T
JOE TEX
PERFORMER
THOUGHTS:
Joe Tex was a trailblazer of funk and soul, and even with 6 nods it feels like this is still a long-shot.
RECOMMENDED LISTENING:
“I GOTCHA”
THIN LIZZY
PERFORMER
THOUGHTS:
Ok now, this is a big snu…oversight. Thin Lizzy are such an influential band! And with enough song recognition to back them up, it does feel like maybe intentional?
RECOMMENDED LISTENING:
“JAILBREAK”
TIMBALAND
MUSICAL EXCELLENCE
THOUGHTS:
Another wildly definitive and groundbreaking producer/songwriter that will no doubt find a deserving home in the RRHOF eventually. SO many hits.
RECOMMENDED LISTENING:
“PONY” (PERFORMED BY GINUWINE)
(songwriter/producer)
TLC
PERFORMER
THOUGHTS:
Few vocal groups have made this kind of impact. Not only were TLC enormously successful and record-breaking, but they helped bridge hip hop into the world of pop music, At one point, they were the biggest selling girl group in the world.
RECOMMENDED LISTENING:
“WHAT ABOUT YOUR FRIENDS”
TOOTS & THE MAYTALS
PERFORMER
THOUGHTS:
Reggae is still under-represented in the Hall of Fame, despite being a driving force of rock & roll’s evolution. Toots & the Maytals are the most conspicuous absense in this sense.
RECOMMENDED LISTENING:
“PRESSURE DROP”
A TRIBE CALLED QUEST
PERFORMER
THOUGHTS:
Tribe is going to get in, that’s not a question. They are too big, too acclaimed, too influential. So much so that the fact that they have a couple nods but no induction is pretty annoying.
RECOMMENDED LISTENING:
“CHECK THE RHIME”
SHANIA TWAIN
PERFORMER
THOUGHTS:
When it comes to country crossover, Shania reigns supreme. With one of the biggest selling albums ever, and hits that spin on pop radio just as much as country, she has to be in the mix eventually.
RECOMMENDED LISTENING:
“THAT DON’T IMPRESS ME MUCH”
U
USHER
PERFORMER
THOUGHTS:
It’s hard to believe Usher’s eligible for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, but here we are. A formidable hit-maker who would be the headliner of his induction ceremony, but it’s probably only going to be a few more years of waiting.
RECOMMENDED LISTENING:
“U DON’T HAVE TO CALL”
V
LUTHER VANDROSS
PERFORMER
THOUGHTS:
One of the greatest vocalists ever, with a timeless catalog, and undeniable throughline to rock & roll. Luther fully deserves to be here.
RECOMMENDED LISTENING:
“POWER OF LOVE/LOVE POWER”
SARAH VAUGHAN
INFLUENCE
THOUGHTS:
An iconic jazz voice that has influenced countless others – many of whom are sitting in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as we speak.
RECOMMENDED LISTENING:
“MISTY”
BUTCH VIG
MUSICAL EXCELLENCE
THOUGHTS:
As a producer, Butch Vig’s a major part of the rock & roll story. I think it’s hard to pitch a good reason not to start throwing him out there for Musical Excellence. A Performer induction with Garbage (almost made the list!) would not negate this, or vice versa.
RECOMMENDED LISTENING:
“BREED” (PERFORMED BY NIRVANA)
(producer)
W
THE WAILERS
MUSICAL EXCELLENCE
THOUGHTS:
Inducting Bob Marley without the Wailers was an interesting choice, not without its merits. But how are we gonna exclude them altogether? They are a perfect induction to reclaim the Musical Excellence category, and continue the reggae conversation.
RECOMMENDED LISTENING:
“STIR IT UP” [LIVE]
WAR
PERFORMER
THOUGHTS:
War is the ultimate RRHOF keystone! Funk, jazz, Latin, reggae – they all co-existed in their hits, many of which are classics. Way past the time they should be in!
RECOMMENDED LISTENING:
“THE CISCO KID”
BILLY WARD &
HIS DOMINOES
PERFORMER
THOUGHTS:
You could consider the Dominoes an Early Influence, but they crossed the bridge into rock & roll more than not. Regardless, where the hell are they?
RECOMMENDED LISTENING:
“SIXTY MINUTE MAN”
DIANE WARREN
MUSICAL EXCELLENCE
THOUGHTS:
A songwriter whose work has been permanently imprinted in music history, Diane Warren should be recognized sooner than later. She’s worked with so many people, composed countless hits, and continues to be a presence.
