Hypothetical situation
 

(I may have posted something like this already in my previous incarnation on this board, so Stop Me If You Think That You've Heard This One Before)

Suppose SY are to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. They want the band to perform a few of their best known songs, but at least two of them ("Kool Thing" and "Bull in the Heather") require Kim Gordon's presence (in theory they could do "Teen Age Riot" without the her intro).

Does Kim put her feelings aside for one night for the sake of giving the fans one last chance to see the band perform as a whole? Or does she decline, and the band decides to do an all-Thurston set (Lee's songs are pretty much unknown outside the band's fanbase and none of them were released as singles)? Or do they decline to perform, and Thurston and Lee (or Thurston and Steve, or Lee and Steve) just stand at the podium and give a generic "thank you for this honor, rock on" type speech?

My prediction: Kim would refuse through a combination of distaste for Thurston and the anti-punk nature of the existence of a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. At least one of Lee and Steve would decline, saying that they wouldn't be willing to perform without her. After the introductory speech (delivered by Thom Yorke), Thurston has to go on stage. He makes a short, awkward speech, including a very brief mention of how unfortunate it is he can't be joined by his band, and slinks off sidestage as the surviving members of Soundgarden prepare for their induction.

Meh, who cares. If the R'N'R hall of Fame hasn't put them in yet I don't know why they ever would.

Honestly though, I'd rather not see a partial reunion for something like this. I'd say all or nothing, and if that isn't going to happen then fine.

The Spice Girls will reunite and do a medley of SY songs from the Silver Sessions EP

this

Not exactly...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6dWyssLVyKY

I have seen that, yes. You can probably argue that that's more 'doing a favour for a friend', though, especially considering how well-linked she was with them.

I agree with Choc e-Claire, I think the Nirvana thing was probably more about an opportunity to pay tribute to a good friend.

I just can't bring myself to be concerned about who is and isn't in that place. Cool to see the exhibits, and read some history but other than that whatever. It appeals to the part of me that likes to read books about bands or would stay up all night watching Behind the Music marathons. But I don't go to a museum (and that is basically what it is) and worry about who the curators think are good artist. That's not what it's about. I go look at the art, appreciate it and enjoy it.

I get why we have something like a sports hall of fame, but art isn't as quantifiable as athletic achievement. That's really why the R'n'R HOF thing doesn't make sense to me.



So my real question though is, Why is Kim always the one excluded from this scenario. If the rift is between her and Thurston, why is it automatically assumed she would be the one left out.

I'm gonna say this, and I'm sure it will be controversial, but IF I had to see a partial reunion I would much rather see Kim, Lee and Steve without Thurston because Lee and Kim sing a lot of the songs I'd love to see live again. Not that Thurston doesn't too though so kind of a catch 22.

seriously though, if they never reunite I'm okay with that. They are all making great music still, and it's refreshing to see them doing some different stuff.

Kool Thing and Bull In The Heather are both seriously subpar Sonic Youth songs anyway. Although I do agree that a Lee song Would be the perfect scenario for this. His songs are the best anyway. Because he’s the best. Also the rock ‘n’ roll Hall of Fame is a dinosaur institution and who cares? The only reason I would ever go there to see John Cipollina’s amplifier in person

It's not really that people are singling her out to remove her from this (vastly implausible) scenario, it's that among former Sonic Youth members she's been the one who has most decisively discarded the possibility of a reunion.


AMEN, thank you. We seem to be in the minority on that here... :)

QMS in the house! :cool: