The 2018 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony might be missing its headliner.

Radiohead, the artist who we have named number one on our annual list of those to consider for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and who were also nominated for the Rock Hall on its first year of eligibility announced that should they be inducted they will not attend the ceremony.

This is not due to animosity towards the Hall as we have seen with other musicians in the past (The Sex Pistols for example) but more due to apathy. In previous interviews, members of the band have said that the potential accolade doesn’t mean much to them, though have done so in ways that do not diminish the institution itself.

Essentially, it just isn’t important to them.

Now, it isn’t like the band has no plans on April 14, the day of the induction ceremony as they recently announced a South American tour for the Spring and on the 14th they will be performing in Buenos Aires. A representative of the band confirmed with Pitchfork that they will not be attending the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Let the drama continue…

Regular contributor Spheniscus has brought us something that we are very excited to share with all of you. It won’t be long before the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame announces who their Finalist for the next class and our friend from Chicago by way of Boston has put together his top 40 acts in terms of their chances who enter eligibility this year.

15. Arrested Development

Founded in 1988 by rapper Speech (Todd Thomas) and turntablist Headliner (Timothy Barnwell), Arrested Development was the happy, upbeat, woke hip-hop group of the early 90s. During the birth of gangsta rap, Arrested Development’s afro-centric look into black culture stood out in a way that got them critical notice but also probably led to a limiting of their success. Honestly, they would probably have more traction if they started today rather than back when they did.

Arrested Development (who, yes, did sue FOX over the TV show of the same name) is undoubtably best remembered for their 1992 album 3 Years, 5 Months, & 2 Days in the Life of…” This album would win Album of the Year in Village Voice’s Pazz & Jop’s Critics Poll. That is an amazing award, because 1992 also featured Common’s Can I Borrow a Dollar, Ice Cube’s The Predator, Beastie Boys Check Your Head, and most amazingly Dr. Dre’s The Chronic. They would go on to win two Grammys in 1993 for Best New Artist and Best Performance by a Duo or Group and were Rolling Stone’s 1993 Band of the Year.

The success of this album is built around its first single, which hit #1 on the R&B charts in 1992, “Tennessee” a track that sampled Prince’s “Alphabet Street” without permission, but also was a deeply personal examination about what to do when your world starts falling apart. It also examines going back to your roots, regardless of how painful it might be. The lines “Where the ghost of childhood haunts me, walk the roads my forefathers walked, climb the trees my forefathers hung from ask those trees for all their wisdom they tell me my ears are so young” are some of the most powerful lines in the early 90s. “Tennessee” would be followed by two other charting songs off the same record, “People Everyday” (peaked at #8) and the slightly sappy “Mr. Wendal” (#6), a musical biopic about a homeless man for which they did donate half of the proceeds to homeless shelters. Following the success of 3 Years, 5 Months, & 2 Days they also drew the notice of Spike Lee who had them contribute “Revolution” to the Malcolm X soundtrack.

But just when things seemed to be at their peak, their sophomore album Zingalamaduni was not as successful. Where their first album was a breath of fresh air, their second seemed preachy. The group did not recover from the disappointment and went their separate ways in 1996. And while they reunited with a rotating lineup starting in 2000 and have released an additional nine albums, including two last year, they have never come close to representing the success of their first album.

Which begs the question, they seem like a one album wonder why are they this high? First, their high was pretty high. Two Grammys, album of the year, and Band of the Year from Rolling Stone doesn’t just happen to everybody. And two, while in many ways they have become a bit of a joke (except for “Tennessee”) within the hip-hop community, they are the most likely pet project band in this group for someone to fall in love with. The history of the Rock Hall and who gets elected is littered with pet projects. And just being a pet project does not mean you will get elected. For every Percy Sledge there has been a Procol Harum. For every Darlene Love a J.B.’s. But that will likely get them some consideration.

And why? Because by the standards of 2017, while their music hasn’t necessarily stood up, the sentiments of their music have. They were woke before woke was a thing. In many ways, and I understand how damning this sentence is to someone in the Hip-Hop community, they are the modern white east coast liberal’s dream. A group of black people expressing themselves about the troubles within their community. And those white east coast liberals? That is basically who makes up the nominating committee (?estlove being one of the few exceptions) and a lot of the electorate. Will they get in? I don’t think so. But if for some strange reason the Lord leads them to Cleveland would I be shocked? No. And that’s why you end up at #15 ahead of more successful acts.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6VCdJyOAQYM

14. Sublime

Sublime is the ultimate study in both how to overcome odds to make it in the music industry and also how to flame out far too soon. Bass player Eric Wilson, drummer Bud Gaugh, and guitarist Michael Happoldt grew up listening punk music together in Long Beach, California. In high school, they decided to form a punk band of their own, The Juice Bros. Somewhere along the lines they crossed paths with a UC-Santa Cruz dropout named Bradley Nowell, who introduced them to reggae and ska music. Nowell joined the band, Happoldt dropped out to become their manager, and on July 4, 1988 the band Sublime was held their first concert. A concert so epic that it allegedly sparked a riot in Harbor Peninsula, a neighboring town. Seven arrests later a legend was born.

Sublime’s sound was an interesting mashup of punk, reggae, ska, surf rock, metal, and even a touch of hip hop and rap. Despite their growing underground following, the coalescence of all of these influences into one sound left venues doubtful about booking the band. So how do you find a place to play when no one will book you? You create your own production company. That company? Skunk Records, run by Happoldt. The weird sounding band Sublime? Not interested. The Skunk Records recording artists Sublime? A lot more palatable. They began to play lots of venues around Southern California with other ska bands, including fellow first time eligible (and yet to be seen on the list) No Doubt.

It was under the Skunk Records label that they recorded their first album, 1992’s 40oz. to Freedom. It was a track off of this album “Date Rape” that first got airplay for them in Southern California in late 1991. Despite being a homemade record, the album would eventually go 2x platinum. Not a bad way to break into an industry that was not really interested in letting you in in the first place. Their second album, 1994’s Robbin’ the Hood would go gold, but it was their third album, their self-titled Sublime album released on MCA Records in 1996 that would make them international superstars.

Unfortunately, Nowell would not live to see that fame. Sublime was on the original Sno-Core Tour and performed in San Francisco as part of that tour on May 24^th, 1996. The next day, just over a week after he got married, Nowell would be found dead of a heroin overdose in his hotel room. Sublime had also finished recording their magnum opus (if a third wave ska band could have such a thing) just a few weeks before. Sublime (the album) would go platinum 6x over. Single “What I Got” would hit #1 on the Alt Rock charts. Follow ups “Santeria” and “Wrong Way” would both go to #3 on the same chart and “Doin’ Time” would hit #28. “April 29, 1992” about the Los Angeles riots would also get heavy airplay across the country.

There would be no follow up. While there were several posthumous compilation albums, the surviving members of the band had no interest in continuing to tour under the Sublime name. Wilson, Gaugh, and Happolt would start a new band, the Long Beach Dub Allstars where they would continue to play together until 2002. In 2009, Wilson and Gaugh tried to perform again under the Sublime name, replacing Nowell with Rome Ramirez, but were blocked from doing so by Nowell’s estate. Eventually they settled on the Sublime with Rome name. They have released two albums so far to moderate success.

So why is a band that has only three albums, no Top 40 hits, and a lead singer who died before they ever got famous end up at #14? Because they were originals. They were the forefathers of both the third wave of ska, also called “ska punk”, which includes bands like No Doubt, the Mighty Mighty Bosstones, and Reel Big Fish, and of reggae fusion. And their influence on music in the 90s is evident. The death of Bradley Nowell is widely considered to be one of the greatest losses to music in the decade. Short time span plus huge shadow tends to garner votes notice. Honestly, I originally had these guys much higher at #6 on my list. But after doing the research I was forced to move them back. The short time frame plus the huge names still to come make it likely that they could get lost in the first year shuffle and once lost it is sometimes hard to get found again. But hey, they got a Dalmatian and the 14^th spot on this list.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Uc3ZrmhDN4

13. Hootie & the Blowfish

In the fall of 1986 a new freshman arrived at the University of South Carolina with a penchant for singing in the shower. A fellow freshman with a penchant for playing guitar overheard his classmate, was impressed, and (hopefully out of the bathroom), told him they should jam together. And so they did, performing as the Wolf Brothers, the singer Darius Rucker and the guitarist Mark Bryan would begin a partnership that would bring them to the top of the music world. They would pick up guitarist Dean Felber and ministry student Brantley Smith on drums and rename the band after a couple of their friends from school. Thus Hootie and the Blowfish was born.

