Tommy Shaw, the frontman of the legendary rock band Styx, has expressed his frustration over the band’s lack of recognition by the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Despite their impressive career and significant contributions to rock music, Styx has yet to receive a nomination for induction. Shaw recently shared his thoughts on the matter during an interview with Billboard, highlighting the band’s helplessness in influencing the Hall’s decisions.
“We’re really powerless over it,” Shaw admitted. “We don’t have any influence whatsoever. So to be anticipating it or be disappointed that we’re not in there… I don’t even know who the people are who judge (the Rock Hall), so I can’t really say much about it.”
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’s nominating committee, composed of historians, musicians, and industry professionals, decides which acts will appear on the annual ballot. Over 1,000 members then cast their votes to determine the inductees. Despite Styx’s impressive resume, which includes over 54 million albums sold and a streak of five consecutive multi-platinum releases in the ’70s and early ’80s, the band has never been nominated since becoming eligible in 1998.
“If that thing’s meant to happen, it will,” Shaw remarked regarding the band’s chances at induction. “We just know that our fans love us and we know that our music is good before we let them hear it.”
Interestingly, Styx will be touring this summer with Foreigner, a band that has also faced a long wait for Rock Hall recognition. Foreigner, who had been overlooked for decades, will finally be inducted later this year. Shaw expressed his happiness for his tourmates’ upcoming enshrinement.
“It’s fantastic,” Shaw declared. “You like to see your friends get in. [Peter] Frampton this year, too.”
The Renegades & Juke Box Heroes tour, featuring Styx and Foreigner, kicks off on June 11 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and runs through September. This tour could serve as a reminder of Styx’s enduring popularity and influence, even if the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame continues to overlook them.
Many rock stars have voiced their criticisms of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame over the years, and Shaw’s comments add to the growing list of artists who feel the institution’s selection process is opaque and arbitrary. Despite the lack of recognition from the Hall, Styx remains a beloved band with a dedicated fanbase.
As Shaw and his bandmates prepare for their summer tour, they can take solace in the fact that their music continues to resonate with fans old and new. The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame may not have acknowledged their contributions yet, but Styx’s legacy in rock music is undeniable.
