Opinion: Another snubbed Rock Hall induction for Deep Purple

Megan Brown is a senior magazine journalism major and the opinion editor for The Kent Stater. Contact her at [email protected].

Megan Brown

Last week, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame had its induction ceremony at the Barclays Center with its largest live audience to date. Among this year’s 16 nominees, only six were inducted. KISS, Nirvana, Peter Gabriel, Linda Ronstadt, Cat Stevens (now known as Yusuf Islam), and Hall & Oates.

Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band was inducted for its “musical excellence.” Brian Epstein, known for managing the Beatles in the 1960s, and Andrew Loog Oldham, who managed and help develop the Rolling Stones through the 60s, were inducted as nonperformers.

Most of us can agree that these acts were well worth the honor. KISS had been nominated since 1999 and finally got the induction 15 years later. As a crucial part of the arena-rock genre and rock ‘n’ roll in general, many think they were already a part of the Rock Hall, but instead they were snubbed for years.

Bands like Bad Company, Deep Purple, Jethro Tull, MC5, Steppenwolf, Steve Miller Band and Yes all have yet to be inducted. Some haven’t even been nominated but have been shot aside while other important, yet less rock ‘n’ roll bands get the nomination and win.

This also goes to show the betrayal Deep Purple has gotten from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. When you think of Deep Purple, you automatically think of pure rock ‘n’ roll and strong guitar riffs. You would think they would be in the hall of fame by now, but they were once again slighted this year. They were a 2014 nominee but did not make the cut.

If you think about it, 1972’s “Smoke on the Water,” one of Deep Purple’s most popular songs, is the first song most people learn to play on the guitar because of its simple chords. It’s a thrilling, dark song that tells a story of the night a casino burnt down while Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention were playing a gig inside.

Deep Purple made their debut album, “Shades of Deep Purple” in 1968. Albums like 1970’s “Deep Purple in Rock” and 1972’s “Machine Head” (one of my favorite rock albums) are examples of why they should be inducted. Take and listen and you’ll understand. With band lineup changes throughout the years, they always maintained the stay “rock.”

The early ‘70s Deep Purple is my favorite, but there’s just no doubt that they should already been in there. It’s called the “Rock and Roll” Hall of Fame, so let’s put some more rock in there.

Metallica’s Lars Ulrich recently told Rolling Stone that he still has hopes for Deep Purple induction. “I’m not gonna get into the politics or all that stuff, but I got two words to say: ‘Deep Purple.’”

I’m really hoping Deep Purple, along with other great rock ‘n’ roll bands, get the respect they deserve in the upcoming years of inductees. Maybe 2015 will be the year for Deep Purple. Let’s sure hope so.