They played together through college at which point Smith left to pursue music ministry and was replaced on drums by former Gamecocks soccer player Jim Sonefeld. They continued after college, playing clubs around Columbia and releasing their own EPs in 1991 and 1992. It is this second EP, Kootchypop, (which contained “Hold My Hand” and “Only Want to Be with You”) that was repressed and released in 1993, that their eligibility for this year’s Hall class is based on. They were signed to Atlantic records in 1993 and released their debut album in 1994, Cracked Rear View. And what a debut it was.

Cracked Rear View, which in my opinion is what their eligibility should be based on (meaning they’d be eligible in two years), is one of the fastest selling debut albums of all time. It was the top selling album of 1995 and went platinum 16x over. Let me repeat that… 16x over. To put that in perspective, Janis Joplin has only sold 15.5 million albums total. Hootie did that with their debut album, plus 500,000 records. It is the 14^th bestselling album of all time. It would have four top 20 hits on the Billboard chart, “Only Wanna Be with You” (#6), “Let Her Cry” (#9), “Hold My Hand (#10), and “Time” (#14). They would also win the Grammys for Best Pop Performance by a Group or Duo for “Let Her Cry” as well as Best New Artist in 1996 on the strength of this album.

They would hit the charts again with “I Go Blind” (#13) off the Friends soundtrack, before releasing their follow up album Fairweather Johnson in 1996. This was not as favorably received. In a 2010 article, Pitchfork Media was included on the Top Career Killing Albums of the 1990s. Although for a career killing album, it still debuted at #1 and went platinum 3x over. It also gave them two more top 40 hits, “The Old Man and Me (When I Get to Heaven)” (#13) and Tucker’s Town (#38). And their following album 1998’s Musical Chairs would also go platinum with only minor hit “I Will Wait” to support it. They would go on to release two more albums before breaking up in 2008 so Rucker could pursue a solo career in country music. Whenever my career ends, I hope it fail as well as they did.

Hootie stood out as a blues/rock/pop fusion band in a sea of grunge when they came out. Their success was at the highest of highs and their lows, while really not that low, made them seem like they were a less successful band than they actually were. But the 14^th best selling album of all-time, seven top 40 hits, two Grammys, and honestly Darius Rucker’s success as a country artist are all factors working in their favor. Ultimately, I don’t think Hootie will ever get in (although you have to wonder if they had a less ridiculous name if their career would be seen in a different light), but they reached heights that no other college band that started in a bathroom ever has. And Darius Rucker got to make a music video with his idol Dan Marino. So they’ve got that going for them.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ln6WQqRDrCo

12. Rage Against the Machine

I first covered Rage Against the Machine last year as I had heard they were eligible, but didn’t believe they should have been since even though they were formed in 1991 they didn't release either their first single or first album until 1992. But they did create a 12 song demo tape in 1991, which is unusually long for a demo, and was the basis for them potentially being eligible last year. They are definitely eligible now, so here they are again.

The band itself was founded when guitarist Tom Morello was getting disillusioned with his original group Lock Up. The drummer of Lock Up, Jon Knox, realized Morello wanted to leave and encouraged two of his friends, bass player Tom Commerford and singer/rapper Zach de la Rocha, to jam with Morello. They picked up drummer Brad Wilk, who had previously unsuccessfully auditioned for Lock Up and named themselves after a song that La Rocha had written for his previous group Inside Out.

They were pretty much instantly successful as a group. They released only four albums as a unit, but each has gone at least platinum. Their debut album was the self-titled "Rage Against the Machine" and had the same name and continued many of the same songs as their 12 song demo tape. It went triple platinum on the strength of "Killing in the Name" which went platinum in its own right as a single.

This album and the combination of hard rock and rap that it put out there, launched RATM to being Hard Rock Gods. "Rage Against the Machine" is also #368 on Rolling Stones' top 500 albums of all time. They followed it up with 1996's "Evil Empire" featuring "Bulls on Parade" and the Grammy Award winning "Tire Me". They won a second Grammy for "Guerilla Radio" off of 1999's "The Battle of Los Angeles" and then had a series of strange events that led to the break up of the band. These included storming the New York Stock Exchange during a music video shoot causing the riot doors to close, Commeford's spending the night in jail after scaling the scaffolding over the stage at the 2000 Grammy Awards when Limp Bizkit won best Hard Rock Band, and (although this is more a badge of honor than anything), having ALL of their songs deemed "Lyrically Questionable" by the 2001 Clear Channel Memorandum after 9/11.

While La Rocha went off to a solo career and some collaborations with Nine Inch Nails' Trent Reznor, Morello, Wilk, and Commerford picked up Soundgarden's Chris Cornell and went on to commercial success as Audioslave, And while they have reunited many times over the years, as a overtly left-leaning band this has happened particularly for Liberal causes and events, they haven't put out any new music since 2001. Although they claim they have never truly broken up. Even as Morello, Wilk, and Commerford have picked up Chuck D of Public Enemy and B-Real of Cypress Hill to create a new super group called Prophets of Rage.

Regardless, their odds of being nominated are rather high, but you’ll notice not as high as last year when I had them at #3. Why? Because honestly, I covered them last year and there are 11 new acts I see as having a legitimate shot at getting in the Hall someday. Tom Morello is one of the 24-28 members (depending on who you believe) of the Rock Hall's Nominating Committee. And while the only thing better than knowing someone on the Committee is being on the Committee yourself. And while this year’s crop is much stronger than last year, they still probably have the fourth or fifth best chance, which is where they should be on the list.

So I expect Rage to be nominated at some point soon, but again I want to focus on the bands definitely eligible for the first time this year. So while you are pondering my inconsistencies on the list, please enjoy the video that I think best describes the band's political theory 2000's "Testify" directed by Michael Moore. This is the video they were recording when they stormed the NYSE and the comment at the end seems appropriate for the political climate this year as well.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3dvbM6Pias

11. Common

And the first of those with a legitimate shot of making the Hall, which I am defining as having more than 10% of making it at some point, is Common. Born Lonnie Lynn Rashid in Chicago, Illinois in March 1972, to a professional basketball playing father and a doctor of education mother, Common (formerly known as Common Sense) to has become kind of the dean of the University of Hip Hop (if you could imagine such a thing). He is certainly the most decorated hip hop artist ever. He is 3/4s of the way to an EGOT, something only 12 people in history have done, as he has won an Oscar, a Primetime Emmy, and three Grammys. He also has won a Golden Globe, a Critic’s Choice Award, two NAACP Image Awards, two BET Awards, and four BET Hip Hop Awards among many others. And he is only 45.

Common debuted in 1992 with his first album Can I Borrow a Dollar? It is the first of three albums (including 1994’s Resurrection and 1997’s One Day It Will All Make Sense, which featured collaborations with Lauryn Hill, Cee-Lo Green, Erykah Badu, Q-Tip, and De La Soul among others) of his that gathered critical acclaim but little in the way of record sales. He started writing and collaborating with many of the artists above in a hip hop collective in New York, called the Soulquarians. The Soulquarians are in many ways a who’s who of late 90’s early 2000’s hip hop, with ?uestlove helming the group and Erykah Badu, Bilal, Mos Def, Q-Tip, Talib Kweli, J Dilla, and D’Angelo (among others as members).

One Day, which eschewed gangsta rap, was enough to catch the ear of a major label, MCA, and his first major label release 2000’s Like Water for Chocolate, produced and created through his collaborations the Soulquarians, went gold. The first single from this album “The Light” was his first to hit the top 50 on the Billboard chart. He followed this up with his first acting credit in 2002’s Brown Sugar and contributed his greatest hit, a collaboration with Badu called “Love of My Life (an Ode to Hip Hop)”, to the soundtrack. “Love of My Life hit #1 on the R&B charts and #9 on the Billboard charts. Unfortunately his 2002 solo effort Electric Circus, despite its critical acclaim, was not able to capitalize off of this success.

He would move to Los Angeles with J Dilla, rooming with him until Dilla died of Lupus in 2006. During this time he started collaborating with Kanye West, appearing on his 2004 3x platinum album The College Drop-Out on “Get Em High” (with fellow Soulquarium Talib Kweli). He signed with West’s label GOOD Music and his next two albums would both go Gold, 2005’s Be and 2007’s Finding Forever. It would be his collaboration with John Legend “Glory” from the soundtrack of the 2013 movie Selma is what would win him both a Grammy for Best Song Written for Visual Media and an Academy Award for Best Original Song.

