Thinking and typing up lists like these is more than a challenge, but also fun. I could think of several names. There really is no right or wrong answer; well, actually there is when the ACTUAL list comes out on February 1st, 2023 (lol). This is just something me and other Rock Hall watchers (RHWs) have been doing year-by-year and it never seemingly gets old. It is not to say that times haven’t changed, as they surely have. Not just because of the events of the last three years, but the Rock Hall has changed as to how their induction classes have looked. The Rock Hall doesn’t want us to think they are predictable, as they are not. We’re always hit with surprises all the time, sometimes we don’t find out things until the ceremony! (Remember the Singles category?) I’ve met a lot of great people over the years online because of futurerocklegends.com (FRL), although I’ve never met most of them in person. Still hoping that will change once I attend an induction ceremony. At this time (late January 2023), nobody knows for sure where this year’s ceremony going to be. Most likely it will be in NYC, or maybe Cleveland - who knows.
Again, predicting the nominees is a lot tougher than it looks, especially with the backlog of Rock Hall-worthy artists that are likely to get in. This year’s cut-off year is 1997. While some may have included Destiny’s Child and Missy Misdemeanor Elliott on their lists, I decided not to put any first-year eligible artists. Sometimes you have to use your best judgment on how big of a name they are. And unfortunately, there aren’t that many first-year eligibility shoo-ins left in the coming years, except maybe a few. Some people may see this as a great thing as it provides an opportunity for the Rock Hall to “Heinz 57” on their ballots.
In many ways, things are kinda getting back to normal as the way things looked in early 2020. More and more public events, such as concerts and awards ceremonies have happened in 2022, and likely to be that way in ‘23. Some acts are back to releasing albums and touring. Some have maintained a presence on social media. Or their work. These are factors that influence what I put on my list. Sometimes another determining one is about what has happened at previous ceremonies. Sheryl Crow and Lenny Kravitz made appearances at the last ceremony. (Funny, a couple people gave me crap for putting Kravitz on my list last year, but wouldn’t you know he would be the one to induct Lionel Richie?!) But truthfully, sometimes what it all comes down to is: what will the Rock Hall induction ceremony be like? Will it sell tickets? Will this be HBO-worthy? Will this be the all-star jam from heaven? I’ve heard just about everyone’s positive accounts on last year’s ceremony, as I’m sure it was one to remember. (I’m still too piss poor to get HBO, but luckily there’s this thing called YouTube…)
Last year’s nominees and inductees totally changed the way I (and maybe we) looked at things as in who are the next priorities or genres to watch out for. The biggest one being that Dolly Parton was the first country artist inducted in a long time. Does this mean Emmylou Harris or the recently deceased Loretta Lynn will be inducted soon? When predicting these things, I like to keep it eclectic as much as I can. Maybe a couple classic rock acts, a few women, a couple 90s or more recent acts. The 1950s era is long-gone, and the 1960s has been looking that way for years, as they may sneak in a few one at a time. The 1980s so-called “MTV-era” seems to be where the Rock Hall is, at this moment. There is always that “one act” that nobody ever sees coming. Last year, arguably it was Lionel Richie and Dolly Parton. Admittingly, picking the “left field” spot has always been fun, as is reading everyone elses. In the past few years, I picked Lenny Kravitz, George Thorogood and Peter Frampton. This year, it’s…well, below.
Last year, 17 nominees were on the list. But I’m still going to pick just 16, evenly dividing between previously nominated and never-before-nominated. As always, I’d love to read your thoughts. Be sure to check out other’s lists on the links on the right. Enjoy!
Previously nominated:
Beck - I could easily put another 90s’ act in this slot (besides DMB below), but I don’t think a lot of us saw Beck sneaking onto the ballot last year, so now that he’s on the board…
Kate Bush - Need I say….
Jane’s Addiction - I could have easily went with Sonic Youth, the PIxies or some other alternative act from the 80s/90s but I think Farrell and crew may have another shot coming soon.
Fela Kuti - it sounds like the NomCom really believes this can happen, meaning Kuti’s induction. (I know that came out kinda terrible…) But the Rock Hall, as I’m sure everyone feels, needs more international artists, especially from outside North America and Europe. If more and more voters would educate themselves about Kuti, then an induction may take place. In all honesty, it’s very likely he will be put in a different category. Still, they’re going to continue to put him on the ballot.
