The 2013 inductees to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame have been announced. Six acts will be inducted on April 18, along with lifetime achievement awards for record producers Lou Adler and Quincy Jones.
The acts being inducted:
- Albert King
- Donna Summer
- Heart
- Public Enemy
- Randy Newman
- Rush
Rush is obviously the least surprising here; although a first-time nominee, they had a lot of fan support for induction. Heart is another big act that’s unsurprising, though Ann Wilson seems to have been surprised they made it in. Donna Summer may be the most surprising induction. Also, it’s nice to see Albert King get some recognition for his influence.
Nominated acts which did not make the cut this year include Deep Purple, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, and the Paul Butterfield Blues Band.
Morgan on Media 
I’m surprised Rush didn’t get in a long time ago. Not only have they put out some popular, easily-recognizable songs (like Tom Sawyer and Freewill), but they’ve had innovative bass tracks, thoughtful lyrics, a unique sound, and a long, successful run. Better late than never.
Yeah, it’s a little strange that it took so long for them to get nominated. Though as the article says, it’s not like it’s a race. The nature of any Hall of Fame is that deserving entrants sometimes have to wait a while.
“No his mind is not for rent
To any god or government
Always hopeful, yet discontent
He knows changes aren’t permanent
But change is”
-TSawyer, Moving Pictures(’81)
I didn’t find Donna Summer’s induction surprising. Even though the late-singer’s career was tied to the period’s Disco era (not my favorite music genre, primarily because I survived the decade and lived through all of its manifestations), her accomplishments were more than worthy, I believe. Pop sometimes gets diminished, too often I think, because it is (or was) ‘popular’. Not that the Hall of Fame should wallow in it, but all versions of Rock ‘n Roll should be considered and not be quickly dismissed because it seems light, or bland, or too youth-oriented. I, too, am glad Albert King got recognized. Thanks, Morgan.
It’s probably just that I’m a bit on the young side; I don’t hear Donna Summer’s name brought up very often. I definitely agree that pop has its place in the R&R hall of fame (and certainly if rap and hip-hop can be included, pretty much anything goes.)
And so, finally, we Canadians are able to stop whining that Rush isn’t in the Hall of Fame, and can finally turn our attentions to the fact that The Guess Who isn’t in the Hall of Fame.
Yeah, they’d be another deserving act.
Don’t encourage them.
You’re just mad because everyone from Georgia is probably already in there.
Rush, Heart are overdue no-brainers as inductees as is Albert King. Yay!
Donna Summer, while a very successful pop artist, isn’t exactly what I call rock n roll, but I guess it fits. Randy Newman just doesn’t fit the bill here for me. While an uber-talented songwriter in varied movie themes, he’s mostly known for Monk TV song, Disney/Pixar songs, and Short People seems to be his one hit. I’ve read that pop artists covered some of his songs, but it’s a stretch to even call his music rock n roll in my book. Quincy Jones was a jazz musician and innovator but is very well known as a top music producer especially with Michael Jackson and definitely deserving in the HOF. Nice news post Morgan.
Thanks, S. I know the criteria for inclusion is sometimes a little sketchy… but I’m mostly OK with that. Plenty of room for different people in there.