What The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Got Right in 2026 with Christian James Hand

Summary

Behind The Song: Classic Rock Chronicles

Episode Title: What The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Got Right in 2026 with Christian James Hand
Host: Janda Lane
Guest: Christian James Hand
Date: April 22, 2026

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Episode Overview

This lively bonus episode dives deep into the 2026 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame class with guest musicologist and radio host Christian James Hand. Janda and Christian dissect who finally made the cut, the significance of certain inductions (with a spotlight on Phil Collins and Iron Maiden), and muse about what makes particular artists and bands truly deserving—or scandalously overlooked. The conversation is peppered with personal anecdotes, sharp opinions, and a celebration of classic rock’s continuing cultural resonance.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Phil Collins: A Two-Time Hall of Famer

[02:33 – 12:10]

• Phil Collins’ Unique Legacy

  • Phil’s induction as a solo artist joins him with the rare group of double Hall of Famers like Stevie Nicks and Eric Clapton.
  • Christian, an unabashed Phil Collins fan, claims:

    “There isn’t anybody. I don’t even think Phil’s as big a fan of Phil as I am of Phil.” (02:47)

  • Janda notes that Phil's journey “from drummer to unlikely rock star” makes him an anomaly in rock history.

• Concurrent Creativity: Solo & Genesis

  • Christian explains Phil’s staggering output, releasing solo and Genesis albums in alternating years, while also touring the world for both:

    “You have to remember ... they then went out on tour ... They toured the world for probably close to a year. And then Phil also toured for probably close to a year ... at the same point ... having number one hits with both projects.” (05:00)

  • Praises Phil’s role as primary songwriter for both himself and Genesis.

• Groundbreaking Work Ethic & Genius

  • Phil’s productivity, Christian jokes, was aided by 1980's “Peruvian marching powder,” but the creative energy remained “prodigious to say the least.” (08:39)
  • Phil’s innovation, exemplified by the song “Take Me Home,” where he morphs electronic drums into real drums throughout the track:

    “He starts with no real drums, and by the end ... there’s no drum machine and it’s full real drums. And your brain doesn’t absorb it because he sneaks it in over the course of the whole thing.” (09:22)

• Cultural Impact & Playfulness

  • They reminisce about Phil’s playful songwriting, like inventing the word “Sussudio”:

    “What song does your favorite band have where they made up a word... by the second chorus, everybody in the bar will be singing Sussudio at the top of their lungs.” (10:57)

  • Phil's versatility, including singing the Tarzan soundtrack in multiple languages, is highlighted:

    “Phil went in and sang the soundtrack to Tarzan in its entirety in English, French, German, Italian, and then two different Spanish dialects.” (07:45)

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2. Iron Maiden’s Long-awaited Induction

[13:09 – 17:55]

• Iron Maiden’s Credentials

  • Christian:

    “Should have happened years ago. Only because, I mean, if only because 130 million records sold worldwide... Some of the greatest, longest, most extravagant tours of all time.” (13:09)

  • The band pioneered owning and renting out their PA systems, a move described as “brilliant thinking.” (13:15)

• Bruce Dickinson: The Ultimate Renaissance Man

  • Stories of Bruce Dickinson’s unpredictable talents:

    “He’s a pilot instructor and a world champion fencer ... the nerdiest fucking dude I think I’ve ever met.” (17:04, 17:23)

    • Anecdote: Bruce arriving late to family lunch via helicopter from a fencing competition.

• Iron Maiden’s Iconography

  • The significance of their mascot “Eddie” as a visual emblem for generations is discussed.

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3. Oasis: Too Soon or Justified?

[19:30 – 24:27]

• Timing Debates

  • Christian argues Oasis are inducted “too early” despite his fandom:

    “No band has come back after 25 years of virtual silence ... to come back and be playing venues three times the size ... That has never happened in the history of music.” (20:11)

• Cultural Resonance & Live Phenomenon

  • Janda recounts the immense energy of Oasis’ Soldier Field show:

    “I have personally never been to any concert where that level of excitement was so palpable ... singing every word … it was a feeling that ... I've never actually felt that before.” (20:27)

  • Christian credits Oasis for “importing the soccer terrace chant to American stadiums,” a feat no other band has achieved. (21:48)

• Hall of Fame Criteria

  • Janda:

    “Part of the criteria ... is that you have to have made cultural impact ... if Oasis didn’t make cultural impact on a global scale ... then I don’t know how that box ... could possibly remain unchecked.” (23:10)

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4. Other 2026 Inductees & Notable Omissions

[18:12 – 20:28] [24:55 – 30:57]

• Celebrated Class of 2026

  • The episode lauds the 2026 class as “stacked with ballers.” (28:46)
  • Praise is heaped on Joy Division/New Order, Luther Vandross, Sade, Billy Idol (“he was MTV”), Celia Cruz, Fela Kuti, Queen Latifah, MC Lyte, Gram Parsons, Linda Creed, Rick Rubin, Ed Sullivan, and others.

