Just keeping it short and sweet this year, as we go into Covid Year 2. Like everyone else, I'm expecting a lot of big changes yet some things staying the same. Decided to go with 16, unlike others who have posted 15. (I can break the rules every now and then, can I? 😅) Here we go:
First-time eligible:
Eminem - Just because, you know, he’s one of the biggest rappers of all-time. No need to get into why, as most of us have watched his career grow and grow, and grow in controversial terms. Will he show up? Who knows. First-time eligible nom and inductee, for sure.
Never before nominated:
Diana Ross - Last year, as we all know - two more ladies have been put into the Clyde McPhatter club, putting that number to 3. Would it be logical to continue this, because we have another long-deserving lady in waiting: Miss Ross? But there’s really not many women left once they put Ross’ solo career in…still, why wait? I really don’t need to get into her legacy or all the other major awards she has won in past years. Plus she put out a new album last year; her first in 15 years. Let’s keep putting the divas in, and Diana and the next person look to be the next….
Cher - I thought I’d be fair in putting another female icon that has yet to be nominated here too. As Alex Voltaire put it, she has been a visual icon since the Studio 54 era like Tina, and has always redefined herself. As for Sonny, just throw him into the Musical Excellence category.
Duran Duran - Sometimes a lot of us RHWs have a way with being on the same page as far as getting our predictions right if we all think the same. A lot of us correctly predict nominees and eventual inductees. Last year it was the Go-Go’s. This year, I think we can all agree that Duran Duran will finally get their due. Like all the others have said, they have had many high-profile gigs throughout 2021, and like Ms. Ross, they released a new album. With the NomCom going into the “MTV era” (which I’ll reference throughout this post), the timing seems perfect.
Phil Collins - I’ve included him on my list twice in previous years, as we were getting closer to inducting those from the MTV era years. Phil, of course, would be another two-time inductee, with a great impressive resume, though he hasn’t done a lot this century. He hasn’t gotten much attention lately either, although I have heard about his health problems (which have only kept him from drumming, not singing) and the Genesis reunion tour. The tour should be over by late March, so…
Lenny Kravitz - Never thought there would be a year I’d go with him as my left field pick. It’s just one of those ‘gut feelings’ that maybe the NomCom will slip him in in some way. He’s never been on any RHW’s radar that I know of, but either way he’s very worthy of making a ballot sometime soon. (By the way, I wrote Lenny’s name down way before his name came up again when the Lisa Bonet news broke out)
Cyndi Lauper - As Neil from FRL said, Alan Light had almost included her in recent years but she was picked over by other female artists such as Stevie Nicks and possibly Pat Benatar. Even though I included Benatar here, I’ll definitely pick Cyndi as well because of the obvious: her being influential to today’s artists as well as her iconic status, especially as the Rock Hall is now in the MTV music era.
A Tribe Called Quest - They have been called the most “intelligent, most artistic rap group of the 90s”. I could have included OutKast, Salt ‘n Pepa, De la Soul or any deserving hip-hop/rap act but I felt like I had to pick one. So there ya go. Give one of their classics a listen.
Previously nominated:
Pat Benatar
Eurythmics
The J. Geils Band
New York Dolls
Soundgarden - sadly, the only act in the hard rock genre I’m including this year, only because - as we all know, they are long overdue for an induction. I’m aware people will strongly disagree, but I definitely think they should get in before Rage. I hope Tom Morello pushes them.
The Spinners - after 2016, they seemingly disappeared to make way for other acts; some that have rightfully deserved to get nominated and eventually inducted, and then you have those that keep appearing on the ballot like Chaka Khan and the MC5. We all know the Spinners deserve an induction, as pointed out by Tom L. on Nick B.’s podcast Rock in Retrospective (I’m not much of a podcast guy but this episode is worth your time!).
War - this was one that I saw coming again sometime in the near future. That was back in the summer, and I recall telling Nick B. in person this would be one of my picks for ‘22. It’s been about seven years now since the group was last seen on a ballot. Like I said about Lenny, War hasn’t been on anyone’s radar (that I know of) in recent years, but since the Rock Hall is now putting diversity as a priority (or so it seems), they should definitely include the group that broke racial and cultural barriers in music.
Dionne Warwick
In alphabetical order: (for Richie, who I know will repost this haha)
Pat Benatar, Cher, Phil Collins, Duran Duran, Eminem, Eurythmics, J. Geils Band, Lenny Kravitz, Cyndi Lauper, New York Dolls, Diana Ross, Soundgarden, the Spinners, a Tribe Called Quest, War, Dionne Warwick
