There is little doubt that Bon Jovi is one of the biggest rock acts of the last thirty-plus years but a few of the powers that be at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame may be actively trying to keep the group out.
Jon Bon Jovi recently appeared on The Howard Stern Show, telling the host “There’s guys on that thing that have made it their personal mission to f–k with me. And that’s okay. I get it. I’ve sold more records than their artists. I called him a few choice words, and I’m never shy, when I see him, to call him a few more choice words. The criteria is that your music had an influence on generations that came after you, and that it’s still out and very present. We have every criteria.”
Bon Jovi became eligible for the hall in 2008 for the 2009 induction and were actually nominated in 2011 but didn’t get enough votes in a year that saw the induction of Alice Cooper, Darlene Love, Dr. John, Neil Diamond and Tom Waits.
IF (and that is a big “If”) Jon didn’t do damage to his chances with his statements to Stern, there have been a number of recent cases of artists who were seen as being blocked from the Hall actually getting in including Rush, KISS and Chicago.
Bon Jovi’s new album, This House is Not For Sale, is due on November 4.