The nominees for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2019 have been unleashed, and what an exciting group of artists it is! Almost every single act nominated is a long-time snub (and a couple short-time snubs in there as well… ahem…Radiohead.) Most exciting is how the playing field seems relatively even… which means anyone could reasonably find their way in. There’s certainly no shoe-in first time nominees, let alone any out-of-the-blue major snubs. This is an excellent opportunity for some long overdue artists to finally get their recognition, but the amount of wild card possibilities can only mean unpredictability in the near future. Still, there are some candidates more intriguing than others, so let’s dive in!
THE CURE
A lone representative for the diverse British new wave era has become an annual ballot tradition. This year belongs to The Cure, and they actually have a shot. The implications of their induction are quite profound for their often overlooked, but equally as deserving peers.
YEAR ELIGIBLE: 2004
PREVIOUSLY NOMINATED: 2012
HUH’S MOST INEXCUSABLE ROCK AND ROLL SNUBS: 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017
HUH’S THOUGHTS: “The melancholy new wave band practically invented gothic rock, but have such a varied range of work that it’s impossible to properly classify them, and criminal not to acknowledge them.” (2015)
DEF LEPPARD
Guns N’ Roses, Journey, Bon Jovi…It was only a matter of time before we’d land here. Overdue? Sure. Def Leppard deserves it as much as any of em, but their anthems just don’t elicit the same passion as “Sweet Child O’ Mine,” “Don’t Stop Believin’,” and “Livin’ On A Prayer,” respectively.
YEAR ELIGIBLE: 2005
PREVIOUSLY NOMINATED: N/A
HUH’S MOST INEXCUSABLE ROCK AND ROLL SNUBS: 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017
HUH’S THOUGHTS: “As far as stadium rock goes, these guys are as quintessential as it gets. Clearly, it’s just a matter of time.” (2017)
DEVO
There aren’t many acts who have maintained such a passionate fanbase without more than a fleeting moment of cultural significance in the eyes of the general public. It doesn’t make Devo any less important, and certainly not any less deserving. It’s amazing that the Hall of Fame stepped up to the plate.
YEAR ELIGIBLE: 2003
PREVIOUSLY NOMINATED: N/A
HUH’S MOST INEXCUSABLE ROCK AND ROLL SNUBS: 2014, 2015
HUH’S THOUGHTS: “I’m not sure if there’s a bigger cult band than Devo that actually deserves Hall of Fame attention.” (2015)
JANET JACKSON
Third time’s a charm (right?) Truthfully, it looks like that could be the case. Janet has spent the better part of the last 3 years reminding us that she’s a living legend, and the reception has been more than enough to prove that she’s the true headliner on the ballot this year. It would be a crime to pass her over again.
YEAR ELIGIBLE: 2007
PREVIOUSLY NOMINATED: 2016, 2017
HUH’S MOST INEXCUSABLE ROCK AND ROLL SNUBS: 2012, 2013, 2014, 2017
HUH’S THOUGHTS: “If you strip away the excess of all of her pop stardom, the music actually still holds up incredibly. Her albums and hits have stood the test of time, and not only is her influence as present as ever, Janet is still a viable success to this day.” (The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame: The Case For Janet Jackson)
KRAFTWERK
These legends are quickly becoming the next Chic, but without a Nile Rodgers to fall back on. Hopefully this doesn’t mean they’ll be in Ballot Limbo forever, but there isn’t any indication to think otherwise. There are so many opportunities in the group this year that they just might sneak by, though. If you took the time to split the hairs, Kraftwerk are probably the most deserving act of the lot.
YEAR ELIGIBLE: 1995
PREVIOUSLY NOMINATED: 2003, 2013, 2015, 2017
HUH’S MOST INEXCUSABLE ROCK AND ROLL SNUBS: 2012, 2013, 2015, 2017
HUH’S THOUGHTS: “It’s great that the group keeps rebounding back onto the ballot, but before we all know it, acts who wouldn’t have careers without Kraftwerk’s existence will be seeing nominations and possibly inductions. That definitely cannot happen.” (2015)
LL COOL J
LL Cool J is this year’s lone hip hop nominee, which could mean anything and nothing. His tenure on the ballot would lead anyone to believe that he’s a serious contender, but his successors are starting to find their way in on their first or second tries. He could be the token placeholder until the likes of Biggie and Jay-Z become eligible… or he could finally get the recognition he’s long deserved.
YEAR ELIGIBLE: 2009
PREVIOUSLY NOMINATED: 2010, 2011, 2014, 2018
HUH’S MOST INEXCUSABLE ROCK AND ROLL SNUBS: 2014, 2015, 2016
THOUGHTS: “When it comes to formative hip hop acts, he’s a major player, however, he’s consistently been passed over and has recently been left off the ballot.” (2015)
MC5
This is a ballot comeback of epic proportions. It took 12 years for MC5 to receive their first nomination and another 14 for their second, but here we are with three subsequent consecutive nods. For an act like this, that’s clearly an indication that they are seriously being considered, and this could be the year they find an opening.
YEAR ELIGIBLE: 1991
PREVIOUSLY NOMINATED: 2003, 2017, 2018
HUH’S MOST INEXCUSABLE ROCK AND ROLL SNUBS: 2013, 2014, 2015
HUH’S THOUGHTS: “MC5’s audacious fusion of garage and psychedelic rock was so far ahead of its time, that it actual still holds up strikingly well to this day.” (2014)
STEVIE NICKS
It is highly likely that Stevie Nicks will be the first female multiple inductee of the Rock and Roll Hall of fame, and could there be anyone more fitting? She’s one of the most legendary figures of her generation, and her influence has directly inspired countless future inductees. Her solo material definitely holds up, making this a no-brainer.
