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The so called fan ballot

Several of our readers have commented encouraging other people to participate in the Hall of Fame voting.

Here’s why this is a bad idea.

It seems that many people are still under the impression that the winner of the fan ballot is automatically inducted into the hall. This is not the case. The the fan ballot counts as just one extra vote among 600 Jann Wenner cronies industry insiders, or whoever gets to vote (they don’t tell us):

The Top Five Nominees as voted by the fans count for one ballot entry, which is weighted the same as individual ballot entries submitted by members of the international voting body.

The fan ballot, with all those tens of millions of fans behind it, counts the same as the vote by that gentleman who still thinks that Deep Purple are a one hit wonder. As such, it bears very little influence on the final result. The main reason fan ballot exists is to drive web traffic to their website (which equals advertising revenue). So, by voting you are actually putting money into the pockets of the very same people who ignored our favourite band for 20 years after it became eligible, and then nominated and snubbed them twice after that.

And this concludes our public service announcement.



22 Comments to “The so called fan ballot”:

  1. 1
    Joe in VT says:

    Amen, and to all a good night!
    …..and we get a new album in the next year…. 🙂

  2. 2
    al says:

    interesting,I will stop voting then,since this in favor of those bloodsuckers!!

  3. 3
    George Martin says:

    I did not know this. But when a band receives over 25 million votes how can the RRHOF ignore any band. What the F is wrong with them?

  4. 4
    Andrey Barabanshchikov says:

    To vote or not to vote? That’s not a question for me. Hell yeah. Not for the sake of traffic of Rolling Stone site but for the sake of plain justice which is as known for all. Although sorry — not plain. Historical justice! Justice of textbooks and miscellaneous encyclopedias etc.
    The best vocalist in entire universe and around saying long ago that RNRHF is an American thing was not 100 per cent right. Correct me if I’m wrong but what acts were inducted into the short-lived UK Hall of Fame? Almost identical to its twin across the pond. I doubt very much Wenner plotted a coup against DP in the homeland but the band weren’t even considered.
    Being under the radar or playing in the sheds somewhere in Mid West was Deep Purple choice as an entity. One hit wonder syndrome is partially a result of such a policy.
    This year the band got much more exposure to the wider audiences throughout the globe including US. Isn’t it bad? They do American tours two years in a row. Isn’t it bad? It’s awesome!
    The induction as a fact or as an information coverage is super awesome! I agree with you — some names in the hall look ridiculous. But be honest — most of them belong there and deserve the status.
    And for the sake of this historical fact “Deep Purple are in the Hall” I give my click to the traffic of the site of Rolling Stone mag. Let it detect my ip and get me into its database – I don’t care! I just give my voice and choice to the band that had defined my life.
    Besides, there’s one more thing to make me wonder. Up to now the band didn’t say clearly they were going to ignore the award. It’s only mumbling.
    I don’t urge anyone to cast a vote – all adults are able to make a choice but this thread reminds me of scene from the B- movies where scouts (students, hunters, soldiers etc) sit around the fire and tell horror stories competing each other in whose story is more scary. Hall of Fame is still an institution. True, its reputation needs much to be desired. Still getting there is still an honour. Look who’s refused receiving it – Axl and Sex Pistols. … and got tremendous info coverage out of this.
    Even if they’re snubbed again, I’ll vote next year. Now shoot me to death twice.

  5. 5
    Leslie Hedger says:

    Rolling Stone Magazine, which runs the RNRHOF, has been out of touch the 1980’s. By the way, aren’t DP already in the Classic Rock Hall of Fame? That, to me, seems more prestigious.

  6. 6
    Deb Scott says:

    RRHOF voting committee members are all of the living inductees with a handful of Wenner cronies in the mix, too. And yes, it’s unfortunate that just one of the committee member’s ballots equals millions of fan votes.

  7. 7
    Wolf Schneider says:

    Keep in mind the the RRHOF is first and foremost a tourist attraction; as such, it wants exhibits that will bring in hordes of paying visitors. This means stuffing it full of things that will attract the 18-35 year old American audience, since that is the vast majority of its clientele — seen in that light, putting Green Day in there rather than Deep Purple makes a lot of sense, since the target demographic is going to say “Deep Purple who??” 9 times out of 10.

