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\n\t\u2018Weird Al\u2019 Yankovic<\/a> has been a staple of pop culture and the musical world at large for over 40 years now, and comedian John Mulaney feels it\u2019s high time that Yankovic received the recognition he\u2019s due with an induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame<\/a>.<\/p>\n \n\tSpeaking to Rolling Stone<\/em><\/a> recently, Mulaney \u2013 himself a diehard fan of the Rock Hall \u2013 reflected on this year\u2019s list of inductees<\/a>, which includes the likes of The White Stripes, Outkast, Cyndi Lauper, and Soundgarden, but didn\u2019t<\/em> include the likes of Phish, who won\u2019t be inducted this year despite winning<\/a> the fan vote.\u00a0<\/p>\n \n\t\u201cThe music they introduced my generation to as well was hugely important,\u201d Mulaney said of the Vermont veterans. \u201cI learned to be eclectic from them. They were always getting compared to the Grateful Dead, but they had this whole world of influences that was really fun to pick up on and cross-check.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\tWhen speaking of Chubby Checker, Mulaney reflected on the impact that he had upon the world of novelty music, specifically thanks to the likes of his debut single \u201cThe Class,\u201d which peaked at No. 38 on the Hot 100 upon its release in 1959.<\/p>\n \n\t\u201cI\u2019m a big proponent of novelty music,\u201d Mulaney admitted. \u201cI\u2019m a big proponent of \u2018Weird Al\u2019 getting into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. This is one step closer, though I don\u2019t know why they need to be led via steps. \u2018Weird Al\u2019 brought more people to music than is recognized at all.<\/p>\n \n\t\u201cI will, in fact, greatly devalue my coolness by saying [when I was young], it wasn\u2019t until \u2018Smells Like Nirvana\u2019 defanged \u2018Smells Like Teen Spirit\u2019 that I could enjoy \u2018Smells Like Teen Spirit,’\u201d Mulaney added. \u201cIt was scary at first. It just was like, \u2018I\u2019m pretty happy, I\u2019m a kid.\u2019 I needed a way in. And after you laugh at \u2018Smells Like Nirvana,\u2019 you go, \u2018Oh, this is a really good song.’\u201d<\/p>\n \n\tDespite Yankovic having been eligible for inclusion into the Rock Hall since 2005, he\u2019s yet to be nominated on any annual ballot. However, chairman John Sykes did admit<\/a> in December that the influential musical satirist has \u201ccome up in conversations\u201d over the years.<\/p>\n \n\t\u201cHe\u2019s a genius,\u201d Sykes explained. \u201cHe has made brilliant versions of the songs, but I\u2019ll be honest: He\u2019s never made it close to the ballot.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\tThough it remains to be seen whether or not Yankovic will make it onto the ballot in future years, Sykes\u2019 comments also saw him reflect on other artists who are yet to make it in, despite continued support. This included the likes of The B-52s<\/a>, the Pixies<\/a>, and even Phil Collins<\/a>\u2018 solo career.<\/p>\n \n\t\u201cThere\u2019s been a group of nominees who\u2019ve been passionate about the Pixies,\u201d Sykes said. \u201cThe same thing with Warren Zevon<\/a>, who actually did get on the ballot one year. I\u2019m passionate about Warren, and he\u2019ll get in, too. But the Pixies have had a lot of support.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\tGiven that this year will indeed see the late Zevon inducted into the Rock Hall, it appears that Mulaney and the legion of Yankovic\u2019s fans might just need to sit tight.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n