The self-congratulating, exclusionary annual industry circle jerk known as the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is turning 25 this year, and to celebrate, the foundation is throwing two concerts at New York City’s Madison Square Garden. The shows, on October 29 and 30, will feature a pretty stellar lineup of acts, with Metallica playing on the 30th alongside U2, Eric Clapton and Aretha Franklin. The 29th will feature Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band, Simon & Garfunkel, Crosby Stills, Nash and Friends, Paul Simon (wait a minute, does Art Garfunkel get a solo set too?) and Stevie Wonder.
The shows were curated by a team including HOF Chairman and Rolling Stone publisher Jann Wenner, Tom Hanks, Cameron Crowe and a handful of other older white men. All this for the affordable price of $25,000 to $100,000 for “once-in-a-lifetime VIP Benefit Packages!” Those funds from the American Express-sponsored event are going toward creating a permanent endowment for the museum.
It will be good to have at least a little bit of metal represented from a band that joined the Hall earlier this year, but until Slayer, Deep Purple, Rush and at least five other bands we can think of off the top of our heads make it into even consideration for the Hall, we don’t particularly care. Unless the Hall is holding us a pair of tickets for the 30th, in which case we’re willing to completely compromise our principles.
