Every act on the 2019 ballot deserves an induction into the "Performers" category in the Rock Hall, but there's a couple that I feel may just get the back-door induction. Still, its a popularity contest every year as one act outweighs the other in some way. Read on -
Alright, here we go....
JANET JACKSON - The NomCom has been great to put Ms. Jackson on the ballot over the years, but each time, it seems, she can't compete with other long overdue acts. This year, in my mind, there are no excuses. I really hope three times is a charm for her.
STEVIE NICKS - Let's pretend and time travel back 20 years ago (1998). Ask ourselves as Rock Hall watchers, "Who will be the first female that would be inducted twice?" - and we may have said either Tina Turner, Diana Ross, or Carole King. (Not trying to speak for all of us, just guessing) Times change. The attitudes, the tastes, the leadership, trends, etc. Unfortunately, what's staying the same is the politics of the Rock Hall. I really shouldn't go there, so I won't. For whatever reason, those three women I mentioned were just never given a chance to appear on a ballot. So now, in 2018, we have Stevie Nicks, who was inducted 21 years ago as a member of Fleetwood Mac. Her solo career isn't really that memorable, even though there are some interesting parts (Did you know that Prince played on "Stand Back"?).
When I saw Fleetwood Mac in concert (2015), Stevie stole most of the show, with her speeches, moves and of course, her singing. Point is, it somehow dawned on me that she could possibly be inducted as a solo artist soon. There's no denying that women are influenced by her image and all. Some people suggest that Stevie is now the "Queen of Rock", a title that has never been officially given to anyone, except maybe Tina Turner. When you get done reading this, google "Queen of Rock" and tell me what you see. It's a mixture, depending on your news source.
Whether or not you believe she is deserving as a two-time inductee, the time will probably come for her. There's not very many women that could get into the "Clyde McPhatter Club", so this may be it and who knows when it will ever happen next.
DEF LEPPARD - As we all know, the Rock Hall's official fan vote has been a proven winner since its inception (even though it counts for one vote!). I think most voters are aware that the boys from Sheffield are the biggest of the hard-rock snubs that deserve induction, and they know hardcore music fans demand it. These aren't really credentials but worth noting: 65 million units sold, still touring like crazy, and according to their Facebook page, their records have set the bar for generations in music.
THE ZOMBIES - When I visited the Rock Hall museum back in September, I noticed there were several columns and sections devoted to artists, mostly RRHOF inductees. The Beatles, Elvis and the Stones were among the many few that had their own oversized section. Then you had groups like U2, the Doors...and the Zombies that had "columns" of memorablia, along with an essay attached. I don't know how long its been up, but this is a sure sign that the folks behind the Rock Hall clearly want them in (just read the long essay below, if you can). The voters, I surely hope so. Rod Argent and crew want to get in as well. Same case with Janet, this year there shouldn't be an excuse...
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| The Zombies "column" at the Hall of Fame, September 2018 |
LL COOL J - I believe voters will finally put him in after several tries. Its best to get him in anyway before the big guys like Jay-Z and Eminem get their shot. Of course, he'll put on quite a performance if inducted and he'll have an all-star group of supporters. Hip-hop is the new rock, and LL Cool J has helped lead the way more than others. And he's the first solo hip-hop superstar, as well as the first rap act to appear on American Bandstand.
-If there is a 6th inductee and/or a backdoor induction-
TODD RUNDGREN - It's a longtime mystery about how it took this long for rock's everyman Rundgren to ever get placed on the ballot. I'm with everyone else on his legacy, be it behind the mic and behind the scenes. His Wiki page states that he was one of the first acts to be prominent as an artist and producer, although it seems like there were others before him that accomplished such. He's also known for his unorthodox way of doing things musically - in fact when I saw him in concert two years ago it was mostly electronica songs he did (from his latest album at the time). Rundgren has put out many different albums, even one with Robert Johnson covers. I don't know if Steve Tyler would vote for him (if you know what I mean), but he's well respected all around in the music community.
