There’s nothing that’s more important to rock n’ rollers than establishment recognition. Right? Wait…I thought rock was about sticking it to the man in a fit of progressive rebellion! I guess it depends on who you ask. If you ask the good folks at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio, they will tell you that the Hall of Fame is a way to highlight those artists who best represent the spirit of rock and whose influence on culture is undeniable. If you ask others, the HoF is a good ol’ boys club in which gatekeepers and those already inducted get to lift up more of their own. 

In reality, it’s probably more in the middle. On one hand, it makes sense to have an institution to preserve and honor the contributions of great musicians. Over the past 65 years, rock & roll has had an incalculable influence on our societal mindset, fashion, business, and art. The music that The Greats have made means many things to different people, but we all have memories and emotions tied to songs, albums, and bands. It’s very edifying to have your favorite singer or band enshrined in the Hall of Fame, proof that others agree with what you’ve always known: that these guys rock. (I want to stress that I use the term “guys” as a gender-neutral collective pronoun).