The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame announces the Class of 2024
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has always been a chaotic animal. They have no pattern in when they announce the nominees, and when they announce the date, it is often in the middle of the night. The Cleveland-based institution was so oblivious towards the other major Halls, that they changed the date when they realized it was the same time as the Pro Football Hall of Fame had a scheduled announcement. Had they been paying attention, they would have seen that the PFHOF does follow an announcement structure, as do the other major sports, but their pattern has always been no pattern.
Last night, the Rock Hall did buck their tradition as we actually when they were going to announce it, which occurred on American Idol. Whether or not it is a good idea to do that on a show that is about manufacturing pop stars is a good or idea or not can be determined later, but at least it was not dropped out of nowhere in the middle-of-the-night press release.
Announced by Lionel Richie, who is one of the judges of American Idol, we learned who will comprise the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2024.
The newest members of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Class are:
A Tribe Called Quest: ATCQ meets the artistic and influence requirements, though we consider it a mild surprise that the voters placed them over Eric B & Rakim.
Cher: We said (as did many) that when Cher received her first nomination after being eligible for decades that this induction was a lock. Generating hits in multiple decades, Cher is a rock star, fashion icon and maverick, who said last year that she would never attend if chosen. So, of course, here we are!
Dave Matthews Band: The jam scene gains another entrant with the Dave Matthews Band, who join the Hall on their second ballot (they were first nominated in 2020). No other nominated act in 2024 was close to them stylistically, and they were apparently very close when they were nominated the last time. This was not a shock.
Foreigner: The arena rock band was allegedly told that as long as Jann Wenner was in charge, they would never be inducted. Wenner was ousted, and they were finally nominated. As we have seen often (and also here with Cher), when the voting body has a chance for someone who has waited over 20 years, they respond. We will see another example soon.
Kool & The Gang. Another band that had to wait over 20 years for their first crack at the Hall. Far more than “Celebration” they have the most eclectic body of work of all the inductees. Too bad there is only one member left.
Mary J. Blige: Mary J enters the Hall on her second nomination (she was nominated in 2021), and in regards to R&B/Hip-Hop authenticity, she has few peers.
Ozzy Osbourne: Already inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall with Black Sabbath, Osbourne had a very successful career in the 1980s and remains an iconic figure in Metal. Once he was nominated as a solo, this felt inevitable.
Peter Frampton: Like Foreigner, Frampton was part of the arena rock scene, had never been nominated, and was eligible for over 20 years. Is Wenner rolling in his grave? He’s alive? So, stewing in his juices.
This means that Eric B. & Rakim, Jame’s Addiction, Lenny Kravitz, Mariah Carey, Oasis, Sade and Sinead O’Connor id not receive the necessary votes to advance.
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has a backdoor entry that they often use when acts they want acts inducted, which the voting body had passed on previously. This avenue called the Musical Excellence Award, saw two previous nominees, a recently deceased legend and a songwriter/producer, enter the Hall.
MC5: One of the most important bands in proto-punk history finally got their due, and this was likely their only path for induction. They were nominated in 2003, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 & 2022 and never seemed to come close in voting.
Dionne Warwick: Warwick and her smooth soul/adult contemporary voice enter Cleveland through the Musical Excellence Award. She was nominated previously in 2021 and 2022.
Jimmy Buffett: The leader of the parrot-heads died last year, and was one of the most successful touring acts ever.
Norman Whitfield: Working for Berry Gordy at Motown, Whitfield co-wrote and/or produced many of their hits, and was credited with the creation of “psychedelic soul”
The Hall also inducted Alexis Korner, John Mayall and Big Mama Thornton via the Musical Influence Award and Suzanne De Passe with the Ahmet Ertegun Award.
In the upcoming months, we will endeavour to revise our Notinhalloffame Rock List. Please be patient, as we also have to complete our Football, Basketball, and WWE revisions.
We here at Notinhalloffame.com would like to congratulate the newest members of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Announced Their 2024 Nominees
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has announced their 2024 Nominees, which if we had a million tries, we never would have guessed this group. It is completely different than what we have seen in the past, and (taking this from a personal point of view as the Chairman of the Site) I don’t know whether this makes me happy or not. There is a plethora of first-time nominees, many of whom have never been nominated, and it is nice to see different acts get a shot, but with this group, we have no artist whose peak began before the 70s that are here. Is that window closed? There are also no punk acts, and I can’t remember the last time that happened.
Also, is this a reaction to Jann Wenner’s New York Times comments that got him excommunicated from his own creation.
As Arsenio used to say, “Things that make you go…Hmmmm”
Let’s look at the 15 nominees.
A Tribe Called Quest: Eligible since 2015, this might be the most predictable nominee as they were nominated the previous two years.
Cher: A few months ago, Cher was on the Kelly Clarkson Show ripping on the Rock Hall and stating that she would never accept induction. So, what do they do? They nominate her for the first time after being eligible since 1991. Bluntly, what is more Rock and Roll than telling them off?
Dave Matthews Band: The beloved jam band received their second nomination, with their first coming in 2020.
Eric B. & Rakim: Somehow, this nomination was already leaked, which is the first to my recollection. The hip hop duo has been eligible since 2012, the same year they received their first nomination.
Foreigner: Arena Rock bands have a hard time gaining a nomination, but often when they get one, they get inducted. This is their first nomination after being eligible since 2003.
Janes Addiction: Receiving their second nomination (their first was in 2017), the body of work is not huge, but the legacy is.
Kool and the Gang: Finally! It took 29 years for the group to get its first nomination, but sadly there are few of them left.
Lenny Kravitz: Kravitz is also another first-time nominee, and has been eligible since 2015. He has a tough road ahead in this group.
