Her version of Bowie's "Life On Mars?" is reason enough to banish her for life.

Great voice, though.

Posted by ezwriter on Wednesday, 10.3.07 @ 20:31pm

Really? Barbra Streisand, of all people, covered David Bowie's Life on Mars? That would be like Ray Conniff and his Orchestra covering The Velvet Underground's Heroin. As a huge Bowie fan, I don't know whether I should fulfill my curiosity to find out how bad her cover is or just enjoy the greatness that is David Bowie's original.

If anyone here is interested in reading some very harsh criticism of Streisand's acting abilities, check out these quotes from film/theater critic John Simon, who flat-out hated her during her prime years in the 1970s, and probably still loathes her. I'm definitely no fan of Streisand, as a singer or an actress, but these are some of the most stinging comments I've read in any review.

http://www.movie-film-review.com/devharsh.asp?act=2¶m=887

I still think South Park did the best satire of Streisand.

Posted by Zach on Wednesday, 11/13/2013 @ 20:35pm

Zach,

The South Park satire of Streisand was fantastic. And those film reviews were enough to make me feel bad for Streisand. She is always an artist that can come down a step on the ego ladder, but those reviews were harsh. Although that voice is astounding, I have no idea how she pulls some of those notes out sometimes. It really is a master class in singing when she opens her mouth. Until she buys into that caricature of herself. "Don't Rain On My Parade" is just showstopping, even today at her age she still nails it every time.

Posted by Chris F. on Thursday, 11/14/2013 @ 07:48am

Whether Streisand should be in the RRHOF or not is moot as they have inducted lots of non rock and rollers and some terrible performers. Streisand did achieve something only she and Sinatra could during the sixties, she was able to swim against the tide of British rock groups and the emerging singer songwriter performers. Consider her early work when her voice was peerless and if you can't deduce greatness from those first six albums you're tone deaf. So yeah let the old gal in!

Posted by Vince on Saturday, 12/21/2013 @ 07:45am

She's not rock but can sing rock- anyone whose seen star is born knows that. She's just as rock as Madonna so let her in. I am a bowie fan but she did a decent cover of life on mars

Posted by kc on Friday, 11/14/2014 @ 18:35pm

Enough is Enough with Donna Summer will get her inducted.

Posted by Roy on Friday, 11/14/2014 @ 18:55pm

Barbra haters! She's the best and can sing anything. I'm a Bowie fan and her version of Life On Mars isn't great but the fact that she tried it proves she's a daring, great artist.

Posted by kc on Monday, 06/22/2015 @ 15:17pm

Barbra wont get induced. She had a brain and opinions... There are many in this boys club that isn't rock and roll....It was actually tarnish her name to be associated with this group of people.. Oh and she holds the record for #1 albums in the most decades... no one in this boys club has it or ever will ...

Posted by jay on Monday, 12/21/2015 @ 19:39pm

Possibly the biggest female HOF snub of all time.

Posted by The Dude on Thursday, 07/12/2018 @ 11:15am

She's in the same place of Frank Sinatra as in their are considered too far pop and easy listening to be considered in the Hall but i call that obviously false cause all popular music in the Hall originates from a similar source and Barbra is one of the finest singers to ever live. A true legendary ARTIST with more talent and success and artistic brilliance than 90% of the current inductees and thats as close as a fact as can be. I feel like she'll never make it but it would be wonderful before she passes that she gets the one major honor she's been denied.

