I see Johnny Marr is appearing on this programme, therefore I can only assume Morrissey will play some part, or else why would they bother to invite the old hag on?

This is meant to be the UK version of what Americans have.

They put up artists for nomination and the viewers vote for who they want to go in the Hall of Fame. So of course Morrissey hasn't got a hope in hell, it will all be common denominator crap.

Although Al Pacino did win the greatest movie star poll so there might be a glimmer of hope.

He'd have a better chance if it was limited to UK acts. The Smiths might get into the top five for the 80s, especially if there's on-line voting and we "internetters" get ourselves organised.

And when I mean play a part, I don't mean he will of course, I just meant they may have a short feature, with Johnny Marr saying -

'Yes Morrissey is a favourite artist of mine. If there is one singer I would love to work with it would be either him or Alison Moyet'

Then cue a clip of How Soon Is Now on Top of the Pops, and the presenter saying -

'Here is Mr Miserable Guts whose fans are all miserable guts, and he was quite popular with students in the 1980's'

Then after that fifteen seconds of fame, they will move on to Erasure or perhaps if we are lucky, The London Boys.

Johnny gets a mention on the website 'advert'/description, but not Moz. Mmmmm, odd. Maybe Mozza has annoyed C4 somehow. This cant be an oversight.

Let's face it, if Joe Public has its way, the best bands won't get a look in. I wouldn't be surprised if the public don't vote for Duran Duran above The Smiths. I will be voting for Smithdom, but the general public never do seem to have much taste. Besides, the best bands of each era will be overlooked as usual - The Smiths and The Go Betweens and Pixies in the 80s, Tindersticks in the 90s. I love Nick Cave too and I bet he doesn't get a look in, despite the consistency of his work. The most votes will be Beatles and Dylan and Stones for the 60s, Queen and Led Zeppelin for the 70s, Michael Jackson and Prince for the 80s, Oasis and Nirvana for the 90s. It will be the usual suspects, it always is!! I shall, of course, vote for The Smiths! Johnny and Morrissey deserve some backpatting!!

TV viewers asked to select inaugural UK 'Hall of Fame'
by Ciar Byrne, Media Correspondent
10 September 2004

While some musical acts regularly top the charts, others win prestigious awards only to see their stars wane and their names fade into obscurity. Now those with real sticking power, the all-time greats, are to be honoured in the UK's first Hall of Fame.

Acts voted in by members of the public - who are being told to choose their favourite performers from the second half of the 20th century - will join Elvis Presley, the Beatles, Bob Marley, Madonna and U2 who have automatically gained places.

Organised by Channel 4, viewers will be asked to choose from a shortlist of 10 artists from each decade. To be eligible, an act must have released their first recording at least five years ago, and have achieved UK chart success.

The winning five acts will then be inducted into the hall of fame at a live concert at the Hackney Empire in London in November. Presley, the Beatles, Marley, Madonna and U2 have been elected founding members because of their huge impact on the British music scene.

In the United States, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, founded in 1986, has become a national institution. A 36-strong steering group made up of British music industry experts now hopes to recreate that success in the UK and turn the induction of new members into an annual event.

They include the Beatles' producer Sir George Martin, the Eurythmics' Dave Stewart, Alex James from Blur, the Factory Records founder Tony Wilson, Universal Music chairman Lucian Grainge and radio presenters Jo Whiley, Trevor Nelson and Paul Gambaccini.

The group has drawn up the short list, which will be revealed over five weeks in a series of two hour-long programmes on Channel 4. Its presenter, Jamie Theakston, will also give an overview of the music from each decade. Viewers will then select one act to go forward to the final five.

Paul Gambaccini said: "The American rock and roll hall of fame began in 1986. The selection is a matter of national concern every year and the national broadcast is keenly anticipated."

"Britain has dominated popular music for the past 40 years. It's an extraordinary achievement and one that is not properly celebrated," the Radio 2 presenter added.

Gambaccini explained the reasons for choosing the five founding members. "With Elvis Presley, you have the beginning of popular rock and roll ... the Beatles were the second great youth quake ... Bob Marley not only became popular in his decade, but became more popular in following years ... Madonna empowered women and introduced female sexuality ... U2 are still giants and their new album is the most eagerly awaited fall release in the schedule."

Artists including Brett Anderson from Suede, the Beastie Boys, James Brown, Brian Eno, Noel Gallagher, Robin Gibb, Alicia Keys, Joss Stone, Robbie Williams and Brian Wilson have also contributed to the series.

The Music Hall of Fame is being made for Channel 4 by Initial, a subsidiary of the Big Brother-creator, Endemol, which also produced the 1980s Channel 4 music show The Tube.

The Independent
10 September 2004

If this is for the British Music Industry, then why can't it be UK artists only?!!!! I mean Elvis gets enough praise already!! (I can't sit through another Beatles/Bob Marley/Nivarna 'tribute' backpatting fest!) Bring 'back' Moz! P.s. Where do I sign?!!!