Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's latest Shame.

The 29th Annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will be held on Thursday April 10^th, 2014 in New York. The ceremony will be broadcast on HBO.

Like many fans of music and common sense, I’m not happy with the institution. Who the leave out and who they put in. “Rock n’ Roll could be interpreted broadly, but so broadly to include Disco, Rap and Hip Hop? To the possible exclusion of Rock and Roll artist? It’s not the “Music Hall of Fame”. But this year they made up for some past transgressions by finally including Kiss. But they still ignored Deep Purple and Yes and included the Terrorist Sympathizer, Cat Stevens, currently known as Yusuf Islam.

I find it unforgivable to include and artist that flat out condones the MURDER of a fellow artist. While he has tried to backtrack on this fact, unfortunately for him, the entire BBC interview is still available on YouTube. He also did an interview with Rolling Stone magazine a couple years ago, where he declared his newfound religion, Islam, forbids him singing but since he is giving the money to the faith, he is getting a pass and allowed to sell his new CD. Little surprise that he is also a hypocrite. Something not unique to any one religion, but still disappointing to see him honored.

Yusuf Islam is on the record as saying Salman Rushdie deserves to die, for writing a book and went on to say that if he was in an Islamist State and ordered to kill him he would. When asked if he would attend a demonstration of the writer being burned in effigy, he replied “I would hope it was the real thing”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-wjxwpvqps

This years inductees:

• Peter Gabriel

• Hall and Oates

• KISS  

• Nirvana

• Linda Ronstadt

• Cat Stevens

All eligible nominees released their first single or album at least 25 years before the year of nomination.

Rush, finally was admitted just last year! Alice Cooper took until 2001!

In an online poll set up by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the institution invited music fans to weigh in on who deserves an induction With over 1.3 Million Votes cast Deep Purple came in third out of 16 total choices. Only Kiss and Nirvana collected more votes. Fans voices are not being heard, so why ask us if we are only going to be ignored? Just do away with the pretense of even caring what we think.

Deep Purple has released 19 studio albums, along with compilations and live releases, and since ‘Shades of Deep Purple’ was unleashed in 1968, the band has sold over 100 million albums worldwide, over 8 million in the U.S.. One of the most influential bands of all time and has been eligible for inclusion for since 2003.

Not that my single experience carries any weight, but their concert from the Perfect Stranger tour, that out-grossed every artist that year except Bruce Springsteen, was the single greatest live show that I have ever seen! I have been to over 300 concerts, I have seen legends perform, before during and after their heydays. I have seen famous artist and surprise guest in private clubs, charities, and even at private parties performing. I have been very fortunate to have access to a lot of great performances up close and personal.  Those guys, on that night were magic. And by all I hear and read, many others feel the same about seeing them live.

To be fair I contacted the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame so they could explain their decision making process.  They were kind enough to give me a private tour when they first opened. But that was back when I was producing a radio show in the Los Angeles market. But still, I was curious offered them a chance to respond. They refused. – Original Email:

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(Disclaimer: I capitalized “ROCK AND ROLL” to further my point.)

“Greetings,

I am writing an article on the Museum and induction process. Specifically the inclusion of other genres such as Disco, Rap and Hip Hop and how that may relate to the possible exclusion of Rock and Roll acts?

I did my due diligence and researched online and on your website. I expected to find a quote, or two, maybe saying something to the effect that "Rock and Roll is more of a generic term, or attitude, for Music in general". But both your Mission Statement and FAQ page only reinforces the singularity of Rock and Roll in regards to the Hall of Fame.
Is there an official statement on the issue or a response that I could print?

Thank you for your time,

Tony Stengel

NBC Newsvine / Propaganda Café”

Mission Statement:

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, Inc. is the nonprofit organization that exists to educate visitors, fans and scholars from around the world about the history and continuing significance of ROCK AND ROLL MUSIC. It carries out this mission through its operation of a world-class museum that collects, preserves, exhibits and interprets this art form and through its library and archives as well as its educational programs.



From their FAQ page: What is the process for induction?
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.
Artists become eligible for induction 25 years after the release of their first record. Criteria include the influence and significance of the artist’s contribution to the development and perpetuation of ROCK AND ROLL.

