Kiss, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and LL Cool J lead this year’s roster of first-time nominees for Jann Wenner’s shrine to his concept of “rock and roll,” the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. This year’s nominations total 12, with returnees like the Stooges, ABBA, and Donna Summer competing with the aforementioned newbies. Which nominees are the most likely to pass muster with the shadowy group who decides these sorts of things? Our odds after the jump.
ABBA: Could this be the year that some of the best pop music ever made gets some modicum of respect from the stuffy old fogies who vote on the Rock Hall inductions? Despite the Jonas Brothers being on the cover of Rolling Stone multiple times in the past year, I’m gonna say “no.” 18-1.
The Chantels: On the ballot since 2001. Maybe they’ll get their shot in 2011, but not now. 10-1.
Jimmy Cliff: He’s a first-time nominee, and kind of a titan. If the Red Hot Chili Peppers get in before he does, I kind of give up. 3-1.
Genesis: EVEN
The Hollies: A first-time nominee with Graham Nash connections? Duh. EVEN
KISS: Sure, it’s the Ace Frehley/Peter Criss lineup that’s up for consideration, and yes, the Eagles have shown that Wal-Mart isn’t a dirty word, but come on, this nomination was solely for bloggability purposes. 25-1.
LL Cool J: Sure, his recent musical output has been sorta unfortunate (NCIS tie-in songs? Oh, honey) but the Rock Hall voters probably love the MTV Unplugged version of “Mama Said Knock You Out” that’ll inevitably be trotted out at the induction. 2-1.
Darlene Love: Should make it in solely on the strength of “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home),” but will probably get overlooked in favor of some dude. 10-1.
Laura Nyro: My pick for the “sneaking in ahead of a bigger name like Kiss” crown. 5-1.
Red Hot Chili Peppers: How many times have they graced RS‘ cover? 7-5.
The Stooges: You’d think that with them playing at the damn thing, they’d get sort of a jump on the curve. And yet. 8-1.
Donna Summer: I bet you at least 50% of the people making up the voting bloc have made a “Disco Sucks” joke in the past year. 10-1.
And yes, Rush was robbed yet again—as were Slayer, the Cure, and the Smiths.
Kiss, Genesis, Chili Peppers Among Nominees For Rock Hall Of Fame [Billboard]
I would be fine with everybody there making it in, even the Chili Peppers. Man, no Cure or Smiths? Ugh. No Slayer?!
And it’s ridiculous KISS ain’t in there yet, given there standards. Seger’s been in for five years. Gross.
And yes I meant “their” not “there”. I’m getting really bad at that.
I’m putting out a Q&A w/Gene in two days where he says… well, let’s just say it’s unlikely.
Frankly, I’d be pleased as punch if Laura Nyro gets in. I think she influenced more people than she’s given credit for. If she and Love both get in- oh my, would my ’60s girl-loving-heart be fluttering!
Wherein we learn there are still people who give a fuck about the R&R Hall of Fame.
@Lucas Jensen: No Depeche Mode?
If The Stooges don’t get in this year I’m burning that mother down.
Additional bands not in:
B-52s
Bad Brains
Beastie Boys
Buzzcocks
The Cars
The Cure
Dead Kennedys
Depeche Mode
Devo
Journey
Joy Division
Kraftwerk
Ministry
Motorhead
New Order
New York Dolls
The Replacements
Roxy Music
Rush
Stevie Ray Vaughn
Slayer
Sonic Youth
The Smiths
XTC
If Genesis gets in it’ll be a shock to me, and I’ll chalk it up to their pop chart successes in the ’80s, because until now, the HOF has been a totally prog-free zone: Rush are one of the most obvious snubs, but King Crimson and Yes have also been locked out so far.
You know who’s not in, who has been eligible for years, and who really did cast a hell of a long shadow over tons and tons of bands but who never fully got his American due to a combination of one-hit wonder status and his early demise?
Marc Bolan. T. Rex, people. T. REX.
Ned: representing all that is good in this world.
Going to listen to Electric Warrior now until my blood screams.
Paul Rodgers / Bad Company
Agreed on much of the above, but for me it’s all about Donna finally getting her props. Because I really look forward (I mean this only half-sarcastically) to months of meatheads trotting out on blogs and radio morning shows that charming old line, “It’s not the DISCO Hall of Fame!”
Come to think of it, Chic aren’t in yet either, right? Travesty.
…inserting annual “how is Brian Eno not in here” comment…
@LostTurntable: Yeah, all of those deserve to be in there.
I’m happy to see Genesis, Kiss and The Stooges get nominated even though I only like 1.5 of those three (The Stooges and Peter Gabriel-era Genesis). Also I want Laura Nyro in even though i’m sure it won’t happen.
>>>because until now, the HOF has been a totally prog-free zone
Pink Floyd (inducted in 1996) not prog?