The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Nominees
Gird your loins, the 2020 nominees have been announced.
Gird your loins, the 2020 nominees have been announced.
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame dumped it’s current list of potential inductees. As is usual, it’s a bukkake of artists, of which only five will be “voted” in.
Now, tossing aside my own cynicism behind the RRHoF election “process”, let’s have a look:
Pat Benatar — a formidable female voice in rock and roll and in almost any other environment, I’d say that she (along with her underrated husband guitarist Neil Geraldo) would have my vote. BUT, there are others here who speak to the travesty that is this voting “process”.
Dave Matthews Band — really? Without a doubt my doppelganger has the best band in rock and roll, but…really? His ascension was unfortunately timed with the collapse of the Grateful Dead. Here again, I’m not saying he may not belong there, but when the T. Rex, Thin Lizzy, The Replacements (shall I go on?) are still on the outs, I can’t see where this makes sense.
Depeche Mode — I just don’t care about this band. I mean, I care about them in that they’re creative humans and have done great work. They’ve just never been my cup of tea. Objectively speaking?
No Kraftwerk, no Depeche Mode.
‘Nuff said.
The Doobie Brothers — Which iteration is eligible, the one that wrote and recorded “China Grove” or the one that wrote “What a Fool Believes”? Which one would you rather hear?
DOOBIE BROS PROS — “Skunk” Baxter
DOOBIE BROS CONS — Michael McDonald.
Whitney Houston — I can’t say anything here about his. Is she worthy to be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame? Yea, she had a voice that literally could’ve done anything. It’s a damn shame we never got a chance to hear her use her voice in other genres (could you imagine a Whitney blues album?) We can blame drugs, and we should. But the real blame belongs to Bobby Brown…and he’s still alive. Life is very cruel indeed.
Judas Priest — Having Rob Halford come out was a watershed moment in hard rock. Besides providing a different read on “You’ve Got Another Thing Comin”, “Turbo Lover”, “Hell Bent for Leather” (shall I go on?) it helped normalize being gay in rock and roll. Do they deserve this? Hell yes!
Kraftwerk — WHY ARE THEY NOT ALREADY IN?! This is a travesty.
MC5 — The Motor City 5 (that’s what MC5 stands for)…outside of the music nerd community, I’m not sure they warrant much more than consideration. Their national or international impact was nominal…at best.
Motorhead — WHY ARE THEY NOT ALREADY IN?! This is a travesty.
Nine Inch Nails — Trent Reznor is as dynamic as a songwriter and musician as Generation X has produced. Genius? Who can say? He’s definitely worthy of inclusion, but here again, why should NIN get the nod before Kraftwerk or Motorhead? Without either of them, no NIN.
The Notorious B.I.G. — I NOW understand the influence of Rap on rock music (and vice versa) and Biggie is as worthy as any Rap artist. Although I can’t help but think the voting committee only throws on a few black artists to give the appearance of not having a racial bias. That said, is it Biggie’s time?
Rufus featuring Chaka Kahn — No Chaka, no Whitney. ‘Nuff said.
Todd Rundgren — WHY IS HE NOT ALREADY IN?! Sure, he’s a little cranky and may not be well liked in the “industry” but the man has touched every genre, in one way or another, over his 50+ year career. This is a travesty.
Soundgarden — I’m not sure I understand this one. Other than the committee’s odd policy of recognizing artists only after they die. Why now? The first Soundgarden record was released long before Nirvana or Pearl Jam’s first album. Are we left to think that induction is anything other than sales based? And then second consideration only given after a death? That’s the only thought behind this inclusion.
T.Rex — More than worthy. T. Rex cast a long shadow.
Thin Lizzy — Before there was U2, there was Thin Lizzy. And without Thin Lizzy, there would be no U2.
My vote:
T. Rex (toss up with Thin Lizzy)
Todd Rundgren
Motorhead
Kraftwerk
Judas Priest
Don’t fool yourself though — the choices have been made already. However, don’t let that dampen the fun of voting and arguing with your other music nerd friends.
Who are your five votes?