Here we go....just going to keep this short and sweet.
Eminem - need I explain why? Usually this is how it goes with most (keyword is "most", think Radiohead) first-ballot prospects. They just get in right away. He may just be one of the last ones left...for now. Eminem is one of the top people in music this century, with sales and all, and I could go on. He's a shoo-in. But with a big "however", I can actually see some voters passing him up, as he may have a 45% chance of not getting in. But I'm sticking to my gut (and everyone elses) on this one!
Duran Duran - compared to Slim Shady, this is the act that I will be very shockingly surprised if they don't get in in 2022. On top of that, they have won the sole ballot for the Fan Vote, which is usually an indicator in most cases. This is the one that mostly everybody is predicting, aside from Eminem and the next one below.
Pat Benatar - pretty much for the same reasons that everyone else said. Voters didn't put her in in 2020 and this is just the perfect moment for their (Benatar and her husband Neil Giraldo) Rock Hall induction. Of course, both have not really expressed interest in the Rock Hall, but a lot of other inductees have said the same before their enshrinement. I'll say this again: her video for the Rascals' cover song "You Better Run" was the second-ever video to be played on MTV.
Eurythmics - Let's keep the MTV thing going now! After listening to RHW Nick's podcast, I was fully reminded how much of an impact on music this duo was since the early 80s. Also, I didn't realize that Dave Stewart had so many connections in the biz! (pardon my naivety) Sometimes podcasts and confident commentary do change my thoughts a bit as far as what voters may have on their minds. Stewart and Annie Lennox have seemingly flown under the radar, though this is their second nomination (they were first nominated four years ago).
Judas Priest - as some may have predicted, maybe we will see a hard-rock act get in! This will be the first time in three years (I consider NIN and the Foos leaning more towards alternative rock). They seem to have plenty of support this time around, despite a competitive ballot. I believe for this year, there are no excuses. As said from Neil of FRL, never underestimate the British vote. Long live the Priest!
Carly Simon - like most of the nominees on the ballot, Simon is long overdue. She finally got on the board 25 years (!) after her 1st year of eligibility. Simon has numerous accolades and lifetime achievement awards, and she will definitely get support from the voters, perhaps Dave Grohl (the Foos have covered "You're So Vain") and many others who have sampled/covered her songs, as well as citing her as an influence in their work.
should there be a 7th performer inductee...
Lionel Richie - I'm going to be honest here: for this spot, I was torn between him, ATCQ and Dionne Warwick. We've all said the same thing about all of them. Richie - what about the Commodores? Does his solo work alone really get him in? Does he have more connections in the music industry than we think? For the last one, yes.
Tribe? They seem to have a lot of support from a small portion of voters who have been open about posting their completed ballots online, so maybe this is a sign of hope as far as getting "older" rap/hip-hop acts in the right way.
Dionne? Not many have been inducted in their eighth decade, and it would be great to see her induction while she can still perform and make public appearances (besides her Twitter!). Well, I'm assuming she can still perform. Her presence would definitely light up a ceremony, should her time come soon. Unfortunately, even though this is only her second nomination, she's been stacked with great competitors - but let's not lose hope for her.
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As much as I don't want to get into the Dolly thing, and I have been quiet about it all this time: When I first saw her name on the ballot, I knew that the Rock Hall would very likely put her in a non-performer category like Musical Excellence. Or get backdoored. This is just how the Hall has always done things, whether we like it or not. I for one, think it's a load of crap. I'm with FRL: "why waste a space on a ballot!". Maybe it's just the Hall's way of foreshadowing things, I don't know. But I'm still sticking to my gut that Dolly will be backdoored into another category. I'm positive that will make her and everyone happy.
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Lastly, a huge thanks - on behalf of the RHW community - to FRL for keeping close tabs and compiling a chart for those who have shared their ballot. While this is a very small fraction of what will come in the coming announcement, it's great that some people (famous or not) are willing to share who they voted for. You don't know me to say that transparency is an issue in the Rock Hall. I recently questioned why a lot of inducted artists don't ever share theirs. I'm guessing its for fear of putting down those in their profession. Or maybe they are allies, who knows. But hey, it would be cool to know who one of Elvis Costello's Impressions, Tom Waits, Jerry Lee Lewis, or any of the surviving members of inducted doo-wop groups are currently voting for.
