Beastie Boys: This is their 3rd nomination, and they definitely will get in the Hall at some point, it is just a matter of when. Innovators not only in rap music, but also in mixing diverse musical elements in a rock and roll context. As innovators, this group is what the Rockhall is (or should be) all about.
The Cure: Yes! Yes!! Yes!!! Perhaps the door is opening on important 80’s music, and few bands are more important or influential (or as good) from that period than The Cure. I was worried that the NomCom’s anti-80’s stance (led by 80’s-hater Steve Van Zandt) would remain firm. There are still many egregious 80’s omissions, but The Cure’s nomination goes a ways in rectifying that. Now let’s hope they actually get inducted. They are also responsible for helping the lipstick and eyeliner industry turn a profit.
Donovan: I’m a Donovan fan, and I’m glad he’s getting another nomination. His hippy dippy folk tunes, and later psychedelic pop classics, stand as some of the better representatives of that era. I don’t think his chances are too high in this company, but I’d like to see him get in eventually.
Eric B. and Rakim: Rap pioneers who, if we agree that rap has a place in a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, deserve to be there. No question.
Guns ‘n Roses: As great as they were in their classic line-up, it is interesting to consider what more they could have been had they been able to keep it together longer. Had they not had such implosive drug issues, had Axl Rose not been so insane…but then they wouldn’t have been G’nR without all of that, would they? They could have been a modern Rolling Stones. But as it stands, they were the best hard rock band of the 80’s or 90’s. For Appetite For Destruction alone they need to be inducted.
Heart: Finally a nomination for the great Heart. With the Rockhall’s focus this year on the Women in Rock Exhibit, perhaps it is no surprise that they nominated quite a few women this year. The Wilson sisters and their band were responsible for some killer 70’s hard rock, and were early role models for female rockers everywhere.
Joan Jett & the Blackhearts: Is any female rocker any cooler than Joan Jett? She was a total badass, and like Heart, served as a role model for rocker chicks worldwide.
Freddie King: Surprisingly, this is the late, great Freddie King’s first nomination. Surprising because the Rockhall has generally been very good about honoring blues greats/influences, and King was definitely influential on blues-rockers, especially Eric Clapton and Stevie Ray Vaughan. I doubt he makes it in this class, but I would love to see him get in eventually.
Laura Nyro: Respected singer-songwriter, I’m honestly not very familiar with her material, so I can’t really say much on her. Perhaps she should be inducted as a Non-Performer, since she is more famous as a songwriter who has provided hits for others more than as a Performer. I doubt she gets in this time around, though.
Red Hot Chili Peppers: What is great about the Chili Peppers is how they have evolved over time, while maintaining influence and quality throughout their various stages. They will definitely be inducted eventually.
Rufus with Chaka Khan: Talented R&B diva/group, not sure they are really Hall-worthy, though.
Small Faces / The Faces: Great nomination, and a surprise too. The Small Faces were quite creative and admired in the 1960’s, an innovative group who dabbled in folk and psychedelia. Then they evolved into a great, gritty bar band featuring Rod Stewart on vocals, Ron Wood on guitar and the underrated Ronnie Lane (who was in both incarnations). I’d love to see these guys get in. It is a bit dubious lumping them together in one nomination, though. They were really two separate bands with some overlap in personnel. It would be like inducting Joy Division and New Order together as one band.
The Spinners: Another area that the Rockhall has actually covered quite well is R&B and soul. The Spinners would be a nice addition to the soul roster of the Hall, and a nice representative of Philly soul.
Donna Summer: The NomCom has been pushing her for several years now. She was a disco icon, and being one of the most important artists in a genre qualifies you for induction in my book.
War: War was a gritty rock/soul outfit in the 70’s, notable for their work with Eric Burdon (of The Animals) and on their own. They were great, but I am not sure they are Hall of Fame-worthy.
So, there you have it. Overall, it is a strong group. That being said, I still have (as do all Hall watchers) a long list of ridiculous snubs. For some it is the fault of the Nominating Committee (Peter Gabriel, Yes, Rush, King Crimson, The Cars, Deep Purple, Chicago, Judas Priest, Joy Division, New Order, Motorhead, The Replacements, The Smiths, Sonic Youth, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Big Star…all yet to even be nominated), while others have been nominated but have yet to be inducted. But that aside, this has the potential to be a really solid class.
If I had a ballot, it would look like this…
The Cure
Heart
Guns ‘n Roses
Freddie King
Donovan
I think there are many deserving nominees this year. Beastie Boys, Eric B. & Rakim, Joan Jett, Faces, Spinners, Donna Summer and Red Hot Chili Peppers will all hopefully get in at some point.
My Predictions: who I think will be inducted…
Guns ‘n Roses
Beastie Boys
Heart
The Cure
This last one is tough, I’ll go with Joan Jett & the Blackhearts
Thoughts? Predictions?
7 comments:
God, how I hate the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
God, how I hate Heart!
Wha? Heart rocks.
I think the Chili Peppers rock a lot more than Heart. Like, 20% more. Maybe 25!
Both of you are wrong.
JMW, I would agree with you on RHCP from the 80's into the early 90's. But they developed into a really great band rather late in their career. Listen to the 'By the Way' record, it is so good. Quite melodic and interesting.
ANCIANT, Heart rocks.
Dez, you are doubly wrong about the RHCP. Some of their earlier stuff is at least fun. Everything they've done in the last 15 years is horrendous. The more recent the worse. The song "Californication" is indicative of their terribleness on every level.
I think Laura Nyro will get in, she was the next step from Carole King toward women singer/songwriters performing their own material. Foundationally, she's as significant as many of those older Bluesmen of the Freddie King ilk.
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