Who DOES NOT belong in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame-Part 1-2006 to 2011

I think the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is a sham and a travesty to music fans everywhere. This year, the Hall of Fame inducted probably a real shitty bunch of candidates. Many of my students have argued with me about my opinions, some are warranted but come on, there are so many people who have contributed to music who will NEVER get in.

Maybe if Jann Wenner looked at his list and asked people who they wanted inducted, some of these people would never have made it to Cleveland.

1. Neil Diamond-Come on? Neil Diamond? Barry Manilow or Neil Sedaka are not inducted, neither should the "Jewish Elvis". Sure he wrote some classic songs for others and has been immortalized in the Jason Biggs movie "Saving Silverman" while singing "Dry Your Eyes" at The Band's Last Waltz show but this is not a Hall of Fame for my mother or the over fifty crowd. (Yes, I did take my mom to a Neil Diamond show.)

2. Dr. John-Right Place, Wrong Time is more for a one hit wonder Hall of Fame. He is a purveyor of New Orleans music and a talented musician. Come on? He has not been relevant since the 1970s and when you look back at his career, being a member of Ringo Starr's All-Starr Band does not make you eligible. If it did, Peter Frampton, Men At Work and Billy Squier (That's right, Billy Squier) all belong. (Who doesn't blast the latter's "The Stroke" when its played ad naseum on Q104.)

3. Leon Russell-I'll admit, I have to say that his album with Elton John is amazing but being a piano player that toured with Joe Cocker in 1970 does not gain admission into this sham of a Hall of Fame. This probably will offend my college roommate's parents (Sorry Babs and Big D), but he, too, like Dr. John, needs a new Hall of Fame.

4. Darlene Love-So you sang the vocals for Phil Spector, big deal? You also played Danny Glover's wife in Lethal Weapon. If there was a female musician hall of fame, yes. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, sorry, Pat Benatar is not in, Stevie Nicks, solo, is not in, neither should you.

5/6. ABBA and Madonna-Yes, if this was a popular music Hall of Fame, they belong. Yes, if this was a Homosexual Music Hall of Fame. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is for rock and roll music. Yes, ABBA still has relevance in 2010, Mamma Mia!, Priscilla, Queen of the Desert and Muriel's Wedding. Yes, ABBA wrote some catchy tunes and are the best thing to come out of Sweden since Volvos, but again, when all is said and done, Cleveland rocks and you should head back to Stockholm. Madonna is an icon. Her catalog speaks volumes to all those who came of age in the 80s and 90s. "Ray Of Light", without a doubt, is an amazing album, but this is a rock an roll hall of fame. (I profusely apologize to my friends Troy Rutman, Dominick Pupa and Mark Bateman but she doesn't belong.)

7/8. RUN DMC/Grandmaster Flash-Weren't they honored for the VH1 Hip Hop Honors? Yes, RUN DMC and their collaboration with Aerosmith brought rap to rock audiences but this brought forth Limp Bizkit and Korn. (I do love Linkin Park.) Grandmaster Flash's "The Message" is used when I teach and its great social commentary but again is rap a genre or off-shoot of rock music....NO! Love rap music but the VH1 Hip Hop Honors does it job, thank you.

9/10. The Ventures/The Hollies-How many 60s groups are inducted already? I would include The Dave Clark Five but they were the second group after those Beatles guys to break through in the British Invasion, so I'll give them a pass.

11. Miles Davis-Yes, if it was a Jazz Hall of Fame. Sure his genre-breaking style would get him the nod but again like ABBA, Neil Diamond, etc., this is the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. I love Miles Davis but come on?

Finally-If anyone can tell me why Jesse Stone, Otis Blackwell, Bill Black/DJ Fontana (Elvis backing musicians), Wanda Jackson, Little Walter and Spooner Oldham belong, I'm all ears.

Have fun debating this.