sure that was the first, not only, number one album by a former Beatle. was not "Band on the Run" a chart topper as well?

Maybe..but that was with "Wings"..not just McCartney...

BuPHett wrote:

PalmettoSon wrote:

BuPHett wrote:

poolboy Bob wrote:Aside from the Beatles(which is a pretty big aside) what was George Harrisons great influence as a solo artist?

All Things Must Pass...the only #1 album by a solo Beatle.

He was worthy...

No disagreement on the worthyness here, but I'm pretty sure that was the first, not only, number one album by a former Beatle. was not "Band on the Run" a chart topper as well?

Maybe..but that was with "Wings"..not just McCartney...

Picky, picky