Jeff Beck, Chic, Wanda Jackson, Little Anthony and the Imperials, Metallica, Run-DMC, the Stooges, War, and Bobby Womack are this year’s nominees for induction into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame; five of them will be inducted next April after balloting concludes in January. This year’s list of nominees is almost more notable for who isn’t on it than who is; the list of eligible artists who were snubbed by the dudes who want to codify their definition of “rock and roll” includes inarguably influential artists like Slayer, the Cure, and–once again–Rush. Click through for our list of the six highest-profile acts who didn’t make the ballot, and vote for who you think was the most robbed. Once the votes are tallied, we can march on the Rolling Stone offices and plead for justice!
Gawker Media polls require Javascript; if you’re viewing this in an RSS reader, click through to view in your Javascript-enabled web browser.
Run-D.M.C., Metallica nominated for Rock Hall [AP]
Bon Jovi has best shot at 2008 Rock Hall of Fame induction [USA Today]
I voted Smiths because I’ve never been a big Rush partisan, but I’m no hater, either. I’d have no argument with fans who argue they deserve it as least as much as, say, ZZ Top.
Now, speaking of hate: If Wenner et al. managed to prevent Bon Jovi from getting in for, say, the next decade at least, I’d take back every nasty thing I’ve ever said about the RnRHoF.
In short, ABJ: Anyone But Jovi.
I say the Replacements deserve to be in the RRHOF as much as anyone, but that’s not going to happen, is it?
From that list, I’d probably have to go with Rush.
Until Joy Division’s in, the Cure can wait.
Though they’ll never get a lot of industry respect, Bon Jovi has sold more records than any of these bands (not sure about Metallica, but I’d bet against them too).
Kiss.
@Job: Are you serious? They were both contemporaries of each other, but Joy Division’s small output, as great as it was, just doesn’t match up with what the RRHOF is looking for. And New Order probably deserves it as much, right?
Oh, yeah, and KISS. Heh.
i kind of can’t believe slayer is in last place!
@Maura Johnston:
You can’t induct Slayer without Metallica going in first. Same with Beastie Boys not going in before Run-DMC [see last year].
If either of those things happened, the Rock Hall would be seen as a sham, a joke, a terrible and out of touch barometer of what a hall of fame in music should represent.
wait a minute…
@Lucas Jensen:
@Job: Are you serious? They were both contemporaries of each other, but Joy Division’s small output, as great as it was, just doesn’t match up with what the RRHOF is looking for.
True, Joy Division only had two proper studio albums (plus the Still compilation / live album), but the Sex Pistols were inducted with even less recorded material to their name. Joy Division certainly were influential and significant (both qualifiers for the RRHOF): even more than a quarter-century after Ian Curtis’ death, there is still interest in the band, which is more than can be said of many other post-punk bands (not a knock on post-punk, it’s one of my basic food groups). Their sound also influenced groups that went on to greater commercial success (The Cure and U2, for example). Still, more of their influence seems to be on the UK side of the pond, so it is possible that they never will make it into the RRHOF (which seems biased more towards American bands - though why they haven’t found a place for Pere Ubu I’ll never understand).
Gotta be Rush, no question.
No prog bands in the Hall Of Fame - I’m convinced it’s actually written down somewhere in the HOF bylaws. Rush, Yes, King Crimson…never gonna happen.
I love Rush, but come on! where’s The Cure love? they had three top 40 hits, they essentially created alternative rock as we know it (along with other British bands that became popular just as punk ended like The Jam, Squeeze, XTC, Gang of Four, Wire and Bauhaus). The Smiths weren’t as popular in America as they were in Britain but they influenced oh so many bands. They’re a shocking ommision too.
I’ll be content if The Stooges finally get in and Metallica certainly deserves to get in no matter what you think of them (it’s kind of a no brainer).
Also when are they gonna induct John Peel as a non-performer for chrissake?
Paul Rodgers, who had hits with Free, Bad Company, The Firm, The Law, his solo projects and is currently singing with Queen.
@juiceandgin: Sorry, but Paul Rodgers can’t be inducted because of his involvement with other bands. He has to be inducted with one of these bands, or if he’s inducted as a solo artist, than only his solo material would count towards his induction (ie Lou Reed wasn’t inducted as a solo artist when the Velvet Underground was inducted)
@DocStrange:
Thanks for that info. I would think that Bad Co. should be in then. Here’s a list of classic rock radio staples: Can’t Get Enough, Rock Steady, Ready For Love, Bad Company, Movin’ On, Burning Sky, Rock & Roll Fantasy, Good Lovin’ Gone Bad, Shooting Star, Feel Like Makin’ Love, Silver-Blue & Gold. Pretty impressive batch of work.
Duran Duran.
The Stooges.
I know they’re on the list, but they’re not going to make the cut. Again.
Also: Ringo.