• Epic Moments & Unique Inductees

  • They discuss the oddity of Joy Division and New Order’s joint induction.
  • Billy Idol’s career is praised for its perfect timing and resilience through wild personal stories.

• Snubs That Sting:

  • Devo:

    “That is a massive oversight... what does Devo have to do?” (29:07)

    • Christian highlights Devo’s cultural and musical legacy, social commentary, and influence.
    • Mark Mothersbaugh’s response: buy a Rock Hall parking spot labeled ‘Devo.’
  • Harry Nilsson is also cited as heartbreakingly overlooked.

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5. The “Bullshit” and Beauty of the Rock Hall

[25:48 – 26:05]

• Christian’s blunt dismissal:

  “It’s all absolute fucking bullshit. Of course music [shouldn’t be] a competition to get into a room that, you know, like, who gives a shit?” (25:48)

• Janda’s pragmatic counter:

  “It's all we've got, you know, and everyone's stoked when they're in.” (25:56)

• They share stories of infamous induction ceremony moments:

  • Steve Miller’s outburst, Blondie’s onstage tension, and Rush’s Alex Lifeson’s “blah blah” speech—each highlighted as peak “rock and roll” moments. (31:30 – 33:06)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Phil Collins:
  • “If they do say [they don’t like Phil Collins], they're probably not telling the truth.” – Janda (03:08)
  • “You should probably never talk to [those people] again. It’s a great litmus test for who you should keep at the table at Thanksgiving.” – Christian James Hand (04:21)
• On Iron Maiden:
  • “The fact that Eddie is an indelible graphic representation of an entire band's discography. Doesn’t matter where you see Eddie.” – Christian James Hand (14:42)
• On Oasis:
  • “They accomplished bringing the English soccer stadium, football stadium to America and then had 60,000 people sing from the beginning of the show to the end ... and the duende, the spiritual awaken.” – Christian James Hand (21:48)
  • “I was okay with them getting into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame this time because they did do this very remarkable thing.” – Janda (23:10)
• On the Hall:
  • “It's the club you don't want to be in until everyone's like, you want to get in? ... Let's go see what it's like.” – Christian James Hand (26:01)
• On Devo’s snub:
  • “What does it take to have Devo in there? ... That is the biggest slight of all slights.” – Christian James Hand (29:07)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment | Time | |-----------------------------------------|--------------| | Show Intro/Reunion with Christian | 02:11–02:33 | | Phil Collins’ induction & genius | 02:33–12:10 | | Iron Maiden’s overdue recognition | 13:09–17:55 | | Joy Division/New Order, others inducted | 18:12–19:30 | | Oasis: debate on timing and impact | 19:30–24:38 | | Hall of Fame controversies & criticism | 25:48–26:05 | | Billy Idol & unique inductees | 26:05–28:08 | | Notable snubs: Devo, Nilsson | 29:07–30:57 | | Legendary Hall ceremony moments | 31:30–33:06 |

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Closing

Janda and Christian wrap with mutual affection and gratitude, expressing excitement for the ceremony—even as they acknowledge the Hall’s contradictions. Christian jokes about Phil Collins tattoos—an on-brand ending for an episode celebrating the passionate, eccentric, and inspirational icons of classic rock.

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Listen If You Want To:

• Hear why this Rock Hall class stands out among the rest
• Understand Phil Collins’s unprecedented accomplishments in both band and solo careers
• Enjoy insider stories about Iron Maiden, Bruce Dickinson, and the obsessive fandom of classic rock
• Reflect on the peculiar politics and magic of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

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Transcript

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[Christian James Hand]

Welcome to the behind the Song podcast, taking you deeper into classic rock's most timeless tunes. Here's your host, Janda.

[Janda]

I'm Janda and in this bonus episode of the behind the Song podcast, I'm talking about the Rock and Roll hall of Fame inductions with the one and only Chris Christian James Hand, host of man vs Radio, host of the sessions in Los Angeles, producer, DJ, musicologist and my longtime friend. Welcome Christian James Hand.

[Christian James Hand]

Hello darling Janda.

[Janda]

So you were the first person that I thought of when Phil Collins got the induction nod to be inducted as a solo artist. Because I literally don't know anyone who is a bigger fan of Phil Collins Than you.

[Christian James Hand]

There isn't anybody. I don't even think Phil's as big a fan of Phil as I am of Phil. And it's really wonderful that anytime there's any sort of Phil news, I immediately get a million texts and messages from people. So our two lives are indelibly linked. And I feel like that means I've accomplished something with my life.

