The Stooges Make the Hall of Fame

[Bong-Man]

http://www.detnews.com/article/20091215/ENT04/912150397/Stooges-make-rock-s-hall-of-fame

Last Updated: December 15. 2009 9:57AM .

Stooges make rock's hall of fame

Adam Graham / Detroit News Pop Music Writer

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is being hit, finally, with a dose of raw power.

Pioneering Ann Arbor punk rock outfit the Stooges will be admitted into the Rock Hall's Class of 2010, organizers announced today. They will be inducted alongside ABBA, Genesis, the Hollies and Jimmy Cliff at a ceremony to be held March 15 at New York City's Waldorf Astoria hotel.

The Stooges were beginning to become perennial also-rans on the Rock Hall ballot, always the bridesmaid but never the bride. The band played Madonna into the Hall two years ago, offering up punk-thrash renditions of Madge's "Burning Up" and "Ray of Light," but it wasn't enough to grease the wheels for entry into last year's class, as the band was passed up for induction yet again at the 2009 ceremony.

Now, things have been righted for the visceral rockers, who formed in the late 1960s in Ann Arbor.

"We've been rejected seven times, and we would have set a record, I think, if it happened again," Stooges' frontman Iggy Pop tells Rolling Stone. "It started to feel like Charlie Brown and the football. I had about two hours of a strong emotional reaction after hearing the news. It felt like vindication. Then I kind of scratched my head and thought, 'Am I still cool? Or is that over now?' "

The news comes just under a year after the sudden death of Stooges guitarist Ron Asheton, who died in his Ann Arbor home in January. He was 60.

The legendarily tumultuous and confrontational band released three albums -- "The Stooges," "Fun House" and "Raw Power" -- between 1969 and 1973, before parting ways in 1974. After seeing its influence on several generations of rock musicians, from Kurt Cobain to Jack White, the Stooges reformed in 2003 and spent much of the decade touring.

The band recently announced plans to mount a world tour in 2010.

agraham@detnews.com (313) 222-2284

[pagemccartney95]

Great for the other bands, but ABBA over KISS? Something's just wrong here, folks.

[Starbreaker]

Great for the other bands, but ABBA over KISS? Something's just wrong here, folks.

I completely agree!! And also who the hell is Jimmy Cliff??

[Kashmir330]

So good to hear About time

[danelectro59]

I completely agree!! And also who the hell is Jimmy Cliff??

if you knew reggae, you would know who Jimmy Cliff is.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jimmy_Cliff

[danelectro59]

well, i could join the club and say "about time", but that would be redundant.

the fact is, is that this group is about 10 years overdue from being recognized for their contribution to rock music. It puzzles me that groups they totally inspired were elected before them, but as they say, better late than never. I was really starting to think they were becoming the Susan Lucci's of rock. Glad to see that has been lifted off of their shoulders, but also sad that Ron Asheton won't be there to enjoy it.

As far as the others that made it, good for them as they deserve it. Even ABBA, for better or worse, is acceptable in my book, even though i think they should set up a separate wing for "pop" music. Who can argue with their popularity. Like the Stooges, Genesis is way overdue as are The Hollies, who made quite a few hit records in the 60's and then a monster hit with "Long Cool Woman in 1972. Some are scratching their head at Jimmy Cliff, but as i said, if you know reggae, you know who Jimmy Cliff is. All in all, a decent class this year.

[JethroTull]

I'm stoked!! I have two tickets for the induction ceremony.

[kaiser]

I'm glad to see The Stooges get any recognition anywhere. The shame of course that the Stooges biggest fan, Ron Asheton, isn't here to enjoy it. Well timed yet again Jann Wenner & his fellow toadie jackass's on the nominating board (except for Steven Van Zandt who really pushed for the Stooges & other constantly looked over artists).

[Starbreaker]

if you knew reggae, you would know who Jimmy Cliff is.

http://en.wikipedia....iki/Jimmy_Cliff

Point taken.

And I agree, it's a very strong class this year. If ABBA had been replaced by Kiss then it would have been perfect.

[kaiser]

As a huge Stooges fan I can honestly say I love ABBA too. It's just incredibly catchy, enjoyable music. If they're the deciding factor of delaying Gene Simmons entrance, even better. Whether it's stubbing his toe or dealing with Ace & Peter, anything that pisses Gene Simmons off is okay by me.

[zeppphead]

anything that pisses Gene Simmons off is okay by me.

