Why John Mellencamp not in RRHOF while the Rolling Stones Are?

[HardWorkingDem]

What I want to know is why the hell isn't John Mellencamp in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Rolling Stones are. These bastards are allowing the Chinese to censor their concerts while John has been trumpeting the importance of free speech and artistic expression for years.

I'm sick.......

[leftofthedial]

1. I don't know why Mellencamp isn't

but the Stones are a no-brainer

[donheld]

2. If the Stones don't belong in the RRHOF then nobody does

Sorry about John but the Stones were legends before John ever recorded a note.

[Starbucks Anarchist]

3. I think your first album must be 25 years old to qualify.

Has Mellencamp been around that long?

[sandnsea]

5. Little Johnny Cougar??

I'm pretty sure, I remember him back around '79, seems to me.

[Starbucks Anarchist]

7. I thought he started in the early 80s.

But you're probably right.

[sandnsea]

8. "I Need A Lover"

1978 or 79. Had an earlier album in 1976 too, although I don't think I remember that one. But in 79, I thought he was about the cutest thing on the planet, loved him ever since. :)

[HardWorkingDem]

4. Yes, you have to have the 25 yrs requirement, but...

but how true of a rock and roll artist can you be when you let China censor you your playlist?

[donheld]

6. The Stones were in the Hall of Fame long before that happened

And don't look for them to be thrown out. EVER.

[VolcanoJen]

9. He's been nominated at least twice now...

... since he's been eligible, I imagine. 2004 and 2005. Hasn't made it in yet. I think he should, and I'm sure he will.

The Rolling Stones, though? The Hall of Fame was imagined because of bands like the Stones. :-)

[Indy_Dem_Defender]

10. Little Mellecamp story

what can I say I love his music and I grew up on it being from Indiana. I've met John and his beautiful wife Elaine very nice people down to earth people.

Funny story about John and Elaine, this 70 something year old man that comes into my mom's job is actually good friends with them. Funny thing about it he has no clue of who they are. John and Elaine live off of lake monroe in southern Indiana and this old man I guess has a home or cabin down there as well, and that's how he met them. He's telling my mom one day about his friends John and Elaine just wonderful people they had him and his wife over for dinner. He's tells my mom he doesn't know what they do for a living but they have a really nice house. My mom kind of figures it out it mask him if their last name is Mellencamp, the old man is like wow you know them too? My mom's tells him he's a really famous rock musician and she's a a famous model, old man replies John told me he liked to play music and was a bit of a musician but I said I'd never heard of anything of his music.

My mom's co-workers think the old man's nuts and likes telling lies. I think it's true, because the 4-5 times I've been somewhere John was I've noticed he's a low key person not trying to attract attention. I am sure that John and Elaine get a big kick out of someone not having a clue that their famous and that's why they be friended this old man and his wife.

[Chiyo-chichi]

14. That's a great story.

I once talked to Elaine briefly & shook her hand. I couldn't feel my legs for the next half hour.

Hell, yeah JM should be in the Hall of Fame!

[tkmorris]

11. I don't think the RRHOF is terribly political

You get in on the basis of your MUSIC, not your politics. Frustrating perhaps, but there it is.

Having said that, the Stones are an absolute dead lock. As someone else said, if the Stones don't belong then NO one does. Mellencamp on other hand, well what's his case? He had a brief run in the 80's with some pop radio stuff, which I must admit I rather liked although I normally avoid pop radio like the plague. I know he has been active since but I honestly don't know any of his recent music. I don't think he has the resume for the Hall to be honest. I know that mere record sales aren't the bottom line but it is ALWAYS about the music.

[Viva_La_Revolution]

12. Cuttin' Heads!

Great album!!! from 2001. seriously gets back to his roots.
I'd vote him in. :)

Newest - Love and Happiness

Well, we're droppin' our bombs
In the southern hemisphere
And people are starving
That live right here
And they're tearing down walls
In the name of peace
And they're killing each other
In the Middle East
But love and happiness
Have forgotten our names
And there's no value left
In love and happiness
They raise the price of oil
and they censor our mouths
If you are a young couple today
Forget buying a house
And we wage our wars
In the neighborhoods
We kill the young to feed the old
And man that ain't no good
Yeah, but love and happiness
Have forgotten our names
And there's no value left
In love and happiness
So, if you sell arms
Or you run dope
You got respect
And you got hope
But the rest of us die
On your battle fields
With wounds that fester and bleed
But never heal
Yeah, love and happiness
Have forgotten our names
And there's no value left
In love and happiness
And love and happiness
Yeah, love and happiness
Have forgotten our names
And there's no value left
In love and happiness

[HardWorkingDem]

18. I suggest....

you pick up a copy of The Lonesome Jubilee and Big Daddy. I've been a fan of his from the start, but after listening to his previous stuff before these two, I was stunned at the growth of his music in between Scarecrow and The Lonesome Jubilee. As soon as I first hear the opening to "Paper in Fire" I knew he had changed a great deal.

This guy's music does meet the requirements but to me, what puts him over the top has been is activism in speech and artistic causes.

Really, I'm not saying the Rolling Stones don't deserve to be in there because they do solely for their body of work, but what have they ever given back? Zilch.....they are simply money whores.

[bowens43]

13. Well, maybe because Mellencamps music isn't up to par,

the Stones music is.....politics have nothing to do with it.


Geesh....

[tomp]

15. agreed. never liked mellencamp

the stones ARE rock&roll. there's no comparison. silly post.

[HardWorkingDem]

16. Evidently....

you two haven't followed Mellencamp's career and musical evolution.

I've followed his music from the start and his music has evolved and grown a great deal. Oh, and politics has about everything to deal with everything.

My point was, this man has been a vocal supporter of all things that most Du'ers support and care about - free speech, artistic freedom and doing things that matter, while the Rolling Stones have gone soft.

Just for money these people are bending to the wills of the Chinese government and it's sickening - just like the beer commercials they have done in the past and all the other commercial crap (recall, Richard is a huge substance abuser, so what do they do? Hark booze....)

[etherealtruth]

19. I'm lost here ...

You can make a case for Mellencamp (My Fav is his "I fight authority...") but, what does it have to do with the Rolling Stones who impacted music as we know it(along with the Beatles ....and a long list of others)?

edit: grammar/clarity

[HardWorkingDem]

21. Guess I expect more from the Rolling Stones...

I'm just disappointed in their journey. It's like all these once great bands are going soft while trying to remain relevant. I mean, look at how few artists were willing to stand up and support the Dixie Chicks a few years ago when the right wingers were going after them.

At some point how much more money can a person need?

Mellencamp has been taking the fight to them all along and never seems to get the credit for it (sadly, even he allowed a company to use one of his songs in commericals, though I never saw the ad).

[Neil Lisst]

17. Hell, they just now let in Lynard Skynard.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is kind of slap shot about who gets in. I have no idea who picks the members, but if it's the same yahoos who picked CLEVELAND for the site, well, there you are.

[etherealtruth]

20. I'd kinda like to see RUSH ...

... in the RRHoF.

Won't disparage those in there to get them there.