[Janda]

Well, I guess you would agree that this honor is so deserved when it comes to Phil Collins. Now, of course, this puts him in the two time category. So now he's up there with like Stevie Nicks, who was inducted into the Rock and Roll hall of Fame with Fleetwood Mac and then is also inducted as a solo artist. There's just a handful of people like that. Eric Clapton is another one. And now Phil Collins joins those ranks. And you know, I was thinking about this when he was announced as a nominee. He's just a funny character in music history, in rock history, because he's a guy that certainly you wouldn't think, you know, you wouldn't look at him and say, hey, rock star. He is a guy who, the drummer of the band, who pushed the band into, you know, the next era, the next level of their career. It was really only after they, you know, broke off, did the three piece, then they started, you know, having those, you know, blockbuster hits as Genesis. And then he as a solo artist, you know, had so many just huge chart topping songs. So he's, he's kind of a. He's an anomaly in so many different ways. There's no one who can say I don't like Phil Collins. You know, if they do say that, they're probably not telling the truth.

[Christian James Hand]

Yeah. And if they actually mean it, then there are people that you should probably never talk to again. It's a great litmus test for who you should keep at the table at Thanksgiving. You know what I mean? But what's the thing with, if I may, the thing with Phil that is extraordinary and I believe is entirely singular to him. I don't think that there is another art who's accomplished what he has accomplished. I did a little research because I wanted to make sure my facts were correct. So Genesis finishes Duke. Right. That's the last Genesis record that happens before Phil starts his solo career. Phil's solo career begins in 1981 with the dropping of face value, which of course is in the air tonight. In the same year, Genesis dropped abacab. The following year, Phil drops. Hello, I must be going. The following year, Genesis drops. Genesis. Two years later, Phil Drops no Jacket Required. And a year later, Genesis drops Invisible Touch. The thing to understand about that is that run of records. You're like, oh, that's unbelievable. If you tried to compile all of the hits off of that, it's a stupendous accomplishment. But here's the thing that people don't understand. You have to remember that when they recorded those records, they then went out on tour. And they didn't tour for a couple of months. They toured the world for probably close to a year. And then Phil also toured for probably close to a year. So at the same point that they're putting out Face value, abacab hell, I must be going Genesis no Jack required An Invisible Touch. He's also touring both projects and writing a majority of the songs. And they actually spoke to Mike Rutherford about this. And, you know, because everyone's like, oh, you sold out. When, you know, all just became Phil Collins songs. And he was like, imagine being in a band with a guy that keeps bringing you all of these songs, right? Just supposed to go, yeah, we're not interested in tonight, Tonight, Tonight. We don't want, you know, Land of Confusion. If you look at this run, it is. I don't believe. I mean, yes, the Beatles have their run, but that's also. You got, you know, they're doing a bunch of covers. They're also all writing and all of that, and there's no doubt about it, but none of them are doing a solo project concurrently with the Beatles and are at the same point also having number one hits with both projects.

[Janda]

That's the crazy around the world, right? It wasn't just nonstop. It was not like a race to be finished. It was an engine that was continually making more music as it rolled down the track, you know, in two separate areas. And to your point, with Phil Collins being the primary songwriter for both himself and for that era of Genesis, I mean, there hasn't been anyone quite like Phil Collins.

[Christian James Hand]

Never been done before.

[Janda]

It's never been done before.

[Christian James Hand]

That was the same as him playing on both stages of Live Aid. Never done by anybody else, will never be done again, because that sort of thing won't ever exist again in that sort of way. But he's the only person to do that. I mean, dude, you look at the Tarzan soundtrack, right? Let's just talk about the Tarzan soundtrack. So he writes the Tarzan soundtrack, you know, and then Disney has this thing where they obviously have different territories, so the soundtrack has to be able to operate in all of those territories. So what usually happens is they have another singer come in and sing in the language of the country or territory that they're. Phil wasn't having any of that. So Phil went in and sang the soundtrack to Tarzan in its entirety in English, French, German, Italian, and then two different Spanish dialects, because Spanish has two dialects of the signature dialects of the. Of the Spanish language. Okay, so he did it in six different languages, is that right? I don't make anything up when it comes to Phil Collins, my Love. Why would I?

[Janda]

Of course not. But that's amazing.

[Christian James Hand]

This is all truth, you know, that's the amazing thing about Philip. Elton John didn't do that, right?

[Janda]

Yeah.

[Christian James Hand]

Nobody else has ever done it. That's what I'm saying. Like this, you know, And. And if you listen to his. His autobiography or you read his autobiography, there is an explanation for the. The 80s work, which is cocaine.

[Janda]

Yeah, of course.

[Christian James Hand]

And when you look back on that, you're now like, oh, yeah, dude. At the time we were like, man, this guy's work ethic is unbelievable. And then you realize that it's all powered by some of the greatest Peruvian marching powder that's ever been created in the world. But nonetheless, that output is prodigious to say the least.

