Bad Brains nominated for Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, punk fans stunned

‘The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’ (precise location known by few) has long been a bit of a joke, instantly bringing to mind the image of a dad embarrassing his children with an air guitar, so it has come as bit of a shock that seminal Washington D.C. punk band Bad Brains have been nominated for induction (vote here).

“If they’re actually selected, it would be pretty startling,” Ian MacKaye, formerly of Minor Threat and Fugazi, told WTOP.

I don’t know who the nominators are, and frankly don’t care, but the person who put Bad Brains name in the hat is either visionary, or they’re savvy and trying to bring some legitimacy to their brand.”

Bad Brains were one of 19 acts nominated on Tuesday for the Hall’s Class of 2017.

Forming in 1977, the four-piece pioneered the hardcore genre, bringing an intense, breakneck but technically adept style of punk thanks to their background in jazz fusion.

Followers of the Rastafari movement, they also play reggae and influenced Faith No More, the Beastie Boys, Rage Against the Machine, Soundgarden, Red Hot Chili Peppers and many more.

“The Bad Brains obviously connected with a lot of people in the 1980s,” MacKaye. added “Maybe some of those kids swam upstream to where they now want to bring Bad Brains along.”

“If the members of the Bad Brains, if this is something they want, I’m happy for them. I know the impact they had on my life, and that of other people.”

2017 nominees

BAD BRAINS

CHAKA KHAN

CHIC

DEPECHE MODE

ELECTRIC LIGHT ORCHESTRA (ELO)

THE J. GEILS BAND

JANE'S ADDICTION

JANET JACKSON

JOAN BAEZ

JOE TEX

JOURNEY

KRAFTWERK

MC5

PEARL JAM

STEPPENWOLF

THE CARS

THE ZOMBIES

TUPAC SHAKUR