One artist you have never heard of who should be in Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

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Every year, as the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (RRHOF) unveils its fresh batch of nominees for induction, the web buzzes with a mix of adoration and indignation. Among us enthusiasts, it’s natural to express our delight when our favorite artists make the cut. However, the list of perceived oversights often fills more virtual space.

In recent times, as rock and roll’s influence wanes, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame finds itself struggling to maintain its significance. Over time, the discussions surrounding inductions have expanded beyond just rock and roll. For some time now, you may have noticed that the grand structure situated alongside Lake Erie is no longer limited to inducting only “rock & roll” artists.

In a more relaxed sense, the doors have been widened to include hip-hop, country, and pop artists. These artists could be considered as those who are close to rock music, as their style touches upon the current understanding of rock. Whether artists like Whitney Houston or Willie Nelson fit this description is open for interpretation by you.

This musical artist deserves to be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

To put it simply, I’m fine with the trend towards contemporary music styles. What really bothers me, though, is the widespread belief in bias under Jann Wenner’s leadership at the Hall. That’s a subject for a different discussion. For now, let me just say that it’s great news he’s no longer leading the organization he co-founded.

I don’t mind the move towards today’s popular music styles, but I find troubling the perceived favoritism during Jann Wenner’s tenure at the Hall. This is a topic for another debate. For now, let me just express that it’s good to see him no longer running the organization he helped establish.

It’s possible that the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame may rectify the oversights regarding influential rock bands such as Iron Maiden, Jethro Tull, and Motorhead in the near future. There are many other notable bands and musicians like Paul Rodgers and Ronnie James Dio who have already garnered strong support from their fans.

I’d like to advocate for a deserving candidate who seems to be flying under the radar, at least in my corner of the internet. Her birth name was Marianne Elliott, but she adopted the stage name Poly Styrene from the Yellow Pages.

So far, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame has welcomed 43 artists or groups into its Early Influence category. It’s about time we add Poly Styrene to that list.

Essentially, Poly will be placed under the revamped label “Musical Influence” starting in 2023. This name change was implemented by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame to acknowledge a crucial truth. With rock & roll turning 70 this year, the initial category was established to recognize musicians from before the rock era who paved the way for rock & roll. Many of these artists were born prior to WWII.

However, as music continues to evolve, it’s essential to focus on artists whose entire bodies of work fall within the rock era, as they could potentially shape the future direction of rock music. While there may be notable figures from before the rock era, our attention should primarily be on those who emerged during this time frame.

Some of these actions have been acknowledged. For instance, figures such as Gil Scott-Heron, Kraftwerk, and DJ Kool Herc. While it might seem challenging to justify their inclusion under the ‘performers’ category (especially Kraftwerk, though I understand), they are worthy of recognition for their influential roles in shaping music and culture.

There isn’t anyone else I can imagine more perfectly suited for this role than Poly Styrene, the founder and lead singer of the pioneering punk band X-Ray Spex.

On her 19th birthday, Poly witnessed The Sex Pistols perform, following which, in true do-it-yourself spirit, she posted an advertisement in the local newspaper seeking companions who shared her music passion to form a band. X-Ray Specs bore several traits of punk music. They were characterized by their high volume and rapid tempo. Moreover, Polly possessed an impressive ability to scream with great intensity.

From the start, they were inviting fresh tones and emerging artists into the burgeoning genre. In fact, Poly had dabbled in reggae prior to forming her punk band, which incorporated a couple of saxophones, giving it a hint of ska’s rhythm.

She penned tunes inspired by her surroundings, reflecting the superficial, consumer-driven culture reminiscent of Andy Warhol’s viewpoint. Her lyrics were witty, insightful, and provocative. While she didn’t explicitly label herself as a feminist, fairness was a recurring theme in much of her music.

Some folks hold the belief that young girls should be more about listening than speaking – However, my stance is quite the opposite, I firmly believe “Silence is golden? More like it’s for the birds!

Oh, Bondage, Take a Hike!” might resonate with women and artists struggling against an oppressive music industry dominated by men and white individuals. In late ’70s England, Poly, who was neither, faced numerous challenges. Unlike many punk males ranting about politics or alcohol, Poly addressed other concerns through her music.

“Gazing at your reflection, does it feel like you’re looking at yourself on a TV or in a magazine? Does seeing yourself evoke a strong reaction, perhaps even making you exclaim?

The tune “Identity” by Poly, off their first record “Germfree Adolescents” (1978), holds a timeless resonance that surpasses the majority of rock songs penned in recent years.

As a gamer, I stood firm in expressing my individuality. I donned unusual braces and sported an eccentric fashion sense that didn’t always align with the norm. I was determined to share this unique style of mine, even if it put me a step out of sync with others. There were rumors that I became quite irate when EMI altered my image on the cover of the Germfree Adolescents album, as I felt it didn’t truly represent who I am.

For a period, she reigned supreme. Her voice was nothing short of remarkable. The band X-Ray Specs stood out, achieving success not only as a punk group but also as a popular music act.

She held her ground for some time, and her voice was truly exceptional. The band X-Ray Specs didn’t just make waves as a punk band, but they were successful as a pop act too.

X-Ray Specs’ early career was hampered by stress and substance misuse, causing Poly to momentarily step away from music. However, she never truly departed. In the years leading up to her passing from breast cancer in 2011, she put out her final album titled Generation Indigo, which showcased the same creativity and captivating essence as her initial work.

Key musicians hailing from the punk and post-punk movement, including Thurston Moore of Sonic Youth and Gina Birch from The Raincoats, were deeply influenced by Poly. Neneh Cherry herself acknowledged that her choice to pursue singing was sparked upon discovering Poly’s music for the first time.

If Poly Styrene had been a man, particularly a white one, she might have pursued a career path much like Billy Idol, who is currently being considered for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Their early careers share many similarities. Unfortunately, due to her body of work, it seems fitting that Poly Styrene will not be nominated as a performer.

If we’re broadening the scope of who wields influence in the Hall, she should undoubtedly be at the forefront. As Gina Birch, bassist and co-founder of the Raincoats, noted, Poly was a trailblazer, breaking open boundaries and providing everyone with fresh tools, innovative ideas, and limitless possibilities.

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2025-02-28 14:00