Top 10 Punk Artists that Should Be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
I'll start by saying I think The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is a pathetic joke. I don't see it as legitimate, and it is hard for me to take seriously. If they called themselves The Music Hall of Fame, I wouldn't be as bitter toward them.As of right now, The Stooges, The Ramones, The Clash, and The Sex Pistols are the only true, legitimate punk bands in the Hall of Fame. You also have arguable bands like Blondie, Talking Heads, and Green Day. A few on this list, like the New York Dolls, Devo, and MC5, have been nominated but never inducted.
If you choose to participate in this list, keep in mind the (supposed) criteria for The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: Performers become eligible for induction 25 years after the release of their first record. Criteria include the influence and significance of the artists' contribution to the development and perpetuation of rock and roll.
Black Flag was an American punk rock band formed in 1976 in Hermosa Beach, California. Initially called Panic, the band was established by Greg Ginn, the guitarist, primary songwriter, and sole continuous member through multiple personnel changes in the band. They are widely considered to be one of... read more Co-creators of the hardcore punk genre along with Middle Class. Even though Middle Class was first to release their EP "Out Of Vogue," I believe Black Flag had a stronger influence and catalog of music.
They had great musicians like drummers Bill Stevenson and Chuck Biscuits, and bassist Kira Roessler. Legendary frontmen Keith Morris and Henry Rollins. On top of that, band founder Greg Ginn is widely considered to be one of, if not the best, guitarists in hardcore punk.
Black Flag is literally the most important hardcore punk band in history. They took the simplicity of Ramones and dialed it to 100 with their raw aggression. Not to mention that they pioneered the DIY ethic. They absolutely should be in the Hall of Fame.
John Anthony Genzale Jr. (July 15, 1952 – April 23, 1991), better known by his stage name Johnny Thunders, was an American rock and roll/punk rock guitarist, singer and songwriter. He came to prominence in the early 1970s as a member of the New York Dolls. He later played with The Heartbreakers and... read more The way this dude banged out his guitar... man. One of rock and roll's greatest guitarists and also a talented singer/songwriter. To quote user Gg2000's comment he left on my list "Top Ten Songs From Johnny Thunders & The Heartbreakers' L.A.M.F.," Gg stated, "Johnny Thunders may have been one of the pioneers of punk rock, but he was one of the best straight-up rock and rollers ever. R.I.P. Johnny. You should have stuck around for at least a little while longer." Well put, Gg. It's absurd to me that something titled The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame would not have Johnny Thunders as a member.
Dead Kennedys are an American hardcore punk band formed in San Francisco, California in 1978. The band was one of the first American hardcore bands to make a significant impact in the United Kingdom. One of my personal favorites. The people who really turned me onto punk in the early 90s were also aware of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's dissing of punk bands, even way back then, and had already developed a sour opinion of that whole mess the Hall has become.
This is a great list to me, as it echoes many of my thoughts on the matter. I just would add that personally, I think that some bands that clearly deserve inclusion will never be inducted, and in a sense, maybe that's okay.
As for these great punk bands and more, the whole movement within rock and roll was born out of breaking free from the established and was a last-ditch effort to keep that aspect of the genre alive. I think it's fairly clear that attempt failed in the broader sense, but the spirit of that movement lives on in people like you. Given all that, maybe it's not terribly important for true punk rock bands to be included in that farce. Indeed, I suspect many of the bands we're talking about rather like it on the outside.
MC5 was an American rock band from Lincoln Park, Michigan, formed in 1964. The original band line-up consisted of vocalist Rob Tyner, guitarists Wayne Kramer and Fred "Sonic" Smith, bassist Michael Davis, and drummer Dennis Thompson. One of the innovators of American punk rock but also a very important band to rock music. They pushed boundaries, especially for the times, and were known for great live performances. Their first three albums are regarded as classics by many. "Kick Out The Jams" is an icon for American rock and roll. They were nominated in 2003, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020 but have yet to be inducted.
Creators of the psychobilly genre. Their long career spanned 33 years (1976 - 2009), releasing nine studio albums, two live albums, and 24 singles. They were one of punk's best live bands.
Husband and wife core with Lux Interior (R.I.P.) being one of punk's greatest frontmen and Poison Ivy one of rock music's best female guitarists. Not just obviously influential to the psychobilly genre, but legendary punks like Henry Rollins, Ian MacKaye, and the band Bad Brains have named them as a major influence and inspiration.
Important band in rock music history whose style, musically and fashionably, was an influence on many bands from many genres. Their first two albums are among the most popular cult records in rock and roll history. The band also spawned, in my opinion, the greatest punk guitarist ever in Johnny Thunders. The band was nominated in 2001 but not inducted.
Buzzcocks are an English punk rock band formed in Bolton, England in 1976 by singer-songwriter-guitarist Pete Shelley and singer-songwriter Howard Devoto. Great band, great music. One of the first bands to get the attention of the mainstream and help spread punk music. A major influence on not only punk but new wave and, along with The Undertones, power pop.
So all you pop-punk fans (which is power pop repackaged and relabeled to sell, sell, sell, and to water down punk so it's not so dangerous) should check out and thank the Buzzcocks (and The Undertones).
Discharge are a British musical group formed in 1977 by Terence "Tezz" Roberts and Royston "Rainy" Wainwright. While the band has had substantial line-up changes over its history, the classic line-up from the early 1980s featured bassist Wainwright, drummer Gary Maloney, Anthony "Bones" Roberts playing... read more Originators of the D-Beat style of hardcore punk, which led to the creation of the crust punk and grindcore sub-genres. They are also named by many metal bands, such as Metallica, as a major influence since their style paved the way for thrash and black metal.