Below is a partial list of some more than questionable exclusions:

Stevie Ray Vaughan, (snubbed 5 years) Yes (snubbed 19 years) Steppenwolf (snubbed 20 years) Cheap Trick (snubbed 11 years)

Journey -Number of Years Snubbed: 14

Number of Albums: 14

Chart Performance: Sold 47 million albums in the US, making them the 28th best selling band. They’ve sold over 80 million albums across the world. “Don’t Stop Believin’” is the top-selling catalog track in iTunes history with over five million digital copies sold and it’s the best-selling rock song in digital history.

Motörhead - Number of Years Snubbed: 12
Number of Albums: 21
Chart Performance: As of 2012, Motörhead have sold more than 30 million albums worldwide.
Accolades: a Grammy in the Best Metal Performance category and the Metal Hammer Golden God Award.

Iron Maiden - Number of Years Snubbed: 9
Number of Albums: 15
Chart Performance: With little radio or television support, Iron Maiden have sold over 85 million records worldwide. And yet regardless of line up shifts, several of their albums have received platinum and gold albums both stateside and overseas, specifically 1982′s The Number of the Beast, 1983′s Piece of Mind, 1984′s Powerslave, 1985′s live release Live After Death, 1986′s Somewhere in Time, and 1988′s Seventh Son of a Seventh Son.
Accolades: As of October 2013, the band have played over 2,000 live shows throughout their career. In 2002, they received the Ivor Novello Award for international achievement, and in 2005, were also inducted into the Hollywood RockWalk on Sunset Boulevard.

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The Sex Pistols refused to attend their induction ceremony in 2006.  In a hand-written letter, they stated the Hall of Fame "is a piss stain".

A “Piss Stain” that is now honoring Yusuf Islam and not Deep Purple.

Rally To Restore…. Cat Stevens?

The “Rally To Restore Sanity” was a blast! I felt compelled to make the event. I am a big fan of Stewart. I do not share a lot of his views. For instance I would like to see illegal immigrants go back home and get in line but I do not blame them one bit for wanting to be here. I also think that we should strengthen Civil Unions, get the Government out of church weddings and let marriage stay between a man and women. I do not see it as a civil rights issue at all. We are on the same page regarding Gays being born Gay and serving in the military as well as drug policy reform, disdain for hypocrisy in government and the failure of mainstream media. But on issues like immigration and gay marriage the fact that we disagree could be get ugly among closed minded partisans and one might think it would turn me off as a fan, but no. I am moved by the message that we can disagree without being disagreeable. Besides that I find his show damn smart, funny and important. And I reserve the right to have my mind changed on these and most other issues.

Still, I was very surprised to see an extremist like Yusuf Islam (Cat Stevens) on stage. Since he said he would "personally hand over Salman Rushdie to be murdered for insulting Islam". We as a people are very open to sincere apologizes but instead he has tried to deny it. Too bad he said it on BBC TV and millions of people, including myself, saw him say it. He also admitted that his religion forbids his sort of songs but he was allowed to sing them because any proceeds would go to Islamic causes. This hypocritical extremist seems to be the antithesis of everything this event was supposed to be about. Maybe having that shameful person on stage was meant to be inclusive?

This has caused a good amount of debate with some trying to quote his spin found on Wikipedia. I enjoy that sight but let’s face it, it has always been hit and miss with the facts and since I heard and saw the interview, in context there is really no debate. I was a big Cat Stevens fan and remain disappointed. His display of hypocrisy in his Rolling Stone article does show that Muslims can be just as hypocritical as Christians. It's sad but maybe that's a place were we can start to come together?

One women mentioned that “no one asked Tony Bennett if he agrees with catholic church covering up all their crimes”. And true that. Please do not get me started on the Catholics. Still "Apples to Oranges" unless Bennett called for someone to be murdered and then admitted that his faith only lets him sing if he pays them. Furthermore are all "wrongs" equal? Of course not.
I would have loved to hear or read him apologize. In the very recent Rolling Stone interview he denied his statement. The same interview where he admitted to being able to break the rules regarding his singing as long as the money went to Islam. Seems that would have been the perfect place to set the record straight. I'm sure most of his fans would forgive him. I know I would and more importantly Rushdie has proved that he too would forgive him as he has others. But now it just seems worse, the denial followed by admitting he had to pay off his religion to perform.

