This morning, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame announced** the 15 nominees for the 2012 Induction Ceremony. Here are some thoughts on the ballot (thanks to JR for the compilation):

• Beastie Boys: Third nomination (second consecutive); eligible since 2007
  It’s mystifying why they haven’t been inducted yet. They have some of the strongest credentials of any eligible artist. Could this be the year, or will they wait a year and go in with Public Enemy (back in New York)?
  
• The Cure: First nomination; eligible since 2003
  Interesting nomination. Certainly fills a void on recent ballots, but it seems highly unlikely they’ll be inducted this year. Also in line for this ballot slot, The Smiths and Joy Division / New Order.
  
• Donovan: Second nomination (second consecutive); eligible since 1990
  Not sure there is much momentum behind him, but perhaps he fared well on last year’s ballot.
  
• Eric B. & Rakim: First nomination; FIRST-YEAR ELIGIBILITY
  Huge in hip-hop circles, but to get inducted into the Rock Hall, you generally have to transcend your genre.
  
• Guns N’ Roses: First nomination; FIRST-YEAR ELIGIBILITY
  See you in Cleveland.
  
• Heart: First nomination; eligible since 2001
  Great to see Heart make the ballot after waiting 10 years. They recently made an appearance at the Rock Hall Museum as part of the “Women Who Rock” exhibit.
  
• Joan Jett and the Blackhearts: First nomination; eligible since 2005
  Another focus of the “Women Who Rock” exhibit. Many people wanted the Runaways to get in first, but the Rock Hall went with the more popular band.
  
• Freddie King: First nomination; eligible since 1986 (first year of inductions)
  This year’s left field nomination. Never count these guys out of the voting.
  
• Laura Nyro: Third nomination (third consecutive); eligible since 1992
  Laura Nyro must have some strong advocates on the Nominating Committee.
  
• Red Hot Chili Peppers: Second nomination; eligible since 2009
  Another band like the Beastie Boys that will inevitably be inducted. It’s just a matter of when. They will be coming off a huge tour in support of their new album.
  
• Rufus with Chaka Khan: First nomination; eligible since 1999
  Chaka Khan’s name has been on the “Previously Considered” list for years, but here she gets the nomination with her 70’s band Rufus.
  
• The Small Faces/The Faces: First nomination; eligible since 1991
  This could fit into the category of Jeff Beck’s induction three years ago. Don’t count them out.
  
• The Spinners: First nomination; eligible since 1986 (first year of inductions)
  It seems likely that they will be ushered in quickly by the Voting Committee, who has probably been waiting for a chance to vote for them for years.
  
• Donna Summer: Fourth nomination (third consecutive); eligible since 1999
  Another year, another Donna Summer nomination. She likely be nominated again next year, because she won’t make it again.
  
• War: Second nomination; eligible since 1996
  Not a lot of traction the last time they were on the ballot. With heavy competition this year, they won’t get in.
  

The Induction Ceremony will be back in Cleveland this year on Saturday, April 14th and is open to the public. Tickets will be available in December, presumably after the inductees are announced.

** The first place the nominees were listed was on a Cure fan site (found by a FRL reader DC), from a scan of the print edition of Rolling Stone. Oddly, only 12 of the nominees are listed (no Donna Summer, War or Laura Nyro) and Freddie King’s name is misspelled.