Rock and Roll Hall of Fame... Will it happen?

[Rick Henry]

As you all know I have always held the belief that Carpenters do have a place in the RRHOF. Regardless of the fact that their brand of pop/rock is mellower than most of their contemporaries - it just so happens that Carpenters' music was popular during the rock and roll era and they have been a huge influence on many different types of musicans - from country to pop to soul to balladeers and even to hard rock and goth rock musicians. Their influence really does not have boundaries - they are by far the most influential easy pop group ever - for one reason or another.

Every year more and more petitions are on the internet to get Carpenters inducted into the RRHOF. Most don't do too well and maybe get a few hundred signatures. some, like The Carpenters Online petition - which I put onto the internet about 2 years ago do quite well with near 2,000 signatures - but receive more than it's share of criticism from neigh sayers.

But, now the question is:
Will Carpenters ever make it into the RRHOF?

In my thoughts on this and regardless of my stance that I feel they do have a place in the RRHOF, I have come to believe that they will not be inducted into the RRHOF. I think that many of the committee members just don't see their influence during this era and or are still embarrassed or still in the closet about their fondness for Carpenters music.

Will the world ever come clean about their love of Carpenters?

What do you think? What's you opinion on this?

[ps11932]

I hope I'm not asking an ignorant question or opening a can of worms, but just how is "rock and roll" defined? Are there characteristics that need to be present for music to qualify as rock and roll, or is individualistic form of expresion a factor? What are the things that the RRHOF panel members are looking for that The Carpenters lack, in their opinion? Will the passing of time result in changes in how the musical community perceives things, resulting in appointment of panelists who will be more open to the influence of The Carpenters? One thing I am sure of, is that whether or not they are deemed worthy of being in the Hall of Fame for this genre, the influence the group has had on people, groups and styles exceeds that of many Hall members. (Good news- I am resisting the urge to make analogies to sports Halls Of Fame.)

[enigma]

ps I will let Rick further explain your inquiry but not all artists in the R&R hall of fame are strictly Rock and Roll alot of inductees are from other musical styles. It should really be the music hall of fame so it reflects the true greats without limiting it to a specific music style, As for the Carpenters making it in Right now there are too many prejudices that create stonewalls preventing The Carpenters from entering it is almost as if they would be embarrassed to have them among the artists that are already in but I do feel in time these prepuces will disappear these things take time maybe when the inducting committee membership changes and new members are on the committee they will broaden their views and look more seriously at the Carpenters as candidates. Petitions will not get them in but may be useful in getting the nominating committee's attention. In time we will see the Carpenters in the rock and roll hall of fame I truly believe I will see it someday.

[YesterdayOnceMore]

Inasmuch as nothing would please me more than to see Carpenters inducted into the rock n roll hall of fame, as I believe their influence on Rock n Roll, though not "main stream" r & r, nonetheless, they did influence the direction of rock n roll. How could they not be considered, at least? No, Carpenters were not a hard rock band...in fact, they were more of a "soft rock" or "pop" as we have classified them here, and others have definitely classified them elsewhere. Alas, I have to agree that it isn't going to come to fruition. They are not going to be inducted....Richard has known this all along, even though he continued to let us dream about it a bit, and "hope" with our petitions, etc.

I think the bottom line is - even though we know they influenced the mainstream of r&r, they will, once again, be overlooked for having contributed so significantly, because they were "different." What a great question, Rick - will the general public ever come clean about how much they like Carpenters?" I have seen a lot of that happen, but not enough for "us" to see them take their rightful place amongst the many other R & R geniuses of the day.

[smoothie2]

