The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction lists are always controversial.
This year's list is no exception. As expected, *Guns N' Roses* got the nod alongside long-running funk-rock favorites *the Red Hot Chili Peppers*. The Hall will also enshrine rap act *The Beastie Boys*, '60s folksinger*Donovan*, soulful singer-songwriter*Laura Nyro*, and *The Small Faces/The Faces*. The last one is the strangest. The Small Faces and The Faces were related bands, but they were actually quite distinct. The Faces were a straightforward blues-rock act fronted by Rod Stewart, while the Small Faces -- their predecessor -- were an imaginative psychedelic rock group and Britpop forerunner led by Steve Marriott. It is unclear why the Hall is treating them as if they were a single band. Hopefully they will not make the same mistake when they're finally brave enough to induct New Order and Joy Division. Songwriter and industry insider *Don Kirshner*, known as "The Man with the Golden Ear," wasgiven the Ahmet Ertegun Award for a non-performer. Kirshner, who died earlier this year<http://www.nj.com/entertainment/music/index.ssf/2011/01/don_kirshner_the_man_with_the.html>, was for many years a resident of Livingston and South Orange. He was the host of the proto-MTV television program "Don Kirshner's Rock Concert," and manager of the songwriting talent behind the Monkees and the Archies. Bluesman *Freddie King*, who died in 1976 at the age of 42, will be inducted as an Early Influence. The Award for Musical Excellence, which typically goes to sidemen and studio professionals, was bestowed upon producer and engineer *Glyn Johns*, who worked on many of the cornerstone albums of the classic rock period, including "Beggar's Banquet," "Who's Next," and the first three Eagles sets. Atlantic house producer *Tom Dowd*, who recorded everybody from Otis Redding to Dusty Springfield, and *Cosimo Matassa*, the premiere New Orleans recording engineer and studio owner of the early rock period. There were rumors that the E Street Band would be inducted as sidemen; these did not materialize. Nominated for the Hall but not inducted: rockers Heart, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, disco acts Rufus with Chaka Khan and Donna Summer, War, soul singers the Spinners, and Eric B. & Rakim. It is bewildering that the Hall believes that the Beastie Boys deserve enshrinement ahead of Eric B. & Rakim, a duo that every important act in hip-hop history will cite as a forerunner<http://www.nj.com/entertainment/music/index.ssf/2011/09/song_of_the_day_i_aint_no_joke.html>(including the Beasties themselves.) The Hall of Fame will have many years to decide whether they're serious about honoring hip-hop alongside rock and pop. So far, not so good. CR Sez - Not a bad year actually. Guns 'n Roses - No way! Shit band with 15 minutes of fame and a true Asshole up front. Chili Peppers, Beasties, Don Kirshner, Freddie King, Glyn Johns - Absolutely! (Nice call on the Beasties!) Laura Nyro? - Really....don't see it. Faces (small or otherwise) - really meant nothing in the US. Was kind of a "Green room" for future acts with Rod, Ronnie, Kenney Jones (Who), Steve Marriott, Glen Matlock (Sex Pistols) and Jimmy McCollouch (Wings). I don't see it... Donovan - No way...weak act if you ask me Tom Dowd and Cosmo Whatshisface- eh...who cares... Passed over - Joan Jett, Heart, Donna Summer, Rufus, War, The Spinners and Eric B. and Rakim I'd put Donna Summer and Heart in before Laura Nyro and I think War deserves a place there if guys like GNR can get in. Well..... Letz hear it...
