[bunnyma357]

Some bands are enduring. They are good then, good now, popular then and now, selling albums way back then and still selling albums now.

However, some of those bands that were once popular were only popular with a small segment of the market and even though they sold lots of albums back then, they are way out of vogue now. Some are just flat out embarrassing.

I was just thinking, if I got in the car with a buddy and ejected his CD, what would be the most embarrassing thing to find in there? What would he most have to hear about, get laughed at about, and raked over the coals for the most?

My thoughts would first be some boy band like the New Kids on the Block, or the Back Street Boys. Almost as bad would be some Britney Spears or Pussy Cat Dolls... Just as bad though would be something from Michael Jackson, Vanilla Ice, Run-DMC (sorry), or the Beasty Boys.

I know some of those bands were the biggest of big in terms of record sales, but are embarrassing now.

Based on this criteria, Journey would be right up there - Neil Schon is great, but Steve Perry?

I'd agree that there are bands that deserve to be chosen first, but I just listened to Run-DMC's Greatest Hits tonight and it is 100% a rock album.

I also don't believe in being embarrassed by the music I liked in the past. Michael Jackson may be a freak, but he made some great music - "I Want You Back" is one of the most subversively evil songs I've ever heard. Bubblegum music got me into music, so I'll never regret liking the American Breed, Tommy James & the Shondels(?), the Grass Roots, Tommy Roe or even the Partridge Family. To be honest if I were to be embarrassed, I'd be far more inclined to be embarrassed by my early desires to listen to "serious" artists like Al Dimeola and John McLaughlin - though, I still have them in my collection and give them a spin from time to time, they represent a certain time in my life to me.

Good rap music like Run-DMC, Public Enemy, Digital Underground, and others are as much a part of rock to me as the Allman Brothers, Led Zeppelin, or the Beatles. Blaming Run-DMC for all the bad rap groups that followed is like blaming the Allman Brothers for Molly Hatchet or Led Zeppelin for Whitesnake, or the Beatles for the Knack. There is good and bad in everything, but I'll maintain that Run-DMC was one of the most influential groups, and is deserving of induction.

If anything I'd hold off on Jeff Beck and Metalica and give proper respect to groups like Yes, Rush and others.  Little Anthony is one of those legacy votes that they do every year, and I'm fine with that. YMMV.

Jim C

[Danny Richie]

For me, Run DMC is no rock band. They are a rap group no matter how you slice it.

As for worthy inductees and being influential: Metallica (like them or not) tops the list by far. Metallica has sold more albums than all of those others put together and are still putting them out.

Run DMC had their day in the sun then fell off the face of the earth.

[S Clark]

I confess that when driving the wife's car, her Barry Manilow Greatest Hits cd sometimes doesn't get ejected until after a song or two.

[drab]

For me, Run DMC is no rock band. They are a rap group no matter how you slice it.

As for worthy inductees and being influential: Metallica (like them or not) tops the list by far. Metallica has sold more albums than all of those others put together and are still putting them out.

I don't question Metallica's worthiness at all. I agree that they top this years list.

Run DMC had their day in the sun then fell off the face of the earth.

As did many of the early rock artists, Fats Domino, Bill Haley, Chuck Berry.... . Doesn't make
them any less influential or deserving IMO.