:)Believe me, Richard and Karen will always have my vote when it comes to this ,just as so many the world over must feel. I think I'm one of the very last people on earth to know anything about the music biz and etc., but somehow I don't think they will make it to the Rand R hall.
Even though they really do deserve it, somehow I just think in the minds of so many of the "rock n rollers" in charge, the Carpenters for some reason don't cut the mustard.
In other words, somehow the C's never had enough of the what I think of "hard rock" or only Lord knows what it is they put as the definition to it.
Perhaps, it's because, first of all, if it had only been Richard to reach the fame, probably he would be famous more or less, for his "classical"
arrangements or "jazzy" arrangements. Even though we all agree
his insight and arrangements span just about all the styles of music.
And then, perhaps if it had only been Karen, with even a different pianist/writer /arranger, still her musical style will mostly be seen
as a most talented lovely lady with an unmatched beautiful voice. But her voice was/ is no Janice Joplin......
Don't get me wrong, so many artists have been in the R & R. Hall
that their music and style was very close to the C's and still they made it.
and that's the irony of it all..
I surely do not understand all the reasons of it, but I surely wish they could make it.
I will always have some hope for them though nonetheless.
Because, I just have to have a better attitude about life in general these days is another reason!~~~~~>>>>><<<< *************************************************
so, will the world ever come clean about how they feel about the Carps.?...I don't know ...maybe one day...

[Rick Henry]

I really like some of the comments made here.

Enigma states that there are too many prejudices that create stonewalls and that they are embarrassed to have Carpenters alongside some of the other artists in the RRHOF.

I agree with Enigma in that in this moment in time it just won't happen. As right now too many people on the panel grew up in the era when Carpenters were popular and they still live with the stigma that Carpenters are uncool and unhip. Though many when the next generation takes over the panel - those who do not have that predetermined prejudice against Carpenters things will look different for them.

I will come back and speak more about what possibly the RRHOF looks for in their inductees - but Enigma pretty much said it all. They don't neccessarily look for artists that are "hard rock" as the hall of fame has artists of various genres... golly even Mahalia Jackson is the RRHOF and she is as far from rock and roll as you can get. What the hall of fame has always maintained is that they look for artists who have been an influence in the shaping of the music of our time - and whether you like rock music or not - our time - this era of the last 50 years has been known as the rock and roll era. When you put it that way Carpenters have been a big influence on many artists from the past and from the current day - and artists of all genres of music - even hip hop artists have listed Carpenters as an influence. Take a look on MySpace... go to The Carpenters Online on MySpace and see the different types of friends we have from all styles of music from different generations. Most of them have requested friendship with us because they like or love Carpenters.

Carpenters as Enigma said have influenced quite a bit more musicians then even some of the artists in the RRHOF... I mean just how many musicians in the last 50 years have been influenced by the Dells compared to the Carpenters?

As for Karen's voice... certainly it is not gritty as Janis Joplin... but in Karen's tender silky perfect tones her voice is just as powerful and soulful as anybody else's voice.

[smoothie2]

admin said:

I really like some of the comments made here.

Enigma states that there are too many prejudices that create stonewalls and that they are embarrassed to have Carpenters alongside some of the other artists in the RRHOF.

I agree with Enigma in that in this moment in time it just won't happen. As right now too many people on the panel grew up in the era when Carpenters were popular and they still live with the stigma that Carpenters are uncool and unhip. Though many when the next generation takes over the panel - those who do not have that predetermined prejudice against Carpenters things will look different for them.

I will come back and speak more about what possibly the RRHOF looks for in their inductees - but Enigma pretty much said it all. They don't neccessarily look for artists that are "hard rock" as the hall of fame has artists of various genres... golly even Mahalia Jackson is the RRHOF and she is as far from rock and roll as you can get. What the hall of fame has always maintained is that they look for artists who have been an influence in the shaping of the music of our time - and whether you like rock music or not - our time - this era of the last 50 years has been known as the rock and roll era. When you put it that way Carpenters have been a big influence on many artists from the past and from the current day - and artists of all genres of music - even hip hop artists have listed Carpenters as an influence. Take a look on MySpace... go to The Carpenters Online on MySpace and see the different types of friends we have from all styles of music from different generations. Most of them have requested friendship with us because they like or love Carpenters.

Carpenters as Enigma said have influenced quite a bit more musicians then even some of the artists in the RRHOF... I mean just how many musicians in the last 50 years have been influenced by the Dells compared to the Carpenters?

As for Karen's voice... certainly it is not gritty as Janis Joplin... but in Karen's tender silky perfect tones her voice is just as powerful and soulful as anybody else's voice.

well stated Rick, I agree. I think it's so wonderful that many young and older folk as well, are coming to know about R. and K. Many good comments are made by people who watch or hear them. Many for the first time I believe too.