So Common is a legend in the industry in many ways with many friends in the industry. And he is the only Hip Hop artist who has ever approached an EGOT. Even if he has never had a single one of his eleven albums platinum and only three go gold. When it comes to the Hall however, ?uestlove is on the Nominating Committee, wields a ton of influence (it is said that he single handedly got Hall and Oates elected to the Hall) and likely to be there for a long time. That makes it more likely that all the Soulquarians will have a leg up when they have a chance to be nominated. While the presence of both Dr. Dre and Wu Tang Clan this year seems to put Common third on the list (and the thrice nominated LL Cool J is still out there as well), his stature within the Hip Hop community and his list of awards bodes well for him if and when he ever gets the nomination.

Here is my favorite of his videos, which probably could have served as Taraji P. Henson’s “Empire” audition, “Testify” off of his 2005 Be album.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZRH68Ib1Ko

For the past four years, I have solicited the opinions of two of our regular contributors to assist in predicting just who the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame will nominate. This year, we have three completely different takes on this, and I think this might be our most interesting forecast yet.

         The Committee Chairman’s Rock Hall Predictions

This is going to be harder for one basic reason. I can’t predict that the Rock Hall will nominate Chic anymore. Nominated eleven times and failing to get in each time, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame did exactly what I suggested by inducting Nile Rodgers via the Award of Musical Excellence, which essentially means Chic, who are not inducted will never be nominated again.

Wait, am I crowing about the fact that my thought patterns mimic that of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Committee?   I need another beer.

Since the Committee nominated 19 acts last year, I will do the same and based on what I have seen so far by doing watching this hall for years, there always seems to be certain “candidates”.

1. The Debut and Finale Candidate: Radiohead

I always felt that Hall of Fames have one thing in common whereby it means so much more when you are chosen on your first year of eligibility. It isn’t just a stamp of approval, but a certificate that you are the elite of what you do and a legend of what you do. Maybe I am waxing poetic because I am watching football as I am typing this, but for the most part isn’t that the case?

This year that goes to Radiohead, who could probably get a four and a half star rating on an album of just Thom Yorke’s belches, though I wager the pathos in those bodily functions would be as spectacular as Teri Hatcher’s boobs allegedly were when Jerry failed to see them. Lame reference aside (and there will be a lot more of those to come) this is a Hall of Fame run by critics and this is one of the most acclaimed bands in the last thirty years, and deservedly so. Not only do they get nominated this year they are going in.  

2. The Returning Candidate that could care less about the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: Kraftwerk

Most of Kraftwerk’s fans don’t think about the Rock and Roll Hall and I doubt that Ralf Huttler or Florian Schneider has lost a minute’s sleep thinking about it. I can’t say the same about myself.

Ok, no I don’t lay in bed worrying about their exclusion, but I have always questioned when the only certified qualification is “influence” how one of the most influential groups period is not yet in. The Germans have been nominated before, including three nominations in the last five years, but every time it happens, their fans don’t talk about it, the media doesn’t profile them and the band itself never discusses it. Still, tis is a band that deserves another nomination, and I predict that they will get another kick at the proverbial can.

I might just be the only one who will notice…

3. The “How did it take so long for this band to finally be nominated” Candidate: Roxy Music

Last year, this slot to Journey, and the year before it was Chicago and not that long ago it was Rush. I thought about the Moody Blues or Jethro Tull for this spot but while I know the critics haven’t always been kind to the latter two band, they have been toward Roxy Music, which is also a great way to induct Bryan Ferry and Brian Eno, who are certainly Cleveland worthy.

Seriously, how has this one not happened already? Isn’t this the type of group they are supposed to love?

4. The Anti-Establishment, but in terms of acclaimed music they are establishment Candidate: MC5

I really thought last year was the year for MC5. Nominated for the first since 2003, MC5 rivaled the Stooges (who took a long time themselves to get in) as the most important proto-punk outfit and their influence is all over the punk and metal scenes that followed. If the committee holds to last year and nominates 19 instead of their traditional 15 than MC5 should be able to fill one of those spots.

5. The Hip Hop Candidate: Wu-Tang Clan

I could have easily pegged them as the Debut and Finale candidate as I think they have an excellent chance of going in this year. This is as close to a hip hop all-star team as it gets and RZA’s foray into movie scores shows off a nice compliment to what many see as a one-dimensional style. It seems that every year they nominate the strongest rap candidate and this year it is the Wu-Tang Clan, who by the way if they get in makes them the first Asian American act to enter the Hall of Fame.

It’s true. The Asians drafted them in the Racial Draft.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQtiKaoNUrc

That has to help right?

6. The 80’s Alternative Candidate: New Order/Joy Division

Every year it seems like an 80’s alt band gets nominated and fails to gain entry. It happened with the Cure. It happened with The Smiths. It happened last year with Depeche Mode. How about this year it is New Order/Joy Division?

Those of you who have been to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame have likely seen the small exhibit that is dedicated to New Order/Joy Division and with a previous entry of the Faces/Small Faces it shows that the Hall has no issue with a hybrid entry if they see it warranted…and in this case it is.

Neither New Order nor Joy Division has been nominated before perhaps this is the year they get the At Bat.

7. The Grunge Candidate: Sonic Youth

I know, I know.

Sonic Youth isn’t really a grunge band but they are occasionally lumped in there as the Grunge explosion garnered them more attention via musical osmosis and it is not a stretch to envision a double bill in the early 90’s with Sonic Youth and Nirvana is it?

I don’t think so either.

Frankly I think this spot should go to Soundgarden but the Rock Hall isn’t the type to let sentiment get in the way and induct the band the year of Chris Cornell’s death. Smashing Pumpkins could also slide in here, but Billy Corgan is not exactly the most loved individual in the musical world. I could see the committee making him wait.

If Sonic Youth does sneak through a nomination however I wouldn’t bet on them getting inducted. Not this year anyway.

8. The Strong Female Candidate: Janet Jackson

 

When she was finally nominated two years ago I figured she would get in.

She didn’t.

When she was nominated last year, I thought she would get in…until I saw that Joan Baez was also nominated and I knew that was going to be the direction they would go.

This year I will predict that Janet will get nominated again, and hopefully “third time’s the charm” as I always get a kick of having to change our logo; Janet is currently in there in a Mount Rushmore of snubs along side Don Cherry, Barry Bonds and Demolition.

Without going into detail about why Janet (or Miss Janet, if you’re nasty should be nominated and inducted) I will direct you to an interview I conducted Mike Litherland who is spearheading the Induct Janet Jackson into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame campaign. For anyone looking to induct their favorite act take notes as to how Mike does this. Class act all the way!

9. The “Other” Strong Female Candidate and/or the Double Inductee Candidate: Tina Turner

I thought about putting Annie Lennox (The Eurythmics) here or going really left field and suggesting Kate Bush, but the Acid Queen just fits so well here.

She does have the solo work and not just the 80’s comeback. Her covers in the 70’s of rock staples in my mind shows why she can make a claim for the best female rock voice of all time. Already in (and should be) with Ike Turner, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame committee does like to put people in twice, and by nominating her they prove that are about gender equity, something that the institution claims (though doesn’t do a great job of in reality) to do.

10. The Indy Darling Candidate: Pixies

Last year I thought this spot would go to Husker Du, but it went to Jane’s Addiction and in a previous year it was The Replacements. Since neither got in I see a repeat of what is transpiring in the 80’s alternative category, so how about the Pixies getting their shot this year?

It makes sense. The rock writers love them and it doesn’t hurt that an induction for the Pixies puts in Kim Deal and yes I am again playing the gender card. Hey sooner or later the Rock Hall will truly back up that claim of “women in rock” right?

…or not.

11. The Hard Candidate: Nine Inch Nails

When I say the “Hard” candidate I am referring to music with a harder edge, be it heavy metal, which will forever be underrepresented in the Hall, or dare we say Industrial, its bastard child.

Trent Reznor, who far all intents and purposes is Nine Inch Nails was nominated in their first two years of eligibility but were absent last year. Still, is it just me, or does it seem like even though Nine Inch Nails has been eligible for four years that it feels too soon? Perhaps it is just me failing to deal with my advancing age.

I need another beer.