Dave Matthews Band
MC5 - As Hall Watcher Nick B. said in one of his blog posts, “Something’s gotta give for MC5”. If nominated this year, it will be the group’s 7th time and usually that is not a lucky number for those who have been picked that many times. Might as well be a Musical Excellence or even an Early Influence pick.
New York Dolls
Dionne Warwick
Never before nominated:
The B-52’s - Third year in a row that I put these guys on the Noms list…will that be a charm? Sure hope so. Like fellow RHW Tom Lane said, it’s time to temporarily put aside Devo and substitute them with a similar act. (I know he didn’t say it like that, but…) Save Devo for Cleveland!
Sheryl Crow - I’ll admit, I was either going to put her or Alanis in this spot. Both, while they seem different from each other, have had great, long successful careers from the 1990s on. Alanis had a documentary made about her a couple years ago (highly recommend!), but Sheryl has had quite a presence in Rock Hall ceremonies, especially last years. It’s clear they want her in sometime - maybe sooner rather than later.
Kool and the Gang - I’m willing to put any 70s/80s R&B act in this slot - but for now, I’m focusing on the Kools. Yes, the Spinners, War and many other similar acts from that era are way overdue for getting in but this group stands out as I’m writing this piece.
Cyndi Lauper - For the 2nd consecutive year, I’m putting her back on my predictions as the path to the Rock Hall seems very clear. We all know the Rock Hall is in the MTV era and they’re all going crazy with 80s big-names.
Kenny Loggins -or- Loggins & Messina Carly Simon’s nomination and induction last year reminded us that the Hall is still paying attention to the 70s/80s singer/songwriters, and I believe Loggins is next in line. According to FRL’s website Loggins has not been previously considered and he’s been eligible for over 20 years now. And that’s him as a solo artist. No, he hasn’t really stood out this century. Loggins turned 75 this month. The Huffington Post says he’s the King of the Movie Soundtrack. That and he wasn’t very innovative/influential would probably keep him out. But he maintained a great presence in music and rock & roll throughout the 70s and 80s. I wouldn’t count out Jim Messina; he is touring this year (he’s actually coming to my hometown, Edwardsville, IL!). “Your Mama Don’t Dance” would be a cool all-star jam number.
OutKast - Every ballot always has at least one rap act, and some have been successful to get in the Rock Hall (N.W.A., 2Pac and others), one was backdoored (LL Cool J) and some kinda fell off the radar. OutKast has been the one that many of us have waited for to finally get on the board. Though they haven’t been active since 2014 when they did their festival run, I see the duo putting on a great performance when their time comes for an induction.
Diana Ross - Do I really want to put Cher or Mariah Carey on here? Yes. I’m not sure if Cher (because of her comments toward the Rock Hall) are getting her blackballed, but to be on the safe side, I’m putting Diana Ross on mine. I’ve said in the past that Ross will, of course, be a two-time inductee and she would be the fourth woman to accomplish that. As for Carey or those from the 80s and 90s, I believe the NomCom will be putting one more classic diva before they get to the modern age. It wouldn’t hurt for Carey since it seems like she’s going to be known for her holiday song that hits #1 each year. Ross teamed up with Tame Impala last year and came up with a catchy song (“Turn Up the Sunshine”), even though it couldn’t compete with Bad Bunny, Drake, Beyonce….
Slade - As you may have guessed, this is my left field pick this year. For whatever reason, I think they’re going to go with these Brits instead of Iron Maiden for a change. I started listening to them last summer, and I was blown away. I already knew they were influential, but the list of bands that consider them an influence is mighty long. This includes those that are in the Rock Hall. I’m positive that if they were to make an appearance on the ballot, they would get in right away as one should never underestimate the power of the British vote. An act like Slade probably won’t sell tickets to the induction ceremony, but it would be great to have the original members (who still perform!) together with the other big names.
Also considered:
Mary J. Blige, Missy Elliott, Iron Maiden, Lenny Kravitz, George Michael, Television