[Janda]

It is prodigious, to say the least. And about the 80s and about this stuff that, you know, made him a global, you know, chart topping solo artist. And with Genesis at that time, too, the first song I pulled up when I. I heard the news that Phil was getting in as a solo artist was Take Me Home. I love that song. The production on that and all of the stuff that he was getting into in the 80s with those Lynn drums and stuff like that. Yes, please.

[Christian James Hand]

Starts with the drum machine and it ends with the full drum set playing the same thing as the drum machine. And over the course of the entire song, you don't notice that he slowly but surely creeps in real drums playing the zoom do, do do do, doom, zoom, doom. But he starts with no real drums, and by the end of it, there's no drum machine and it's full real drums. And your brain doesn't absorb it because he sneaks it in over the course of the whole thing. It's a preposterous piece of work. And the music video is gorgeous because of course he shot all these different scenes while they were on tour around the world, saying every single thing. So he planned that out. I was on tour, he was like, oh, we should shoot bits for Take Me Home being on tour and the whole nine yards and blah Blah, blah, blah. So he. That song is. There's actually a remix of it that I do think might actually be better than the original, which is a very rare thing to say. There was a. It was a fully sanctioned 12 inch remix of Take Me Home, which you should find, which is, I think, better than the original, to be honest with you, Even though the originalism is a masterpiece. But, yes. So that's. The thing with that song is you don't even realize that the drums completely supplement or stuff like that to take over from the drum machine as the song fades. And you have no idea because your brain just is like, this is incredible. But he's doing little tricks like that the entire time.

[Janda]

The entire time now, I mean, and think about that. This is all still relatively new stuff, you know, drum machines, synths, the Lynn drum, et cetera, whatever. You know, the big. The big sounds of the 80s. Is he a musical genius? Is Phil Collins in your opinion? He is one.

[Christian James Hand]

I mean, you can't not be, you know, like, people are like, oh, Sasudio. I'm like, yeah, well, here's the thing. What song does your favorite band have where they made up a word that never existed prior, that you can play at any bar in any place around the world. And by the second chorus, everybody in the bar will be singing Sasudio at the top of their lungs.

[Janda]

Fair point. I just watched his Letterman clip of Phil Collins on Letterman where Letterman asked him if Sisudio was, you know, the name of a girl and if he had ever met a girl named Studio. And Phil Collins, without missing a beat, immediately said, well, give it nine months and we'll see what happens. You know, I mean, he just was a clever, quick on the draw musically and otherwise.

[Christian James Hand]

My benchmark for whether a woman that I was going to be with and marry or not. There were two. The first was she had to learn how to drive stick shift. And the second was if we had a kid and it was a girl, she would have to be called Sisudia.

[Janda]

Okay.

[Christian James Hand]

You know what I mean? Haven't done it yet. But if you haven't named your kids the Studio, you're not really a Phil Collins these days.

[Janda]

You might have a problem with both of those things that are coming up.

[Christian James Hand]

Very much so, unfortunately.

[Janda]

Unfortunately, yes. So, yeah, the great Phil Collins. Yes. He was going in as a solo artist in some rarefied air, for sure. I really wish I had seen him. They came, they came to Chicago on the last Domino tour a few years back. And I miss that. I don't Assume that he will be performing by any stretch at the induction ceremony, but hopefully his son Nicholas will be there. Nicholas, who is a drummer and of course played with his father and with Genesis, too. And then there were some other ones that were inducted this time around. I guess we got to talk about Iron Maiden, you know, one of the bow time, right? Like one of the biggest snubs, you know, every year. Every year, you know, when this happens, the rock haul everybody, the gnashing of teeth and the wringing of hands over well, but Iron Maiden didn't get in once again. Well, it finally happened.

[Christian James Hand]

Yeah. And should have happened years ago. Only because, I mean, if. If only because 130 million records sold wide worldwide. Some of the greatest, longest, most extravagant tours of all time. They'. So, you know, they sort of pioneered the live sound thing of, like, they were the first band that bought their own pa so that they owned it instead of renting from all these companies, they were like. And then they rented it out to other people so that they didn't have to, you know, they could also absorb the cost. Brilliant thinking.

[Janda]

Yeah. Bruce Dickinson.

[Christian James Hand]

Got a Bruce Dickinson who, like, is the pilot for all the planes. I mean, if that was it. Sol. Do you remember when I had Rob Dickinson from the Catherine Wheel came to Sound Break and I interviewed him? It was like one of those Christian Hand interviews where it was supposed to be 10 minutes and ended up being two hours.

[Janda]

Yeah, yeah.