12. The Deserving Mainstream Candidate: Bon Jovi

I am actually stunned they aren’t in already. While Bon Jovi hasn’t exactly been everyone’s cup of tea, this is a band that sold a lot of albums over a twenty year period, still can sell out an arena and doesn’t upset the rock and roll apple cart if they are inducted. It is a vote for Hair Metal, Pop Metal, Hard Rock, Soft Rock, Ballads, Country Rock, blah blah blah.

It is about a safe a choice as there is and they have only been nominated once. I am going to guess they are going to get another nomination and thus they will be “halfway there”.

I know that you all sang in your head “Whoaaaah, Living on a Prayer.”

13. The Progressive Rock Candidate: Emerson, Lake & Palmer

Earlier I said that Heavy Metal is one of the most neglected genres in Cleveland. Progressive Rock isn’t far behind.

The induction of Yes last year certainly took away some of that but Jethro Tull remains as do the Moody Blues and King Crimson, but like I said it is certainly getting better and I think they will continue to look in this direction, so I am begrudgingly giving my prediction to ELP.

For the record, I was never a fan (which I guess you could already tell) of these three. While I respect their musical skills for my taste they were far too bloated and were the embodiment of what punk music rebelled against, but I digress, this is what I am predicting, not what I am wanting.

14. The Classic Rock Candidate: Bad Company

On the times I am feeling in a Classic Rock vibe and put on a mix on ITunes I inherently isolate in my head those who are not in the Hall yet. One that really stands out to me is Bad Company, and based on the votes that we get here on Notinhalloffame.com many people think so too as they have one of the highest vote tallies of “Put Them in” than most.

This isn’t why I am thinking they might get a shot, just a feeling that they are at least due to be worthy of a discussion…or is that just part of my Rock and Roll Fantasy?

15. The Motown Candidate: Mary Wells

Mary Wells was nominated twice…in 1986 and in 1987. Yep, 30 years since she has been nominated.

I think every time we do this, I pick Wells mostly because I don’t understand her omission. This was the first great star of Motown and she predates all of the other label’s acts who are inducted. How has this woman become so forgotten so quickly and reduced to one hit “My Guy”, despite the fact she charted 22 other times? This slot could go to the Marvelettes (and probably will) but like I have in other years I find myself hopeful yet again.

16. The Soul Candidate: The Commodores

Was this prediction easy?

..like Sunday Morning?

Sorry, I couldn’t resist.

Actually this wasn’t that easy as I constantly flip-flopped between the Commodores and the Spinners for this spot and as much as I think this should go to the Spinners instead, I feel a strong sense of Lionel Richie nostalgia sweeping the nation and the overall body of work is so much more than the just “Easy” and “Three Times A Lady”. It comprises the best of the “Quiet Storm”, Funk, Pop and R&B. They deserve a look don’t they?

17. The “Ethnic” Candidate: War

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has its share of Caucasians and African-Americans, but it doesn’t have much else. War was that perfect fusion of White, Black and Hispanic that fused multiple styles of music effortlessly. It was an American band at a time when they didn’t sound like an American band, if you get my meaning. Besides in this politically charged racially divided climate, this is exactly the band you want to have in your Hall…and sadly, yes this matters.

18. The 1960’s Candidate: Paul Revere & The Raiders

Frankly I am not sure that there are really that many more 60’s acts that have that much of a case, but there are a few. Recently we have seen the Zombies and Procul Harum get nominated, but neither was able to advance. How about a band that was not groundbreaking but a lot of fun?

I know that flies in the face of the “influence” criteria but I think we have seen that this institution doesn’t exactly follow their own rules.

19. The Wild Card Candidate: Lenny Kravitz

Last year this was the slot that Bad Brains held, an intriguing candidate that helped put the Washington D.C. music scene on the map. It took a lot of people by surprise but the more you though about it, the more you thought…why not?

Lenny Kravitz and Bad Brains are not similar, but with Kravitz you have someone who was never amongst the top ten in notoriety or sales but has a decent and diverse body of work and doesn’t exactly have other musicians that you can see a similar parallel too. It is a wild card choice but it is also safe at the same time.

By the way, here we are thirty years later and my mind is still blown that Helen Willis was his mom. Does that mean that George Jefferson called him a zebra growing up?

I have to stop watching 70’s sitcoms.

But I need to keep drinking beer.

DDT'S 2018 ROCK HALL PREDICTIONS

 

As we all wait with bated breath for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame to announce its 2018 nominees sometime before the end of the year, I study the goat entrails, the tea leaves, the crystal ball to try to glean insight into how the Nominating Committee might structure the ballot it will send to the Rock Hall's voting members.

And I find that I do not care any longer.

Make no mistake: I have not lost a whit of the passion I have for music, nor have I lost the desire to see the legacy preserved for those musical artists I may consider to be significant in the development and history of Western popular music made since the mid-1950s. Indeed, as a student of history, I find it fascinating to see which musical artists have—WARNING! GROANING CLICHÉ AHEAD!—"withstood the test of time."

The problem is this: The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is not equipped to evaluate or curate this legacy. Leaving aside serious questions about how the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation currently operates its self-styled interpretation of rock music history, the fact is that not only is this an endeavor that the Rock Hall is ill-equipped to handle, it is an endeavor that any foundation would be greatly challenged to manage.

Over the years, I have expended gallons of virtual ink discussing the Rock Hall, evaluating each year's ballot, trying to guess (as we are doing here) who would get on the ballot in the first place, auditing the artists already inducted into the Rock Hall, offering inflated, pretentious assessments of specific artists and whether they were "worthy" of the Hall. I realize now that it was all a mug's game. A crock.

Earlier this year, I posted an article on this site entitled "What's Wrong with the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame?" Criticizing the Rock Hall is a popular pastime, and there are indeed many valid criticisms including an age bias, a gender bias, and a lack of transparency among them. Addressing these problems would help to make the Rock Hall stronger, but these are ultimately Band-Aid fixes.

In my writing about the Rock Hall over the years, I have come to realize that three fundamental issues render the current Rock Hall model unable to evaluate legacy:

1. There is no standard definition of rock and roll.
2. There are no objective evaluation criteria that can be applied universally to candidates.
3. Because the music evolves and expands continually, the Rock Hall grows ever-inclusive and ever-expansive.

Couple that to the biases, prejudices, and limitations that not only does the average listener have, but so do the body of voters whose ballots decide which artists are inducted into the Rock Hall along with the Nominating Committee that assembles that ballot. We all have likes and dislikes (biases), preconceptions (prejudices), and gaps in our knowledge and awareness (limitations). And given the enormous growth of popular music in the last six decades, it is nigh-impossible to fully grasp it all.

Add to that the passion listeners bring both to the music and to the artists who make that music. Music is an intensely intimate and emotional experience that makes a deep and lasting impression. It becomes part of our identity, and if anyone disses one of our favorite bands, it becomes a personal affront: They are not just insulting my favorite band—they are insulting me.

This becomes manifest in the opinions we express about the Rock Hall and the artists who have, or have not, been inducted. How often have you heard or read comments like these:

"Until the Rock Hall inducts [INSERT ARTIST NAME HERE], it has no credibility."

"It's a travesty that the Hall inducted [INSERT ARTIST NAME YOU DON'T LIKE HERE] but has snubbed [INSERT ARTIST NAME YOU DO LIKE HERE]."

"When it inducted [INSERT ARTIST NAME YOU DON'T LIKE HERE] it went from a Hall of Fame to a Hall of Shame."

"Until it inducts [INSERT ARTIST NAME YOU DO LIKE HERE], it will be a Hall of Lame, not a Hall of Fame."

"[ARTIST A] may be worthy, but [ARTIST B] deserves to be in first."

And so on. Comments like these are based on emotionalism and reflect our biases, prejudices, and limitations. But, quite frankly, that is hardly surprising—with no standard definition of what rock is, no standard criteria to evaluate artists making music that is evolving and expanding continually, and the near-impossibility to fully grasp all that evolution and expansion, it is understandable to fall back on a personal and emotional reaction.

I am having an emotional reaction right now. As much as I appreciate that the Committee Chairman asked me to contribute to this annual exercise, an exercise that I've tried to have fun with in previous years, I now find that this exercise is pointless.

Certainly participants have made shrewd guesses about which artists the Rock Hall Nominating Committee will select for the ballot, and I've stumbled onto a couple of those myself, but to what end? We are merely guessing which deck chairs will slide off next into the Atlantic as the Titanic continues to sink.

