Joe Bonamassa hits out at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Guitarist Joe Bonamassa has shared his feelings towards the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame‘s induction policy, criticising the institution for waiting until after an artist dies.
Bonamassa’s comments arrive following the sad death of English blues great John Mayall, who passed away aged 90 at his family home in California on July 22nd. In April, Mayall was named in the 2024 class of inductees alongside artists such as Foreigner, Ozzy Osbourne, Cher, Mary J. Blige, Dave Matthews Band, Foreigner, Peter Frampton, Kool & The Gang and A Tribe Called Quest.
The ceremony is set to take place for this year’s event on October 19th, 2024, and heartbreakingly, Mayall is no longer here to bask in the glory of his career alongside his contemporaries, which Bonamassa finds a saddening and avoidable situation.
In his mind, Bonamassa believes that the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has an unfortunate habit of not giving artists their flowers while they are still alive to experience the outpouring of love. He also used veteran rocker Paul Rodgers as an example of an artist deserving of a place in the Hall of Fame, and shared his bemusement about him not being inducted.
Speaking on the Artists on Record podcast, Bonamassa started by saying he was “glad” Mayall was aware that he was going into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, but caveated that by adding, “I am sad and slightly pissed off that he didn’t live to see it because he deserved to go in decades ago.”
Bonamassa then explained how the same situation previously occurred with Alexis Korner and Chris Squire from Yes, noting, “There’s a lot of omissions that I think they need to start reconciling quickly, because you cannot wait for them all to die to then go, ‘Well, we’re gonna put you in posthumously.’ It means something. It would have meant something to John to get that statue.“
The American musician then stated that he respects the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as well as those who work for the institution, but believes they need to adapt their induction strategy due to the number of ageing rockers. “There’s a lot of people that are now aging out or becoming in their late 70s and 80s that really should have been in decades ago. They need to get them in because it’s the right thing to do for the artist,” he said.
He then said the move would be vital in ensuring the integrity of the Hall of Fame, adding: “And I like the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. They’re very nice people, always had a great relationship with them. Just for their own organisation and credibility, something with Paul Rodgers needs to go in the fucking Hall. You mean to tell me Free is not a Hall of Famer? Come on.”
Bonamassa also suggested they host another event a day prior to the televised broadcast, which would allow “ten people that maybe are not hip or not active playing-wise” to be inducted.
The ceremony is set to take place at the Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in Cleveland, Ohio. At this stage, a list of performers are yet to be revealed, however, Stevie Nicks has been announced to appear but it remains uncertain in what capacity.
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