LOL me too

[Starbreaker]

Even though Gene Simmons is as arrogant as they come, Kiss > ABBA in my book.

[kaiser]

Abba were far bigger than Kiss globally. Kiss were big in America in the 70's & got huge in foreign markets once their popularity was on the decline, but ABBA were huge from their start to finish. They may be pop but pop is a big part of rock and roll. "Dancing Queen" does not sound out of place played next to "I Was Made For Loving You".

[Starbreaker]

I realize that ABBA was way more popular globally than Kiss, but take in mind that not all Pop Music fits under the umbrella of Rock'n'Roll, and ABBA in my mind, does not fit under that umbrella. The same thing goes for Madonna in my opinion. While she is wildly popular around the globe, and definately deserves to be in a Pop Music Hall of Fame, she has no business being in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame because her music is not Rock.

[danelectro59]

I realize that ABBA was way more popular globally than Kiss, but take in mind that not all Pop Music fits under the umbrella of Rock'n'Roll, and ABBA in my mind, does not fit under that umbrella. The same thing goes for Madonna in my opinion. While she is wildly popular around the globe, and definately deserves to be in a Pop Music Hall of Fame, she has no business being in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame because her music is not Rock.

it depends on how you measure popularity. if it's in the number of records sold, you may be correct, but i'd be willing to bet that it's not by much. the one thing Kiss can hang their banner on is how they took marketing to another level in regards to any one before them, including the Beatles. for better or worse, they really need to be included here. and i'm not even a fan of theirs.

[Wolfman]

Abba were far bigger than Kiss globally. Kiss were big in America in the 70's & got huge in foreign markets once their popularity was on the decline, but ABBA were huge from their start to finish. They may be pop but pop is a big part of rock and roll. "Dancing Queen" does not sound out of place played next to "I Was Made For Loving You".

I have to disagree with you here. Kiss was and still is huge in countries like Japan, Brazil, USA, etc. while Abba broke up years ago. Most people only remembered them for "DQ" till the success of Momma Mia. Kiss should be in the "Rock and Roll HOF" way before Abba. Plus aren't there some other big rock acts that haven't been nominated yet?

[kaiser]

I can't believe I'm getting into a debate over Kiss & Abba lol . Well I did throw my 2 cents in before, 2 more shouldn't hurt.

Abba certainly fits into the umbrella of pop that belongs into the hall of fame. They are directly influenced by the Beach Boys and The Mamas & Papas. Those acts aren't what some people consider rock either, but they are. Fleetwood Mac, mid 70's era, is also directly influenced by those two acts. I'd say in the 70's Fleetwood Mac was the American version of ABBA or ABBA was the European version of Fleetwood Mac ( I'm aware that 3 of FM are English but I'm talking about "sound" not nationality). And both FM & ABBA were bigger than Kiss, as was Elton John another pop/rock act (his American counterpoint being Billy Joel). Pop rock was HUGE in the 70's. It wasn't all Zeppelin, disco, & punk.

ABBA was far bigger than Kiss globally. They just were. ABBA were like Queen in that respect where they were HUGE everywhere outside the US while still having a big US fanbase. ABBA is god-like in the American gay community as were Queen, which in terms of rock music the gay community usually gets overlooked at least, in the US anyway. I, as a straight guy, didn't know any of this until the mid 90's. Ive worked in the restaurant service industry for 13 years in NYC & all I ever heard is ABBA & Queen to the point of near insanity. Both bands are hardly forgotten, at least in New York City anyway but maybe so in Kansas City.

ABBA also started at the top of their game & ended at the top of their game purposely. There was no slow steady decline for them. No reunions tours. No reunion albums. They get offered millions every year but always turn it down. Like the Beatles they wrapped up everything in a nice little package. Most bands can't say that, least of all Kiss. Gene Simmons never met a penny he didn't like.

Anyway, ABBA certainly deserves it. As does Kiss but IMO ABBA just moreso. Kiss will get in eventually, I just hope next year that Kraftwerk somehow keeps them out lol.

[Ady]

ABBA were excellent. They were first band I ever saw live as an 8 year old in 1979 at Wembley Arena.

Check this out, especially the guitar solo at around 7:00. That qualifies as rock in my book.

[Starbreaker]

Abba certainly fits into the umbrella of pop that belongs into the hall of fame.

But ABBA is not rock and roll. Pop and rock are not the same thing. Not all rock is pop, and not all pop is rock. Just because ABBA was influenced by rock acts, and just because they influenced other rock artists does not make ABBA rock. ABBA deserves to be in a music hall of fame of some sort, just not one for rock and roll.

