J
RICK JAMES
PERFORMER
THOUGHTS:
Maybe a controversial figure, but a legendary one nonetheless. His overall artistry/musicianship expands well beyond his own catalog, and it’s hard to argue with his career.
RECOMMENDED LISTENING:
“LOVE GUN”
TOMMY JAMES & THE SHONDELLS
PERFORMER
THOUGHTS:
This is another conspicuous absence without any real explanation. They have some of the most iconic hits of their generation under their belt, and many current-inductees have covered them.
RECOMMENDED LISTENING:
“CRIMSON AND CLOVER”
JAN & DEAN
PERFORMER
THOUGHTS:
If you whittle down surf rock to only the Beach Boys, you’re leaving out a lot of the story. Jan and Dean were trailblazers and hit-makers that deserve to be acknowledged here.
RECOMMENDED LISTENING:
“SURF CITY”
JANE’S ADDICTION
PERFORMER
THOUGHTS:
This seems like an induction that would cause all of zero debate, objectively speaking/regardless of taste. One of the greats of their era – truly definitive.
RECOMMENDED LISTENING:
“MOUNTAIN SONG”
THE J.B.’S
MUSICAL EXCELLENCE
THOUGHTS:
Much like inducted Performers Booker T. & The M.G.’s, these guys are part-backing band, part-headliners. I think Musical Excellence is a more appropriate fit, especially with 2 failed nominations under their belt.
RECOMMENDED LISTENING:
“PASS THE PEAS”
WAYLON JENNINGS
PERFORMER
THOUGHTS:
Waylon Jennings should be one of, if not the next country name on the ballot. It’s clear the RRHOF is carving out some space for outlaw country, and rightfully so; it’s impossible not to think he’s on deck.
RECOMMENDED LISTENING:
“ARE YOU SURE HANK DONE IT THIS WAY”
JETHRO TULL
PERFORMER
THOUGHTS:
Wow, this is still crazy to me! Is any act truly everyone’s taste? No, so let’s set aside some personal bias, Rock Hall, and induct this important band. A huge omission.
RECOMMENDED LISTENING:
“LOCOMOTIVE BREATH”
GEORGE JONES
INFLUENCE
THOUGHTS:
As an artist, I think it’s a hard pitch to consider George Jones eligible for the Performer category; he is COUNTRY-country. But his influence and admiration are profound,
RECOMMENDED LISTENING:
“HE STOPPED LOVING HER TODAY”
GRACE JONES
PERFORMER
THOUGHTS:
Few acts are this deeply impactful in so many spaces…music, performance, fashion, and so on. From her inventive compositions to her imaginative covers, the boundaries Grace Jones has pushed only continue to become more obvious.
RECOMMENDED LISTENING:
“SLAVE TO THE RHYTHM” [HOT BLOODED VERSION]
SCOTT JOPLIN
INFLUENCE
THOUGHTS:
He’s the King of Ragtime, which is such an important moment on the journey to rock & roll to acknowledge. A true EARLY Influence.
RECOMMENDED LISTENING:
“MAPLE LEAF RAG” (PERFORMED BY ALEXANDER PESKANOV)
(composer)
JOY DIVISON
AND NEW ORDER
PERFORMER
THOUGHTS:
Nothing made me happier than seeing these groups – in this configuration – on the 2023 ballot. Easily the biggest, most influential new wave-era act(s) not to be inducted yet.
RECOMMENDED LISTENING:
“NEW DAWN FADES” (JOY DIVISION)
“THE PERFECT KISS” (NEW ORDER)
K
KING CRIMSON
PERFORMER
THOUGHTS:
A no-brainer progressive rock induction to tee up any time now, Rock Hall. Almost too easy.
RECOMMENDED LISTENING:
“EPITAPH”
FRANKIE KNUCKLES
MUSICAL EXCELLENCE
THOUGHTS:
This Chicago icon undeniably deserves to usher house music into the Hall of Fame. His development of the genre – to essentially putting it on the map – is not just part of dance music history, but rock & roll history.
RECOMMENDED LISTENING:
“BABY WANTS TO RIDE”
KOOL & THE GANG
PERFORMER
THOUGHTS:
When it comes to the public consciousness of funk music, Kool & The Gang are it. They have hits on hits on hits, most of which are still bumping today. I can’t believe they’re not inducted yet.
RECOMMENDED LISTENING:
“JUNGLE BOOGIE”
LENNY KRAVITZ
PERFORMER
THOUGHTS:
I think the artist is greater than the sum of his output here, but deserving nonetheless. Lenny’s got major name recognition, enough hits to stand on, and all the critical backing you need. He’s a true, singular rock star.
RECOMMENDED LISTENING:
“ALWAYS ON THE RUN”
KRIS KRISTOFFERSON
PERFORMER
THOUGHTS:
Another outlaw/Highway[man] that just cannot be left out of the conversation. Johnny Cash is a different animal, but now that Willie is in, and Waylon will probably be next, it’s inevitable.