Mariah Carey: Does Whitney’s induction pave the way for Mariah? It should, and if we look at commercial success, there is no better candidate than this. Eligible since 2016, this is her first nomination.
Mary J. Blige: Blige is now a two-time nominee (her first was 2021), but like the last time, she faces a very tough ballot for her.
Oasis: The kings of Brit-Pop are finally here, and arguably they should have been on their first year of eligibility in 2020. The Gallaghers giving a speech together? As unlikely as that is, it would be money.
Ozzy Osbourne: Already in with Black Sabbath, Ozzy receives his first solo nomination. He has been eligible since 2006.
Peter Frampton: Best known for his album, “Frampton Comes Alive”, Frampton receives his first nomination after 24 years of eligibility.
Sade: Another first-time nominee, Sade has been eligible since 2010, but this is a very hard ballot for her with the high amount of women on the ballot, who all arguably have higher profiles.
Sinead O’Connor: O’Connor passed away last year and was never nominated when she was alive. Her first year of eligibility was 2013.
We here at Notinhalloffame.com would like to congratulate the artists who have made it as Finalists for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Announces the 2021 Finalists
When you follow halls of fame as diligent as we do, it is a festive season when you have the Baseball Hall of Fame and Football Hall of Fame announce their classes a week about. Throw in the fact that the Rock and Roll Hall is now announcing their Finalists, we have an unprecedented time on our hands.
Due to COVID-19, the nomination process for the Class of 2021 was delayed by several months, but until two days ago there was no set date as to when it we learn who would be on the ballot.
The nominees are:
Carole King: Ranked #87 on Notinhalloffame.com. King entered the Rock Hall a long time ago as a songwriter with her partner, Gerry Goffin, but her solo work as a performer is also Hall worthy. This is the first time she has been nominated since 1989.
Chaka Khan: Ranked #168 on Notinhalloffame.com. The Hall wants Chaka Khan in, as they have nominated her in the past as a solo, and later with the group, Rufus. Again, as a solo, this is her sixth overall nomination.
Devo: Ranked #80 on Notinhalloffame.com. Devo returns to the ballot after a year, and their work in Post-Punk/New Wave is among the most influential of its day.
Dionne Warwick: Ranked #362 on Notinhalloffame.com. Warwick has a trophy case full of Grammys and a laundry list of hits, but with an Adult Contemporary sound, her rock and roll credibility is suspect. That hasn’t stopped Hall voters before.
Fela Kuti: Ranked #397 on Notinhalloffame.com. Every year there is a wild card, and this is year it is Fela Kuti, the most important singer from Africa. If the Rock Hall voters value world music, he is the best choice they could make.
Foo Fighters: Ranked #3 on Notinhalloffame.com. Foo Fighters are in their first year of eligibility and it should be no surprise to anyone that they were nominated, nor should anyone be shocked to see them gain immediate entry. An induction will make Dave Grohl a two-time inductee, having already been enshrined with Nirvana.
The Go-Go’s: Ranked #111 on Notinhalloffame.com. The Go-Go’s were he first all-female band to go #1 on Billboard, and this is their first nomination since being eligible in 2006.
Iron Maiden: Ranked #13 on Notinhalloffame.com. This is a pleasant surprise as the Heavy Metal gods have never been nominated despite being eligible since the 2004 vote. Heavy Metal has struggled to find representation in the Rock Hall, and in the past few years, Judas Priest and Motorhead have been on the ballot, but failed to gain entry. It might be a hard call to see Iron Maiden achieving what the others did not.
Jay-Z: Ranked #2 on Notinhalloffame.com. Jay-Z is one of the most important, if not THE most important hip-hop artist in the last thirty years. If you don’t agree with that assessment, you can’t deny that he is among the most successful. Like Foo Fighters, Jay-Z is on their first year of eligibility and he should get in.
Kate Bush: Ranked #132 on Notinhalloffame.com. Bush’s unique singing voice was only matched by her unique material. She was nominated before in 2018.
LL Cool J: Ranked #100 on Notinhalloffame.com. LL Cool J is nominated for the fifth time, but he again he is not the biggest named Hip Hop artist on the ballot. The nomination of Jay-Z hurts LL Cool J more than anyone else, but there is no reason that two Hip Hop stars can’t get inducted in the same year.
Mary J. Blige: Ranked #252 on Notinhalloffame.com. Blige earns her first nomination on her third year of eligibility. Her diverse catalogue earns her a spot, but with other more established African-American women on this ballot, this will be a tough one for her to get elected on.
The New York Dolls: Ranked #89 on Notinhalloffame.com. The New York Dolls are this year’s proto-punk/punk nominee and the David Johansen led group were nominated once before, back in 2001.
Rage Against the Machine: Ranked #40 on Notinhalloffame.com. RATM is on their third ballot, and finding a group that fused rap and hard rock/metal better than them is a daunting task.
Tina Turner: Ranked #113 on Notinhalloffame.com. Tina Turner was long ago inducted as one half of Ike & Tina, but Tina’s solo career far eclipsed the duo in popularity. This is the first time that Tina has been nominated as a solo, and should she get in, she joins Stevie Nicks as female double-inductee.
Todd Rundgren: Ranked #12 on Notinhalloffame.com. Rundgren’s overall body of work as a performer, songwriter and producer puts many Rock and Roll Hall of Famers to shame. Eligible since 1996, Rundgren had to wait until 2018 for his first nomination, and he was also on the ballot last year.
We know there will be copious amounts of rage regarding who was not nominated. There always is. We do feel that the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nominating committee did a good job nominating musicians across a musical landscape, and have for the last seven years.
This ballot also has the greatest number of women in nominating history.
What happens next is up to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame voters.
Congratulations to all the Finalists, and let the debate again.
Mary J. Blige