In its present state, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame will continue to have the Nominating Committee assemble a ballot comprising an arbitrary array of artists across certain periods, styles, and genres. It will then ship that ballot off to a body of voters that is defined by its biases, prejudices, and limitations. (Any resemblance to an American electorate participating in a recent general election is purely intentional.) In turn, this body will cast its votes in a non-transparent process to yield the latest scattershot class of inductees. Finally, the results are guaranteed to be greeted by derision by not only the fans ("It's a travesty that the Hall hasn't inducted . . . ") but, to borrow recent examples Steve Miller and Gene Simmons, by the very artists who have been chosen for induction.

You call this fun?

As rock writer Courtney E. Smith has noted, like it or not, the Rock Hall has begun to define a canon of Western popular music made since the mid-1950s, and as a social and cultural reflection of Western society this is a significant undertaking. It is a fundamentally flawed undertaking for the reasons I've outlined above, but I have also suggested a number of ways to at least mitigate the flaws.

The most comprehensive of these is to think big. Really big. Starting with the name of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the very term "Rock and Roll" is outmoded, a 1950s marketing label that has long been stretched past the breaking point to encompass forms, styles, and genres of Western popular music that were scarcely conceivable when Elvis Presley first appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show but whose seeds were cast by that appearance.

Apropos of that, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, both in concept and in structure, needs to think big. To accommodate the enormous growth of the music in the last six decades, growth that continues to mushroom, I have suggested a model similar to the Smithsonian Institution.

The Smithsonian comprises 19 separate museums and galleries, each focused on one aspect of American history or culture. Similarly, a Smithsonian-styled Rock Hall would have separate Halls of Fame for musical forms that have developed their own extensive roots and branches—heavy metal, hip-hop, electronica, and so on—yet they would all be subsumed under an overarching institution binding them under the common denominator of popular music. (At least Western popular music—if we were to acknowledge non-Western popular music, we would be looking at a United Nations model!)

So, what the hell has this got to do with who is going to be on the 2018 Rock Hall ballot? Or am I just plugging my article? It may be yes to the latter, but it has everything to do with the former because I no longer see the value of trying to be clever by guessing which artists the Nominating Committee are going to put on the ballot. The Committee's is a haphazard, arbitrary process of historical backfilling and contemporary promotion that then gets thrown over the wall to voters, many of whom are previous Rock Hall inductees who vote their biases, prejudices, and limitations, and then we fans bitch about who got snubbed this year. ("It's a travesty that the Hall hasn't inducted . . . ")

Again, where is the fun in that? Maybe it used to be fun, but it's not anymore.

And because there are no objective evaluation criteria that can be universally applied to nominees, determining whether a nominee is worthy of the Hall is a judgment call and thus is subject to our—wait for it—biases, prejudices, and limitations.

At this point, I cannot determine who might be a valid Rock Hall induction beyond a subjective judgment call, and I will not try to guess which artists will appear on the 2018 ballot because I think it is a mug's game. What I offer below is a list of artists who have yet to be inducted, with many of those yet to be nominated, who I think at least deserve a chance to appear on a ballot for the voters' consideration.

This is not a complete list of all those eligible, so I have already indicated my biases, prejudices, and limitations, and I am not including artists newly eligible for the Class of 2018. Yet even this partial list indicates just how enormous an undertaking the task of evaluating legacy has become. And it doesn't get any smaller with each successive year. Quite the opposite.

I have evaluated several of these artists in past ballot assessments, and for some of those I have surely noted that I would not have voted for them. I may still feel that way now. Or not. But because the Rock Hall has grown so expansive and so inclusive, and will continue to do so, the concept of a "Hall of Famer" has become, if not meaningless, then surely denatured, particularly when contrasted to Hall of Famers in other endeavors such as the Big Four sports Halls of Fame. There are too many of them, with more coming every year. Now it's simply triage—how many can we get in during each annual shot?

Rock on, dudes and dudettes.

Selected Artists Eligible for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Artist	Years Eligible	Times Nominated
Eligible for More Than 30 Years
Link Wray	34	1
Cliff Richard and the Shadows	32	0
The Marvelettes	31	2
The Spinners	31	2
Mary Wells	31	3
Eligible for More Than 25 Years
Dick Dale	30	0
Toots and the Maytals	30	0
The Moody Blues	28	0
Phil Ochs	28	0
The Guess Who	27	0
Captain Beefheart	26	0
Tommy James and the Shondells	26	0
Love	26	0
MC5	26	2
The Monkees	26	0
Eligible for More Than 20 Years
Country Joe and the Fish	25	0
Fairport Convention	25	0
Harry Nilsson	25	0
Gram Parsons	25	3
Procol Harum	25	1
Blood, Sweat, and Tears	24	0
Jethro Tull	24	0
Steppenwolf	24	1
T. Rex	24	0
The Carpenters	23	0
The Chi-Lites	23	0
Joe Cocker	23	0
James Gang	23	0
King Crimson	23	0
The Meters/The Neville Brothers (Two different but related bands; I see this one as a Funkadelic/Parliament or Small Faces/Faces situation.)	23/14	3/0
Mott the Hoople	23	0
Three Dog Night	23	0
Warren Zevon	23	0
Jimmy Buffett	22	0
Emerson, Lake and Palmer	22	0
Kraftwerk	22	4
Todd Rundgren	22	0
Tangerine Dream	22	0
The Doobie Brothers	21	0
LaBelle	21	0
Little Feat	21	0
John Prine	21	0
Sparks	21	0
Thin Lizzy	21	0
War	21	3
Eligible for More Than 15 Years
Big Star	20	0
Blue Öyster Cult	20	0
Roxy Music	20	0
Scorpions	20	0
Richard Thompson	20	0
Average White Band	19	0
Bachman-Turner Overdrive	19	0
New York Dolls	19	1
Bad Company	18	0
Brian Eno	18	0
Judas Priest	18	0
Ted Nugent	17	0
Television	17	0
Boston	16	0
Nick Lowe	16	0
Graham Parker	16	0
The Runaways	16	0
Eligible for More Than 10 Years
Björk	15	0
The Buzzcocks	15	0
Chic	15	11
Devo	15	0
The Jam	15	0
Motörhead	15	0
Suicide	15	0
XTC	15	0
Black Flag	14	0
Kate Bush	14	0
The Cars	14	2
The Cure	14	1
Dire Straits	14	0
Gang of Four	14	0
Joy Division/New Order (Two different but related bands; I see this one as a Funkadelic/Parliament or Small Faces/Faces situation.)	14/11	0/0
Chaka Khan	14	2
Los Lobos	14	1
Midnight Oil	14	0
The Misfits	14	0
Squeeze	14	0
Toto	14	0
Whitesnake	14	0
Bryan Adams	13	0
The B–52's	13	0
Pat Benatar	13	0
Dead Kennedys	13	0
Def Leppard	13	0
Iron Maiden	13	0
Simple Minds	13	0
The Specials	13	0
Sugarhill Gang	13	0
The Go-Go's	12	0
INXS	12	0
Huey Lewis and the News	12	0
The Minutemen	12	0
Ozzy Osbourne	12	0
UB40	12	0
Bad Religion	11	0
Phil Collins	11	0
Depeche Mode	11	1
Duran Duran	11	0
Eurythmics	11	0
Hüsker Dü	11	0
Billy Idol	11	0
Ministry	11	0
Mötley Crüe	11	0
The Replacements	11	1
Lionel Richie	11	0
Eligible for More Than 5 Years
Bad Brains	10	1
Big Black	10	0
Culture Club	10	0
Steve Earle	10	0
Don Henley	10	0
The Fixx	10	0
Ice-T	10	0
Janet Jackson	10	2
Men at Work	10	0
Shonen Knife	10	0
Sonic Youth	10	0
Violent Femmes	10	0
Anthrax	9	0
Bon Jovi	9	1
Cyndi Lauper	9	0
Pantera	9	0
Pulp	9	0
Queensrÿche	9	0
Ratt	9	0
Slayer	9	0
The Smiths	9	2
Nick Cave	8	0
Whitney Houston	8	0
The Jesus and Mary Chain	8	0
LL Cool J	8	3
Pet Shop Boys	8	0
The Pogues	8	0
Sade	8	0
Spinal Tap	8	0
Camper Van Beethoven	7	0
Dinosaur Jr.	7	0
Faith No More	7	0
Fishbone	7	0
Chris Isaak	7	0
Megadeth	7	0
Sepultura	7	0
Stone Roses	7	0
Suzanne Vega	7	0
Babyface	6	0
Kool Moe Dee	6	0
Lyle Lovett	6	0
Salt N Pepa	6	0
Soundgarden	6	0
They Might Be Giants	6	0
Yo La Tengo	6	0
Eligible for More Than 1 Year
Boogie Down Productions	5	0
Terence Trent D'Arby	5	0
DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince	5	0
EPMD	5	0
Jane's Addiction	5	0
George Michael	5	0
Sinead O'Connor	5	0
Pixies	5	0
The Sugarcubes	5	0
De La Soul	4	0
Digital Underground	4	0
Melissa Etheridge	4	0
Fugazi	4	0
Living Colour	4	0
L7	4	0
Massive Attack	4	0
Morrissey	4	0
The Offspring	4	0
Phish	4	0
Soul II Soul	4	0
Babes in Toyland	3	0
Nenah Cherry	3	0
Dream Theater	3	0
Gang Starr	3	0
Manic Street Preachers	3	0
Sarah McLachlan	3	0
Nine Inch Nails	3	2
The Orb	3	0
Pavement	3	0
Queen Latifah	3	0
Alice in Chains	2	0
Blur	2	0
Mariah Carey	2	0
En Vogue	2	0
Hole	2	0
Ice Cube	2	0
Moby	2	0
Orbital	2	0
Primus	2	0
Smashing Pumpkins	2	0
A Tribe Called Quest	2	0