RECOMMENDED LISTENING:
“ME AND BOBBY MCGEE”
FELA KUTI
INFLUENCE
THOUGHTS:
It is so incredibly important that Afrobeat is highlighted by the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in a big way, and Fela Kuti is the big name. He’s been nominated, even gotten lots of fan support, but still nothing. An Influence induction would be a fast-track, but I’m still pro-Performer.
RECOMMENDED LISTENING:
“ZOMBIE”
L
PATTI LABELLE
PERFORMER
THOUGHTS:
A huge voice with inarguable rock-crossover! Patti is a legend, still going strong, and is a benchmark-vocalist people will be compared to for years.
RECOMMENDED LISTENING:
“NEW ATTITUDE”
CYNDI LAUPER
PERFORMER
THOUGHTS:
Cyndi Lauper is an icon of the MTV era, but she brought sheer talent to pop music. As a vocalist, a songwriter, a performer, and visionary, she checks all the boxes. I can’t wait to see another nomination this year (hint.)
RECOMMENDED LISTENING:
“ALL THROUGH THE NIGHT”
LITTLE FEAT
PERFORMER
THOUGHTS:
Maybe a bigger influence than they have name-recognition or acclaim, but I think Little Feat should be in the mix for consideration at least.
RECOMMENDED LISTENING:
“TIME LOVES A HERO”
LORETTA LYNN
PERFORMER
THOUGHTS:
INDUCT LORETTA LYNN, LIKE TOMORROW! As an artist, her music has cast a shadow over rock & roll in a profound way – but the attitude out-rocks a good half the inductees. She should honestly be next in, even over Waylon.
RECOMMENDED LISTENING:
“DON’T COME HOME A-DRINKIN’ (WITH LOVIN’ ON YOUR MIND)”
M
MAX MARTIN
MUSICAL EXCELLENCE
THOUGHTS:
Ok maybe this is a little premature, but Max Martin is technically eligible. Is there any songwriter/producer who has done more for pop music over the last 3 decades? I can’t even start naming the hits because there’s not enough room – this is inevitable.
RECOMMENDED LISTENING:
“…BABY ONE MORE TIME” (PERFORMED BY BRITNEY SPEARS)
(songwriter/producer)
THE MARVELETTES
PERFORMER
THOUGHTS:
The Marvelettes were Motown’s true answer to the girl-group craze, and they delivered on the hits! These ladies are some of the last true hitmakers to join their labelmates in the Hall of Fame, despite being one of the originals.
RECOMMENDED LISTENING:
“PLAYBOY”
DAVE MATTHEWS BAND
PERFORMER
THOUGHTS:
This should have happened by now. To a generation, DMB were the be-all-end-all – and while they do have the hits and the acclaim, they have been a massive touring-de-force (did that work?) on a cult-like level for decades.
RECOMMENDED LISTENING:
“CRUSH”
MC LYTE
PERFORMER
THOUGHTS:
It seems that the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is less concerned with honoring hip hop chronologically than going for the heavy-hitters. And until this year, it’s exclusively been a man’s game – yet MC Lyte has been sittin’ there eligible for years.
RECOMMENDED LISTENING:
“POOR GEORGIE”
MC5
PERFORMER
THOUGHTS:
Let’s get real, MC5 can’t get off the ballot and they’re probably gonna be the next Musical Excellence (gag) inductees. It’s astounding to me that they haven’t been voted in!
RECOMMENDED LISTENING:
“KICK OUT THE JAMS”
MEAT LOAF
PERFORMER
THOUGHTS:
With one of the biggest-selling albums ever to his name, Meat Loaf is a rock legend. At his peak as a performer and a vocalist, few could go toe-to-toe with him.
RECOMMENDED LISTENING:
“YOU TOOK THE WORDS RIGHT OUT OF MY MOUTH”
HAROLD MELVIN &
THE BLUE NOTES
PERFORMER
THOUGHTS:
Now here’s a true Philly Soul group. With hits for days, and one Teddy Pendergrass on the roster, I have to believe this is only a matter of time.
RECOMMENDED LISTENING:
“WAKE UP EVERYBODY”
THE METERS
PERFORMER
THOUGHTS:
Four nods, 0 inductions. The Meters co-authored funk music, and somehow the voters keep saying, “no?” (Do I smell another Musical Excellence coming?)
RECOMMENDED LISTENING:
“CISSY STRUT”
KYLIE MINOGUE
PERFORMER
THOUGHTS:
Kylie is so massive on a global scale, her limited success in the US shouldn’t be a determining factor. Her catalog of nearly-four decades is saturated with hits, and her continued relevancy should make her a no-brainer alongside the other icons that have been inducted.
RECOMMENDED LISTENING:
“CONFIDE IN ME”
THE MONKEES
PERFORMER
THOUGHTS:
Lot’s of debate over the Monkees, for some reason. To say they weren’t musicians is truly a distortion/lie. I think they should get in.
