Or just ten reasons why Donna Summer is awesome in general
December 14, 2011 4:51 PM Subscribe
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is a lame idea, but if it has to exist, Donna Summer should be in there.
posted by The Card Cheat at 4:55 PM on December 14, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by The Card Cheat at 4:55 PM on December 14, 2011 [1 favorite]
Over Rush (the band, not the Limbaugh), Iron Maiden, and KISS? Come on!!!!
posted by Renoroc at 4:56 PM on December 14, 2011 [5 favorites]
posted by Renoroc at 4:56 PM on December 14, 2011 [5 favorites]
I'm a hugely anti-disco rocker guy, and I dig Donna Summer. She could rock the fuck out and even her disco stuff had a strong whiff of true funk that most of the genre lacked.
posted by jonmc at 4:57 PM on December 14, 2011 [6 favorites]
posted by jonmc at 4:57 PM on December 14, 2011 [6 favorites]
Renoroc: of course they all belong there, too. But there's plenty of room.
posted by jonmc at 4:58 PM on December 14, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by jonmc at 4:58 PM on December 14, 2011 [1 favorite]
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame did not perform I Feel Love. Advantage: Summer.
posted by Artw at 4:59 PM on December 14, 2011 [4 favorites]
posted by Artw at 4:59 PM on December 14, 2011 [4 favorites]
Or just 10 reasons the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame needs to be burned to the ground.
posted by lumpenprole at 5:00 PM on December 14, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by lumpenprole at 5:00 PM on December 14, 2011 [1 favorite]
Isn't the Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame known mostly for being politicized bullshit?
posted by jeffburdges at 5:02 PM on December 14, 2011 [4 favorites]
posted by jeffburdges at 5:02 PM on December 14, 2011 [4 favorites]
I don't see how she gets in unless Chic has already made it. I mean, if those guys could rock the funk like no one else, on their own and behind a lot of big big names on such numbers as Freak Out, Fame, Material Girl,We Are Family and Good Times, among others, then Donna Summer is nowhere as worthy inclusion as the Rock and Roll Hall Fame nod towards disco. To an albeit lesser degree, the same argument could be made for Dr. Buzzard's Original Savannah Band as well, for that matter.
posted by y2karl at 5:07 PM on December 14, 2011
posted by y2karl at 5:07 PM on December 14, 2011
11: Those pokemon lyrics Herman Cain was quoting as he ended his campaign? Donna Summer song.
posted by Navelgazer at 5:12 PM on December 14, 2011 [2 favorites]
posted by Navelgazer at 5:12 PM on December 14, 2011 [2 favorites]
Unbearably huge fan of Donna Summer reporting for duty. Whatever can I do to help make this a reality?
posted by 200burritos at 5:16 PM on December 14, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by 200burritos at 5:16 PM on December 14, 2011 [1 favorite]
Is there any question? ABBA is there and so are the Beasties. GO DONNA!!!!1
posted by snsranch at 5:22 PM on December 14, 2011 [3 favorites]
posted by snsranch at 5:22 PM on December 14, 2011 [3 favorites]
I like Donna Summer; the entire concept of the R&R hall of fame, not so much.
posted by Max Power at 5:24 PM on December 14, 2011
posted by Max Power at 5:24 PM on December 14, 2011
Over Rush
i got into a long heated discussion with my brother over how madonna could be in the rock and roll hall of fame while rush wasn't
"but madonna isn't even rock and roll, she's dance music!"
sigh
posted by pyramid termite at 5:26 PM on December 14, 2011 [1 favorite]
i got into a long heated discussion with my brother over how madonna could be in the rock and roll hall of fame while rush wasn't
"but madonna isn't even rock and roll, she's dance music!"
sigh
posted by pyramid termite at 5:26 PM on December 14, 2011 [1 favorite]
Until "Because I said so" becomes an answer that counts, I appreciate articles like this.
Anyone who has seen her in concert couldn't argue against this point. And I saw her in the late '90s at Ravinia. I couldn't imagine what it would be like in a more "raucous"/earlier locale.
okay, once upon a time, I could imagine how great that would be, but I haven't done drugs like that for awhile...and I'm (and my comments here) are better for it
posted by MCMikeNamara at 5:29 PM on December 14, 2011
Anyone who has seen her in concert couldn't argue against this point. And I saw her in the late '90s at Ravinia. I couldn't imagine what it would be like in a more "raucous"/earlier locale.
okay, once upon a time, I could imagine how great that would be, but I haven't done drugs like that for awhile...and I'm (and my comments here) are better for it
posted by MCMikeNamara at 5:29 PM on December 14, 2011
She'll probably make it before The Moody Blues.
