Prior to this week’s announcement of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame class of 2025, information was released which summarized the fan voting for this year’s induction. In doing so, the Hall did itself no favors, because a comparison of the two lists points up just how much the tastes of typical music fans vary from those of the Rock Hall’s voting body.
A prime example of this disparity involves the fate of Phish, the beloved jam band that was at the top of the fan voting list with 330,000 votes, besting second place finisher Bad Company by almost 50,000 votes. Bad Company got in this year, but Phish didn’t. Billy Idol garnered 260,000 votes but did not make the final cut. The White Stripes and Outkast each received just over 100,000 votes, ahead of only Joy Division / New Order and Maná. Both made it into the Hall this year, but the Black Crowes (a true rock and roll band if ever there was one) was denied entry despite receiving over 160,000 fan votes.
Since the first induction ceremony almost 40 years ago, critics’ darlings have been overrepresented in the Rock Hall. It is to be expected. No less a sage than David Lee Roth once observed that many rock critics like Elvis Costello so much because they look like him. I suppose the best that can be said regarding the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame class of 2025 is that most of the musicians selected actually do belong in the Hall, Outkast aside. This is not to say that André 3000 and Big Boi are not talented artists who have sold a bunch of records. The problem is that Outkast is not rock and roll, and they would probably tell you that themselves.
Aficionados have squawked for years about Warren Zevon’s exclusion from the Hall. He’s going in this year but, for some reason, Zevon is being inducted in the “musical influence” category. While it’s a more significant tribute than a participation ribbon, it does smack of “honorable mention.” I am, however, happy to report that keyboard player Nicky Hopkins (Rolling Stones, Beatles, Kinks) will receive the “musical excellence” award. Ditto for Wrecking Crew bassist Carol Kaye, who played on hits like “Wichita Lineman,” “The Beat Goes On” and “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’,” contributing signature bass lines that defined the songs.
Update: Keyboard whiz Rick Wakeman (Yes, David Bowie, Lou Reed) wrote a book several years back called Grumpy Old Rock Star. In Wakeman’s case, the title was a bit of self-deprecatory humor. However, if you were to apply it to The Who’s Roger Daltrey, you would be hitting the bullseye on the band’s old target logo. As reported here last week, Daltrey went prima donna during a performance at London’s Royal Albert Hall, complaining about the onstage volume of Zak Starkey’s drums and subsequently firing him from the band after 29 years of service. Mr. Grumpypants addressed the subsequent controversy a few days ago, telling an audience that reports of a rift within The Who were “fake news” (hmm, where else have we heard that term?) and declaring “[F]uck social media.” And by the way, you kids better stay off of Roger’s lawn.
Ticket Alert
The Temptations and the Four Tops both came out of Detroit, signed with Motown Records and scored hit after hit during the ‘60s and ‘70s. Though few members of either band’s classic lineup remain, it’s hard to argue with a show that includes songs like “My Girl,” “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg” and “Baby I Need Your Loving.” Both groups will perform at the Smart Financial Centre on Wednesday, September 24. You can score presale tickets today with the right credit card and / or password, or on Friday during the general sale.
“Uncle Charlie’s R&B Cookout” tour rolls into the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion on Friday, September 26. While you won’t get BBQ, beans and potato salad (no raisins!) at the show, you will get “a soul-infused celebration” with sets from Charlie Wilson, Babyface, K-Ci Hailey and El DeBarge. Tickets are on sale now.
Haim, the rocking trio of sisters from Los Angeles, will release a new album, I Quit, in June and then hit the road this fall. The tour will stop at the White Oak Music Hall on Sunday, September 28, with the presale on Thursday and the general sale set for Friday.
It might seem that a mix of hip-hop, country, rock and Americana would be a tough sell, but Shaboozey has proved any doubters wrong with a string of successful albums and a guest appearance on Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter. Speaking of Beyoncé, you might have caught Shaboozey’s appearance in Queen B’s Christmas Day halftime show during last year’s (damn near incidental) football game between the Ravens and the Texans. Presales are in progress now for Shaboozey’s concert at the 713 Music Hall on Sunday, October 5, with the general sale on Friday.
Suffering from dehydration after collapsing during a sound check last week in San Antonio, Carlos Santana elected to play it safe and postpone his show scheduled for last Wednesday at the Smart Financial Centre. A message on the venue’s website says, “Please hang onto your tickets – we will advise on the rescheduled show date as soon as possible.”
Concerts This Week
Billy Idol didn’t make it into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame this go-round (see above), but he can take comfort in the fact that he is in the midst of a tour that is selling well and also has Joan Jett opening for him. Another bright spot is that Steve Stevens (the guy who can make his guitar sound like a ray gun) is back in Idol’s band. A few tickets are still left for his show on Saturday at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion.
Closer to town on Saturday, Al Jourgensen and Ministry will headline a concert at the House of Blues that also features fellow industrial rockers Nitzer Ebb. Both bands have been at it for a while – Ministry since 1981 and Nitzer since 1982 – with each act displaying dedication to its respective vision. ‘Cause Knowledge is Power: Two Ministry songs appeared in the film A.I., but that almost didn’t happen when Jourgensen told director Steven Spielberg that he had been led to believe that “A.I.” stood for “anal intruder” and that he was withdrawing his band’s participation in the film because it wasn’t actually a porno flick. Spielberg got over it, but he wasn’t amused.
Blues fans have two appealing options this weekend. Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Bobby Rush will be at the House of Blues on Sunday, performing songs from their recent collaboration Young Fashioned Ways. For more on that album, check out this week’s Houston Press interview with Shepherd. Also on Sunday, Kim Wilson and the Fabulous Thunderbirds will perform at the Dosey Doe Big Barn, employing the venue’s popular “dinner and show” format.
It hasn’t always been easy for Wilco (substance issues, personnel changes, record company squabbles), but the band has persevered for 30 years, rising from the ashes of Uncle Tupelo and in the process becoming an American institution. Bandleader Jeff Tweedy and the gang (including phenomenal guitarist Nels Cline) will perform at the White Oak Music Hall on Sunday.
