The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame class of 2020
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame announced Wednesday morning, and Pat Benatar was snubbed. The 2020 class consists of Whitney Houston, Depeche Mode, The Notorious B.I.G., Nine Inch Nails, the Doobie Brothers, and T. Rex.
Honestly, to realize that The Notorious B.I.G. is going to be inducted before Pat Benatar in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is insulting. She is one of the greatest women in rock history.
Why Pat Benatar should be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
She is one of the most successful female artists of the 80’s and she set the template for female hard rock singers at a time when few female hard rock singers had a presence on the charts or at rock radio. She put 15 singles in the Billboard 100 top 40 and 9 albums in the Billboard 200 top 40. Her albums include two RIAA-certified multi-platinum albums, five platinum albums, three gold albums. And add to this 4 Grammys.
Her 4 top 10 hits are “Hit Me with Your Best Shot“, “Love Is a Battlefield“, “We Belong“, and “Invincible“. They are staples of the era, the 80’s, especially the first two, I play both of them with my tribute band 80’s Night Band.
A lock for next year, hopefully
I’m hoping it’s just a matter of time before she gets in. The prediction was to be a lock this year, don’t forget that last year’s inductee, Janet Jackson, had implored in her acceptance speech to thunderous applause: “Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, please, 2020: Induct more women!”. Also, Benatar came in second in this year’s online Fan Vote, which should show them the error they made.
On a final note, here’s a clip that should leave no doubt that Pat Benatar is one of the greatest women in rock history, enjoy.
