Denis DeYoung of Styx has come out swinging against the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. According to the New York Post via Facebook, he had some sharply critical words about their induction policies.
Videos by Wide Open Country
In a lengthy FB post dated November 13, DeYoung, 78, wrote, "Speaking of the Rock Hall it's a shame that Bad Company had to wait so long to get in that it rendered Paul Rodgers unable to perform due to health concerns. Bollocks!! I would have liked to have seen him perform years ago to demonstrate how one of rock's premiere singers ACTUALLY ROCKS. You know, like the name on their institution's logo. I have said this repeatedly for decades, just change the damn name."
The outlet pointed out that Rodgers, who is 75, could not be present at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction in Cleveland on November 8. His absence was reportedly due to the effects of "multiple previous strokes."
DeYoung Thinks Musicians Must Wait an Excessively Long Time for Induction
His post went on like this. "The induction ceremony clearly pointed out the tragic manner in which this joint operates. Making so many musicians wait until they either incapacitated or dead is shameful. Joe Cocker, Warren Zevon et al are suddenly eligible decades after their success? Explain that, what's changed except the Hall's inability to let go of their clear prejudices and induct them?"
He added, "They now admit, when it's far too late that they have erred. Have Joe, Warren and others recently become more popular? ...no. The Hall's initial mission statement about who qualifies was always a ruse and a joke concocted to protect their own personal choices. I'll stop now before I need BP meds. I have said this before — as someone whose band has never been considered, whatever I write ends up sounding like sour grapes. ''Sour Grapes' would be a good name for a band."
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Has Specific Induction Rules
Per the Hall's web site, the rule for induction reads as follows: "To be eligible for nomination, an individual artist or band must have released their first commercial recording 25 full years prior to the year of Induction."
