WTF, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame?

What were they thinking?

Let's run down the list of inductees for 2010 and take stock for a second.

JIMMY CLIFF:  OK - I get this one.  Pioneering Jamaican ska and reggae artist that helped that style of music cross into the mainstream.

GENESIS:  I get this one too.  Groundbreaking progressive rock band that included such great talents as Phil Collins and Peter Gabriel, as well as Tony Banks and Mike Rutherford, and even included greats like Bill Bruford, Chester Thompson and Steve Hackett for periods.  No problem with Genesis going in.

THE STOOGES:  I understand this selection as well.  Not only were they one of the most influential bands in the rise of punk rock, their influnce carried over to heavy metal music and alt-rock.  No problem here.  And Iggy Pop is an icon.

THE HOLLIES:  Definitely no problem here.  One of the original British Invasion bands, they were noted for their terrific harmonies - "Carrie Anne" is a great example.  While they suffered a bit when Graham Nash left to join Steven Stills and David Crosby, their influence on music cannot be denied.  Also, like the Rolling Stones, they are one of the few British bands that has never broken up or gone on hiatus.

Which brings me to:

ABBA.

I'm not to run ABBA down as they have millions of fans around the world and the fact that they have sold over 370 million albums and continue to sell 2-4 million albums a year.  The problem I have is such a frothy disposable pop band is going into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame before a band like KISS. It's the ROCK HALL, not the POP HALL.  I had the same problem when Madonna went in a few years ago.  She's definitely NOT filed under "Rock" and neither is ABBA.

KISS changed the face of rock and roll forever, with their influences reaching far beyond their own fans.  Even performers like Garth brooks are huge KISS fans and he used KISS as an inspiration for the energy and excitement of his own live show.  The band has sold over 100 million albums worldwide and is more deserving of a spot in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame than ABBA -  and especially before ABBA went in.

What a slap in the face.