"go now" was pretty great, but they'll need more than that
posted by pyramid termite at 5:33 PM on December 14, 2011 [1 favorite]
"go now" was pretty great, but they'll need more than that
posted by pyramid termite at 5:33 PM on December 14, 2011 [1 favorite]
Over Rush
i got into a long heated discussion with my brother over how madonna could be in the rock and roll hall of fame while rush wasn't
"but madonna isn't even rock and roll, she's dance music!"
sigh
I don't follow. Madonna isn't very rawk at all.
posted by codswallop at 5:36 PM on December 14, 2011 [1 favorite]
i got into a long heated discussion with my brother over how madonna could be in the rock and roll hall of fame while rush wasn't
"but madonna isn't even rock and roll, she's dance music!"
sigh
I don't follow. Madonna isn't very rawk at all.
posted by codswallop at 5:36 PM on December 14, 2011 [1 favorite]
The decision to include pop acts like Madonna over the hard rock and prog bands that Jann Wenner and Dave Marsh despise is why the RnRHoF will always be the reason I think the hall is lame. Rush, Deep Purple, Yes, Jethro Tull, Iron Maiden, MC5, Blue Oyster Cult... Hell, they even have yet to induct Little Feat. LITTLE FEAT! And where the hell is The Cars? Pathetic.
Yeah, Donna Summer had a helluva voice (and alienated her gay fan base with her homophobia). But she was a DISCO singer. That shit should be kept out of anything even remotely associated with rock n roll.
posted by Ber at 5:47 PM on December 14, 2011 [1 favorite]
Yeah, Donna Summer had a helluva voice (and alienated her gay fan base with her homophobia). But she was a DISCO singer. That shit should be kept out of anything even remotely associated with rock n roll.
posted by Ber at 5:47 PM on December 14, 2011 [1 favorite]
If it ruins the rock and roll hall of fame, I'm for it.
posted by frenetic at 6:03 PM on December 14, 2011 [2 favorites]
posted by frenetic at 6:03 PM on December 14, 2011 [2 favorites]
Aw, man, the "Donna Summers is homophobic" thing has been thoroughly debunked again and again and it just won't die.
posted by Joey Michaels at 6:06 PM on December 14, 2011 [2 favorites]
posted by Joey Michaels at 6:06 PM on December 14, 2011 [2 favorites]
Also, they call it the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame because calling it the Wenner and Marsh Music Wank Hall didn't sound like a winning PR move.
posted by Joey Michaels at 6:07 PM on December 14, 2011 [2 favorites]
posted by Joey Michaels at 6:07 PM on December 14, 2011 [2 favorites]
In other news this months Rolling Stone barely mentions Bono.
posted by Artw at 6:08 PM on December 14, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by Artw at 6:08 PM on December 14, 2011 [1 favorite]
Over Pete Rose????
posted by drjimmy11 at 6:09 PM on December 14, 2011 [2 favorites]
posted by drjimmy11 at 6:09 PM on December 14, 2011 [2 favorites]
But she was a DISCO singer. That shit should be kept out of anything even remotely associated with rock n roll.
that is so 70s of you - but you're right - what the hell did r&b ever have to do with rock and roll, anyway?
look, i'm not totally sold on her hall of fame status - but disqualifying her because she's disco just means you have a rockist viewpoint of what rock and roll is
posted by pyramid termite at 6:10 PM on December 14, 2011
that is so 70s of you - but you're right - what the hell did r&b ever have to do with rock and roll, anyway?
look, i'm not totally sold on her hall of fame status - but disqualifying her because she's disco just means you have a rockist viewpoint of what rock and roll is
posted by pyramid termite at 6:10 PM on December 14, 2011
Is Yes in there yet? Apparently not. Is this not rock'n'roll? I mean, just because the guy has a high voice, and they wear capes and stuff. Shit still rocks when it wants to.
posted by philip-random at 6:19 PM on December 14, 2011
posted by philip-random at 6:19 PM on December 14, 2011
But she was a DISCO singer.
I agree. Anyone who was involved with disco should be excluded from being considered a rock act.
posted by Joey Michaels at 6:21 PM on December 14, 2011 [2 favorites]
I agree. Anyone who was involved with disco should be excluded from being considered a rock act.
posted by Joey Michaels at 6:21 PM on December 14, 2011 [2 favorites]
She'll probably make it before The Moody Blues.
This is pretty strong (once you skip the f***ing advert). Better than Billy Joel.
