R.E.M. made such an impression on Georgia's rock elders, they're getting an upgrade! For the first time, the Athens quartet is eligible to enter the real Hall Of Fame. As you know, a band is eligible for induction only 25 years after its first album is released. Specifically, Billboard explains, "to be eligible for induction, the 2007 class had to release their first single no later than 1981."
"Radio Free Europe" was released as a single the year before Chronic Town, so the math is right. Also on this year's ballot for the first time are Van Halen. Assuming they get in, will Dave and Sammy share a podium? Expect some drama in the weeks leading up to ceremony (3/12). The other '07 noms -- the Stooges, Patti Smith, The Dave Clark Five, Chic, Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, Joe Tex, the Ronettes -- are holdovers from previous years. Rush, Yes, Genesis, ELO, Joan Jett, Def Leppard, Alice Cooper, Heart, Deep Purple, Pat Benatar ... still shit out of luck. And Cat Stevens: on the ballot for the first time last year, now no 2nd chance? Guess they don't like his new single.
Who else debuted in '81? Duran Duran? A Flock Of Seagulls?
