Committee Chairman

Gene Simmons trashes RRHOF again

Mar 15, 2014

We almost missed this one. Gene Simmons of KISS has been very vocal about his distain for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame; before and after he got in, but there was an excerpt from his recent interview with Radio.com that we thought was worth mentioning, where he slammed some of the Rap and Hip Hop entrants to the Hall.

“A long time ago it was diluted. It’s really back room politics, like Boss Tweed. A few people decide what’s in and what’s not. And the masses just scratch their heads. You’ve got Grandmaster Flash in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame? Run-D.M.C. in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame? You’re killing me! That doesn’t mean those aren’t good artists. But they don’t play guitar. They sample and they talk.”

But if you asked Donna [Summer], ‘What kind of artist are you?’ do you think she would say ‘rock?’ If you asked Madonna, ‘What kind of artist are you?’ do you think she would say, ‘Oh, rock!’ So what they hell are they doing in the Hall of Fame? They can run their organization any way they’d like, but it ain’t rock! It just isn’t! If you don’t play guitar and you don’t write your own songs, you don’t belong there.”

Hmmm. We here at Notinhalloffame.com have been vocal advocate of KISS entering the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and are in complete agreement with them about how they have been snubbed due to not being critical darlings, however we could not disagree more about how the Rock Hall should include multiple genres as the Rock spectrum itself is far from specific.

Frankly, it is an archaic way of thinking, and the Rock Hall has inducted many (namely Elvis Presley) who did not write their own material, and we did not know that a guitar was the only rock and roll instrument. We doubt that this is a view that even in his contemporaries shares; as Aerosmith helped put Run DMC in the mainstream (and salvaged their own career) with their collaboration on “Walk This Way”. Hell, how many bands today would answer they are a “Rock Band”? We would bet, not very many.

Gene, we love you, but get your head out of your ass on this one.

Ice Cube talks about N.W.A.'s RRHOF Snub

Mar 15, 2014

Published in Not in Hall of Fame News

In a recent article with the Associated Press, Ice Cube, who was in the influential Hip Hop Group, N.W.A., he was asked about his group’s failure to enter the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in their first two year’s of eligibility.

"It sucks. But it's understandable. We really only had one album together. They had two albums as a group. I'm sure that groups that have been together longer can make a better argument. This just lets you know how much we need a Hip-Hop Hall of Fame of our own."

Realistically, this is not exactly a snub yet. Unlike other perceived snubs, N.W.A. was nominated in their first two years of eligibility, certainly indicating that they are on Cleveland’s radar. In their year of eligibility, Public Enemy was also a nominee, and as we have seen the Nominating Committee to mix genres with their inductees. We were a little surprised after their second consecutive nomination for them not to be included, but if they fail to get in next year, we will call it a certifiable snub. Incidentally, N.W.A. has been ranked in our top twenty since they became eligible.

As for a Hip Hop Hall of Fame, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has certainly been progressive regarding that genre, much to the dismay of traditional Rock fans. Ice Cube won’t have to wait long for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, should that be something he covets.

Carlos Colon to the WWE HOF

Mar 12, 2014

Published in Not in Hall of Fame News

Tonight on the tapings of Friday Night Smackdown, it was announced that Carlos Colon will be entering the WWE Hall of Fame. Colon debuted in professional wrestling in 1966, but citing a need for a solid promotion in his native Puerto Rico, he co-created, the World Wrestling Council, which would become a major promotion.

Colon would become the promotion’s champion multiple times, and his decades long feud with Abdullah the Butcher is still legendary on the Caribbean Island. In 1983, it appeared to the WWC faithful that he won the NWA World Heavyweight Championship from Ric Flair when he defeated Flair in San Juan, however this was not recognized by the NWA, and Carlos was referred to as the “Universal” Champion in Puerto Rico from then on.

In regards to the WWE, Colon’s highest profile appearance was as a participant in the 1993 Royal Rumble. Since our website’s inception, Colon has been lodged in the top twenty of those who should be considered for the WWE Hall of Fame.

Carlos Colon is the father of former WWE Superstar, Carlito, and the father and nephew of Los Matadors, who formerly wrestled as Primo and Epico. We congratulate Carlos on this honor.

Barry Bonds: "Without a Doubt"

Mar 11, 2014

Published in Not in Hall of Fame News

Barry Bonds has re-emerged in the world of Baseball, as he again donned a San Francisco Giants uniform as an Instructor in Spring Training. Whether or not, this ushers in a full time return to the sport is up in the air, but considering how many tainted figures have returned to Baseball after the taint of PEDs (McGwire, Giambi, Pettitte), there is certainly enough room for Barry Bonds; especially one who seems “nicer”.

As expected, Bonds was met with reporters and actually seemed to enjoy the interaction. He showed vulnerability, by expressing his nerves at his new position; a component of the Major League Baseball Home Run King that we have never seen before, though we knew he was going to be asked a serious question that Baseball pundits (despite what some of them may write) will never tire of.

Bonds was asked if he thought he should be in the Baseball Hall of Fame and showing a bit of that swagger that we expected to hear:

“Without a Doubt.”

We are not going to go in to the details of why he should or why he shouldn’t enter Cooperstown. You already know the sides to this argument, and if you are a regular visitor to Notinhalloffame.com know our opinion on the matter.

We will say that we are happy to see Barry Bonds back in the game, and are very interested to see what the future has in store for him.