Time flies – voting has closed for this year’s Rock Hall ballot and the class should be announced shortly. Personally, I’m glad they moved to close it a couple of weeks early; the process is just interminable as it stands and it’s doubtful any more big moves were going to happen.
This was a weird ballot, underwhelming as a whole but full, for the most part, of deserving names. For me, it’s been the least personally compelling in the 10 years or so I’ve really been paying attention to the process: artists I can see the merits of intellectually or that I like, but no one I’m passionate about. It’s mostly cases of “That’d be nice” or “I wouldn’t be mad about it.”
But you know who IS passionate about all this? Foreigner, that’s who. Before now, nominees kept their cheerleading to a relatively restrained link to the ballot on their socials and maybe a demure “It’s an honor to be included” in interviews, but this year we saw a full-out “For Your Consideration” video pushed by the band itself, made by Mick Jones’ nephew Mark Ronson with a cameo from none other than Macca himself.
In the film world, this kind of thing would be handled by the studios, which in the music industry would correspond to the labels. It’s been a minute since I was in music retail so I don’t even know what labels are in existence anymore. Rhino doesn’t seem to get involved in these matters much. I read once somewhere that WEA artists make up the majority of inductees, maybe not surprising given Ertegun’s involvement. People call it “thirsty” but hey, why not? If artists are silent, we wonder why they’re not involved. Better than the passive-aggressive bullshit we saw from Bon Jovi in 2018.
Conversely, Mariah Carey has been pretty much silent. Going in, I thought she was too big to fail. But her fans have let her fall out of the top seven, and she hasn’t been active in promoting the nomination on her socials. The voter ballots shared on the Who Cares About the Rockhall podcast Patreon feed aren’t a representative sample, but I’m shocked at how dismissive they’ve been of her. I’ve never liked her, but even I can see she more than deserves this. I just don’t know if the voters at large feel the same way, or how strong the rockist contingent is. I think she may squeak in, but I expected a waltz. I wonder if her silence is an admission that she doesn’t trust her support, or conversely, thinks she doesn’t need it.
I said in my last post that Foreigner had “no there there,” but that’s wrong: That would be Lenny Kravitz. He’s had a handful of OK hits. But that’s it. There is just no way on earth you can call his a Hall of Fame career. Steve Miller’s overrated, but you could still make some kind of case. Sheryl Crow is beyond overrated; her nom infuriated me, but I knew it was inevitable and spared myself the angst of getting worked up over it. One of my personal criteria for weighing an artist’s Hall cred is asking whether you can have a thorough conversation about their timeframe without mentioning them. That’s why for me, Peter Frampton has more of a case, albeit a slim one: You can’t talk about the 70s without talking about “Frampton Comes Alive” and its impact on the perception of live albums. You can very easily talk about the last 30 years without mentioning Kravitz.
Random thoughts about the rest of the ballot:
Of course, Cher will walk in.
This could be a big year for classic rock. I think Ozzy has a lot of affection in the industry and has an excellent shot, unless there are enough people out there who hate Sharon. I don’t think most voters split hairs about double inductions. There’s also a lot of love for Frampton, although enough people may hesitate at the thinness of his catalog, and/or remember the Sgt. Pepper Movie. I enjoy the hell out of Foreigner, but it’s like Journey: I’m not sure they belong in there. But it wouldn’t make me mad.
I don’t know how the voting bloc falls out for DMB. I’m not sure they really have a lot of fans there. But – technologically assisted or not – they’ve annihilated the fan vote, and the optics would suck if they’re denied again. Does the Hall care? I think yes, enough that they’re getting in. Maybe even if it makes a class of eight. There’s definitely an argument that you have to have jam bands in the mix to tell the story. Again, not my thing, but wouldn’t make me mad.
As much as I hate it, I think this ballot just isn’t the right one for either Mary J. Blige or Sade. I don’t know what to make of hip hop’s chances without a marquee name – has the voting bloc changed enough to make enough of a difference? If so, I think ATCQ has the better chance compared to Eric B. and Rakim.
I hate to have to wonder how much impact Sinead O’Connor’s passing has on her chances. In so many ways, she’s the most rock and roll artist here, but will the rank and file voters dismiss her as a one-hit wonder? Or has there been a reassessment, coupled with sadness over the situation?
I’ve never liked Oasis, but again, I recognize how big they were and threw some fan votes their way. Not sure this is their ballot though. Ditto for Jane’s. I think Kool & the Gang have a good shot in the wake of the Spinners and I’m here for it.
Right now, I’m more looking forward to the category announcements. There’s so much to hope for there. But nothing really matters as much as bestowing the Musical Excellence award to Carol Kaye. She just turned 89 years old. Anyone and everyone else can wait. This has to be made right, and right now.
My predictions, which to be honest I’m shaky about, are (at least of writing):
- Ozzy
- Foreigner
- Cher
- DMB
- Kool and the Gang
- Mariah
- ATCQ
Iconic Rock Talk Show 