Spheniscus’s Rock Hall Predictions

The Rock n Roll Hall of Fame nominations are upon us. So what does that mean? That means that music fans who have trouble accepting that rap is in the Rock Hall are going to have their heads explode. Tomorrow’s nominations for the love generation are essentially going to be like Oprah handing free stuff out on her show. You get the vapors and you get the vapors, everybody gets the vapors!

Last year we had Tupac get in on the first ballot. This year we should have another and the possibility of several other rap and R&B acts getting precious spots on this “Rock” ballot. At the same time, you will notice that the Hall has done a much better job putting some overlooked bands in over the past few years (including Yes, ELO, Journey, and the I can’t believe they finally remembered to nominate her Joan Baez), those elections are often met with “Why now?” Or “About time, the Rock Hall is a joke!” Or “Why not (insert personal pet project here)”. Ultimately the Hall can’t win. But they are trying. I really think they are at this point.

So while my nominees would be Beck, Cher, Diana Ross, Dire Straits, Dr. Dre, Gil Scott-Heron, Herbie Hancock, Janet Jackson, Judas Priest, New Order, Patti LaBelle, Radiohead, Rage Against the Machine, Sonic Youth, The Spinners, Tina Turner, Warren Zevon, and Wu Tang Clan … this is who I expect to get through the process this year…

FIRST TIME ELIGIBLES



Five of the last six years we have had at least one first time eligible make the Rock Hall. Last year both Pearl Jam and Tupac Shakur made the cut for nomination and got themselves elected to the Hall. As I have said in my series, this year is the best year of first time eligibles in a very long time and I feel as many as twelve of these artists will eventually get into the Hall. So how many do I expect to see on the ballot this first time? Five, yes you read that right, five.

1. RADIOHEAD

I am pretty much copying this from the Pearl Jam section last year, but this is the Ivory Soap pick of the year. While you can’t go 100% on any Radiohead is as close as you are going to get to automatic.

Odds of Nomination: 99.44% (Same as the purity of Ivory Soap, at least according to their marketing department)

Odds of Induction if Nominated: Same

2. DR. DRE

Nowadays everybody wants talk about rap in the Hall like they got something to say, but no matter what gibberish comes when they move their lips, there is no way the Rock Hall forgets about Dre. Yes, I realize that was an Eminem line, but it is true. He is the rap act most likely to get nominated. And when he does, he will get in.

Odds of Nomination: 95%

Odds of Induction if Nominated: Ivory Soap

3. BECK


The third major name on this ballot, Beck takes the singer-songwriter slot on this year’s ballot even if he is the biggest slacker in the history of the singer-songwriter category. That said he is also one of the most decorated ones. He has five Grammys and has released 12 albums. He is essentially rock royalty and is the exact type of star that Jan Wenner looks for. He will be nominated as well.

Odds of Nomination: 93%

Odds of Induction if Nominated: 90% (if only because they might now want three first time electees, which hasn’t happened in a very long time)

4. RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE


These guys were on my list last year when they may or may not have been eligible. There is no question that they are fully eligible this year. Rage formed in ’91 and released a demo tape, but they didn’t have their eponymous first album released until 1992. So this year it is.

Why am I so sure they are getting a nomination? This is a Nominating Committee with Tom Morello on it. The same Tom Morello who was a founding member of and played lead guitar for Rage Against the Machine. And while last year it appears that he used his influence to get Jane’s Addiction on the ballot, it is hard to imagine a scenario in which Rage isn’t at least thrown a nomination.

That doesn’t mean they will be elected. There are many other hard rock bands out there that are probably more deserving, something Morello himself would probably admit. That said, I expect to see them on the ballot.

Odds of Nomination: 70%

Odds of Induction if Nominated: 25%. Three is stretching it for first timers. But four? Yikes.

5. WU TANG CLAN

The fifth first time nominee (and I haven’t included Mary J. Blige, No Doubt, TLC, Stone Temple Pilots, Annie Lennox, Tool, and Common, who I all think may be Hall of Famers at some point), this one is the shakiest and really is only here because after last year’s 19 nominees I have included more than my normal 15 on this list.

Does that mean that they don’t deserve to be first time nominees? Certainly not. These guys are rap royalty and complete and utter legends. Their only problem is that Dre is eligible the same year they are. And two first time rap nominees, particularly making them the fifth band makes their chances far less than they otherwise would be.

That said, if they do make the ballot, their chances are about the same of getting in because they are just that damn good. I don’t think it will be this year, but with only BLACKstreet as a rap candidate next year, this will be a two ballot stay for the Clan.

Odds of Nomination: 30%

Odds of Induction if Nominated: 25%. Three is stretching it for first timers. But four? Yikes.

RETURNING FROM LAST YEAR

Now that the committee has given up on ever getting Chic elected (which is why they put Nile Rodgers in specially last year), it opens things up for some other bands that have hit the ballot over the past few years.

6. JANET JACKSON

How did she not get in last year? Or the year before that? The Rock Hall does a terrible job electing women. And they finally remembered that Joan Baez existed last year and she got the spot. But the year before there were no women elected and that was when her only competition was Chaka Khan. After waiting for eight years for her first nomination, she should a lock to get in.

And even though there are several other first ballot women who should be considered, there aren’t any who are likely to be nominated. So unless they decide to go grab Connie Francis or Patti LaBelle or remember that both Tina Turner and Diana Ross had solo careers, Janet should be the best woman on the ballot. She should be in this year.

Don’t screw this up voters!

Odds of Nomination: 85%

Odds of Induction if Nominated: 50%. This should be higher than it is. But I’m presuming they will find another female artist somewhere and only one of them will be getting in.

7. JANE’S ADDICTION

Despite Rage Against the Machine being on my ballot already, I don’t think that Tom Morello is going to nominate his own band. And his nomination last year was Jane’s Addiction, so it stands to reason that he will put them forward again.

Odds of Nomination: 80%

Odds of Induction if Nominated: 60%. Their competition is Morello’s own band, if Morello wants his nominee in before his band all he has to do is say so and they will be in.

8. KRAFTWERK

For the past few years, Yes and Kraftwerk have been alternating on the ballot. I thought that Yes would be the only one on the ballot last year. So they switched it up and decided to go with both. Which of course, meant that Yes somehow got elected. The system rarely makes sense.

Kraftwerk is arguably the best band out there not to be in yet. They invented a type of music that is popular the world over. Not a subcategory, an actual huge category off of which tons of other subcategories have sprung off of. Without Kraftwerk there is no electronica, no techno, no trance. If those musical genres matter, then Kraftwerk needs to be in the Hall. Until then, there is a huge gap that only they can fill.

Odds of Nomination: 50%. I mean now that Yes is gone, the committee could decide not to nominate them again, but I doubt it.

Odds of Induction if Nominated: I’ll say 25%. As important as they are to the development of modern popular music, they are reclusive and rarely heard on their airwaves any more. The electors need to be educated in order for them to be elected.

9. THE CARS

I know I am biased being from Boston originally (now living in Chicago), but two nominations for the kings of catchy 80s pop seems to indicate to me that they will be returning again this year.

