SEATTLE NEWS ARCHIVES & FEATURES
Why Heart deserves to be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and who doesn’t
Sep 27, 2011, 3:26 PM | Updated: 5:27 pm
When the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame announced today Seattle’s own Heart was among the bands nominated for induction next year, the most common reaction around here was “it’s about time.”
Bellevue sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson and their bandmates cranked out a number of hits in the 70’s including Barricuda and Dreamboat Annie.
And original guitarist Roger Fisher tells Dori they definitely deserve the honor.
“Ann and Nancy did so much to pave the ground for other hard rocking females,” said Fisher on Tuesday’s Dori Monson Show.
“I think that to be rightfully inducted one should have made groundbreaking progress in their careers that influenced other people,” Fisher said. And he says Heart definitely meets that criteria.
But what about the other acts nominated? Here’s the entire list:
Beastie Boys, The Cure, Donovan, Eric B. & Rakim, Guns ‘N Roses, Heart, Joan Jett and The Blackhearts, Freddie King, Laura Nyro, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Rufus with Chaka Khan, The Small Faces/The Faces, The Spinners, Donna Summer, War
In an informal poll between Dori, Jake, and Jessica, the Beastie Boys get the nod from Jake and Dori, with Jake crediting them for their groundbreaking work bridging rock and rap, while Jessica says it’s too early.
The tables turned on Donovan, with Jessica voting yes while Jake and Dori argue the Brit rocker didn’t make enough of an impact.
Joan Jett and the Blackhearts get unanimous approval from the three,
while they say it’s too soon for the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
One of the big debates is what makes Hall of Fame material. Dori argues it should be like baseball. “You should have a lot of hits over the years. You should sustain excellence over time. If you have one great season and a bunch of mediocre seasons, you don’t get in to the Hall of Fame.”
No doubt Heart more than deserves to be there.
In order to get in, an act must have released its first single or album 25 years ago. More than 500 voters determine who makes the hall.
Who would you vote for? Who should be on the list that isn’t there?
-Josh Kerns/97.3 KIRO FM