Also ... King Crimson.
posted by philip-random at 6:31 PM on December 14, 2011 [1 favorite]
This is pretty strong (once you skip the f***ing advert). Better than Billy Joel.
Also ... King Crimson.
posted by philip-random at 6:31 PM on December 14, 2011 [1 favorite]
Curtis: Ma'am, (holds up Donna Summer record) who is this Queen of Disco?
Female Customer #2: Donna Summer?
Nadeen: Now how do her name appear in the phone book?
Female Customer #2: Summer Donna?
Nadeen: Stretch it out now, stretch it out!
Female Customer #2: Summer, summer don-na...
Curtis: Loud and clear now.
Female Customer #2: Summer don-na.
Nadeen: Keep going.
Female Customer #2: Summer don-na!
Curtis: Summer Donna that's right simmah down now! That's it! Now get! Get before I take a weapon to you! Come on now simmah down now!
posted by hypersloth at 7:18 PM on December 14, 2011 [1 favorite]
Female Customer #2: Donna Summer?
Nadeen: Now how do her name appear in the phone book?
Female Customer #2: Summer Donna?
Nadeen: Stretch it out now, stretch it out!
Female Customer #2: Summer, summer don-na...
Curtis: Loud and clear now.
Female Customer #2: Summer don-na.
Nadeen: Keep going.
Female Customer #2: Summer don-na!
Curtis: Summer Donna that's right simmah down now! That's it! Now get! Get before I take a weapon to you! Come on now simmah down now!
posted by hypersloth at 7:18 PM on December 14, 2011 [1 favorite]
Yeah, Donna Summer had a helluva voice (and alienated her gay fan base with her homophobia). But she was a DISCO singer. That shit should be kept out of anything even remotely associated with rock n roll.
Well it comes from a Donna Summer tribute website, but it is extracted from a Gay Times article from November 1999. It talks about the situation.
Plus, Disco is part of a tradition of dance music obviously. Rock music has always been about dancing and pissing people off. Disco just pissed off the white rock fan who just didn't get it. And one thing that rock fans (and musicians) hate is a genre that they don't get.
posted by LilSoulBrother85 at 9:09 PM on December 14, 2011 [2 favorites]
Well it comes from a Donna Summer tribute website, but it is extracted from a Gay Times article from November 1999. It talks about the situation.
Plus, Disco is part of a tradition of dance music obviously. Rock music has always been about dancing and pissing people off. Disco just pissed off the white rock fan who just didn't get it. And one thing that rock fans (and musicians) hate is a genre that they don't get.
posted by LilSoulBrother85 at 9:09 PM on December 14, 2011 [2 favorites]
Not to knock Donna Summer, but I'm surprised that he came up with 10 reasons to put Donna Summer in the RnRHOF without mentioning Love to Love You Baby. I mean, that's like fighting with one hand tied behind your back.
posted by jonp72 at 9:21 PM on December 14, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by jonp72 at 9:21 PM on December 14, 2011 [1 favorite]
Side one of "Love To Love You Baby". Do we need any other reason?
posted by sourwookie at 9:26 PM on December 14, 2011 [3 favorites]
posted by sourwookie at 9:26 PM on December 14, 2011 [3 favorites]
Heh. I was just listening to sports talk, of all things, and they made a pretty good argument that Slayer should be there. Because they're fucking Slayer.
The entire concept of a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is a joke.
posted by dirigibleman at 9:34 PM on December 14, 2011 [2 favorites]
The entire concept of a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is a joke.
posted by dirigibleman at 9:34 PM on December 14, 2011 [2 favorites]
Heh. I was just listening to sports talk, of all things, and they made a pretty good argument that Slayer should be there. Because they're fucking Slayer.
Yeah, since their first recording was in 1983, Slayer has been technically eligible to be in the RnRHOF since 2008. And Metallica has been eligible since 2007? Grar!
posted by jonp72 at 9:55 PM on December 14, 2011 [1 favorite]
Yeah, since their first recording was in 1983, Slayer has been technically eligible to be in the RnRHOF since 2008. And Metallica has been eligible since 2007? Grar!
posted by jonp72 at 9:55 PM on December 14, 2011 [1 favorite]
RRHOF can do what it likes, and DS deserves respect for what she did, but it is very very far from RnR. Jus' sayin'.
posted by Twang at 10:42 PM on December 14, 2011
posted by Twang at 10:42 PM on December 14, 2011
If your argument is that Donna Summer can't get in until Rush (shitty libertarian nonsense) KISS (pseudo-shocking glam rock that's just as manufactured as the disco y'all is railing against) or gods forbid, the Cars (Dubya's favourite band; 'nuff said) are in than the concept of a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is utterly meaningless.