I also found out that Mr. Rushdie spent his weekend watching someone who called for him to be murdered for blasphemy playing to an adoring crowd of thousands in front of the U.S. Capitol at a rally dedicated to sanity. Rushdie actually spoke with Jon and is quoted:
“I spoke to Jon Stewart about Yusuf Islam’s appearance. He said he was sorry it upset me, but really, it was plain that he was fine with it. Depressing.”
I am very glad that I was not the only person to notice! Also convenient the Yusuf has teamed up with the monopoly monster Ticket Master so we can boycott them both at the same time. I do not want to make this single important fact take away from all the otherwise very cool people and intent of the rally. We can and should be able to disagree without being disagreeable. And true that only Hitler is Hitler.

But with over one billion Muslims in the world they really could not find a better representative of Islam?

I wish we could all just get along and jam to "Tea For The Tillerman". A great album from a rotten person, who should never been allowed on stage.

Letters to the Editors

IT HAS BEEN OVER 2 YEARS SINCE I DELETED MY SENT FILES AND I NOTICED SOME RESPONSES TO NEWS STORIES AND OTHER EMAILS THAT I HAD SENT.
AND DECIDED TO RE-POST THEM HERE.

I CONSIDER MYSELF A MODERATE/INDEPENDENT AND WHEN IN DOUBT I USE THE U.S. CONSTITUTION AS MY GUIDE.

FURTHERMORE I AM NOT TOO PROUD TO CHANGE MY MIND OR ADMIT WHEN I'M WRONG. I BELIEVE THESE RANDOM LETTERS REFLECT THAT NICELY.

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A Million Clicks to Peace,

Thanks for the interview, I was happy to be part of you efforts. You asked me to write a quick note:

While peace should always be striven for I want to remind everybody that sometimes the best way to achieve justice, and peace, is by taking up arms! Gandhi's method of Non Violence, that was a great success against the British, would have been useless against the Nazis.

There are a lot of factors that go into creating peace; economics, education, access to food and other basic necessities, but surely the path to Peace begins as do all journeys, with the first steps.

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Iran's SUPREME LEADER Ali Khamenei - Picked the candidates and then picked the winner. Calling one "moderate" is a joke! Both candidates are murderous thugs and real change will only come if the people overthrow Ali Khamenei and have a REAL election.

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RE: Cannabis Conundrum

Ms. Myung-Ok Lee is absolutely correct. Marijuana IS far less dangerous than much of the food we consume and the term used should be RE- legalization.

By now I am left with no other conclusion than that anyone opposed to the re-legalization of Cannabis is either grossly uneducated or has a nefarious financial agenda. The fact that Hemp gets lumped in with Marijuana points to the former conclusion as the most prevalent.

By many accounts Clinton, Bush and Obama have all experimented with illicit substances and many Americans favor decimalization. But, predictably, hypocritical politicians continue to govern out of fear. In this case the “fear” of seeming soft on crime.

I find our current policies shameful, wasteful and very likely unconstitutional. I will continue to vote only for third party candidates until someone has the courage to govern with common sense and courage.

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F U Yusuf (and Ticket Master too)

As a big Cat Stevens fan I was appalled at his complicity in the decree of death known, as a fatwa, against Salman Rushdie (even though he later tried to deny it) followed by his admittance that his religion forbid his kind of music but was allowing it as he would be giving the proceeds to Islamic causes.

I will never spend a dime on anything associated with that hypocrite!

I only hope that those arrogant monopolistic thieves, known as Ticket Master, are involved with his comeback so I can boycott them both simultaneously.

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Ms Pelosi,

I am an Independent with Libertarian leanings and am growing increasing disgusted with politicians who govern out of fear. That was the Bush game-plan and we should be over it! FEAR of seeming soft on crime limits any discussion of Drug Policy Reform. FEAR of losing the Latino vote leads to our unprotected borders and statements that you recently made.

As to your comments regarding illegal immigration; if an illegal is deported they leave their family behind by choice. No one is stopping them from taking their children with them. Furthermore, we should have long ago done away with the antiquated policy that is the "Anchor Baby" loop-hole that rewards illegals by automatically making their children citizens.

