My 2018 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Ballot
I have a love-hate relationship with the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. I love how they recognize many of the most popular and influential rock artists. I hate how they deal with inducting artists.
An ongoing discussion is whether the Rock Hall should induct acts from genres other than rock. I fall staunchly on the side of literal interpretation: it’s the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, not the Rap Hall of Fame or Pop Hall of Fame. Grandmaster Flash, Run-D.M.C., and N.W.A. may have been influential rap/hip-hop artists, but I think they’re undeserving of their spots in the Rock Hall.
I also dislike the nomination process because it seems so random. Other Halls of Fame that I follow, like Pro Football and Baseball, have a much more streamlined induction process. The only real rule in the Rock Hall is that artists must have released their first record/single 25 years ago. How they choose their nominees is a mystery to me. I do notice somewhat of a trend: the Hall lists a variety of nominees from different genres in an attempt to appease everybody. I don’t like it, but you can’t please everyone, even when you’re trying to please everyone.
I do like the number of classic rock acts that have been inducted recently. 2016 saw the inductions of four well-deserving artists (Deep Purple, Cheap Trick, Chicago, and Steve Miller), and 2017 saw four more (Electric Light Orchestra, Journey, Yes, and Pearl Jam). I can only hope that they continue this trend into the future.
Now that I’ve given a general analysis of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, I’m going to be taking a look at the candidates for 2018. After that, I’ll be listing the top six artists who I would vote for as well as who I think is actually going to get in. (A side note: The Rock Hall online fan vote only allows you to vote for five artists, but they inducted six total last year, so I’m only cheating a little.)
2018 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Nominees
Bon Jovi. It may come as a surprise to see that Bon Jovi has yet to be inducted. After all, they were one of the most beloved glam rock acts of the 1980s. Everyone on the face of the earth has heard “Livin’ on a Prayer.” Based on popularity and influence, they shouldn’t have to wait much longer.
Kate Bush. Kate Bush is probably not as well known as some of the other names here, but she’s well-respected in the music community for her diversity as musician. Her debut single, “Wuthering Heights,” is probably her most well-known work. The induction of Bush to the Hall would mean another woman added to the group of elites in a mostly male-dominated genre.
The Cars. With alternative rock growing in the late 1970s, The Cars joined the scene in 1978 and instantly made an impact with their debut album. Many of their hits, such as “Just What I Needed,” are still classic rock radio staples. This is the third year in a row that they’ve been named as a Rock Hall nominee.
Depeche Mode. With pop taking over the music scene in the 1980s, Depeche Mode became innovators by successfully blending rock and roll with electronic. Their success continued into the early 1990s when they released some of the biggest hits. One of the best of these is “Enjoy the Silence.”
Dire Straits. In the late 1970s, the punk movement was gaining steam, but Dire Straits, led by frontman Mark Knopfler, stuck to roots rock and was successful doing so. “Sultans of Swing” is their best effort, but there’s plenty more to like from Dire Straits.
Eurythmics. The new wave duo of Annie Lennox and David A. Stewart made for one of the biggest bands of the 1980s. Catchy synth-pop tunes like “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)” made them popular throughout the decade both in their home country of England and in the States.
The J. Geils Band. The J. Geils Band found success in the early 1980s as a new wave band with hits such as “Centerfold.” However, unbeknownst to many, The J. Geils Band was an excellent blues rock act in the decade prior. The recent passing of guitarist J. Geils could boost their Hall of Fame chances.
Judas Priest. There is a lack of heavy metal acts in the Hall of Fame, and Judas Priest is one of the major omissions. As pioneers of the genre, rockers like “You’ve Got Another Thing Comin’” made Judas Priest favorites among fans.
LL Cool J. As one of the most well-known hip-hop acts of recent history, the fact that other similar artists like N.W.A. and Tupac Shakur have been inducted in the past few years helps LL Cool J’s induction chances. His comeback song “Mama Said Knock You Out” is one of hip-hop’s most celebrated works.
MC5. Alongside The Stooges, MC5 is often credited with kickstarting what would become punk rock in the late 1960s. Their signature song, “Kick Out the Jams,” from their live album of the same name, displays the rawness that MC5 possessed.
The Meters. The Meters have unfortunately been overlooked by history. As innovators of New Orleans R&B, the funky instrumental “Cissy Strut” is an excellent example of what The Meters brought to the music world. They have been nominated for the Rock Hall three times before but have yet to be inducted.
Radiohead. One of two first-year eligible nominees this year, it would shocking if Radiohead were not inducted immediately. Their influence on alternative rock with songs like “Creep” have made them one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed rock bands of recent history.
Rage Against the Machine. The other first-year eligible nominee is Rage Against the Machine, certainly one of the angriest and most political rock artists of all time. Songs like “Killing in the Name” helped make Rage Against the Machine one of the most influential metal acts of the 1990s.
Rufus and Chaka Khan. The Chicago funk band Rufus gained popularity the 1970s, especially with Chaka Khan as the lead singer. They had hit after hit on the R&B charts, and some of their songs, including “Do You Love What You Feel,” are as catchy today as they were forty years ago.
Nina Simone. Nina Simone, nicknamed “The High Priestess of Soul,” is one of music’s forgotten figures, and yet, she is one of the most influential women in rock and roll history. Gospel, folk, jazz, blues, R&B: she did it all. The song “Feeling Good” is one of her finest pieces.
Sister Rosetta Tharpe. Sister Rosetta Tharpe is easily the strangest nominee. Wouldn’t it be more fitting to induct her as an early influence like Billie and Holiday and Bessie Smith? Regardless, Tharpe’s impact on rock and roll can’t be denied. Her rendition of “Down by the Riverside” is pure dance hall bliss.
Link Wray. One of rock and roll’s first great guitarists was Link Wray. Wray is often mentioned alongside the likes of Buddy Holly, Chuck Berry, and Elvis Presley in the discussion of rock’s greatest influences. Specializing in instrumental rock, Wray’s simple yet memorable “Rumble” practically invented the power chord.
The Zombies. One of many bands from the British Invasion of the 1960s, The Zombies kept things fresh by adding elements of psychedelia and baroque to the bubblegum pop of the day. Their most recognizable work is “Time of the Season.”
My Ballot
If I had a ballot in the 2018 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame voting, here’s who I’d pick:
- Bon Jovi
- The Cars
- Depeche Mode
- Dire Straits
- The J. Geils Band
- The Moody Blues
My Prediction
Unfortunately, I don’t have a ballot in the 2018 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame voting. (I’ve already voted on the website multiple times and it doesn’t really mean much.) Here’s who I think the Rock Hall committee is going to induct:
- Bon Jovi
- Dire Straits
- Judas Priest
- The Moody Blues
- Radiohead
- Nina Simone
Hopefully you learned a little something about rock and roll history from this post. When the inductees are announced in December, I can guarantee I’ll be right there watching.