This year, the number of quality first time candidates will limit their competition. Like Deep Purple, they are one of those bands that once nominated, will be nominated again and again until they do get in. Without direct peers on this ballot (well, my ballot anyway), their chances appear to be pretty good that they will get to “Drive” right down I 90 to Cleveland this year.

Odds of Nomination: 45% Anything can happen, but now that the NomCom has found them, they are more likely than not to be back this year.

Odds of Induction if Nominated: 40% Only because this is going to be a tough group.

10. DEPECHE MODE

I put The Smiths in this space last year and I was pleasantly surprised that it went to Depeche Mode instead. There are four bands for this spot. Depeche Mode (nominated for the first time last year), New Order (never nominated), The Cure (nominated once in 2012), and The Smiths (nominated in 2015 and 2016). All four of these bands are worthy of consideration and the existence of each on the outside looking in limits the others’ chances. I honestly think that New Order has the best chance of the four with the voters, but Depeche Mode is a good second choice.

They need to eliminate this logjam. Let’s just hope that a second nomination for Depeche Mode will get it done.

Odds of Nomination: 26% They will pick one of those four bands, since they were the choice the last year, they get a slightly better than 1 in 4 shot.

Odds of Induction if Nominated: 15%. Should be better, but it hasn’t been good for any of these groups.

11. THE ZOMBIES

One of the best stories in Rock history as the band broke up back in England as their music first started becoming popular in the U.S. An enterprising manager took advantage of the fact no one knew who they were and was no internet. So he created two fake Zombies bands, one in Michigan and one in Texas, and had them touring simultaneously at one point. The best part of this whole story is that The Zombies found out and went on to produce more music and that the fake Texas Zombies? They are already in the Rock Hall. They became ZZ Top.

Now should that story have any real bearing on their election? No. But it is awesome. And since the Committee loves the British Invasion, the Zombies are likely to make another appearance as their nominee. The real ones. I think.

Odds of Nomination: 15% There will be a British Invasion band, but the Zombies have had multiple chances at this point. So they may end up going with someone else. Maybe Herman’s Hermits?

Odds of Induction if Nominated: 10%. Tough group and a genre that has already been well covered at this point.

RETURNING FROM PREVIOUS BALLOTS

This is tough, there are lots of candidates, particularly with the expanded list from last year. Ultimately only two bands made the cut.

12. NINE INCH NAILS

Trent Reznor is one of the most important people in the development of music over the past 30 years. There is almost no way NIN does not continually get nominated until they (he) gets in. It is a bit amazing that they (he) were not nominated last year, particularly with the expanded list. But I feel that was just an oversight.

Odds of Nomination: 75% This will be the third out of four. If they don’t get in this year, they’ll be back next year.

Odds of Induction if Nominated: 60%. It is a little strange it has taken him to a third nomination to get in at this point.

13. BON JOVI

Journey, Chicago, Stevie Ray Vaughan, KISS, and Rush. What do these five bands have in common? They all won the online fan poll and got elected after many years of being largely (or entirely ignored). Of these five only KISS had been previously nominated. The argument with Bon Jovi not getting in is that they are one of those bands that has songs that people like to belt out in bars.

Well, now Journey is in. And as much as I love Journey, Bon Jovi is the better and more talented band. So although they have been nominated once before, back in 2011, it now seems like their time.

Odds of Nomination: 33% There will be a bar band nominated, I just don’t know that it will be this one. Def Leppard is still out there. So’s Motley Crue. And Duran Duran. Hell, even Phish, even though they aren’t a bar band they have a huge and vocal following. So 33% is about the best I can do.

Odds of Induction if Nominated: 100%. If they get the nomination they will win the online vote and whoever has won the online vote has been elected.

FIRST TIME LONG TIME

There are so many great bands and solo artists that need a shot. The Moody Blues, Dire Straits, Paul Anka, New Order, Journey, Diana Ross, Iron Maiden, Bad Company, Willie Nelson, The Grass Roots, Pantera, The Doobie Brothers, Kool & the Gang, Motley Crue, The Go-Gos, Tina Turner, Cher, Peter, Paul, and Mary, Joan Baez… and about 100 others. This time, I think only four get through.

14. JUDAS PRIEST

Alice Cooper, KISS, Deep Purple… finally the Rock Hall is getting the Hard Rock/Metal backlog cleared out. That seems to leave a space for a new Hard Rock group to get in. Of course last year the nominating committee decided that candidate was … Steppenwolf? I guess? Not this year. As much as I love Iron Maiden, it kinda has to be the Priest at this point, doesn’t it? Dark Lord knows they deserve it.

Odds of Nomination: 20% It will be one out of Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Motorhead, Pantera, or well, Steppenwolf (or someone else who shouldn’t be filling the spot). The spot is there, it just depends on which band has an advocate in that room.

Odds of Induction if Nominated: 55% I would have said the same thing about Deep Purple when they first got in. Although it took 3 nominations to get them in. Once Judas Priest is before the voters they should be in pretty quickly.

15. CHER

They changed the committee a few years ago to make it younger and less incestuous. Incredibly, one of the things that seems to have changed is that they are remembering some of the forgotten female artists. Linda Rondstadt, Chaka Khan, and Joan Baez have all had their shots for the first time in the past three years with both Rondstadt and Baez getting elected on their first shots.

So the question is, now that Baez is in, who is the next one up? There are a multitude of choices that would be quality. Patti LaBelle, Carly Simon, Diana Ross, Carole King, Tina Turner, Pat Benatar. But Cher seems to be the single biggest oversight remaining. She isn’t in on her own and she isn’t in with Sonny. But she definitely should.

Odds of Nomination: 20% Lots of women to choose from, I just think she has a better chance than most.

Odds of Induction if Nominated: 40% Stacked group. Janet Jackson already on the ballot and likely getting in. Rarely do two women get in the same year. And if it is just her and Janet, there is a legitimate shot that Cher would get the nod.

16. THE GRASS ROOTS

This last spot is my wild card and I was unsure where to go with it. Looking at things, there are a ton of bands out there that have not gotten love and should have. And few bands from the 60s or really any other time have had as many hits and not gotten a nomination as the Grass Roots. Other bands like the Moody Blues or America or Boston also got consideration, but I thought I’d dig a little deeper here.

Odds of Nomination: 4%. This could have been any one of 25 bands, which is 4%.

Odds of Induction if Nominated: 20%. They were amazing, but it has been a long time. One nomination might not be enough.




 

Regular contributor Spheniscus has brought us something that we are very excited to share with all of you. It won’t be long before the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame announces who their Finalist for the next class and our friend from Chicago by way of Boston has put together his top 40 acts in terms of their chances who enter eligibility this year.

Regular contributor Spheniscus has brought us something that we are very excited to share with all of you. It won’t be long before the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame announces who their Finalist for the next class and our friend from Chicago by way of Boston has put together his top 40 acts in terms of their chances who enter eligibility this year.

Regular contributor Spheniscus has brought us something that we are very excited to share with all of you. It won’t be long before the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame announces who their Finalist for the next class and our friend from Chicago by way of Boston has put together his top 40 acts in terms of their chances who enter eligibility this year.

Regular contributor Spheniscus has brought us something that we are very excited to share with all of you. It won’t be long before the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame announces who their Finalist for the next class and our friend from Chicago by way of Boston has put together his top 40 acts in terms of their chances who enter eligibility this year.

Regular contributor Spheniscus has brought us something that we are very excited to share with all of you. It won’t be long before the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame announces who their Finalist for the next class and our friend from Chicago by way of Boston has put together his top 40 acts in terms of their chances who enter eligibility this year.

We love a good feud…especially when it is over the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

While it was always safe to assume that Ted Nugent and David Crosby were never likely to share a stage, it is certainly a lot more likely now.

Recently, Nugent stated that his omission from the Rock Hall stemmed solely from his participation with the National Rifle Association.  When a fan asked Crosby on Twitter as to whether that was the reason why the Motor City Madman was omitted his response was not exactly kind:

“No the asshole just isn’t good enough”

You didn’t think Nugent would let that go did you?

On Nugent’s Facebook Page, he responded on a more personal level:

“Everybody knows that David Crosby is an evil rotten soulless punk that has criminally poisoned his bloated carcass his entire vapid life.  I couldn't be more proud that such an uncaring dirtbag hates me while he competes with Michael Moore to see who can go the longest without hygiene. Zombieboy would hurt himself if he tried real rockNroll like mine. Lets all pray he can form a syllable before his borrowed liver fails."

This is not the first time the two have bickered over social media as Crosby was critical of Nugent for supporting U.S. President Donald Trump and his visit to the White House. 

