Duran Duran and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Duran Duran's "Hungry Like the Wolf" is listed among the
500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll in a flier given
to visitors of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, but
the band has yet to be nominated despite crossing
the 25-year mark of eligibility.

I truly believe Duran Duran deserves a place in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. But as year after year passes since the band gained eligibility, Duran doesn’t seem to be on a fast track to get in. And I have my doubts about the importance of being inducted at all.

But the tide may have started turning in Duran's favor with the recent nomination of Depeche Mode. There is no guarantee that the group will get in, but nevertheless, Depeche is a Duran contemporary who also makes synth music. There has been the thought that overlooked bands like Depeche, The Cure, and Duran would continue to be overlooked. But now there is a glimmer of hope.

I believe Duran should be inducted based on its contribution to music video alone. But Duran doesn't make the kind of music favored for a quick induction. Duran is perceived as a pop band that has a mostly female fan base. The rock hall clearly prefers "manly," meat-and potatoes rock 'n' roll.

Some of the groups that inspired Duran's music, Roxy Music, Kraftwerk, and Chic among them, aren't even in the hall. (Though Kraftwerk and Chic did make the list of nominees this year.)

Duran has seemingly garnered every other honor over the years: Grammys, VMAs, EMAs, Brit Awards, Ivor Novello awards, Q Icon and lifetime achievement awards, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. But a spot in the hall of fame seems illusive.

So why even bother worrying about it? Duran’s beloved Sex Pistols rejected the band’s induction, with Johnny Rotten calling the hall of fame a “piss stain.” The Pistols also criticized the hall’s practice of requesting a five-figure fee for attending the ceremony. Needless to say, the punk legends didn’t show up on induction night.

It would be a pleasant surprise if Duran someday gets inducted. I’m sure the band members would be proud to share that honor with idols like David Bowie, The Beatles, and Lou Reed, who was inducted posthumously as a solo artist. 

Recently, there were a number of old-school members of the rock hall nominating committee who were dismissed. Duran champion Rob Sheffield is a voting member. Maybe now is the time for the “mascara bands” to be given a shot at induction.