Press’ reactions on Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame nominations
As we all learnt a couple of days ago, Red Hot Chili Peppers were nominated for the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. Since then, media has reacted, many analysysts, critics and others have come up with their views on this. Let’s see what they’re saying.
PopMatters have been really nice. You can read the whole article written by AJ Ramirez, here, while the bit about RHCP follows:
To think, that even a few years back the idea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers being the next alternative rock back to follow R.E.M. into the Hall would have seemed fanciful. However, over the last decade the Chili Peppers have transformed into respected elder statesmen of the genre, one of the few band comfortable playing at the stadium level while turning out hit after hit. In fact, despite their current hiatus, the Chili Peppers are currently one of the biggest rock bands in the world. While dismissed early on by critics for their frat-boy rowdiness, all three current instrumentalists in the group are fantastic musicians; guitarist John Frusciante in particular has seen his stock as a respected guitarist rise even since he rejoined the group for its comeback album Californication (1999). The Chili Peppers have made the ballot in their first year of eligibility, which is a rare feat. While I feel they could wait a year or two to enter the Hall when compared to other artists nominated, they’ve certainly proved their staying power over the years. If they do make it in this year, here’s hoping they work in some of their more energetic material during the induction ceremony performance instead of sticking to the more recent contemplative ballads.
Gadsden Times‘ author, Matthew Martin gets really emotional about both RHCP and LL Cool J:
As far as the Red Hot Chili Peppers are concerned, they came a little later. Their album, “Mother’s Milk,†released in 1989 (as I graduated high school), is considered a classic. It was their breakthrough record, with songs like the Stevie Wonder cover, “Higher Ground,†or “Knock Me Down.†Another record, although chronologically was out of line, timewise, is “The Uplift Mofo Party Plan.†Released in 1987, it had the songs “Fight Like a Brave†and “Me and My Friends.†Their sound had a little bit punk, a lotta funk. It was most evident on those two albums.
Later on, as I entered adulthood, their album, “Blood Sugar Sex Magik,†released in 1991 was the record that broke all boundaries for the band and was the beginning of their explosion. Everywhere you went, a song from that record was playing — “Suck My Kiss,†“Give It Away†and the big hit “Under the Bridge.†It became their biggest seller to date, selling almost 14 million copies to make it the 158th best seller of all time. Later on, their album “Californication,†went on to become the 126th best seller of all time, with 15.4 million copies sold. The best friend I mentioned earlier, we used to drive around in the Mustang, Red Hot Chili Peppers blaring out of the car’s windows.
It is also funny to look back on how we used to be and the songs that we tie to those times. Songs that remind us of a time, or even a moment, that take us back in time, if only for a second. Those songs are timeless, because they are in our heads. L.L. Cool J and the Red Hot Chili Peppers recorded those timeless songs and they are stuck in my head, especially right now!
Cleveland Scene’s writer, Michael Gallucci, does not agree at all.
Red Hot Chili Peppers? One-note fake-funksters with a singer who sounds like Kermit the Frog and a bass player who snaps away at the strings with little feel for rhythm.
Billboard.com quoted Chad Smith saying “It’s a real honor to be nominated in our first year of eligibility. Obviously the Hall of Fame has excellent musical taste.”, even though they think KISS are more likely to get in
This same bit was quoted by Clash Music; as well as 411 Mania.
On Ivillage, they think Red Hots are definitely getting in.
Freep is only pointing out which band member is from their state.
P.S. The actual event has its own website, too.
