OT: Why are the B52's not in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

[RU to the Core]

A good gauge of the bands staying power and popularity is look at the monthly total listeners on Spotify for each. It’s pretty eye opening when you look at the data of what bands back catalogue is still decently listened to and relevant.

Here are some stats on monthly listeners
Creedence: 15.9 million
Nirvana: 19.9 million
Pearl Jam: 10.7 million
Soundgarden: 5.4 million
Smashing pumpkins: 7.6 million
Rolling Stones: 21 million
Beatles: 24.8 million
B52s: 3.4 million

For context compared to current artists.
Justin Bieber: 81.3 million
Billie Eilish: 56.3 million
Cardi B: 38.4 million

So the B52s are not totally irrelevant. That’s a good number of listens but nowhere close to a lot of other legacy bands.

 

[Caliknight]

Elvis Costello is going to hook up with Abba to write songs and do some world tours.

They hope to be inducted into the R&R HOF fame in five years as Abba and Costello.

I've seen industry levels of live music. Elvis Costello was probably the worst performance I've ever seen. His wife on the other hand, who I've seen many times, is good live.

 

[mdk01]

A good gauge of the bands staying power and popularity is look at the monthly total listeners on Spotify for each. It’s pretty eye opening when you look at the data of what bands back catalogue is still decently listened to and relevant.

Here are some stats on monthly listeners
Creedence: 15.9 million
Nirvana: 19.9 million
Pearl Jam: 10.7 million
Soundgarden: 5.4 million
Smashing pumpkins: 7.6 million
Rolling Stones: 21 million
Beatles: 24.8 million
B52s: 3.4 million

For context compared to current artists.
Justin Bieber: 81.3 million
Billie Eilish: 56.3 million
Cardi B: 38.4 million

So the B52s are not totally irrelevant. That’s a good number of listens but nowhere close to a lot of other legacy bands.

Spotify skews to a young audience so I don't know how accurate that is of the entire population. And anyone who thinks Justin Bieber holds a candle to anyone else listed need a hearing exam (I'm being polite).

 

[RU to the Core]

Spotify skews to a young audience so I don't know how accurate that is of the entire population. And anyone who thinks Justin Bieber holds a candle to anyone else listed need a hearing exam (I'm being polite).

Exactly. It skews younger so will this music die off or live on. Looks like the Beatles are doing ok with a younger audience. My point is on current relevance and staying power showing that a band like the B52s while a nice and niche band are probably going to just die out eventually. 3m listens will turn into 1m for the next generation maybe.

 

[mildone]

Spotify skews to a young audience so I don't know how accurate that is of the entire population. And anyone who thinks Justin Bieber holds a candle to anyone else listed need a hearing exam (I'm being polite).

While Spotify does skew towards a younger audience, it's still probably somewhat representative of the music listening population if only because folks who listen to music as a way of life probably have embraced streaming technologies by now given the simplicity and convenience of it all.

I'd guess, with no way of proving or disproving it, that those folks too old to embrace that kind of tech are probably old enough that the B52's don't register much with them anyway.

Which pretty much sums up the B52's, seeing as how JB is 23 times more popular. (Just wanted to put that in to tease @bac2therac a little. 🙂)

 

[mdh2003]

Can anyone make a cogent argument as to why those two are not in ? Gotta be something personal. I know Bruce Dickinson made some dismissive comments about the R&R HF in the past. Can't blame him.

Not sure there is one.

TBH - the whole idea of this RRHOF is literally (at least to the cool version of me from 40 years ago) about as far away from Rock and Roll as you can get. It’s just more packaged bullshit that little mdh putting welts in legs drumming Run to the Hills on would have thought was corny as hell. You’re gonna have a popularity contest about these people? I’m gonna guess 90+% of these artists were the outcasts. While the rest of society was at the homecoming game or picnics with noodle salad, these were the loners in their rooms, playing their friggen guitar or piano or drums until their fingers bled. The ones with the dysfunctional families and the pain, but had the talent and drive to channel that into something creative. Votes? Inductees? GTFOH.

You like the music? Go bang your head. Dance. Mosh. Think. Scream. Cry. Dream.

Then…just say…thanks.

But, if you’re gonna bother having it (and not in a hip or ironic way) not including these iconic bands seems pretty stupid.

And, as maybe the biggest Maiden fan on these boards, comparing IM (or Priest) to the B-52s doesn’t really do justice to either. They both deserve to have their well earned place in music history.

Back to the topic, sure, put them in. B-52s are probably the most important thing you can be as an artist: original. I really like their music, and love Kate’s voice, but to me, this is the best song she was ever on:

 

[mildone]

Not sure there is one.

TBH - the whole idea of this RRHOF is literally (at least to the cool version of me from 40 years ago) about as far away from Rock and Roll as you can get. It’s just more packaged bullshit that little mdh putting welts in legs drumming Run to the Hills on would have thought was corny as hell. You’re gonna have a popularity contest about these people? I’m gonna guess 90+% of these artists were the outcasts. While the rest of society was at the homecoming game or picnics with noodle salad, these were the loners in their rooms, playing their friggen guitar or piano or drums until their fingers bled. The ones with the dysfunctional families and the pain, but had the talent and drive to channel that into something creative. Votes? Inductees? GTFOH.

Well written and I 100% agree with that. Probably why I can’t stand awards shows of any kind.

It’s nice when people like the art and an artist is recognized. But art is it’s own reward.