[Christian James Hand]

I mean, I just, like, shot the shite the whole time. And I was asking, like, what it was like to be, you know, related to Bruce. And he was like, one of the worst things about being related to Bruce is like, you'll go to the castle for lunch, and he's late. And about, you know, 45 minutes after you get there, the helicopter lands on the front lawn and he gets out, and his apologies are like, I'm so sorry. I was just at a fencing competition in Normandy and I just couldn't. I couldn't make it back in time for sandwiches. How is everybody? You know what I mean? Like, that guy needs to be the Rock and Roll hall of fame. Nico McCray needs to be in the Rock and Roll hall of Fame. The fact that Eddie. The fact that Eddie is an indelible graphic representation of an entire band's discography. Doesn't matter where you see Eddie.

[Janda]

You know what it is? Unique character, Bruce Dickinson. I mean, you know, Iron Maiden.

[Christian James Hand]

I will say I saw a solo show of his two years ago, I think, at the. At the Whiskey here in Los Angeles. Oh, wow. And I had the profound pleasure of watching him do a timbale solo.

[Janda]

No.

[Christian James Hand]

Which was something I had never in my. Yeah, I had, like, timbales on stage, and I was like, what are those for? And then halfway through one of the songs, Bruce Dickinson of Iron Maiden broke into a Tito Puente style drum solo on timbales. Which I was like, I think I might have had a head injury on the way into the Whiskey. And I've actually died.

[Janda]

Well, I mean, he's unpredictable.

[Christian James Hand]

Afterlife. You know what I mean? Yeah, yeah. Afterlife. Bruce Dickinson is doing a timbale solo that's just mandatory at the Whiskey.

[Janda]

Which holds, by the way, you know, for. If you've never been there, maybe, what,

[Christian James Hand]

like, 300 people, the most standing.

[Janda]

We should mention here that you and I know one another. You. You mentioned Soundbreak. I know Christian Hand because we were both DJs at this thing in Los Angeles called soundbreak.com back in the early 2000s, and we were music nerds then, and nothing has changed.

[Christian James Hand]

Nothing has changed.

[Janda]

So here we are. Yeah. What a trip. I do think you got your Phil Collins. Okay, so, like, musical genius. We've established someone completely unique in rock and roll. Same thing with Bruce Dickinson and Iron Maiden. I mean, really, really smart guy. The thing about renting out their PA and their gear to other bands was truly inspired. I mean, that's like, on the same level as, you know, the Grateful Dead basically starting travel, touring for everyone that ever toured after them. That's just really inspired. Smart thinking. A hole. Filling a hole that was not taken care of before.

[Christian James Hand]

Yeah. Why rent when you can own and then when you're not using it, why not make money of it instead of it sitting in storage?

[Janda]

Exactly.

[Christian James Hand]

Done and done.

[Janda]

I mean, he's got. He's got something on the ball up there. And then, of course, he had the famous, you know, plane flying. I mean, commercial airline pilot. A teacher. Right. Like, he teaches other pilots how to fly.

[Christian James Hand]

He's a pilot instructor and a world champion fencer.

[Janda]

So we. And a fencer, too. That's right.

[Christian James Hand]

He's a fencing champion. He's not even like a dude that just farts around with fencing. He's like a champion. And then I met him, and it's like one of those things where I met the dude at the show because I knew a couple people that were. I was with that guy who directed Anvil, who's been friends with Bruce for a really long time.

[Janda]

Oh, right.

[Christian James Hand]

So I got to meet Bruce. And the great thing about Bruce Dickinson is he's the nerdiest fucking dude I think I've ever met.

[Janda]

Really?

[Christian James Hand]

Oh, like you imagine, like, you know, it's like, like Dio. People met Dio and you thought you were meeting this guy and instead you're meeting this lovely guy who's like, you want some extra meatballs with that pasta?

[Janda]

Yeah.

[Christian James Hand]

And like Bruce Dickinson's like, no nerdiest dude ever. And he was, I was like, timbale solo. He's like, I know. I was just having fun up there with the old Timbaland. So I'm like supposed to be the run to the hills guy. Instead it's like this dude.

[Janda]

666 number the beast.

[Christian James Hand]

No, the Beast. No. A fencing champion and a timbale player. I was looking at the list and I will say that I do think this, this class in quotes is. Is actually one of the best classes that I've ever seen. I got to go. The year that Rush was inducted, which was an unbelievable year.

[Janda]

I remember that.

[Christian James Hand]

Randy Newman, Public Enemy, it was Quincy Jones. I mean, it was just extraordinary. This is up there with that. I mean, obviously Joy Division, new order, mandatory. Can't believe it took this long. You know, Peter, that's. And that's another interesting one that. I don't know if there's been another band where the, you know, it's. The lead singer passes away, then the band becomes bigger than they would have been. But both of them get inducted with the same member, right? No new members. Usually we get another two.

[Janda]

I think that's probably an anomaly.

