Laura Nyro, Only Woman Among 2012 Rock Hall Inductees

So, the dominant narrative in the music blogosphere is that both the Beastie Boys, Guns 'n' Roses, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers  were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's Class of 2012. Also inducted (belatedly -- her first record was released in the late-60s) but mostly ignored by the media was singer-songwriter, Laura Nyro, the only woman in the class of 2012. 

I haven't found anything problematic about this yet, but give me a chance...

Usually when I read about certain factions of pop culture carving out a special place just for the women who've contributed to that culture because, ya' know, they kind of forgot about them, I expect to be disappointed. For one thing, incorporating women into the mainstream instead seems like the ideal solution, not "here's something for the ladies." But this actually seems pretty cool.

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Museum is opening a new exhibit dedicated to women who've made significant contributions to the world of rock and pop music. It's called Women Who Rock: Vision, Passion, Power. Says their website:

The interactive exhibition will spotlight more than 60 artists and fill two entire floors of the museum. The exhibit will feature artifacts, video and listening stations, as well as a recording booth where visitors can film a short story or moment of inspiration related to women in rock. The exhibit will move through the rock and roll eras, weaving a powerful and engaging narrative that demonstrates how women have been the engines of creation and change in popular music, from the early years of the 20th century to the present.

Some of the exhibit areas include Suffragettes to Juke-Joint Mamas, featuring the forbearers of the rock era; Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow, girl groups of the 60s; Dance this Mess Around, punk and post punk; and Ladies First:, the 90s and beyond.

2011 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Nominees: Still Heavy on the Guys

Two years ago, I wrote about the underrepresentation of women in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame:

"Earlier this month, Madonna was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Totally deserving, considering her influence, and not exactly a shock to anyone, unless you consider that out of the 200-plus artists in the Hall, only twenty of them are women. Another seven women who were nominated as part of a band: (Tina Weymouth from the Talking Heads, Debbie Harry of Blondie, Christine McVie and Stevie Nicks of Fleetwood Mac..)

Twenty. That's not many."

The 2011 nominees are up, and only three of the fifteen artists are women: Darlene Love, Laura Nyro and Donna Summer. This should come as a surprise to no one, and granted the rock hall has had its share of other complaints (notably, non "rock" artists getting inducted), but I had hoped to see, especially the artists nominated move into the eighties and beyond, more female artists.