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Regarding the March 7Th article on "Medical pot charges ban quickly lifted" :

There seems to be some question as to why U.S. Atty. O'Brien rescinded his original order to stop filing charges against medical marijuana dispensaries.

Are you kidding? His motivation is the same as every politician; Fear! Fear of seeming "soft on crime" kills all debate over our draconian, failed drug policy even as they contribute to the near collapse of Mexico and our leaders admit to their own past illicit use of drugs .

Fear of losing "the Latino vote" kills any real border protection or immigration reform. Regardless of the potential for real WMD's crossing the border.

Fear of not having enough money to run for re-election keeps these corrupt cowards firmly in the pockets of special interest groups. No matter the harm to our country or the Constitution.

Fear based decision making is a scary way to make policy. I was hopping that went away with the Bush administration. I "fear" it has not.

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Every day I read the times I see two huge ways to save a lot of tax dollars, Drug Policy and Immigration reform. Lately these two stories have become one.

I was just amazed to read the LA Times front page "Column One" Feb. 19Th, article "Sleepy town's nightmare next door" It was mostly about a border town, Columbus, N.M., and how failing drug war policies are destroying Mexico and specifically Palomas the town Columbus borders.

I found it odd that it mentioned that there were several hundred U.S. citizen, children, that lived in Mexico but went to school daily in Columbus. It was shortly explained that the hospital routinely crosses to Palomas to pick up pregnant Mexicans so they can deliver their babies in Columbus.

Wow! Why even build a wall, have a border or an immigration process if we are going to just pick up people at taxpayer expense so they can have their "Anchor Baby" pave the way for entire families to become citizens without due process?

It is long past due to end the "Anchor Baby" loophole with or without the insanity of official vehicles transporting them.

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RE: When will the Bush Bashing stop

The bashing of Bush would stop if the damage he has done would go away when he does. As is, we will be living with his mistakes for generations. Even a future terrorist attack could well be blamed on his failure to protect our borders.

Truly, the worst president in modern history!

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Bill Maher,

Most of your "new rules" have a second picture to go with the punch line - the guns melted into a statue of Alah did not have a representation of the gun-Alah statue. As you likely know, it is bullshit that it goes against the Koran to show a picture of Alah, pics of him are in many museums, it is also true that the fanatics still freak out about it anyway. I was disappointed that you did not show a picture. If nothing else to show that you do not buy into the fear of doing such a thing. anyway.... you rock!!! Love you, your shows, your guest appearances and your stand-up shows!

PS. I am into having 2 women at the same time - can I have "minority" status - since many think that bedroom preferences deserve some special status. Let the breeders keep the term "marriage" and be sure that all people have civil union rights. Like when the Cleveland Browns got to keep their name and Baltimore got a team - win - win!

Anyway two women - that is some affirmative action I could be down with! Peace!

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RE: Is Ann Coulter a Liar

Ann is just starved for attention. Since she is mostly a comedy act, I'm not sure you can call her a liar. But her Adams Apple does seem to swell when she is confronted.

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RE: The El Coyote restaurant and Gay Fascist

Every place that I read the gay fascist are boycotting, me and my friends will be going out of our way to give them business.

We had not been to the "El" in years. It was good to be back!

For the record - The only gripe is over a word...right? Gays have all the same rights, they just want a new definition of a word.

Is life so good that this is where you want to draw the line. Let society keep it's definition.

SEXUAL PREFERENCE DOES NOT EQUATE TO MINORITY STATUS OR A CIVIL RIGHT. IT IS A BEDROOM THING!!! Cant we all just get over sex and get along?

And for the gay bashers - gay is NOT a choice! Would YOU CHOOSE TO BE GAY?

Thanks again for getting me back to going to El Coyote!

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Marylin,

The Mosquito is far from being useless. Besides being Bat food, it's most useful function is population control.

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RE: The Endangered Wolves

I am far from being a vegetarian but I am growing increasingly upset by the behavior and practices of our food suppliers. First the unnecessary, and potentially catastrophic, action of filling our meat supply with antibiotics and now you report that they are using our parklands to the detriment of the wolves. Kick those creeps off of our land, save the wolves and kindly pass me the vegy burgers.

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