2014 Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame

[MaryCalifornia]

There seems to be a good amount of interest in the upcoming RnR HoF inductions, with Linda, etc... being in the class, so I thought a thread for 2014 might be good - let me know if this new thread isn't proper...

Here is an interesting article about Kiss's induction. There are similarities to the Eagles as far as the evolution of the band's membership and which band members will appear at the ceremony, with a big difference being the issue of "makeup!" I will wait to see how the ceremony actually plays out, as opposed to what this original band member says in the article as far as who appears and how, to make comparisons to how the Eagles handled it. From what I've read, it sounds like the Eagles set a precedent for including all current and former band members. Kiss's makeup issue complicates their show. We'll see! http://ultimateclassicrock.com/ace-f...of-fame-rules/

[chaim]

As a huge KISS fan I must say that the current lineup looks MUCH better at soundchecks. Part of it has to do with the fact that Ace's makeup simply doesn't work on Tommy's face. Part of it has to do with the fact that they aren't getting any younger.

If the original guys played withOUT makeup, I would LOVE to see that. We know that Peter isn't a very good drummer anymore, and Ace is often very sloppy live anyway. And playing with all that gear on - and walking around in those boots - doesn't help. So if they play together and are sloppy, and wear makeup that doesn't look good on old men, it could be disastrous. Also, Paul's voice is pretty much gone. I'd say that Gene is the only one of the original guys, who could still cut it anytime as a singer and a player.

If they did a soundcheck version of the original lineup, I would be in heaven.

[luna65]

Gene is interesting in that he can sing, but in his career he's chosen to be a vocalist, which might have actually saved his voice, TBH. Paul, as more of a pure singer, has suffered the ravages which many singers do over time (losing a register or two past age forty).

If Yes had been inducted that would have been a truly interesting scenario in regards to who would show up; some of the major prog bands have gone through several lineup changes which preclude straightforward decisions of that nature.

[chaim]

Gene is interesting in that he can sing, but in his career he's chosen to be a vocalist, which might have actually saved his voice, TBH. Paul, as more of a pure singer, has suffered the ravages which many singers do over time (losing a register or two past age forty).

If Yes had been inducted that would have been a truly interesting scenario in regards to who would show up; some of the major prog bands have gone through several lineup changes which preclude straightforward decisions of that nature.

If it was just about music, YES would've probably been number one for me out of that bunch. KISS are great harmony singers, but YES are fantastic harmony singers. YES has released so much beautiful music. People who don't know say that YES is all about virtuoso playing. YES has never been about that. It's so much more. It's a spiritual experience at best.

Having said that, the word "fame" is more associated with KISS than it is with YES, so I understand this. But anyway, I don't mind as I love both bands to death.

[chaim]

KISS looks so much cooler at soundchecks, especially with Gene fooling around all the time. He's a hilarious guy, and actually very sweet in many ways.

http://cdn.kissonline.com/non_secure...soundcheck.JPG

http://media.metalhammer.co.uk/wp-co...soundcheck.jpg

http://cdn.kissonline.com/non_secure...oundcheck1.JPG

http://cdn.kissonline.com/non_secure...1_chumash3.JPG

(For some reason those two pics like to go sideways...)

A recent pic of Ace and Peter:

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7DqD8qCkml...dsfdsf2432.JPG

I know it could never happen, but I wish the original guys could perform without makeup.

[luna65]

If it was just about music, YES would've probably been number one for me out of that bunch. KISS are great harmony singers, but YES are fantastic harmony singers. YES has released so much beautiful music. People who don't know say that YES is all about virtuoso playing. YES has never been about that. It's so much more. It's a spiritual experience at best.

Preaching to the choir here! I've been a Yes fan for several decades. I was extremely disappointed that they were passed over, but not surprised.

[Grey Sadler]

Well...just my $0.02...KISS edition...

I think My Other Favorite Band should skip the makeup, just for the evening. It sounds like they are trying to work out some way to compromise and get Ace & Peter on the same stage with Tommy & Eric S....and I think "no makeup" would be the way to go. Besides, Bruce Kulick never wore the makeup (80s incarnation), so he would reeeeeeeally look out of place...

And...I wonder if anyone from the band has contacted Vinnie Vincent yet

[Prettymaid]

Yay Soda!

From the videos of his performances that I watched, the crowd seemed to be into him. Is that how you saw it? As far as that goes, was the crowd really into everyone's performances, and who's performance got the biggest crowd response? Who's got the least?

[sodascouts]

Everyone got standing ovations and lots of cheers after the songs.

When it came to reactions DURING the songs...

Peter Gabriel was on first and I think that handicapped him a bit. A lot of people were still coming in. We were all clapping along but no one was up and dancing. I think he got the least crowd response to his performances.

There wasn't much of a response to Cat's first song, but "Wild World" got people moving. "Peace Train" got a lot of cheers, and some people stood... then more people stood... and by the end most of the audience was standing and clapping along. Some were waving their hands. Heck, I even threw up a peace sign.

When it came to the Linda Ronstadt tribute, people were swaying to the first two songs, but didn't start getting up and dancing until "It's So Easy." However, the crowd went wild when they were all out there together! Everyone was on their feet! They stayed up for "When Will I Be Loved."

The E-Street band just about wore everybody out when each member (there were 8 - Clarence Clemons was represented by his wife) took about 5-10 minutes to make their speech. I kid you not. Thanks to them, the ceremony took an hour longer than planned. I love 'em but it got freaking tiresome! However, once the "E Street Shuffle" started, there were enough Bruce fans in the house to get up and dance... especially at Bruce's urging (at one point he shouted "GET YOUR A$$ES OUT OF YOUR CHAIRS!") lol! Many people remained standing for "The River" although it's quite slow. Like I said, there were a TON of Bruce fans there.

I guess people were so exhausted that by the time Hall and Oates came on, which was after 11:00 (Daryl Hall said as his opening line, "lucky for you, there's only two of us" LOL) - they didn't get a lot of people rocking out to their songs.

Finally, Nirvana. This was SO epic for anyone who understood the significance of the moment - Kurt's death was 20 years ago; the other two guys had not performed Nirvana songs publicly since his death (they did play with McCartney a couple years ago). They were not my favorite band by any means, but I remember the huge influence they had on my generation. I remember how my little sister got into trouble for buying Nevermind and the way my friends and I all rocked out to "Smells Like Teen Spirit" when it came on the radio. So, you had an interesting dynamic as everyone around my age went absolutely CRAZY at this historic moment, and by contrast a lot of the older people were like "This is crap" and were moving towards the door. Whatever the case, there was a lot of moving around! You should've seen me - I was getting into it - pumping my fist and screaming along with Joan Jett (subbing on that song for Kurt) "WITH THE LIGHTS OUT, IT'S LESS DANGEROUS! HERE WE ARE NOW - ENTERTAIN US!!!" Thinking back to high school.. Ah, the nostalgia!

Now, Nirvana did something really unusual - they had women singers come out and front their band in place of Kurt, a different one for each song. Joan Jett fronted for "Smells Like Teen Spirit" and did a great job. Kim Gordon from the Sonic Youth performed on "Aneurism" and I think she must have been super-drunk or high because she actually fell during the performance and I couldn't make out what she was saying when she talked into the mike because her speech was so slurred. It was like she was literally having an aneurism! Bet that gets edited out, lol. St. Vincent sang on "Lithium." Lastly, Lorde fronted the band for "All Apologies." Interesting choices... some worked better than others.

[Prettymaid]

Thanks Soda. I enjoyed hearing about the different vibes during the performances. I realized afterwards that I probably should have asked this question in the R&RHoF thread. More people would see it there.