RECOMMENDED LISTENING:
“IF I COULD TURN BACK TIME” (PERFORMED BY CHER)
(songwriter/producer)
DIONNE WARWICK
PERFORMER
THOUGHTS:
Social media deity Dionne Warwick has long been s**bbed! Her iconic voice has dazzled some of the greatest pop and soul hits over several decades, and her contributions to rock & roll are apparent throughout this entire list.
RECOMMENDED LISTENING:
“DEJA VU”
WEEZER
PERFORMER
THOUGHTS:
C’mon, Weezer is all but guaranteed a nomination within the next couple of years. Their hits are still ever-present, and you can’t deny how much they stood out amongst their peers in the 1990s.
RECOMMENDED LISTENING:
“MY NAME IS JONAS”
MARY WELLS
PERFORMER
THOUGHTS:
Mary Well is the original Motown superstar. Her hits helped put the label on the map, and many of them are considered some of the best of the whole era. It’s crazy how she was one of the first out there, but she’d be one of the last to get in.
RECOMMENDED LISTENING:
“YOU BEAT ME TO THE PUNCH”
BARRY WHITE
PERFORMER
THOUGHTS:
The voice, the hits, the production, the songwriting! Barry White is one of the biggest names and most well-rounded artists yet to get their moment. It’s unbelievable how much of the population has been conceived to his music.
RECOMMENDED LISTENING:
“NEVER, NEVER GONNA GIVE YOU UP”
THE WHITE STRIPES
PERFORMER
THOUGHTS:
I would’ve thought the White Stripes would’ve gotten in right away, especially as a big fuck you to all the Meg White-deniers (who can all go AWAY). I expect to see them in this coming year (right?)
RECOMMENDED LISTENING:
“HOTEL YORBA”
LUCINDA WILLIAMS
PERFORMER
THOUGHTS:
Unequivocally one of the greatest singers/songwriters/musicians yet to be inducted. Lucinda’s name can’t be left out forever.
RECOMMENDED LISTENING:
“PASSIONATE KISSES”
PHARRELL WILLIAMS
MUSICAL EXCELLENCE
THOUGHTS:
This is another one that feels only slightly premature, but Pharrell is a clear-cut Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee for all of his contributions as a songwriter, producer, vocalist, and performer.
RECOMMENDED LISTENING:
“FRONTIN'”
CHUCK WILLIS
PERFORMER
THOUGHTS:
Chuck Willis is not just an original, he’s an originator. He could’ve been included amongst the first 4-5 classes, but he’s all but been removed from consideration.
RECOMMENDED LISTENING:
“WHAT AM I LIVING FOR”
JOHNNY WINTER
MUSICAL EXCELLENCE
THOUGHTS:
You could more readily classify Johnny Winter as a Performer, but I do think this is the way he’ll get an actual induction. He’s one of the greatest blues guitarists ever.
RECOMMENDED LISTENING:
“MEAN MISTREATER”
STEVE WINWOOD
PERFORMER
THOUGHTS:
What a strange omission. Steve Winwood has worked with so many artists, been in several bands, and has cranked out plenty of hits on his own. He’s one of rock’s greatest, seminal voices! I can’t believe only Traffic has earned him an induction.
RECOMMENDED LISTENING:
“PRESENCE OF THE LORD” (BLIND FAITH)
WU-TANG CLAN
PERFORMER
THOUGHTS:
There couldn’t be a more obvious rap group to induct than Wu-Tang. The collective is made up of legends, and they have classics on classics. Should be soon.
RECOMMENDED LISTENING:
“METHOD MAN”
Y
“WEIRD AL” YANKOVIC
PERFORMER
THOUGHTS:
Does comedy/parody belong in the RRHOF? Hell yes! Weird Al is as big an icon, and as talented a musician as many inductees, and you can’t deny his cultural impact.
RECOMMENDED LISTENING:
“EAT IT”
Z
WARREN ZEVON
CATEGORY
THOUGHTS:
It took far too long for the late Warren Zevon to be nominated, considering he is such a unique and beloved singer-songwriter. Hopefully there’s momentum now.
RECOMMENDED LISTENING:
“EXCITABLE BOY”
HIDDEN UNDER HEADPHONES 
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