Who’s the most overrated band in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame?

In my opinion, the Doors, Creedence Clearwater Revival, and the Band are equally overrated. I strongly dislike all of these RRHOF inductees.

Why?

Robby Krieger’s guitar usually has the wrong tone. His lead lines aren’t ever tremendous or even memorable. Ray Manzarek’s organ is hard to listen to for more than one song in a row. Finally, Jim Morrison is more myth than man. He was supposed to be this substantial UCLA poet. I don’t see it. He didn’t even write “Light My Fire!” Their most memorable song.

CCR’s rhythm section is terrible. They can’t keep time; besides “Suzy Q,” they are a singles band. In later years, Fogerty isn’t a lead player of any merit (although he thinks he is). Worst of all, Fogerty’s post-CCR resentment toward his bandmates and record label is exhausting. So are his scarves.

Finally, there is the Band!

I get it. They were influential and backed Bob Dylan when he went electric. “The Weight” and “The Night the Drove Old Dixie Down” are timeless genre-defying songs. But listen to Robbie Robertson talk today, and you will think he invented rock and roll. He’s annoying. Despite his musical baritone, this was heard in many documentaries.

And, while it is true that Robertson’s first solo album rocks (thanks to U2 on two tracks and the Daniel Lanois production), what song does the Band do that’s in even the same zip code as rock and roll? I think none. All the Band’s music is all soft-country quirk to me.

Of the three, I’d let the Band in despite these issues. The Dylan/Ronnie Hawkins connection to the Band had been solid rock and roll. Plus, “The Last Waltz” is arguably one of the best Rock and Roll movies. The Band, as a band, could play. And when Robbie goes toe-to-toe with Eric Clapton on “Further On Up the Road” (unplanned, according to Robbie), he shows what playing live for decades does to a player.

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