I think a lot of people don't realize the influence this band has on multiple scenes and genres.
Devo is an American rock band from Akron, Ohio formed in 1973. Their classic lineup consisted of two sets of brothers, the Mothersbaughs and the Casales, along with Alan Myers. The band had a No. 14 Billboard chart hit in 1980 with the single "Whip It", the song that gave the band mainstream popularity... read more I was lucky enough to see these cats in the "7th Street Entry" at the famous "First Avenue" in Minneapolis. The "Entry" is a small side room that attracts some surprisingly big acts, and it's not for the payday, as the room will only hold roughly 100 folks. I'd venture to guess that bands play the room strictly for the love of performing and to be in a more intimate setting with their fans.
It was a great show, and I was there for the stage set-up. I found it amusing that their crew wrapped roll upon roll of saran wrap in front of the stage so that you could see the band members come out, but you couldn't quite make them out. They slowly removed the saran wrap over the course of the first few songs. They opened with "Mongoloid," perhaps my favorite jam by the band, so on a personal level, it was a kick-ass show.
Does Devo belong in the Hall? Given the highly original and important message from the band, and the tight jams both live and in the studio, I'd say Hell yeah! From that angle, you'd think they'd walk in. That aside, I think it's highly likely the band would not accept an induction, given that Devo is short for De-Evolution, and its artistic message is the decay and de-evolution of society in general and of rock music specifically.
The Damned is a British punk rock band formed in London in 1976. They were one of the first punk bands to release a single, contributing to the birth of the UK punk movement. Over the years, the band's style has evolved to include elements of goth rock and post-punk. The Damned are recognized for their... read more A band that was robbed of history. As a punk, it kinda annoys me to keep hearing The Sex Pistols are the first punk band. They're not. Despite what that pretentious egomaniac Johnny Rotten tries to tell you, The Pistols are not even the first punk band from the U.K.
In 1976, The Damned's "New Rose" single was released over a month before The Pistols' "Anarchy in the U.K." Now, I'm not saying The Pistols aren't important to punk rock because they absolutely are. They brought a bigger attitude to the lyrics, vocals, and sound of punk rock, but they're not the first punk band, just the first to really break out, mostly due to all the media attention.
Back to The Damned, who are one of the U.K.'s first punk bands and majorly influential to many genres (punk, goth, alternative, new wave). They have a long career with a deep catalog of music in many genres and are definitely one of the most important punk bands ever.
The Newcomers
Fugazi is an American post-hardcore band that formed in Washington, D.C. in 1987. The band consists of guitarists and vocalists Ian MacKaye and Guy Picciotto, bassist Joe Lally and drummer Brendan Canty. The post-hardcore kings! Even bands outside of punk music cite Fugazi as an influence. They need to be in the Hall of Fame!
One of the great UK punk bands. I saw them last September (9/9/19). It was one of the best punk shows I've been to.
Minor Threat was an American hardcore punk band, formed in 1980 in Washington, D.C. by vocalist Ian MacKaye and drummer Jeff Nelson. Not just because they were a great hardcore band, but because they're the founders of the Straight Edge Movement, which has had such a lasting legacy. That subculture alone should get them in.
Legit one of the most important Boston punk bands.
Blink-182 is a pop-punk band formed in 1992. The original lineup consisted of Mark Hoppus on bass guitar and vocals, Tom DeLonge on guitar and vocals, and Scott Raynor on drums. Raynor was fired from the band in 1998 and replaced by drummer Travis Barker. They gained mainstream popularity after the... read more Whether you love them or hate them, you can't deny the legacy that Blink-182 has. They inspired the entire next wave of punk music in the 2000s, and their influence has even shown to reach beyond the genre. Let's not forget how impactful they've been on the 2020s pop punk resurgence in the mainstream.
Bad Religion is an American punk rock band that formed in Los Angeles, California in 1979. The band makes extensive use of soaring three-part vocal harmonies, guitar solos and lyrics that often contain religious and political commentary.
Bad Brains is an American hardcore punk band formed in Washington, D.C., in 1977. They are widely regarded as among the pioneers of hardcore punk, though the band's members have objected to this term to describe their music.
The Offspring is an American punk rock band from Huntington Beach, California, formed in 1984. Formed under the name Manic Subsidal, the band consists of lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Dexter Holland, bassist Greg K., lead guitarist Kevin "Noodles" Wasserman and drummer Pete Parada.
The Descendents are a punk rock band formed in 1977 in Manhattan Beach, California by guitarist Frank Navetta, bassist Tony Lombardo and drummer Bill Stevenson. Next to the Ramones, the Descendents are basically the architects of pop punk. Almost every pop punk band that came after them was influenced by them, and they still managed to retain the respect of the hardcore scene.
Sum 41 is a Canadian pop-punk band from Ajax, Ontario, Canada. Originally called Kaspir, the band was formed in 1996 and separated in 2023. The band members included lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Deryck Whibley, lead guitarist and backing vocalist Dave Baksh, co-lead guitarist and backing vocalist... read more
NOFX are an American punk rock band from Los Angeles, California. The band was formed in 1983 by vocalist/bassist Fat Mike and guitarist Eric Melvin. Drummer Erik Sandin joined NOFX shortly after.
Misfits are an American Horror Punk band often recognized as the progenitors of the horror punk subgenre, blending punk rock and other musical influences with horror film themes and imagery. Danzig-era Misfits for sure. It's not even just punk music. The Misfits have had a massive impact on heavy metal, goth rock, and emo. Any band that sings about horror themes and doesn't cite The Misfits as an influence is lying!