So if Nugent does get inducted does this mean that Crosby won’t be the inductor?

Is Ted Nugent a Rock and Roll Hall of Famer?

If you ask the Motor City Madman, he would certainly say yes but his association with the NRA is why he has been omitted.

This was essentially what he said when he was interviewed by Albany Q103:

“Jan Wenner, the founder of Rolling Stone and the boss hog at Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, he hates freedom, he hates the Second Amendment, he hates me, because I’m on the Board of Directors – quite proudly – of the National Rifle Association…so that’s the only reason I’m not in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.”

He would however go on to say that he would accept the invitation should he be invited.

Is this something we should hold our breath on?

For what it is worth, Nugent is ranked #198 by us on our Notinhalloffame.com Rock and Roll list.

Looks like the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is expanding.

The Cleveland based institution has announced that a satellite exhibit will debut in Tokyo, Japan this September and that a permanent venue will be developed later on.

Tokyo is a musical hotbed in the world and it is not that out of leftfield for the first expansion to take place here.  It will be very interesting to see where they look to expand next and with the huge growth in visitors that the Rock Hall has seen they are far from done.

Trip to Tokyo anyone?

Radiohead is now eligible for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame though based on a recent interview with Rolling Stone Magazine they didn’t seem to care.

In a lengthy interview with the music publication, the band had the following reactions to the possibility of being inducted next year.

Phil Selway: "It's a bit like having the free bus pass in the UK when you reach a certain age. Blimey. Have we got to that point? God knows [if we'll go]. We'd have to sit down and talk about it, but it's probably not at the top of my list of things to do. But who knows? I don't know."

Jonny Greenwood: "I don't care. Maybe it's a cultural thing that I really don't understand. I mean, from the outside it looks like ... it's quite a self-regarding profession anyway. And anything that heightens that just makes me feel even more uncomfortable."

Ed O'Brien: "I don't want to be rude about the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame because for a lot of people it means something, but culturally I don't understand it. I think it might be a quintessential American thing. Brits are not very good at slapping ourselves on the back. It seems very show-biz and I'm not very show-biz. We haven't even been asked. I don't want to be rude. But if you ask me what I'd rather be doing that night, I'd rather be sitting at home in front of the fire or going to a gig. I realized years ago that I didn't like award ceremonies. You walk in there and you feel self-conscious. It's just really uncomfortable. Wherever there is media there seem to be a real level of bullshit. It just feels non-authentic to us."

Thom Yorke: "It wouldn't be the first place ... don't ask me things like that. I always put my foot in my mouth."

Colin Greenwood: "I'd be grateful if we got in. Look at the other people that have been inducted. I don't know if everyone else will go though. It might be me just doing bass versions of everything like, 'Come on, you know this one!' I'd have to play the bass part to 'Creep' five times."

Considering that Jann Wenner, the owner of Rolling Stone is the founder of the Rock Hall it had to be expected that this would be asked of Radiohead in an interview.  It is also expected that the critical darlings of music will get in on their first try.

For what it is worth, we have them ranked at #2 on our latest list of those to consider for the Rock and Roll Hall.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ceremony of 2017 is in the books but that doesn’t mean that we can’t look forward to the 2018 version. 

So far, we like what we see.

Cleveland will be the host of the ceremony, to be held at on April 18 at the Public Hall.  It was last held there three years ago, a continuing pattern as it was also there in 2012 and 2009.  HBO will again have the exclusive rights to broadcast the event.

Perhaps this will be the year that Notinhalloffame.com will attend!

Well, we can’t say that this is the hardest we ever worked on an article.

We will keep this one simple as once again former Pearl Jam drummer, Dave Abbruzzese, has spoken out about the induction of his former band.

As you can imagine, it isn’t very positive.

It is taken from a comment he made on his own YouTube channel, which was in response to a poster saying how the drummers were invited to the ceremony:

“Hello, David Abbruzzese here….

Not true, the band and the hall did not invite or contact me.. The band tweeted that they welcomed the idea of the event granting the possibility of all the drummers to be in the same room. That isnt an invite.

I personally have deep respect for all drummers and of course the five that participated in the pearl jam bands carreer… I am going to say this; For the band to put me in the same light as Matt Chamberlain & Dave K really was a slap in the face. Nothing to do with those guys as people or players. Respect… but as a contributor? A band member? A definitive contributor to the energy and power of where the band went? …the sacrifices, the work, the physical and emotional contributions…not to mention the personal weight of carrying onthrough and after unceremonious and disrespectful way I was fired. I gave this band all I had to give every single moment I was in it. I never played for a paycheck. I never let the band down. I never let the music down. I never let the fans down… not once. I suppose that is why I am still such a point of contention. Truth be told, if I would have been inducted, I would have requested my tech, Jimmy Shoaf Jr. and my daughter, Francesca to say a few words on my behalf. If they had invited me to be there to witness the bands induction? Nope. To do that would justify the mistake and disrespect the core fans that took this band to heart back when all we were to become, we had to earn and also, most importantly, we had to prove we deserved every single time we took the stage. And we did that. We, the Pearl Jam band & original crew, deserved to be inducted & respected. I’m proud of my old friends for managing it all so well. I dont know if I heard anyone say it, but you’re welcome and thank you, too”

We are not sure about the rest of you but we think this is likely to be the last we speak on this.

Well, this is a nice surprise!

After speculation of whether or not he would even be in appearance at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, former lead singer of Journey, Steve Perry, will in fact perform with his former band at their induction ceremony. 

Journey’s set is to be “Separate Ways”, “Lights” and of course, “Don’t Stop Believin’”, though it is unknown as to whether Perry will be singing one, two or all three of those songs. 

This will be Perry’s first performance with Journey since 1991.

Neil Young was scheduled to be a part of this year’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, as he was pegged as the inductor of Pearl Jam.  Due to illness (as reported by the Rock and Roll Hall), the music legend will not be a part of the ceremony, but his replacement might be even more famous, albeit not in the music industry.

Former late night kingpin, David Letterman will now be inducting Pearl Jam.  While this may seem illogical, there is no disputing that Letterman is a huge name in the entertainment field, and during his run at NBC hosting Late Night, he had many alternative bands that would not be typical on other shows.

While we will miss seeing Young at the ceremony, Letterman is a great substitute.

Let’s just hope that Young is OK!

The Misfits are not members of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, however this does not mean that they will not be there in some capacity.

In commemoration of the group’s first performance forty years ago at the famed CBGB club in New York City, artifacts from the band will be at display. Specifically, founding member, Jerry Only’s custom bass guitar and the leather vest are now on display. 

The items are on display with other former possessions of the Ramones and the Talking Heads.

For what it is worth, The Misfits are ranked #218 on our latest Notinhalloffame.com Rock and Roll list.

Well, there is one mystery answered for the upcoming Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ceremony.

Steve Perry, the former lead singer of Journey will be on hand to accept the induction, though according to Jonathan Cain, the keyboardist, it is was implied that he would not be performing with the group.  This was from an interview with the Dayton Daily News:

"As far as we know he's just going to accept the award and then skedaddle. That's all I know, unless something changes. Arnel is going to represent very well, like he always does."

Arnel, is Arnel Pineda, who was plucked from obscurity to become the band’s lead singer, a role he has had for the past ten years.  Pineda himself has stated that he is looking forward to meeting Perry, whom he has never met.  Notably, Pineda is not amongst the band members who are being inducted.

The odds are that we haven’t finished reporting on the upcoming Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ceremony!

Another name has been announced as a presenter at this year’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as Snoop Dogg will be inducting the late rapper, Tupac Shakur into the Hall.

The two were friends and label mates on Suge Knight’s Death Row Records and had collaborated on multiple tracks. 

While there are still many details left to be ironed out about the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Ceremony, it is fitting that Snoop that will be a part of Tupac’s induction, which should yield a very moving tribute.   

The ceremony is slated for April 7 in Brooklyn, New York at the Barclay’s Center.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame still has a lot of unanswered questions, but we are learning slowly about some of the inductors for the ceremony on April 7 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.  Three presenters have been announced.

Neil Young will be inducting Pearl Jam, Jackson Browne will be inducting Joan Baez and Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson of Rush will be inducting Yes.  It is notable that all of these inductors are Rock and Roll Hall of Famers themselves.

It is not known yet who will be inducting ELO, Nile Rodgers, Tupac Shakur and Journey.

We will keep our ears open for more Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ceremony news.  You know there will be a lot more coming!