Unlocking the Mystery: The 2017 Rock Hall Inductee – A Big 70s/80s Band
This crossword clue – "Big 70s/80s band inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2017" – points to a specific group with a significant legacy. Solving this requires a blend of musical knowledge and historical context. Let's delve into the possibilities and unravel the answer.
The clue provides three crucial pieces of information:
- Big: This suggests a band with significant commercial success and widespread popularity. Think stadium-filling concerts and chart-topping hits.
- 70s/80s: This narrows down the timeframe of their active years and peak popularity. We're looking for a band whose heyday spanned these decades.
- 2017 Rock Hall Inductee: This is the most definitive piece of information, directly limiting the possibilities to bands inducted in that specific year.
To solve this, we need to review the list of bands inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2017. That year's class included:
- E Street Band: While deeply associated with Bruce Springsteen, they are considered his backing band and not usually considered a standalone "big" 70s/80s band in the same way as others on this list.
- Journey: This iconic American rock band is certainly "big," achieving massive success throughout the 70s and 80s with hits like "Don't Stop Believin'," "Separate Ways," and "Faithfully."
- Pearl Jam: Although highly influential and popular, their major success came predominantly in the 90s, making them a less likely candidate.
- Joan Baez: A folk legend, but not necessarily fitting the "big" rock band description.
- Electric Light Orchestra (ELO): This British band achieved significant success in the 70s and 80s, known for their distinctive sound blending rock, classical, and pop elements.
- Yes: Another iconic progressive rock band with a large following that spanned the decades in question.
- Tupac Shakur: A highly influential rapper, but doesn't fit the "band" criteria.
- Nile Rodgers & Chic: While Chic was enormously influential on disco and funk music, their peak popularity was more in the disco era of the late 70s, and the inclusion of Nile Rodgers is more a recognition of his songwriting and production prowess.
Let's analyze the most plausible candidates:
Journey: Journey undeniably fits the description of a "big" band achieving massive success in the 70s and 80s. Their arena-rock anthems continue to resonate, solidifying their status as a major force in rock music. They are a strong contender.
Electric Light Orchestra (ELO): ELO's unique sound and widespread popularity across the 70s and 80s make them another suitable candidate. Their orchestral rock fusion set them apart, resulting in a large and dedicated fanbase. They also fit the bill.
Yes: Yes, while incredibly influential and possessing a huge following, their style of progressive rock might not be as widely recognized as Journey's mainstream appeal. While "big," their appeal might be less broad than Journey's, making them a slightly less likely candidate for this particular clue.
The Verdict:
Based on the criteria presented in the crossword clue, Journey emerges as the most likely answer. Their immense popularity, mainstream appeal, and undeniable impact on the 70s and 80s rock scenes make them a perfect fit. While ELO is a strong contender, Journey's broader recognition and chart dominance might make them the more appropriate answer in a general-knowledge crossword.
Therefore, the solution to the crossword clue "Big 70s/80s band inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2017" is most likely JOURNEY.
Further Exploration:
To solidify this conclusion, one could:
- Research the 2017 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees: Cross-referencing the official list will confirm Journey's inclusion.
- Analyze the musical impact of each candidate: Investigating the chart success, album sales, and cultural influence of each band helps to determine which best fits the "big" description.
- Consider the crossword's difficulty: The clue's phrasing might favor a more well-known and readily accessible answer, leaning towards Journey over ELO.
By combining factual information with critical analysis, we have effectively solved the crossword clue and learned more about the remarkable history of several influential rock bands. This approach exemplifies how problem-solving can be enriched by combining different skill sets and knowledge domains.