2020 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees

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While I also congratulate everybody I am especially especially pleased to see EDM and Alternative Rock pioneers Depeche Mode get in. Depeche Mode was one of those rare acts the Brits missed and the Americans got. At the time the Brits largely dismissed them as a teenybopper act or soulless German imitators. American outsiders “got” them and gradually by the end of the 80’s they were superstars here and still are. There most recent tour was selling as well as current acts.

Early Depeche Mode music wise was indistinguishable from the flood of synthpop bands on the British charts in ‘81 and ‘82. It was the vocals of Dave Gahan that distinguished them. Already the “gender bending” hairstyles and fashion that would make them iconic “80s new wavers” was in place.


Vince Clark left to form Yaz/Yazoo. Alan Wilder came in and 1983’s “Construction Time Again” was a big leap forward musically that would influence the burgeoning Chicago House music scene and beyond was in place.


“People are People” actually got into the top 10 in America and endeared them to to all sorts of people who were being bullied for being different or as it would become known “alternative”


This song cemented their reputation as Alternative


Many autistics have cited this song very relatable to the autistic experience


It seems an impossibility to move forward musically, keep your alternative cred, fill stadiums, have people rioting at your record signings but that is exactly what Depeche Mode pulled off with their Violator album as the 80’s ended and the 90’s began “Personal Jesus”, “Enjoy the Silence”, “Policy of Truth” remain iconic songs still often played.


"Glam rock" was essential to the "gender bending" 80s and beyond and it began one night in 1971 on the BBC show "Top of the Pops" with T-Rex's performance of "Hot Love". I am surprised T-Rex was nominated never mind being inducted as glam rock was much bigger in the UK than in the US

Beyound the LBGTQ stuff T-Rex's music was and is just a fun listen with "Bang a Gong(Get it on) their only American hit "Telegram Sam", "Jeepster", "Metal Guru", "Children of the Revolution", "20th Century Boy"

Whitney Houston is not my type of music at all but her talent was undeniable.

Nine Inch Nails made Industrial music popular and an essential part of the "Alt-Rock" 90s. Their performance at "Woodstock '94" is considered the defining performance of that festival.


I would have preferred a lot of other bands get in before the Doobie Brothers. To me they are very good but not the greatness needed to be Hall of Famers. That said they were ubiquitous on both rock and pop radio in the 70s and they are the soundtrack when one considers 70s stoners.

I'm surprised that T-Rex and The Doobie Brothers haven't been inducted yet.