YEAR ELIGIBLE: 2006
PREVIOUSLY NOMINATED: N/A
HUH’S MOST INEXCUSABLE ROCK AND ROLL SNUBS: 2014, 2015
HUH’S THOUGHTS: “She is one of the most important women to ever hold a microphone.” (2014)
JOHN PRINE
This was a snub on all accounts… regrettably even by yours truly. Despite being a remarkable, lauded songwriter, his lack of commercial backing never identified him has a major contender, or at least an obvious snub. Still, songwriters have long found inspiration in his work and with his first ever top-5 album on the Billboard 200 coming this year, the timing seems just a little too perfect.
YEAR ELIGIBLE: 1996
PREVIOUSLY NOMINATED: N/A
HUH’S MOST INEXCUSABLE ROCK AND ROLL SNUBS: N/A
HUH’S THOUGHTS: N/A
RADIOHEAD
How anyone let the ceremony take place without Radiohead’s induction last year is disturbing, but at least they stopped the bleeding by getting them right back in the fold. Early 90s juggernauts like Nirvana, Green Day, and Pearl Jam were as good as in before the nominations were even announced; Radiohead (the best of the lot,) should have been given the same treatment.
YEAR ELIGIBLE: 2017
PREVIOUSLY NOMINATED: 2018
HUH’S FUTURE HALL OF FAMERS: 2013, 2015
HUH’S THOUGHTS: “They are one of the most important, respected, and successful acts of their generation.” (2015)
RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE
It’s no surprise that Rage is back on the ballot this year, but I wouldn’t expect them to get in quite yet. The Hall of Fame has been grooming them to be induction-ready for quite some time, but there are too many important acts that have deserved to get in for much, much longer.
YEAR ELIGIBLE: 2017
PREVIOUSLY NOMINATED: 2018
HUH’S FUTURE HALL OF FAMERS: 2013, 2015
HUH’S THOUGHTS: “What holds them back: Nothing. They may have to wait a couple of rounds, if anything.” (2015)
ROXY MUSIC
This is the ballot’s major “Hallelujah!” moment. Roxy Music has been eligible for over 20 years and is just now seeing their first nomination, which is a downright crime, but it’s nice to see them in the mix at least. I wouldn’t bet on their induction, but if there was one dark horse, I’d have to go with them.
YEAR ELIGIBLE: 1997
PREVIOUSLY NOMINATED: N/A
HUH’S MOST INEXCUSABLE ROCK AND ROLL SNUBS: 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017
HUH’S THOUGHTS: “With names such as Brian Eno and Bryan Ferry on their roster, Roxy Music is a profound omission.” (2017)
RUFUS FEATURING CHAKA KHAN
Poor Chaka Khan has been ping-ponged back and forth from solo nods to ones alongside Rufus (the proper nomination) for a good chunk of the decade, but it’s nice to see that the Hall of Fame is clearly determined not to give up. At this point, it’s clear that they are serious competition, but it’s still just a little too likely that they’ll be edged out again.
YEAR ELIGIBLE: 1999
PREVIOUSLY NOMINATED: 2012, 2018
HUH’S MOST INEXCUSABLE ROCK AND ROLL SNUBS: 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016
HUH’S THOUGHTS: “Funk and soul wouldn’t be what it is without Rufus and their frontwoman, Chaka Khan, one of the greatest voices you’ll ever hear.” (2014)
TODD RUNDGREN
What a phenomenal nomination. Todd Rundgren is a landmark figure that never found a way to become a bonafide icon. Who knows? …maybe that was by design, but it’s certainly nice that Hall of Fame was able to see through it, even just this once. He’s an unlikely inductee, but absolutely a deserving one. This will certainly appease the purists, and hopefully give others the opportunity to experience his vast, diverse catalog.
YEAR ELIGIBLE: 1995
PREVIOUSLY NOMINATED: N/A
HUH’S MOST INEXCUSABLE ROCK AND ROLL SNUBS: 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017
HUH’S THOUGHTS: “Not only is his own catalog a varied, creative critical juggernaut, but his collaborations, compositions, and productions with countless legends should more than outweigh his limited commercial presence.” (2017)
THE ZOMBIES
There’s not much of the British Invasion left to recognize, but The Zombies are certainly holding down the fort as of late. Sure, it took almost 25 years to receive their first nomination, but who’s counting? (Me.) If anything, it’s nice to see them living up to their name with 4 subsequent ballot resurrections; I guess there’s some life in them yet.
YEAR ELIGIBLE: 1989
PREVIOUSLY NOMINATED: 2014, 2017, 2018
HUH’S MOST INEXCUSABLE ROCK AND ROLL SNUBS: 2012, 2014, 2015
HUH’S THOUGHTS: “Maybe they didn’t have the kind of staying power that many of their peers had, but they actually cranked out some of the best tracks of the era.” (2014)
WHO SHOULD BE INDUCTED?
Disclaimer: Truly, for the first time maybe ever, the answer is everyone. This just has to be a ranking of most deserving at this point.
- Kraftwerk
- Janet Jackson
- Radiohead
- Rufus featuring Chaka Khan
- The Cure
- LL Cool J
WHO WILL BE INDUCTED?
- The Cure
- Janet Jackson
- LL Cool J
- Stevie Nicks
- Radiohead
- The Zombies
HIDDEN UNDER HEADPHONES 
Definitely agree – this is a stellar ballot. It feels like Janet’s year. And it also feels solid for The Cure.
Stevie Nicks will be inducted. It kinda stinks though since she’s already in with Fleetwood Mac and the Hall is very tough on the ladies.
It’ll be interesting!