[Christian James Hand]

Yeah, it's the first time that that's ever happened. Gillian was in there, but Jillian was helping with Joy Division at the time. Luther Vandross. Yes, I mean, Luther Vandross. Eleven consecutive platinum awards records sold. Eleven platinum records, consecutive.

[Janda]

And let's not forget that a big part of Luther Vandross's history, you know, is tied in with David Bowie. So I mean, you know, also being

[Christian James Hand]

one of the greatest unsung studio musicians of all time as far as singing on everybody's business, right? Sade. Hugely important. First Nigerian born artists to win a Grammy in 1986. Now here's the one where we're gonna have a little bit of an issue, okay? It's too early for Oasis.

[Janda]

You know, it's interesting.

[Christian James Hand]

It's too early for Oasis. And I, believe me, I am, you know me, I'm a huge Oasis fan. I think that the tour they did last year that I didn't get to see, which I'm really bummed about was one of the most culturally important tours that has ever happened, simply because of what it did to establish rock and roll again. And the fact that they played, you know, I saw them here playing to 8,000 people at the Universal Amphitheater, which was them at the peak of their powers, let's not forget. They take off, what, 25 years, and then when they return, they're playing to 25,000 people. That has never happened in the history of music now, before. No band has come back after 25 years of virtual silence, breaking up big, breaking up, ending the whole charade, to come back and be playing venues that are three times the size they broke America after they broke up, I will say, incredible.

[Janda]

I will say shouldn't be in the

[Christian James Hand]

Rock and Roll hall of Fame.

[Janda]

Okay, I'll say this about Oasis. The criteria is you got to. You got to have released your first commercial recording, you know, at least 25 years prior to the nomination. They could have waited, perhaps, but as a person who did witness that North American tour, Christian James Hand, let me tell you, they played. They played Soldier Field here, and I knew that it was going to be awesome. Soldier field holds 60,000 people. I have personally never been to any concert where that level of excitement was so palpable that literally, the bodies heaving all over the entire venue, the floor, the entirety of Soldier Field was a heaving, wonderful, hopping mess singing every word for these boys up on stage. And it was a feeling that. It's almost like I get a little bit emotional when I think about that concert because I've never actually felt that before. I've never in a concert setting, felt like I am in the pocket of this thing, exactly in step with everybody else around me to that level. That is saying a lot for the songs that they wrote, you know, a thousand percent.

[Christian James Hand]

I mean, if I may, the thing that, you know, the Merrick. I did this with the morning show team here and blew their minds where I was like, you know, everyone talks about these songs and how the melodic pattern is pretty simple and they, you know, Liam stays in a certain range and I'm like, wait. The thing you have to understand is that they're sung, that they're written for the terrace, they're written for the soccer stadium. Because every, you know, every football team in England has an anthem that is, you know, liverpool, you'll Never Walk Alone. Like, every single one of them has their own anthem that their fans sing at the top of their lungs to show their support to their boys on the field. And what Oasis did. And no American band has ever accomplished that. And no English band that I know of prior to Oasis last year has managed to import the soccer terrace chant to American stadiums. They accomplished bringing the English soccer stadium, football stadium to America and then had 60,000 people sing from the beginning of the show to the end, to the end of the show. And the duende, the spiritual awaken. All of the beauty of the entire thing, none of it can be, should not be, cannot be overstated and cannot be minimized. However, still too early. Should not be in it.

[Janda]

But I was okay with them getting into the Rock and Roll hall of Fame this time because they did do this very remarkable thing. And part of the, Part of the criteria, you know, for getting inducted into the Rock hall is that you have to have. Have made cultural impact. Well, if Thousand percent, if Oasis didn't make cultural impact on a global scale by rejoining together as brothers and then the band and then touring the world so successfully, it was the same story in every city that they hit then. I don't know. I don't know how you. How that box could, you know, possibly remain unchecked. And they certainly have the. The album sales, you know, behind them too, which is another thousand percent, you know, criteria.

[Christian James Hand]

So in Brazil, I think they did six nights in a row at the 120,000 capacity soccer stadium. Sold out every night.

[Janda]

Every night. Every show was sold out.

[Christian James Hand]

Batshit.

[Janda]

It's batshit. It's total batshit. And honestly, like, I feel like if Oasis hadn't gotten in and the Black Crows had gotten in instead, I might have been scratching my chin a little bit more. Nothing against the Black Crows. I love the Black Crows, personally, but I did feel that, that Oasis, I was okay with it. I was good with it, you know, no problem from my point of view on Oasis getting in for sure.

[Christian James Hand]

Did you see the. The Oasis Black Crows tour when they toured together?

[Janda]

The Brotherly Love tour.

[Christian James Hand]

The Brotherly Love Tour. So brilliant. I sort of sat at the Santa Monica bowl and it was like the whole time you're like, is this gonna happen? And they actually know. It's like right up until them being on stage and then even them being on stage, you're like, this could end at any moment.

