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For Rock Hall’s Consideration: Television and Violent Femmes

In the world of music, there are some artists whose influence outshines their commercial appeal. And two acts are living proof that.

Television may have not been experienced the same popularity as other acts such as Patti Smith, Blondie or the Talking Heads, and they were originally together for a short time, they have been considered highly influential, especially in recent years. Formed in 1973, the roots are traced to the friendship of Richard Hell and Tom Verlaine. They soon began performing at CBGB in 1974, and soon develop a cult following over the years. And then came Marquee Moon.

Released in February 1977, the album was a success in the U.K., but a poor seller in the U.S. Yet the acclaim was enormous. The album has been cited as one of the greatest albums of all time, as well cornerstones for alternative rock. Another album Adventure followed in 1978, but the band broke up soon after, but reformed twice in recent years and have toured and recorded since.

Another influential band in alternative rock was Violent Femmes. Formed in 1980 and featuring members Gordon Gano (vocals), Brian Ritchie (bass) and Victor DeLorenzo (percussion), they released their self-titled debut in April 1983. While the album was not a chart success upon its release, but it featured two of the band’s signature tunes “Blister in the Sun” and “Gone Daddy Gone”. The album would make a unique feat, by going platinum eight years after its release.

After 1984’s Hallowed Ground, Violent Femmes hit the charts for the first time in 1986 with the album, The Blind Leading the Naked, which featured a cover of T. Rex’s “Children of the Revolution, It was followed in 1989 with 3. In the 1990s, they scored another signature tune with the song “Breakin’ Up”. Despite the lack of commercial success, Violent Femmes’s music has made its way into various avenues, including several films like 1994’s The Crow. The band continued on until 2009, and reformed in 2013 to play the Coachella Music Festival, and they continued to perform to this day.

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: Television, eligible since 2002. Violent Femmes, eligible since 2008.