Since the advent (no pun intended) of the current Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nomination/induction schedule, November brings with it more than the holiday season, it also brings the time for predictions for the next calendar year’s class. A few lists have already come out, both on online entertainment sites or on social media, and now, fresh off a New Year’s Rockin’ Eve special that showcased at least three Hall of Famers in with the kids, it’s time to show the cards.
Predicting feels weird this year. Back in September, the Hall ousted co-founder Jann Wenner from its Board after his spectacular self-own for the ages, but hasn’t made any statement yet to formally condemn his remarks or reiterate its philsophy/plans/goals/commitment to creating a more inclusive inductee list. Maybe they feel their actions over the past few years have done the talking. Or they’re planning a statement to coincide with the ballot reveal, or the next ballot is going to be a departure like we’ve never seen before. Um, yeah.
Maybe doing predictions is just rubber-stamping the status quo, but I thought I’d go ahead and do it to see how I thought things might go. I have mixed feelings about what I’ve come up with. It’s still pretty white male-centric: Is that a reflection of my biases, or how much I’ve internalized the Hall’s? And I’m less and less likely to have insight into newly eligible names. Nothing seems like a sure shot and thankfully, no Kool-Aid being served this time.
But having said all that, this is what I’ve got. In no particular order (* denotes a previous nomination):
- Jimmy Buffett: I never thought I’d make, let alone start, a list with him. “Come Monday” aside, I’ve never been a fan, and have never given his chances a a serious thought. It’s one area where I’ve actually agreed with Steve Van Zandt. But seeing the tributes since Buffett’s passing have shown me that he had more standing in the industry than I knew.
- Salt n Pepa: May be wishful thinking on my part. Little Wayne, 50 Cent, and Ludicris are all eligible this year. It’s been argued that Queen Latifah, Roxanne Shante, or MC Lyte should take precedence, and there’s a lot to consider there. But none of them were as big commercially as the badass ladies from Queens, and you have to admit that counts for a lot. They buried the hatchet with Spinderella long enough to accept their Walk of Fame star, so maybe they’d consider a performance. “Push It” would light Public Hall up.
- Dave Matthews Band*: Is it time, four years after their infamous snub?
- Iron Maiden*: It has to happen, and the Hall must’ve been pleasantly surprised by how well Priest went over two years ago.
- Cyndi Lauper*: Last year’s ballot worked against her, but given the right mix, she can do it.
- Cher: There’s been a steady drumbeat for her, and she just joined the Stones in the “Hit Across Seven Decades” club.
- The Replacements*: They’ve been nommed once and forgotten, but the “Tim” reissue has brought some recognition back their way. How often could we have an inductee praised by Arthur Miller?
- Soundgarden*: It’s not “if,’ but “when.” How about now?
- White Stripes*: Ditto.
- Outkast: Double ditto.
- Joy Division/New Order*: Triple ditto.
- Thin Lizzy*: Not sure of their chances, but I think there’s support on the NomCom still.
- Mary J. Blige*: But if not, could Mariah Carey take this slot? I only see one of them on the ballot, even though they’re not exactly in the same lane.
- Patsy Cline/Loretta Lynn: The Hall wants more country in, but most of the obvious names are no longer with us. Waylon Jennings and Merle Haggard are clear choices, but since Willie Nelson got the nod last year, maybe the Hall will see that it’s well served by turning back to the ladies. Both these legendary women are “rock and roll” in spirit in so many ways. Another name that would ordinarily wait a while but could conceivably sneak in is Emmylou Harris, buoyed by the high profile this year of “The Last Waltz.”
- Warren Zevon* or John Prine*: I thought Prine would get another nomination in the wake of his tragic passing in 2020, one of the early high-profile casualties of the COVID pandemic. But he didn’t. I thought Zevon was a shoe-in for the Hall, his coronation just waiting for the Rundgren saga to conclude to go right in. Wrong again. Now I think they both still have excellent chances, but can’t decide between them. A panel discussion on Prine’s career just happened at the Hall last month, so someone clearly hasn’t forgotten.
- B52s: There was some buzz for them last year in connection with their farewell tour, but it was a packed ballot. Hopefully someone’s still thinking of them this year.
- Dionne Warwick*: I wasn’t sure about this, but there’s still so much well-deserved affection for her out there — she just needs the right ballot. I can’t quite let go of the idea that Kool & the Gang could go here too.
Other names I considered: Coldplay, Tears for Fears, Phil Collins, Motorhead, Oasis, Smashing Pumpkins, Ice-T, Alice in Chains, the Smiths, Jethro Tull, the Smiths, Meat Loaf (who I keep holding onto as something of a surprise candidate; both Phil Sykes and Rick Krim are fans from back in the day. It does begs the totally legit question that’s a whole ‘nuther post, “What about Jim Steinman?”)
And some artists I think we’ll see again, but as Influence/Excellence choices: MC5, the New York Dolls, and possibly Peter Frampton, although it’s possible he’ll go the ballot route. It would be nice to see it happen now and for there to be a chance that he can play.
No, it’s not an exciting list, really. These names belong, but in the aggregate, it’s not a list that signals a bold, brave direction for the Hall. Heavy on white males and previous nominees, and without a “!” name like Fela Kuti, that out-of-the-box artist that no one on the planet sees coming. We should be expecting the unexpected. We should see names that confuse us at first, only to realize once we dig in and really look, see that yes, they totally belong. I’m not sure that’ll ever happen again, sorry to say. But I could be wrong. I hope I’m wrong.
In the end, predictions are fun, and an interesting gut check, but the need to advocate, advocate, advocate and be a gadfly never goes away. When the ballot is out, the complaints are going to rain down on our ears. Do we perpetuate a cycle of predicting and complaining, or make it a positive effort for change?
Commencing countdown, engines on.
Iconic Rock Talk Show 