John Prine passed away due to complications from COVID-19. He was 73 years old.

Based in Chicago, Prine was an active musician from 1971, spinning blue collar tales with a country-folk flair.  Prine may not have ever become a superstar in musical terms, but his peers viewed him as one of the greatest songwriters of his generation. For his work, Prine was nominated in 2018 for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

We here at Notinhalloffame.com would like to extend our condolences to the friends and family of John Prine.

The Songwriters Hall of Fame has announced their Class of 2019 today and let’s get right into the new members:

Dallas Austin.  Austin has written many major hits for acts like Boyz II Men (Motownphilly), TLC (Ain’t 2 Proud 2 Beg) and Madonna (Secret).  

Missy Elliott.  Elliott makes history as the first female rapper to enter the Songwriters Hall of Fame. She has five top ten hits.

Tom T. Hall.  Hall wrote twelve country music number ones and one crossover number one with “Harper Valley P.T.A.”

John Prine.  Prine was a surprise nominee for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame this past year and has been active as a performer since the early 1970’s.  Prine’s hybrid of folk and country has been widely acclaimed and he is considered among the best songwriters amongst his peers.

Cat Stevens.  Now known as Yusuf Islam, Stevens was a very successful singer/songwriter in the 1970’s. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2014.

Jack Tempchin.  Tempchin wrote songs for the Eagles and later Glenn Frey during his solo career.

This group of inductees will be officially inducted on June 13 at the Marquis Hotel in New York City.

We here at Notinhalloffame.com would like to congratulate the new members of the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

It has been an interesting year for John Prine who was nominated for both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriting Hall of Fame this year. In an interview with Billboard, he discussed both of those nominations and what those meant to him.

"It's been quite a year. The (halls of fame), those things are pretty darned neat just to get nominated for. I know there's lots of people who have been waiting years to just get in. Truly, the nominations are good enough. I haven't been nominated before for these particular organizations. I don't know if I'll get in the first year or not."   

When asked about the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame, Prine indicated that it would it mean a lot to him to be inducted:

"I found it easier to make up songs than to learn other people's songs…The Songwriters Hall of fame, that's the one all the big-time writers get into, the really great stuff, the Broadway stuff and all that. That would be something, to get your name in there."

Prine however was comfortable with the idea that he could possibly be a Rock and Roll Hall of Famer next year.

“I always related to the rock 'n' roll lifestyle. So that'd be great to be in there, no matter what year they want to put me in."

Prine however was quick to add tha the felt the Zombie should go in before him.  

We will know next month whether or not Prine will get into both, one or neither of the Halls of Fame. As you can imagine we will be paying very close attention to what those nominations will be!

We look forward to this day every year at Notinhalloffame.com. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has announced their Finalists for the Class of 2019 and annually it brings about the biggest debates in the short history of Halls of Fame.

Hell, it was those debates that caused us to create this website in the first place!

Here are the nominees:

Def Leppard: This is the first time that the British pop-metal band has been nominated after being eligible since 2004. They are ranked #41 on our list.

Devo: Often perceived as a one-hit wonder (for Whip It), this was a very influential act that was far more than just a New Wave Band. This is their first nomination and they have are ranked #84 on our list.

Janet Jackson: This is Janet’s third nomination and first since 2017. She is ranked #18 on our list.

John Prine: While Prine is a decent candidate, this has to be considered the biggest “oh, really?” reaction of this year’s Finalists. He is ranked #314 on our list.

Kraftewerk: Arguably in terms of influence, there is no artist(s) that deserve induction more than Kraftwerk. This is their fifth nomination and they are ranked #2 on our list.

LL Cool J: This is the lone Hip Hop nominee and for LL Cool J, it is the fifth nomination. He is ranked #88 on our list.

MC5: In terms of Proto-Punk or even Punk in general, this would have to be the nomination. They are ranked #6 on our list.

Radiohead: Radiohead were nominated last year on their first year of eligibility and they are up again this year. They are ranked #1 on our list.

Rage Against the Machine: RATM is back for the second nomination and they are ranked #47 on our list.

Roxy Music: This is the first nomination for Roxy Music who have been eligible since 1997 and also for Brian Eno, who also has a solo career worth celebrating. They are ranked #5 on our list.

Stevie Nicks: Already inducted as a member of Fleetwood Mac, this is the first solo nomination for Nicks. She is ranked #122 on our list.

The Cure: The Cure were nominated before in 2012 and are essentially this year’s 80’s Alternative nominee. They are ranked #11 on our list.

Todd Rundgren: This is the first nomination for Rundgren who has been eligible since. Rundgren brings a resume that is propelled by his producing credits and he is ranked #13 on our list.

Rufus and Chaka Khan: This is the fourth nomination for Chaka Khan (in some capacity as she was initially nominated as a solo) and fourth in a row. They are ranked #170 on our list.

The Zombies: The Zombies return to the ballot for the fourth time and their third year in a row. They are ranked #85 on our list.

While this was a longtime coming for Roxy Music, Todd Rundgren and Def Leppard, we expect that there will be a lot of people upset at Devo’s nomination and the usual backlash of a Hip Hop nominee.

Notably there are no Progressive Rock candidates and no first year eligible nominees.

So, did they get it right in terms of nominations?

Let us know and let’s see who will get into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2019!

A skilled Songwriter, John Prine originally caught the attention of Kris Kristofferson who helped him get his first recording deal. It didn’t take long for Prine to get noticed by other acclaimed artists as his music used Folk, Bluegrass and Country paired with some of the most honest lyrics ever written. It was the honesty that came through in Prine’s material that allowed him to be so poignant; as he was capable of eliciting any musical emotion he wanted to. Prine may be revered, but his album sales were small and that could prevent him from gaining a serious look as even though the Hall could induct someone like John Prine; they are probably seeking “the more successful version”.