[Janda]

And that's why we're still talking about these guys, because every person that we've mentioned so far, all of the people that we're discussing here, that made it into this list. And then for the Black Crows that didn't make it this time, they probably will at some point. They've done Something that distinguished them, that gives us reason to continue to talk about these folks decades on and probably always will. Because when you have an artist like a Phil Collins or a Bruce Dickinson, these unique characters that explode musically and then remain in our memory or our consciousness because they've touched us, that's the magic of music. That's it. And it doesn't always happen. And that's why I feel like a lot of people talk crap about the Rock hall and it's all bullshit and who cares?

[Christian James Hand]

It's all absolute fucking bullshit. Of course music should a competition to get into a room that, you know, like, who gives a.

[Janda]

But however, it's all we've got, you

[Christian James Hand]

know, and everyone's stoked when they're in.

[Janda]

Exactly, exactly. And everyone's stoked Club you don't want

[Christian James Hand]

to be in until everyone's like, you want to get in? You're like, ah, it. Let's go see what it's like.

[Janda]

Exactly.

[Christian James Hand]

I mean, you know, like, if you haven't seen the Billy Idol documentary, you should obviously watch the Billy Idol documentary.

[Janda]

I actually hosted a screening of the Billy Idol documentary here.

[Christian James Hand]

No need to brag.

[Janda]

When it came out.

[Christian James Hand]

Yeah, you could have just said you've seen it.

[Janda]

Yes, yes.

[Christian James Hand]

Well, I happen to be friends with the director, so I got to. I got to text him while I was watching.

[Janda]

Oh, with Jonas. Oh, my goodness.

[Christian James Hand]

Jonas Acrulin.

[Janda]

Oh, excuse me.

[Christian James Hand]

Phenomenal. It's such a good documentary.

[Janda]

It really is.

[Christian James Hand]

One of the things that blew my mind as I was watching the documentary was how many hits he had. And you forgot, like, it was like that thing where like every three or four you were like, holy shit. Rock the Cradle of Love. Like, really forgot about the fact that that was a massive, massive, massive song. They didn't even really go into Moni Moni, which was huge. And you're just like, oh, yeah. There was an eight year period, a six year period where this dude was mtv.

[Janda]

He was mtv. He absolutely, he. Everything happened for Billy Idol at the right, exact perfect time. And he was the perfect person to do it. He was beautiful to look at. He moved like Elvis. He had the songs. They smartly, you know, pulled those, like, you know, Tommy James and the Shondell songs. And he did that a couple of times, you know, with covers that, you know, were chosen, you know, for him to put his stamp on. And it just really resonated. And he was the 80s in so many ways. So I felt really good about Billy Idol getting in because he's another very completely Unique character. Lil punk rocker, you know, Generation X. Nope. Going to New York? Nope. Okay. Now I'm gonna hook up with Steve Stevens, you know, who's getting into the Rock Hall 2 and take over the world for a little.

[Christian James Hand]

Steve Stevens is a badass dude. That story of them being in the hotel to kick heroin and the way they kicked heroin is to smoke crack. That's the craziest shit.

[Janda]

Well, that's why it's called Billy Idol

[Christian James Hand]

should be dead because he know it's bonkers.

[Janda]

He lived through it, that's for sure. But again, like all of the people that we've mentioned here, completely unique individuals with a significant contribution musically.

[Christian James Hand]

But even. Even the second tier, like, the people that aren't like Celia Cruz, like the Philly sound producer. Unbelievable. Fellow Cootie, of course. Like, how has that not already happened? Queen Latifah, MC Light, of course, Graham Parsons, 100. Linda Creed, massive songwriter. You know, she passes or she gets. She was diagnosed with cancer in, like, her early 20s and then unfortunately passes away in her mid-30s. And like, right after she dies, the Greatest Love of All goes on to be like a massive song that she had penned. And then of course, you've got Eric Martin, Jimmy Miller, Rick Rubin and Ed Sullivan. Like, this class is stacked with ballers.

[Janda]

Stacked with ballers. I have to say, I agree. That was my overarching feeling. Usually I've got some kind of bone to pick, you know, with, oh, well, you know, this one, that one. But I think they pretty much got it right this time around to be confirmed at a later date. You know, some of the major snubs, like, I don't know if Boston will ever get into the Rock and Roll hall of Fame. I don't know what it's going to

[Christian James Hand]

take at this, the biggest one, that is a massive oversight. And I can only imagine that it is a yawn. Wemmer or the fuck his name is. Issue is, how. What does Devo have to do?

[Janda]

I don't know. I know. Talking about cultural impact.