That is a pretty sweet guitar solo though Ady

[Starbreaker]

Plus aren't there some other big rock acts that haven't been nominated yet?

Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Rush, Alice Cooper... The list goes on.

[kaiser]

But ABBA is not rock and roll. Pop and rock are not the same thing. Not all rock is pop, and not all pop is rock. Just because ABBA was influenced by rock acts, and just because they influenced other rock artists does not make ABBA rock. ABBA deserves to be in a music hall of fame of some sort, just not one for rock and roll.

The Platters were a vocal doo-wop band where none of the members played any instruments. It was the pop of it's time(the 50's). They deserve to be in the hall of fame alongside Chuck Berry. The Supremes along with numerous Motown artists were the pop of it's time(the 60's). They deserve to be in the hall of fame alongside Led Zeppelin. Abba were the pop of our their time. They deserve to be in the hall of alongside The Stooges.

Pop is apart of rock and roll. The Beatles, The Stones, The Who... all their most memorable early singles are pop. Kiss is pop! Very bubblegum-my in some places. And "Beth"... it makes ABBA look like Napalm Death.

Anyway, they've always put in artists who are influenced based from day one. Johnny Cash isn't rock & roll but you would practically be crucified if you said he didn't deserve his place in the hall of fame. The same with Ray Charles.

[pagemccartney95]

Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Rush, Alice Cooper... The list goes on.

I'm shocked Rush hasn't gotten in yet, they've been around for ages. They're a tight band of rock musicians, not some disco queens like ABBA.

I'm awaiting some more prog to get in, like the Moody Blues and Yes. Also, why aren't there more females in the HOF? Where is Heart?! The only females in there are pop singers like Dusty Springfield, folkies like Joni Mitchell, or bands with females as a side display, like Fleetwood Mac(c'mon, do you think Stevie is there for her writing?). Heart was the first rock band to be really lead by women who wrote their own songs, played guitar, and played hard rock, not soft rock, pop, or folk. Ann and Nancy encouraged other girls like Lita Ford and Pat Benatar not to be pigeonholed, but to rock out like the guys. Is this too much to ask for?

[kaiser]

Alice Cooper really should be in. So should the Faces/Small Faces/Humble Pie. But it comes down to politics. I don't think ABBA's inclusion comes down to politics like say Madonna. Madonna should be in but it's was way,way,way to early for her. But it did give us a performance by The Stooges. Madonna is a mainstream face, Iggy isn't.

Did Eric Clapton really have to be inducted 3 times before Alice Cooper? Does John Lennon & Paul McCartney have to be put in as solo artists before Kiss as if being a Beatle isn't enough. Paul Simon? He's buddies with Jann Wenner & if Wenner could put him in a third time he would. Sting will be put in as a solo artist the year he's eligible before somebody more deserving because he hangs with the hoi polloi. Nirvana will be in before the Pixies who will be in before Husker Du. People are already calling it an outrage that the Red Hot Chilli Peppers didn't get in!

[Wolfman]

Not trying to pic a fight here but I can't believe the ass-kissing ABBA gets on this site. Other than Dancing Queeen, I can't stand them. Terrible fucking band imo. I still say that Kiss is bigger. They made way more money and, I could be wrong here, but I think they sold more albums. I guarantee there are more people in the world who know who Kiss are (esp. due to Gene exploitations) than Abba. Like him or not, Gene Simmon's demon image is known everywhere. Plus, kids were/are more into Kiss than Abba and generally, kids are who buy the most albums and merchandise. Even so, Kiss and several other rock bands should be getting in before pop acts like Abba (and puke) Madonna.

[Bong-Man]

Not trying to pic a fight here but I can't believe the ass-kissing ABBA gets on this site. Other than Dancing Queeen, I can't stand them. Terrible fucking band imo. I still say that Kiss is bigger. They made way more money and, I could be wrong here, but I think they sold more albums. I guarantee there are more people in the world who know who Kiss are (esp. due to Gene exploitations) than Abba. Like him or not, Gene Simmon's demon image is known everywhere. Plus, kids were/are more into Kiss than Abba and generally, kids are who buy the most albums and merchandise. Even so, Kiss and several other rock bands should be getting in before pop acts like Abba (and puke) Madonna.

Totally agree. I also think things like 'The 70's Show' really overplay their role from that era, at least in my neck of the woods. Then again, Philly and Detroit ain't Europe.