Rock 'N Roll Hall Of Fame Or Shame?

MeirRachel · Post by **MeirRachel** » 16 Jul 2004 18:23

It really annoys me that Lou is not in the Rock 'N Roll Hall of Fame as a solo performer. Consider that:

Lou is mentioned alongside HOFamers Neil Young and Bob Dylan as one of the few still relevant artists from the 60s.

A search of ebay and the name Lou Reed and you get a ton of reviews about his influence on all these new bands.

I also think that it's long overdue and though fans have told me that he'll be in one of these years, I think that's the same thing they said about the VU then Sterl passed away waiting waiting waiting.

citizensmurf · Post by **citizensmurf** » 16 Jul 2004 19:49

I'd go with the shame part myself. Does Lou really care about being stuffed and put on display? I think the whole awards and hall of fame thing for musicians, and actors for that matter, is ridiculous. The actual fans of these artists already know how great they are, do we really need the mainstream media to confirm our beliefs? Does anyone here believe that the Oscars or Grammys are going to the best representitives of those categories, or the largest-selling and most-hyped? It's all a marketing ploy. Lou being in the HOF isn't going to make me appreciate his music anymore than if he's not.

Mark · Post by **Mark** » 16 Jul 2004 20:16

citizensmurf wrote:Does Lou really care about being stuffed and put on display?

Probably!

MJG196 · Post by **MJG196** » 18 Jul 2004 04:05

I think the only Halls of Fame that count for anything are sports related. That is where people can be OBJECTIVELY rated against their peers.

That being said, it seems unbelievable to me that the HOF hasnt given solo Lou the nod. Hell, Neil Young is in 4 or 5 times already! Perhaps Lou's eternal hatred for journalists and the press in general has something to do with it. I am willing to bet that John Christgau, or whatever the hell his name is, is on that panel, and perhaps these guys feel they now have a tangible power over one of their chief detractors? Who knows?

The fact that the VU is in there is unbelievable enough. But one fact remains. I am from Cleveland, have never been to the RnR Hall of Fame, and the only time I ay it any attention is when I accidentally read about it in the paper.

MJG196 · Post by **MJG196** » 18 Jul 2004 04:08

To follow up on my last post, I think Neil is in for Buffalo Springfield, CSN&Y, solo...maybe thats it.

Technophallus · Post by **Technophallus** » 19 Jul 2004 01:28

The RnR hall of fame is definitely the equivalent of the grammys or oscars. It says nothing about the artists talent, influence, or innovation. Any serious connoiseur or historian would acknowledge Reed's importance, who cares about the RnR hall of fame.

Homme Fatale · Post by **Homme Fatale** » 23 Jul 2004 08:11

The R&RHOF is totally irrelevant. Just look at some of the artists that have been inducted... It means nothing.

Toni · Post by **Toni** » 23 Jul 2004 22:29

Well, Lou is already in HOF as part of VU, and I think that's enough. Come on, most of his more succesfull solo singles were rewarmed VU-stuff, except for "walk on the wild side" (what a shitty song). Berlin was pretty cool, but even that one had rewarmed VU-stuff as the best songs.

You could actually question Lou's overall influence in VU songwriting, with John and Sterling being perhaps more influential? Perhaps Loaded was the first album Lou really shined on?

MJG196 · Post by **MJG196** » 24 Jul 2004 05:26

Obviously, Toni likes to start arguments! Well, here are his most successful solo US-singles (I think Top-40 is a good cutoff). I used Billboard Magazine as a reference:

1973-Wild Side #16 (Pop Singles Chart)
1984-I Love You, Suzanne #31 (Mainstream Rock Tracks)
1986-No Money Down #19 (Mainstream Rock Tracks)
1989-Busload of Faith #11 (Modern Rock Tracks); Dirty Blvd. #18/#1 (Mainstream Rock/Modern Rock)
1990-Nobody but You #13 (Modern Rock Tracks)
1992-What's Good #1 (Modern Rock Tracks)

So, Toni, how much "rewarmed VU-stuff" do you see there? As far as his album chart listings, I think a pretty relevant note would be 2000's Ecstasy, which charted #17 on the "Top Internet Album" chart.

As far as questioning Lou's influence in the VU's songwriting, that is damn near retarded! Just read Cale's biography...or better yet, watch Cale and Tucker tell you to your face on the Lou Reed biography DVD, "Rock & Roll Heart."

Hey, we all have our opinions of his albums. I think he has a few that should permanently remain in the bargain bin, but when it comes to facts...well...research is important aspect of fact finding. I find it very helpful in bolstering my points.

Lou shined for the first time on Loaded? Well, I suppose that is true in a "Pop Chart" sense. However, I love his two-string solos found throughout his VU discography. I think he truly shined as a guitar player on What Goes On?, Sister Ray, and especially Heroin. I feel he shined as a lyricist on The Velvet Underground & Nico. It's all pretty subjective.

Homme Fatale · Post by **Homme Fatale** » 27 Jul 2004 12:14

Toni wrote:"walk on the wild side" (what a shitty song).

Toni wrote:You could actually question Lou's overall influence in VU songwriting, with John and Sterling being perhaps more influential?