[Christian James Hand]

I mean, everything. Indelible cultural impact, album sales, the fact that Jerry goes on to create some of the most iconic music videos of all time. Mark goes on to create some of the most iconic theme songs. And the Rugrats shit. And then all of the things that this band has created that everyone is standing on the shoulders of. And not only that, the. The social commentary, the origin story, Kent State, watching their friends get killed. Which is the reason that it's devolution and the whole thing. The fact that they've been fucking right about everything. It's like, what does it take? What does it take to have Devo in there? But Mark's plan is, I guess you can buy part parking spaces in the parking lot. So his plan is to buy a Devo parking space and just write Devo on it in white letters. And that's going to be their display at the Rock and Roll hall of Fame, which is about as Mark Mother's Bar as you can get possibly get. It's a spot right on the numbers for Double M. But Devo, that's pretty. That is the biggest slight of all slides. Yes. Boston and the Black Crows and all that.

[Janda]

But D VO Devo for sure. Devo. And I have one more to offer. I do not understand why Harry Nilsson isn't into the Rock and Roll hall of Fame. I mean, I feel like he would be first tier as a performer, but I could see him on the second tier, you know, that you mentioned too. Yeah, the songwriters, the songwriters, you know what I'm saying? So maybe as time goes on, they'll get it right and we'll get some of these folks in there that clearly deserve it.

[Christian James Hand]

This year was like the year where I was like, yeah, man. I think everybody on this list is. There's not one where I'm like, man. And I will say that the one that I went to who is the same way we're like, every single one of these people is a. Is a thumbs up slam dunk. And this year's class is unbelievable. And that that ceremony is going to be great. It's going to be really unfortunate. Phil won't be able to perform, unfortunately. But you know, I think that watching it. My question is, what is the Joy Division New Order thing going to be? Is that going to be the disc? Because you remember how uncomfortable that Blondie one was.

[Janda]

Oh yeah.

[Christian James Hand]

Where Jimmy Watts, his name was begging to be allowed to walk on stage and play the band. And Debbie was like, this is my band now you're not. And it was just like there.

[Janda]

There have been some really uncomfortable moments at the. At these, you know, these ceremonies. I mean, remember when Steve Miller just went up there and basically just told

[Christian James Hand]

everybody they were the worst themselves.

[Janda]

I mean, you know, but I mean

[Christian James Hand]

again that the most punk rock Steve Miller thing that he's the guy that should do it. And then my favorite and I was in the room for. For it was Alex Leisure.

[Janda]

Oh no, he's the best.

[Christian James Hand]

Blah blah. Which is just extraordinary. And the thing that people don't get genius because you weren't there was like, the way that that works is, like, right in front of the stage are all of the rich people. And then there's the floor, which is all the industry people. And then there's these cheap seats at the back. So Jan comes on and announces everybody in order. And then when he said Rush, the. The Sonic Assault from the cheap seats, it was all Canadians, dude. And they lost their minds for, like, 10 minutes. And when Alex came out and he started that thing, we're all sitting there like, there's no way he's going to commit to this, to the whole thing. And the thing that's really beautiful is he does this whole blah, blah, blah, with the phone call telling them that they're in the Rock and Roll hall of Fame. And then he does this thing where he goes, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. And he's pointing at all the Rush fans that, like, this is bullshit. But if we're here for this bullshit, we're here because you put us here and you are the reason that we. And it was a love. It was. It was so beautiful.

[Janda]

Love letter to the fans, which is what, you know, Rush is all about. And maybe we'll get a Rush moment this year. You know, our time's about to cut off here on this zoom, unfortunately, hand, because, you know, I could sit here and talk to you about this stuff for like, three, four hours. I mean, we've done. So I'm just gonna ask you to come back and have another chat with me sometime. I'm behind. If you would.

[Christian James Hand]

Anytime, Anytime, my love.

[Janda]

And I really appreciate your always colorful insights for this year's Rock and Roll hall of Fame inductions. I knew I could count on you, brother.

[Christian James Hand]

Do you have a Phil Collins tattoo from the COVID of Take Me Home on your fucking wrist?

[Janda]

Wait, let me.

[Christian James Hand]

I think you do.

[Janda]

I gotta get a screen grab of that real quick. All right. I love you, Christian. James Hand, thank you for joining me on this episode of the Behind Us on the podcast on the Way, much more classic rock and roll. Hey, Chicago Chick Fil A has your new favorite beverage. Sip on something new and try a strawberry hibiscus and Sprite lemonade, Frosted lemonade or Sunjoy. Made with natural strawberry and hibiscus flavors. The new strawberry Hibiscus lemonade is a mix of classic Chick Fil A lemonade combined with delicious strawberry and subtle hibiscus flavors. This refreshing new drink can be mixed with lemonade, sprite, or tea to create your perfect flavor. Pair it with the new Jalapeno Ranch club sandwich for a perfect combination of sweet and heat. Available only for a limited time. So try it today. Chick fil A, eat more chicken.