RECOMMENDED LISTENING:
“(I’M NOT YOUR) STEPPIN’ STONE”
ALANIS MORRISSETTE
PERFORMER
THOUGHTS:
I mean, come on. Jagged Little Pill is enough to get anyone inducted, but Alanis Morrissette is so much more. I would be shocked if she doesn’t show up on the ballot in the coming years – I think there’ll be widespread anger if she’s not.
RECOMMENDED LISTENING:
“ALL I REALLY WANT”
GIORGIO MORODER
MUSICAL EXCELLENCE
THOUGHTS:
Disco, electronic music, euro pop, house, techno, etc. etc. etc. owe quite a debt of gratitude to Giorgio. Dance music – and beyond – as we know it is because of him.
RECOMMENDED LISTENING:
“I FEEL LOVE” [12″ VERSION] (PERFORMED BY DONNA SUMMER)
(songwriter/producer)
THE MOTHERS OF INVENTION
MUSICAL EXCELLENCE
THOUGHTS:
You could call them a backing group, you could call them a group on their own, but Frank Zappa’s (worthy) solo induction should not leave the Mothers of Invention out of the RRHOF.
RECOMMENDED LISTENING:
“WHO ARE THE BRAIN POLICE”
MÖTLEY CRÜE
CATEGORY
THOUGHTS:
I mean, these guys feel like an easy induction. The glam rock generation is finding a niche in the Hall of Fame, and of all the names left, I assume they’d be next.
RECOMMENDED LISTENING:
“SHOUT AT THE DEVIL”
THE ORIGINAL MTV VJ’S
NON-PERFORMER
THOUGHTS:
Rock & Roll: the Cultural Force as we know it, is because of MTV. The original 5 VJ’s – Nina Blackwood, Alan Hunter, JJ Jackson, Mark Goodman, and Martha Quinn – are part of the story the same way Dick Clark and Don Cornelius were.
RECOMMENDED LISTENING:
WATCH THIS OG FOOTAGE!
N
NAS
PERFORMER
THOUGHTS:
He’s undoubtedly one of the next hip hop greats to be cued up for induction, and with very few arguments, I’m sure.
RECOMMENDED LISTENING:
“HALFTIME”
THE NEVILLE BROTHERS
PERFORMER
THOUGHTS:
The Neville Brothers are just a great group of musicians. In funk and soul, they are definitely influential, even if they didn’t have a prolific run of hits.
RECOMMENDED LISTENING:
“YELLOW MOON”
NEW YORK DOLLS
PERFORMER
THOUGHTS:
New York Dolls were short-lived and hardly popular, but their influence could not be overstated. It keeps feeling like they are going to move past the ballot, but it just hasn’t happened yet.
RECOMMENDED LISTENING:
“LOOKING FOR A KISS”
HARRY NILSSON
PERFORMER
THOUGHTS:
An amazing, singular songwriter – everybody knows his songs without maybe knowing his name. Really hope the winds change on this one soon.
RECOMMENDED LISTENING:
“COCONUT”
NO DOUBT
PERFORMER
THOUGHTS:
With a couple years of eligibility behind them, it shouldn’t be long before we see No Doubt’s first nomination. With such a huge presence throughout the ’90s into the new millennium – on top of Gwen Stefani remaining a household name – they feel like a given.
RECOMMENDED LISTENING:
“SUNDAY MORNING”
O
SINÉAD O’CONNOR
PERFORMER
THOUGHTS:
Devastatingly sad to be referring to her as the late Sinéad O’Connor, but maybe it will tip the scales. One of the most misunderstood artists in history – canceled by the same people who complain about cancel culture – but an astoundingly talented artist at that.
RECOMMENDED LISTENING:
“THE EMPEROR’S NEW CLOTHES”
OASIS
PERFORMER
THOUGHTS:
This is a no-brainer induction, even if the Gallagher bros will never show (at least together.) But if they get in before Blur, I am going to raise hell.
RECOMMENDED LISTENING:
“SLIDE AWAY”
ODETTA
INFLUENCE
THOUGHTS:
I think Odetta deserves to be inducted in any capacity possible, just as long as it’s soon. The Influence category does feel like an easy fit, just because of her cultural-relevancy and sparse direct-ties to rock & roll, but this is a glaring absence.
RECOMMENDED LISTENING:
“TAKE THIS HAMMER”
OZZY OSBOURNE
PERFORMER
THOUGHTS:
Yes, I think Ozzy’ solo career is HOF-worthy. Even beyond just how famous and important he is as an individual figure.
RECOMMENDED LISTENING:
“BARK AT THE MOON”
OUTKAST
PERFORMER
THOUGHTS:
I would’ve pegged OutKast as a first-year nominee, but that has not proven to be the case. Not only were they making different shit than anyone, they just kept cranking out hits. An induction performance would be headlining.
RECOMMENDED LISTENING:
“B.O.B. (BOMBS OVER BAGHDAD)”
HIDDEN UNDER HEADPHONES 
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