The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame released its nominations in the last month or two. Here’s the nominating process. “Criteria include the influence and significance of the artists’ contributions to the development and perpetuation of rock and roll.” So there’s some vague line about commercial success, but also “importance”.
Invariably, there are those who kvetch about who’s not on the ballot – if I were so inclined, I’d mention the Moody Blues and Yes.
Who will get in? Who SHOULD get in?
The Beastie Boys – will get in. I have none of their albums.
The Cure – not yet, but eventually. Have a couple of albums.
Donovan – I want to get in, badly; on my ballot. Have a half dozen of his albums.
Eric B. & Rakim – won’t. Have none.
Guns ‘N Roses – mortal lock, tho, like others, there are unnominated artists who started earlier I’d like to see first. Have 2 of their albums.
Heart – eventually, not this year. Have at least one.
Joan Jett & the Blackhearts – maybe; I think Joan’s history with the Runaways raises her cred. I don’t think I have any!
Freddie King – doubt he’ll make it, tho he should, as an early influence, but I admit I have no albums.
Laura Nyro – also nominated last year, doubt she’ll EVER get in as a performer; she OUGHT to get in as a songwriter. She’d be on my ballot. I have at least four of her albums.
Red Hot Chili Peppers – I wish others had gotten in before them. I have one album.
Rufus with Chaka Khan – Chaka should; Rufus, not so much. I have one Rufus’ greatest hits, plus a couple of Chaka albums.
The Small Faces – maybe will get in. I have one or two albums.
The Spinners – I have an irrational affection; they’d be on my ballot, but they probably won’t get in. I have at least two of their albums.
Donna Summer – Nah, though I do have a mostly live double LP that was given to me in the early 1980s.
War – Nah, though I like their greatest hits album that I own.
To recap: I’d vote for Donovan, Jett, King, Nyro, Spinners.
Beastie Boys, GnR, Chili Peppers will win. Who else, I don’t know. Donovan? King? Jett?
Here are some favorites of the nominees I want to win.
Donovan – Barabajagal (Love is Hot)
Donovan – Season of the Witch
Joan Jett and the Blackhearts – I Love Rock ‘n Roll
Laura Nyro – Eli’s Comin’
Spinners – Rubberband Man
Dionne Warwick & the Spinners – Then Came You
“A separate committee, composed primarily of producers, selects the inductees [for] the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Award for Recording Excellence [which] has replaced the Sidemen category.” Whatever. Still want Billy Preston.
I am really very ignorant in the field of modern music. I don’t know anybody of the above mentioned musicians. Terrible, isn’t it?!
Thank you for your comment. Very clever!
Roger, you touched on some great artists here, as well as some mediocre ones. Of my choices, the top would be Laura Nyro. Her rendition of her song, “Buy and Sell,” is one of my favorite cuts in the world. So plainly sung, so honest. Her death was a tragedy.
I don’t know if Dusty Springfield ever got in, but I’d put her in posthumously, even though she was more pop and soul than rock and roll. She had more soul than any blue-eyed girl EVER! Love her still.
Thanks for this, Roger. I love talking music with you. Amy
http://sharplittlepencil.wordpress.com/2011/11/08/o-men/
Amy – Dusty was inducted in 1999, the year she died.
Of those nominated, I would really only pull for Heart. Not a big fan, but I think they helped propel women into the genre. Actually, they probably helped fellow nominee Joan Jett get to where she went.
I wouldn’t have a problem with the Red Hot Chili Peppers and/or the Beastie Boys making it in, though not a fan of either. And though I AM a fan of The Cure, I agree with you. Think there are others more worthy right now.
Glad to see that someone else agrees with Yes needing to at least be nominated. I feel the same about Rush and Kiss (though I am NOT a fan of Kiss, they did a lot for the genre.) And I would back the Moody Blues, too.