It's a dilemma for just about everyone, be it the Rock Hall people to the fans, on which category Rundgren deserves to be inducted in. Does he belong in the Performers category? Let's see...his 1972 double LP, Something/Anything, is a favorite of many (including me), especially Axl Rose and Cameron Crowe (stupid question, is Crowe one of the voters?). That produced two memorable singles, at least. Over a decade later, he would release that novelty tune that psychs us up ("Bang the Drum All Day"). He put out some great songs here and there, including "Can We Still Be Friends", "Caravan" (w. Utopia) and "Secret Society". He's been around the block, performing with several Hall of Famers. Or does he belong in the Musical Excellence category? We all know he produced Meat Loaf''s Bat Out of Hell, and in addition he has produced over a dozen albums, including for Hall & Oates, XTC and the New York Dolls, among others. Since I really have no say, I'm sure the Rock Hall will make the decision with their heart. It is what it is, whatever it will be.
Why I didn't predict....
JOHN PRINE - Well, truthfully, I knew very little about this man (just his name) when he appeared on the Nominations list last month. Sadly, I haven't really taken the time to listen to his recordings. When discovering an artist, one of the big challenges is where to start. Prine had no big hits or memorable songs, to my knowledge, but that doesn't matter. I do know that he is a well-respected songwriter, and I do know Bob Dylan and Roger Waters are fans of his work. I can see Prine getting in, just not yet. Then again, voters will hurry up and put him in. We shall see on this one.
THE CURE - Just like other groups from their "era" (Smiths, Depeche Mode, etc.), they're having a hard time getting in. There's no denying they are very influential for so many punk/alternative bands from the last 25 years. Along with Bauhaus, they are also known to be one of the pioneering groups in the goth rock genre. There's so much more to say, its ridiculous. A ballot like the 2019 one was hard to compete with many others - I guess I can say the same for other years. The Cure would have to do something to draw very much attention. I do hope they get in sooner rather than later. I can't even wait to see who inducts them (most likely, Billy Corgan, lol). As I write this, they are at the top of the user's poll (51% of the vote) on the Future Rock Legends website, but just a hair above Radiohead.
RADIOHEAD - Never thought I'd say this, especially about Radiohead, but it looks like for now they will be "pushed to the side" and be just one of those that will appear on future ballots until "the right time". Last year was an easy chance for them, and there's no need for me to even go there as we all know the story. Radiohead, of course, will continue to make albums and tour, maybe even re-invent themselves, so they really should have no trouble getting in in the next few years.
KRAFTWERK - Kraftwerk should have been in several years back, before HBO broadcasted the ceremony. There are theories that HBO wants headliners for the Induction Ceremonies they show, and I wonder if this is one of the reasons why we don't see mid-level/influential acts at these events. Voters haven't really drawn any attention to the pioneering group. To most people (myself included), they are the most innovative and influential act not in the Hall of Fame. And I really hope they don't get a backdoor induction of any kind. Arguably, two of their songs "Autobahn" and "Trans-Europe Express" (well, the whole album too) have changed the course of music. The real question is: if/when they do get inducted, will any of the original members show up?
MC5 - If they don't get in this year...mark my words: they will be a Song Inductee. That's assuming the category continues after its inaugural year (2018).
Who I'd pick if I were a Rock Hall voter:
Stevie Nicks, Def Leppard, Janet Jackson, Kraftwerk, The Cure
I've seen a lot of my fellow Rock Hall watchers' lists, and I always enjoy reading others. What are yours?
Should be noted that Carole King HAS actually appeared on a ballot. She was nominated for the Class of 1989 and then backdoored with Goffin for the Class of 1990.
ReplyDeleteYou're exactly right. I meant to say from 1998 to 2018
DeleteI kind of don't agree with the term "back-doored" in her case because her induction as a songwriter with Gerry Goffin was absolutely warranted. They were one of the premiere songwriting teams of the 1960's, and without a doubt deserving of an induction in the Non-Performers category.
DeleteTo me, I look at the term "back-doored" in a negative connotation. Meaning someone that is back-doored is a bad thing meaning they're either not deserving or put in a category they shouldn't be in. Prime examples are Wanda Jackson and Freddie King who both should've been inducted as Performers, not Early Influences (especially Jackson).
Carole should've just appeared on the ballot again in later years when her career as a Performer could've been honored. But in reality beings here actual real solo career officially started in the late 60s'/early 70's (even though she did release some material in the late 50's/early 60's I imagine), it really didn't make much sense to induct her in 1989/1990 as a Performer when her career in the 70's (Tapestry in particular) would've been what she got in for.