    Deep Purple doesn’t need any validation from the RRHOF — all the validation they need comes from being able to continue to have a successful music career well into their 5th decade as a band. Their status in music history is assured, regardless of whether the RRHOF adds them to their galleries or not.

  8. 8
    Keith Livingstone says:

    I shall never vote for them in this travesty and I urge other true Purple fans to boycott it.

  9. 9
    Rasmus Heide says:

    #4 Andrey – there’s always one willing to bend himself backwards. Just stop it. RHoF is an institution? They’ve certainly institutionalized inane stupidity. Don’t even think about justifying their position. It’s tattered to say the least, so please don’t prostitute Deep Purple’s name to try and rectify this. Rather, let Deep Purple play a role in the work that discourages others from supporting this farce.

  10. 10
    Giorgi says:

    The HoF is not the subject of interest for me. DP are my still favorite band since I began listening to music and they’ll remain until the end, but… What gets me interested in voting is that it would be a huge media exposure for DP in the USA if they get inducted and I think that exposure will reinvent the interest in the band in states, that will eventually translate in bigger Stateside tours and higher ticket sales/attendance.

    This is the ONLY reason why I care for their induction in to this something hall of something.

  11. 11
    Sammy Romeo says:

    WTF did you just say?

  12. 12
    Tom Dion says:

    I refuse to vote. Purple should have been inducted first year of eligibility. The RRHOF is a joke.

  13. 13
    LRT says:

    Voting isn’t fair, it’s lack of knowledge and non voting fans which produce blind numbers that prove it. I do believe there is access to the list of people on the committee because there is a data base with all of the board members and donators listed.

  14. 14
    Wm Paul Kessler says:

    Wow one of the best early rovkn roll bands ,70s 80s seen em in Tampa Fla in early 70s ya my 1st concert as young 18yr old rockn roller,totaly awesome conert,totaly kicked ass,yes I ws hooked on rock n roll thak,s deep purple rock on

  15. 15
    Anthony says:

    Maybe Rainbow should be inducted too 🙂

  16. 16
    kraatzy says:

    The never ending story …
    I can´t hear it much longer …

    Please don´t commend this kind of RNRHOF-“NEWS” (or should I say to this: RNRHOF-“OLDS” ?)

    LLRnR

    kraatzy

  17. 17
    Ted The Mechanic says:

    @8 Keith,

    Amen to that! RRHOF is beyond a travesty. And Rolling Stone is a far left loon entity.

    Peace,
    Ted

  18. 18
    nupsi59 says:

    “The Day that never comes”
    (Metallica, from “Death Magnetic” album)

    Have a nice Day!

  19. 19
    Gary Entler says:

    It was my impression that the winner of the Fan Vote was automatically inducted. If I erred I apologize. The winner of the Fan Vote was inducted each year, however. There are 20 + Nominators give or take any given year and 400 + ” official ” voters chosen amongst previous inductees and ” experts ” in the industry. Thus the Fan Vote is only ONE of the 400 + votes. As I previously stated this is Deep Purple’s fans chance to prove who the real experts are, the fans. Vote Deep Purple on the Fan Ballot and win that poll by a staggering margin ! Of the top five bands only DP and Yes are ” World ” bands. Show them you have a voice and maybe we all from around the world don’t think that Janet Jackson, Madonna, and LL Cool J et al is the musical ideal !

  20. 20
    Gary Entler says:

    I also don’t have to mention that Deep Purple has outsold almost every artist in the HoF, influenced more contemporary musicians ( some in the HoF ! ), created neo-classical rock, the first to perform a concerto with an orchestra, been around longer while continuously working except for that short break ( ‘ 76- ’84 ) than most bands already inducted. I could go on but I think I made my point. Alright, if you want a steady stream of ” artists ” I mentioned above shoved down our throats, rather ” ears ”, year after yearn’ then .don’t vote.

  21. 21
    Andrey Barabanshchikov says:

    There’s always a tendency for a community to become a kind of radical sect. Flexibility may get equal to the profanity. Sad and old story. Injustice and offense can make people blind — it’s human and natural. I can understand this. But I’d rather carry on encouraging other people to know about DP’s great legacy and work. One way or another.
    A. B. Esq.

  22. 22
    Rock Voorne says:

    Accepting them now would be very awkward…

    By now it would be so obvious to everyone present the hall fucked up not honouring Purple in a much earlier stage that it has become too painful for them to do it now.

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