Oh wait...
posted by MartinWisse at 11:07 PM on December 14, 2011 [1 favorite]
Oh wait...
posted by MartinWisse at 11:07 PM on December 14, 2011 [1 favorite]
it is very very far from RnR
I agree. Closer association with the Adult Oriented Dross that populates the R&R HoF can only hurt Donna's critical reputation.
If they offer, she should tell 'em to go fuck themselves.
posted by PeterMcDermott at 12:55 AM on December 15, 2011 [1 favorite]
I agree. Closer association with the Adult Oriented Dross that populates the R&R HoF can only hurt Donna's critical reputation.
If they offer, she should tell 'em to go fuck themselves.
posted by PeterMcDermott at 12:55 AM on December 15, 2011 [1 favorite]
I don't see how she gets in unless Chic has already made it.
That's pretty à propos. Amazing rhythm team, and makes an interesting comparison with Moroder, not least in terms of influence.
posted by Wolof at 1:21 AM on December 15, 2011
That's pretty à propos. Amazing rhythm team, and makes an interesting comparison with Moroder, not least in terms of influence.
posted by Wolof at 1:21 AM on December 15, 2011
I love PopMatters, especially the end-of-the-year lists, but would somebody explain why they publish in High School Senior Thesis, the clunky writing style favored by Pitchfork and Robert Christgau? Do words like "epitomizes" or "ad infinitum" have a fanbase older than 18? Am I the only one who bristles at the superfluous adjectives or the sloppiness of using mixed metaphors like "endless well of information" in place of "bottomless well of information"? Is there still a market for this overwrought, fat-and-gristle-laden, heartburn-evoking writing style?
posted by Gordion Knott at 3:59 AM on December 15, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by Gordion Knott at 3:59 AM on December 15, 2011 [1 favorite]
How was "I Feel Love" not the top 10 reasons.
That song is pure bliss and I can never get enough of it.
That might be because I was on ecstasy the first 20 or 30 times I heard it.
posted by empath at 5:13 AM on December 15, 2011 [2 favorites]
That song is pure bliss and I can never get enough of it.
That might be because I was on ecstasy the first 20 or 30 times I heard it.
posted by empath at 5:13 AM on December 15, 2011 [2 favorites]
@Hippybear: I think you are thinking of Lola Falana.
posted by Renoroc at 5:23 AM on December 15, 2011
posted by Renoroc at 5:23 AM on December 15, 2011
I love how the RRHOF committee opened the door to non-rock acts, and now has to struggle with what is patently obvious.
(4 chords) + (distortion) = Rock and Roll
posted by superelastic at 5:26 AM on December 15, 2011 [1 favorite]
(4 chords) + (distortion) = Rock and Roll
posted by superelastic at 5:26 AM on December 15, 2011 [1 favorite]
This thread reminds me of that argument in Catch-22: "But the God I don't believe in is a good God, a just God, a merciful God. He's not the mean and stupid God you make him out to be."
No one here would own up to thinking that "being in the RnR Hall of Fame" is a significant achievement, but everyone's outraged that Donna Summer's not in there. It's like arguments about the Oscars: "I hate the Oscars. They're simply glorifying the worst of middle-American, commercial notions of 'importance.' And can you fucking believe that [my favorite film] got beaten by [another nominated film]???"
As to the linked article: those are some pretty sketchy reasons they've got there. She was in the European touring production of "Hair"? She used a "wall of sound"-like production ten years after Phil Spector introduced it? Seems like they ran out of "reasons" around #5 or so.
posted by yoink at 10:14 AM on December 15, 2011
No one here would own up to thinking that "being in the RnR Hall of Fame" is a significant achievement, but everyone's outraged that Donna Summer's not in there. It's like arguments about the Oscars: "I hate the Oscars. They're simply glorifying the worst of middle-American, commercial notions of 'importance.' And can you fucking believe that [my favorite film] got beaten by [another nominated film]???"
As to the linked article: those are some pretty sketchy reasons they've got there. She was in the European touring production of "Hair"? She used a "wall of sound"-like production ten years after Phil Spector introduced it? Seems like they ran out of "reasons" around #5 or so.
posted by yoink at 10:14 AM on December 15, 2011
This what happens when you only sleep for 6 hours:
Donna Summer Homophobic Myth
posted by LilSoulBrother85 at 12:14 PM on December 15, 2011
Donna Summer Homophobic Myth
posted by LilSoulBrother85 at 12:14 PM on December 15, 2011
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Look forward to reading this.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 4:54 PM on December 14, 2011 [6 favorites]