While we didn’t attend the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame this past Friday, with the exception of Rush’s Geddy Lee playing bass with Yes as they were inducted, it doesn’t appear like we missed all that much. Journey was inducted, and while Steve Perry was present, he didn’t perform with the band, despite media reports that he would. And Pearl Jam ‘s induction has pretty much been a given since Vs. came out. However, the band’s bassist, Jeff Ament, did a pretty classy thing that was also a middle finger to the overly conservative Rock Hall of Fame.
If you look at his shirt, which the band posted on Instagram a few hours after the ceremony, it’s a list of bands and artists that the Hall of Fame hasn’t recognized yet, and it’s one hell of a list with a bunch of punk, rock and metal bands that still haven’t been inducted. Slayer, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, King Diamond, Soundgarden, Dio, Motley Crue, Melvins and Motorhead are among the metal acts on his shirt, with rock bands including Alice In Chains, The Cult, Thin Lizzy, Bon Jovi, Mountain, King Crimson and Jane’s Addiction on it. It’s also pretty easy to see how overlooked punk and hardcore have been, with Dead Kennedys, Bad Brains, The Damned, Misfits, and Fugazi on his shirt as well. That’s not even getting into all of the alternative bands on the shirt as well. Here’s part of what Ament said in his speech, which also mentioned some of the bands still not inducted:
Being here with the band, who have become some of my best friends in the process, making music and art, traveling the world, supporting causes and programs together, making small differences, meeting great artists, and creative minds all over the world. That’s a pretty great fucking life. It’s an honor in to be part of a club that includes so many of our heroes — Neil [Young], the Clash, [Led] Zeppelin, the Stooges, Cheap Trick — but the fact is that we were affected and infected by bands that aren’t here. So many important bands that made us want to pick up our guitars and write songs. Roxy Music, the Jam, Devo, X, Black Flag, Jane’s Addiction.
The next round of nominees for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame will be announced in October. The awards show will air on HBO later this month.
[via Vulture]
