First of all, I hafta say that I’ve actually been to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, and it’s a pretty impressive place.  I literally spent an entire day there a couple years back, without even stopping to eat, and still kinda rushed through the last couple floors.  (No biggie, though—the top floor at the time was dedicated to Bruce Springsteen.)  That said, while they’ve expanded their definition of “rock and roll” to include everything from funk to punk to hip hop, the nominating committee continually leaves some of the greatest rock bands of all time off the ballot.  Case in point: Rush and Deep Purple.

The two rock giants have endured decades-long careers, sold millions of records—particularly in the 70’s—and unleashed a slew of virtuosic musicians; names like Lord, Blackmore, Paice, Lee, Lifeson and Peart have influenced multiple generations to pick up an instrument.  But neither had been so much as nominated for the Hall until this year.  

Of course, this happens to be the first time that Rolling Stone, which has constantly reigned over the nomination process, is opening the vote to the public, albeit the fan vote only counts for one out of some 600 ballots cast.  Still, as the CBC suggests, “if the fan vote goes unrecognized, the Hall’s attempt to integrate fans in the voting process is all for naught. After all, what’s the point of having a fan vote if it is going to be ignored?”  A very valid assertion, if you ask me.  Now who’s gonna go print up some Rush/Purple 2013 bumper stickers?

Alas, while I seem to head down to Cleveland about once a year, I can say I won’t be visiting the Hall until they dedicate a top-floor exhibit to Deep Purple.  Now that would be worth the 22-dollar price of admission!