Posted by ABJ on Wednesday, 06/17/2020 @ 16:39pm

I find it astounding the number of individuals here who can only speak of her with venom and ignorance. One person referred to her music as boring and uninspired. In her sixty years as a performer and artist she has never been either boring or uninspired. Anyone who could make such a comment knows nothing of this woman's astonishing career. If she had only made her first 3 albums and no more she would have proved herself as the most innovative and inspired artists ever. Cry me a River Any place I hang my hat is home When the sun comes out are just a few musts to listen to. Since I fell for you Stoney End Sweet inspiration where you lead Mother and so many more that show her ability as a rock artist. If you listen to these tracks and more and still think she should not be inducted into the rock and role hall of fame that's fine. You are wrong but you have a right to your opinion. I'm not a fan of everyone who have been inducted but I understand why they are there. What I don't understand is why so many of you could only make comments about her looks or personality? You have no real knowledge of her music and no respect for a career of 60 years. She has made over 50 albums and tackled every genre of music and let's be clear she is not done. I was 9 years old when I first saw Funny Girl I saw her live for the first time in 1994. The last time I saw her live was 2019 5th row center and she still is amazing to me and millions of others around the world. You have a different opinion, fine but you don't need to be disrespectful and insulting. You don't need to personally like her. I have many artists I don't care for but I can still respect the contribution they have made and understand why others love them for that.

Posted by George Levin on Monday, 02/15/2021 @ 12:25pm

I look at Ms. Streisand as an actor who can sing. If she was primarily a singer and had thus released much more material, she would probably be a candidate, as the lady can belt out a tune.

I just don't think she has enough material to warrant a HOF induction.

Posted by Paul in KY on Monday, 02/15/2021 @ 12:53pm

Um, she has nearly 40 studio albums and has sold nearly 70 million records according to her Wiki, most of them hitting the Billboard Top 10. Streisand the musical artist has certainly had an impact....

...but has also had absolutely nothing to do with rock and roll. And I mean NOTHING.

Posted by Casper on Monday, 02/15/2021 @ 14:09pm

Thank you for the correction, Casper. I guess all the albums she's released have just never been on my radar.

Musically, she makes Dionne Warwick seem like Megadeth (bit of an exaggeration there for comedic effect)

Posted by Paul in KY on Tuesday, 02/16/2021 @ 06:29am

I wish someone could explain why they call it the Rock and Roll hall of fame when clearly they induct artists/groups from other genres. We have blues, pop, hip hop etc. Why not include all genres and change the name?

Posted by Joseph on Monday, 05/24/2021 @ 19:16pm

Barbra's music choices are not for everyone but her relevance & longevity in the music world are undeniable. She has recorded music by Laura Nyro, Carole King, Joni Mitchell, John Lennon, the Beatles, just to name a few. This is a ridiculous thread

Posted by Don Johnson on Sunday, 12/19/2021 @ 09:36am

This is a ridiculous thread. Quit taking the "Rock n Roll Hall of Fame" so literally. It's been many many years that its inducted artists from different genres. Barbra Streisand absolutely should have been inducted a few decades ago. Her catalogue is huge. She's had more number 1 albums than any other female artist. And if she gets another number 1 this decade, it will be 7 decades in a row with a number one album (60's, 70's, 80's, 90's, 00's, 10's, 20's). I'm just going to stop there, because her induction shouldn't be a question and does not need to be defended.

Posted by Daniel G on Monday, 10/24/2022 @ 21:27pm

Love Dolly Parton, but if her pop songs qualify her… the same goes for Barbra Streisand. Major disco era recording artist.

Posted by Bookhouse on Wednesday, 01/11/2023 @ 09:26am

(Disco ERA. Did not mean to say she's disco.)

Posted by Bookhouse on Wednesday, 01/11/2023 @ 09:32am

Just totally unbelievable that Barbra hasn't been inducted!
Yet Dolly Parton DOES gets inducted.
What a joke!
That is exactly what the R&R HOF is!
A joke!

Posted by PRSPSCA on Saturday, 08/5/2023 @ 21:56pm

Big deal..RRHOF. I doubt it if she's losing any sleep over it. To quote Michael Buble, Barbra is the best singer, past, present and future plus, I would add Celine Dion and Whitney Houston, too. Incredible artists don't need awards to validate their work because they know awards can be biased like Katherine Hepburn winning her last award not based on her talent but because the Academy felt sorry for her because Spencer Tracy had just died.

Posted by BJF on Sunday, 07/21/2024 @ 08:53am