Rock n Roll Hall of Fame

[oakey]

Greetings,

Yes, it's an inherently US-centric institution. Which isn't to say that UK artists won't get a look in, but it's US sales, exposure, impact and renown which will shape eligibility. In the US, Pet Shop Boys were a mere pop footnote after Domino Dancing.

Retro.

Yes, too US-centric. NO and DM are big in the US, PSB are perceived as a one hit wonder over there.

An institute that seriously considers a boy band like New Edition for the RRHoF cannot be taken seriously... nobody outside the US has heard of them (I know Bobby Brown was a member, but nobody would consider nominating N*Sync because Justin Timberlake was a member or One Direction because of Harry Styles...). Yes, I know they had a UK #1 but their other singles were minor hits at best.

The label 'rock' (let alone rock 'n' roll) is already problematic, as it is also a US-centric way of looking at music. Whereas we take pride (at least I do) that bands like Pet Shop Boys are ultimate pop bands, Americans use the label 'pop' in a derogatory way for what is in the current charts. They do not even consider a band like Erasure 'pop', as they had no hits in the US, so they are grouped under the indie label...
I had a discussion with US Duran fans who were offended that I consider Duran a pop band, they insisted on the rock label 'because they use guitars'. While I would consider the Wedding Album soft rock, their 80s hits are perceived as pop music by most if not all Europeans I would say. People would laugh at you if you would say that you are a fan of "rock band Duran Duran".

I would say rock music is AC/DC, Zeppelin, Muse, Live, Nirvana etc.

Erasure had three Top 20 hits in the U.S. with extensive U.S. radio play.

Yet they are considered an indie act. And like I said, pop in the US refers to what is in the charts now, which is a bit bizarre from a Euro perspective.

[Gabby]

I used to get super confused on a Saturday watching The Chart Show on TV but realised that Erasure were considered "indie" simply because they were on a independent record label (Sire maybe?). PSB were not because they were on Parlophone. Same for NO at Factory. It made it all a bit of a nonsense to be honest.

When I came to Canada I'd find PSB in the "Alternative" section of a record store.