In the end the Hall got it right with her at first. They just need to give her a second induction as a Performer.
That would make for a really solid class Jason. To me the only way this class ends up being a bad or underwhelming one is if they go with only 5 inductees, and both Stevie Nicks and John Prine, the two least deserving acts in my mind, take up two of the spots. Unless the 3 remaining spots go to Janet Jackson, Radiohead, and Kraftwerk, who to me are the top 3 snubs of the HOF presently. Otherwise if the class is say Prine, Nicks, Jackson, Roxy Music, and Def Leppard, that'd be an extremely underwhelming and disappointing class for me.
ReplyDeleteOther than inducting both Nicks and Prine, it's pretty hard to screw up this class in my view.
From a personal standpoint, I'm not a big fan of say Roxy Music and the MC5, but those are both two highly influential, innovative, and long overdue acts. You get the MC5 in, you're one band away from closing the door on proto-punk (New York Dolls are still waiting) and maybe get into the remaining groups of the first wave of punk and then onto hardcore punk and post-punk.
You get Roxy Music in, you can close the door on pioneering New Wave groups and start going full-fledged on the 80's New Wave groups (Devo, Eurythmics, Duran Duran, Human League, Depeche Mode, etc).
So even though I'm not a big fan of either one of those bands, their inductions would fill some major gaps.
Rufus and Chaka Khan is also not an act I'm a gigantic fan of, but it would be absolutely freakin' nice to finally get a 70's or 80's R&B act in. I'm so tired of that style and era being neglected, which it has been for about a decade (Bill Withers being the exception though I don't think of him as classic 80's funk/disco/electro R&B)
Any combination of Kraftwerk, Radiohead, Jackson, LL, Rundgren, Leppard, Devo, Rage, Zombies or the Cure would be absolute music to my ears. I love all 8 of those acts and I would be ecstatic to see any of those in. Any combination of 5 or 6 of those acts would be among my favorite classes in the Hall's history.
I'll probably make a blog on my predictions in the next month or so.
I enjoyed reading your blog of course.
Thank you for the kind words! And great theories too. It seems some of us Rock Hall watchers are divided on Stevie Nicks. It's understandable, too. The Rock Hall should have been inducting more acts in the last 15 years and now we got this lame backlog. Roxy Music may or may not be a shoo-in this year, who knows. I've read most of the articles that bring the case of why Rufus/Chaka Khan deserve to get in, but I'm still not convinced. That should have been someone else in their genre/era like Patti LaBelle or the Commodores. It will get interesting once the 2019 inductees will be announced, because like you mentioned some doors will open and some will close.
DeleteGreat post and predictions. I think Janet has made her case and she'll get in finally, it'll complete the Jackson family circle and open the door for a Whitney Houston to get her honor posthumously or even Diana Ross. Stevie's induction will make it easier for Tina Turner. I hope she gets inducted again before we hear of her obituary in the next 10, 15 years (yes I'm predicting she's gonna live until 100 at least; she's one of THOSE immortals).
ReplyDeleteMy list has changed with some nominees, but I'm pretty sure of these guys:
Def Leppard (because they're one of the few "populist rock" acts on here and they're number one on the ballot)
The Zombies (the clear '60s favorite and one that would probably close a chapter of the British Invasion inductees unless Herman's Hermits gets recognized in the future)
Janet Jackson (for reasons I've stated, plus she's only one of three African American acts this year; I think the reason she couldn't get in was because her vote was split with other African American artists who were nominated; N.W.A. benefited from a box-office biopic and 2Pac benefited because he's 2Pac; Janet should be smooth sailing her way in the Hall next month)
Todd Rundgren (either as a Performer or in Musical Excellence, he'll earn his induction one way or another)
Stevie Nicks (politics will help Stevie get in, if only to induct Tina Turner as a solo artist next year. I'm all for this!)
If a sixth inductee is included, expect it to be either LL Cool J or John Prine or possibly Roxy Music, who has had their own campaign.
Yeah I think we all have a consensus here about Janet, Stevie and the Zombies, and of course Def Leppard. Kind of like last year when we all believed Radiohead would get in right away, with the Moodys and Dire Straits. Everyone seems to be kind of split on the fifth and possible sixth slot.
Delete