Although they’re one of the most successful American bands since the late ’70s, Toto are not in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Founding member Steve Lukather doesn’t expect that to change. Unlike organizations honoring sports legends, the Rock Hall never bases its nominations on record sales or popularity.
Steve Lukather tries to rationalize why Toto is not in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
“‘Cause it’s not really based upon anything real. It’s based upon 12 angry 75-year-old journalists from the ’70s who pick and choose at random what they think is hip and cool and then they disregard anything that they don’t.”
And he believes that an unfair and anything-but-impartial process has left his band on the outside looking in. He says commercial success has never been the basis for Rock Hall consideration.
“Our stats are pretty good, but that’s not what this is all about. It’s not based upon anything but, ‘I like you’ or ‘I don’t like you.’ I mean, there’s so many glaring omissions already. Forget us, I mean, they dig these people, they, oh, they say, we’re not important, we’re not… People tell me this stuff. I don’t really look, I don’t really care, to be honest with you. It was a fix from the start. You know what I mean. I mean, Rolling Stone hated us from day one. So, they’re never going to start liking us all of a sudden.”
Not only does Lukather have issues with the way Toto has been treated, he thinks some inductees haven’t deserved it. For example, he feels Madonna was a bad choice. He believes Madonna doesn’t belong in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
“I don’t think Madonna is rock and roll, either. You know and she doesn’t even particularly sing very well. But I mean, that’s… I have nothing against her. I mean, she’s made some great pop records, but you know, given the choice between listening to Aretha Franklin sing and Madonna, I’m going to go with Aretha. But that’s just me.”
