The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has just released their “Class Of 2018” Nominations, so after some reminder premise on how one achieves such an honor I will line out the list for you.
The Criteria: Currently, groups or individuals are qualified for induction 25 years after the release of their first record. Nominees should have demonstrable influence and significance within the history of rock and roll. Four categories are recognized: Performers, Non-Performers, Early Influences, and Sidemen (as of 2000). However, fans have no input concerning who is nominated or elected to the hall.
The Nominations for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s Class of 2018 are: Radiohead, Rage Against The Machine, Bon Jovi, Depeche Mode, Judas Priest, Kate Bush, the Cars, Dire Straits, Eurythmics, J. Geils, LL Cool J, MC5, The Meters, The Moody Blues, Rufus featuring Chaka Khan, Nina Simone, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Link Wray and The Zombies
As time allows, I’ll be tossing some thoughts about each of them in this list rundown.
Radiohead: I always remember Radiohead as being a band that a friend handed me a CD of so many years ago and when I inquired about their sound, she replied “well, the song “Creep” is really good so the label is hopeful about it being a big hit. It was quite the hit indeed but sadly I barely followed the band over the years and do know they are quite beloved. Does my view affect their induction status? Not at all unless I don’t offer them one of my fan votes.
Rage Against The Machine: Speaking strictly for me outside of the one song that I know from them, which is that one song that EVERYONE I know also knows, I never really thought this group was all that of a big deal. Sure, throw your garbage at me for being honest but its how I felt about them. As I write this I cannot even think of a second song that I know so does this mean a band like this merits inclusion? Nope. Not on my watch but I am sure you ardent fans are in disagreement. Please tell me what I might have “missed” about this group over the years. I’d love to know.
Bon Jovi: I remember purchasing the very first Bon Jovi album from either The Little Record story or Bondy’s, and come to think of it, it was probably Bondy’s since my workaday lunch hours were spent there perusing the Rock section of their little shop so very long ago. I loved the old Bon Jovi stuff and think that he deserves the honor on the first four albums alone. Talk about some hits on these releases and songs that became the songbook to many the lives of their youthful audience. I always felt that Jon was the Bruce Springsteen of a younger generation.
Depeche Mode: Thought I loved New Wave music during the eighties, I wasn’t following Depeche Mode all that much. I did love the few tracks that were continually playing on the radio or in various clubs when I started to go to those. I saw the band once at a sold out Madison Square Garden show many years ago and it was quite a moving musical experience since their sound hit you hard on many levels. To some people I know they are the ultimate and since they led a charge for Electronic and in some sense New Wave too they surely deserve the honor.
Judas Priest: In my top three list of music that I love so very much, its been KISS, Van Halen and Judas Priest for the longest time. That makes me partial to the Priest becoming new inductees. I would love to see this happening but for some reason don’t think that they will make the cut this year. I’d love to be wrong of course but I am not sure. Can the Rock Hall handle a Metal God and just where would they place one of the motorcycles that they’ve used all these years.
Kate Bush: I don’t know a whole lot about Kate Bush to even speak about her influence on the music industry so if you are a reader who is passionate about her inclusion, I would love to know more. Thanks.
The Cars: For decades this has been one of my very favorite Pop New Wave bands. I LOVE so many of their songs that its not funny and find myself referring back to their earliest works quite a bit when I just need some solid sound. Do they deserve to be in the Rock Hall? You bet your sweet bippy they do.
Dire Straits: I first heard about these “Sultans Of Swing” not long after their debut album came out and while I loved the tune, I was getting more into the Hard Rock stuff and rarely looked back on it. The bands biggest prominence came when they sang about “Money For Nothing” on the MTV which was a tune in constant video rotation on the at the time fledgling network. Do they deserve an ID card for the Hall? I am on the fence about them but lean more towards “why not?”.
Eurythmics: Though I didn’t like them at all when I first heard the song “Sweet Dreams”, I would eventually succumb to the unique sound that was the combined efforts of Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart. Chart-topping, record breaking tracks sure make me think that they are worthy at this point and their songs have crossed into the Metal realm with the likes of Marilyn Manson doing “Sweet Dreams” and Ghost offering up their rendition of “Missionary Man”. That has to mean something at the end of the day.
J. Geils: My exposure to the late great J. Geils (who passed earlier this year in April) was minimal outside of the hits. I am pretty sure that his passing will find the other members of his J. Geils Band inducting him posthumously. Thoughts?
LL Cool J: I am pretty dead set against more Rap artists hitting the Rock Hall but think that LL is a pretty cool media figure and might be their lock for this years running. Maybe soon we shall see Puff Daddy being nominated. Then we can add Iron Maiden to the Rap Hall to keep things equal and such ;p
MC5: I didn’t follow much about the influential Punk Rock group back in the day and my earliest Punk was relegated to Sex Pistols, The Damned and The Ramones. Readers who are scholars in this bands background can fill me in on whether they should make the Hall or not.
The Meters: See above notes about Kate Bush.
The Moody Blues: They’ve been cited as one of the earliest Progressive Rock bands and that makes me feel this should be a lock as well. They are also still active in today’s music scene so come on now.
Rufus featuring Chaka Khan: This was a Funk group and before my time despite my knowing the biggest hit of their career with “Tell Me Something Good”. My question is does a single massive hit song make your whole body of work be honored? This place confuses the hell out of me.
Nina Simone: I’ve no real background on Nina Simone.
Sister Rosetta Tharpe: I’ve no real background on Sister Rosetta Tharpe.
Link Wray: Wray has been in the nomination list a few times already and has not yet been selected. I’ve never looked into the legacy guitarist but perhaps I should at this point.
The Zombies: Another one whose name I’ve seen listed a few times over the years have been The Zombies. The classic band might finally find the Halls favor in the 2018 list.
Remember that you as Fans can vote for the favorites care of the link that this graphic below will lead you to. Remember that the top vote-getters will be announced in December and then be inducted on April 14th at a ceremony at Public Hall in Cleveland. As in the past, HBO will broadcast the ceremony later in the year. Get on it.
PiercingMetal Thoughts: I’ve already got my “five” choices lined out and will be making them later on in the day. Can you guess who they were? I’d love for you readers to let me know the five choices that you are making from this list down in the comments section below. Let me know what you think on the ones you want and who you think should not be on this list at all. Bring it on.
Official Website: https://www.rockhall.com/