U2, Pretenders Among Rock Hall Inductees; Grandmaster Flash, Sex Pistols Denied

Percy Sledge, Buddy Guy also among those to be inducted March 14 in New York.

by Gil Kaufman

Twenty-five years after the release of their debut — and just weeks after they topped the charts with their latest album — it's been announced that U2 will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

The Irish rockers lead the 20th anniversary class of inductees, which also includes R&B vocal group the O'Jays, soul singer Percy Sledge, the Pretenders and blues guitarist Buddy Guy (see "U2, Grandmaster Flash, Sex Pistols Lead Rock Hall Of Fame Nominees").

The class of 2005 will be inducted at a ceremony on March 14 at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York.

U2, who formed in 1976 as teenagers in Dublin, Ireland, released Boy in 1980 and became one of the biggest and most iconic bands in the history of rock by the mid-1980s, thanks to such landmark hits as "With or Without You," "Pride (In the Name of Love)" and "Sunday Bloody Sunday."

The O'Jays had a string of hits in the 1970s, including the smash "Love Train," while soul-stirring singer Percy Sledge is known for his signature ballad, "When a Man Loves a Woman."

The Pretenders, led by the smoky-voiced singer Chrissie Hynde, are known for such hits as "Brass in Pocket" and "Back on the Chain Gang." Chicago blues legend Buddy Guy has been a force on the electric guitar for more than 25 years, influencing everyone from Eric Clapton to Jimi Hendrix with his energetic playing and wild stage show.

Passed over for the Hall of Fame were legendary British punk rockers the Sex Pistols, whose singer, John Lydon (a.k.a. Johnny Rotten), once said the Cleveland museum is where "old rockers go to die." The Pistols were among a group of 10 artists who were eligible for induction but passed over this year.

Fellow punkers Patti Smith and the Stooges also didn't make the final cut, along with Southern rockers Lynyrd Skynyrd and one of the pioneering acts in hip-hop history, Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five, who would have been the first rap act to be inducted into the hall.

Inductees in the non-performer category include early rock and roll booking agent Frank Barsalona (Led Zeppelin, Bruce Springsteen) and Sire Records co-founder Seymour Stein, known for signing everyone from Madonna and the Ramones to the Talking Heads.

Artists are eligible for induction 25 years after the release of their first record.

Buddy Guy is finally being inducted? Amen! He deserves it more than anyone! The man is a madman genius of the guitar!

I'll watch the ceremony just for him!

I love U2 as well, but I really don't think The Pretenders are worthy of being in the same class as Buddy Guy. I only really liked one song, "Brass in Pocket." Buddy Guy revolutionized the electric guitar. The Pretenders put out a couple of good pop hits. Oh well, at least Buddy is being recognized.

However you feel about U2, they totally deserve to be there, and the O-Jays are fucking awesome. The bands that were passed over, with the exception of the Stooges, were influential, but weren't really long lasting enough to be accepted.

It is just a silly museum though.

--PunkDavid

Well of course I think people like Buddy Guy and U2 and the O' Jays hsould have been inducted. But I mean The Pretenders and Percy Sledge over The Stooges, Lynryd Skynyrd, The Sex Pistols, Grandmaster Flash, Patti Smith, and Gram Parsons? I just don't htink that's right. Plus since they can induct up to 7 artists, I think they could have put a couple more in there.

whygodeep

skynard isn't in? that's just wrong

They've been on the list for like four straight years; I would think a band that wrote such classics as "Free Bird" and "Sweet Home Alabama" would be a shoe-in.

whygodeep

yep, and those are like my 2 least favorite from them

haha u2 is in there and the stooges arent
what bullshit

Black Sabbath isn't in either, but I heard that they asked to be withdrawn from consideration.

No Rush either.

We need a Progressive Metal Hall of Fame. I will start it.

Like most other "major" awards in music, it's a popularity contest. While I'm sure it's nice for bands to get honored, the artists who don't get honored are many times no less important. It's just that they won't play as well on air against all the other old fogeys during the ceremony.

good for Flash

I know that fans of Neil Diamond are upset that one of the most successfull singer/songwriters of the past 40 years has not been inducted while much lesser known (and even completely non-rock n roll) people have.They say its politics.

come on Rock N Roll Hall of Fame its time to induct this man!

The Sex Pistols blew. So did Lynyrd Skynyrd. Overrated nonsense. Although, that would mean they'd be at home in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, right?

Grandmaster Flash, the Stooges, and Patti Smith got screwed.

U2, eh I guess I knew they would be inducted eventually.

Buddy Guy, that guy is awesome. I saw him live one time and he can wail on his guitar.

is Van Halen in the HOF?

1 or 2 years ago I think

They were eligible 2 years ago, but haven't even made the ballot.

whygodeep

dont push me cause im close to the edge..

im tryin not to lose my head..

a huh huh huh huh..

its like a jungle sometimes it makes mw wonder why they try to take me under..

U2