Visiting the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame makes many people's bucket list, including mine. The Rock Hall is often criticized for inducting artists whose musical style and influence is far removed from the "rock" genre -- artists like Donna Summer, Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five, The Supremes, Run-DMC and Parliament-Funkaledic. For the record (once again) the Rock Hall's mission is not to recognize rock and roll exclusively, but to "honor artists whose music created the sound of youth culture." The Rock Hall, via official statements and quotes from its representatives, has restated this idea (in one form or another) on numerous occasions so everyone really should be good with that.
What it's okay not to be good with are the many egregious omissions among the Rock Hall's inductees. These include Foreigner, The Smiths, Spinners, B-52's, Squeeze, Suzi Quatro, Paul Revere and the Raiders, George Michael, Styx, Devo, Kool & The Gang, Weezer, Duran Duran and most amazingly, Pat Benatar. Nevertheless, to its credit, the Rock Hall corrected one of its other omissions this weekend by inducting the Go-Go's.
Emerging as a punk band in the late 70s before ultimately evolving into a new wave/pop group, their definitive lineup consisted of guitarist Jane Wiedlin, bassist Kathy Valentine, drummer Gina Schock, guitarist and keyboardist Charlotte Caffey, and lead singer Belinda Carlisle. I won't go over the band's bio, resume, or discography (you can find these things anywhere across the web) but suffice it to say that the Go-Go's are the greatest female band of all time -- and still the only one to score a #1 album (1981's Beauty and the Beat.)
Make no mistake, the Go-Go's induction was a very big deal. Events this weekend included a red carpet event, plaque unveiling, Q&A, autograph session, interviews -- and on Saturday night, their formal induction (by Drew Barrymore), speeches, performance and traditional jam session with the other inductees. Check out some of the photos below:
The Go-Go's being honored this way is even more significant when you consider that many of group's fellow girl bands (as well as their 1970s/80s Los Angeles punk and new wave contemporaries) have not been inducted -- or for that matter, even nominated -- for the Rock Hall.) The Runaways are not in. Neither are the Bangles, Motels, X, Black Flag, Berlin or Oingo Boingo.
So once again, congrats to this seminal 80's band for yet another groundbreaking achievement. All I can say is I echo Stella McCartney's sentiment when she -- on the occasion of her dad Paul's long overdue induction as a solo artist in 1999 -- wore this unforgettable t-shirt to the ceremony.
I wish I had Stella's shirt to wear in the Go-Go's honor this weekend, but I guess I'll have to settle for one of my own (below.)
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