1. Janet Jackson
2. Roxy Music
3. Sonic Youth
4. Electric Light Orcesthra
5. Chicago
6. The Moody Blues
7. Nine Inch Nails
8. Kraftwerk
9. Deep Purple
10. Yes
11. War
12. Chic
13. The Spinners
14. N.W.A.
15. LL Cool J
16. Carole King

Posted by Kyle on Thursday, 08/20/2015 @ 07:02am

I already posted mine at the Northumbrian Countdown, but to reiterate:

1. Nine Inch Nails
2. Chic
3. Smashing Pumpkins
4. The Spinners
5. J. Geils Band
6. N.W.A.
7. Deep Purple
8. Janet Jackson
9. Yes
10. The Meters
11. Ben E. King
12. Warren Zevon
13. Willie Nelson
14. Peter, Paul & Mary
15. Janet Jackson

Nice picks, Kyle! Chicago, Kraftwerk, and Carole King are probably my three biggest snubs, I just didn't feel they had the momentum this year.

Posted by PopeCharming on Thursday, 08/20/2015 @ 08:08am

Listed Janet twice. #15 should be Sonic Youth.

Posted by PopeCharming on Thursday, 08/20/2015 @ 08:29am

I'm not going to make any predictions this year because of the recent shake up at the Rock Hall. I'm going to see how the remaining nominating committee members vote this year and then I will make a prediction for the 2017 Rock Hall nominees next year.

Posted by Roy on Thursday, 08/20/2015 @ 09:52am

Final Predictions for the 2016 Rock Hall Ballot:
Bon Jovi
Chic
Deep Purple
Janet Jackson
Joe Cocker
Nine Inch Nails
N.W.A.
Smashing Pumpkins
The Cure
The J. Geils Band
The Spinners
War
Warren Zevon
Yes
The Zombies

I feel the only “locks” for 2016 are N.W.A. and Nine Inch Nails. With the success of the biopic “Straight Outta Compton,” plans of a possible reunion tour, and Dr. Dre’s new album, the stars are allined for N.W.A.’s induction this year. Plus, the ceremony’s taking place in L.A. If they cannot get inducted this year, they probably will never get inducted. For all intensive purposes, I consider them a lock for induction. The same goes for Nine Inch Nails because now with Green Day inducted, the Rock Hall committee will re-nominate Trent Reznor’s fronted-band and most likely receive induction. With the Rock Hall’s push for 80s and 90s artists, Nine Inch Nails fits the bill, plus Reznor is one of the most visionary and acclaimed American musicians of our time. I think Smashing Pumpkins will receive a nomination but will not get inducted in 2016. If Nine inch Nails couldn’t get inducted first-ballot last year, Smashing Pumpkins stand little chance.

Janet Jackson will and should the Rock Hall’s next choice for a female inductee. If you’re gonna have pop divas like Madonna, Janet Jackson, Donna Summer and Linda Ronstadt in the Rock Hall, it’s tough to deny Jackson’s impressive string of hits from the 1980s until the early 2000s. With a new world tour and a massive social media campaign supporting her Rock Hall induction, Jackson should have no trouble garnering a nomination this time around. If not Jackson, maybe the committee will nominate Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, or Pat Benatar for this spot. Jackson has the most momentum for a nomination and could easily be the headlining inductee for 2016 (via HBO).

With a more populist push for the Rock Hall to induct more 1980s (and onward) artists, I think the best bet would be Bon Jovi. They previously received a nomination back in 2011 which only helps their chances. They had a string of hits, some iconic like “Livin’ on a Prayer” which I could easily see as the closing song for any induction ceremony. They would be a good representative of the 1980s hair rock band and would have the name recognition to do well with potential Rock Hall voters. With a Bon Jovi induction, the doors would open wider for other rock acts of the decade, most likely Def Leppard.

Let’s face it, the Rock Hall’s only gonna inducted 1 “classic rock” band this year so it’s between Deep Purple and Yes for that spot. Personally, I think Yes has the better shot to get in this year. It would be terrible if neither gets inducted because they’re fighting for the same votes. I think both acts should already be in the Rock Hall but I'm being realistic with what's gonna probably happen.

Like Popecharming, I have a feeling the Rock Hall will nominated either Joe Cocker or Ben E. King given their recent deaths. The committee’s most likely not gonna nominate both singers. My gut tells me Joe Cocker (personally I think Cocker is one of the best singers of the rock era) but it could Ben E. King. “Stand by Me” and “Spanish Harlem” are timeless standards and King could join the “exclusive’ 2+-Time Rock Hall inductees list. However, Cocker has the Woodstock connection and his legendary covers of “With a Little Help from My Friends” and “Feelin’ Alright.”

The J. Geils Band (previously nominated 3 times: 2005, 2006, 2011) will simply replace The Paul Butterfield Blues Band as the nominating committee’s “pet project” candidate. The J. Geils Band will be the Rock Hall’s blues-rock choice that substitutes the Butterfield Band, so I doubt we will see any blues-rock or traditional blues artists on this year’s ballot. Don’t believe me, the Rock Hall sent such signals when Peter Wolf (lead singer of J. Geils Band) inducted the Butterfield Blues Band earlier this year. I think there are much better, worthwhile acts to nominate but my gut’s telling me the committee will go back to its old ways (and nominate “Friends” of the committee).

The Spinners seem to have more support this year than previous years (read the comments on The Spinners’ page; some of the comments are really insightful and give great reasons for the Spinners’ induction. Others, let’s just say make no sense at all). I think have a great shot this year and would gladly support their induction. War (or The Meters) will fight for the spot given to funk acts on the Ballot.

Can we just put Chic in the Rock Hall already? Most likely, they will receive a 10th nomination this year, the most of any nominated act besides 2001 inductee Solomon Burke. I want them in, but who knows if they can actually get enough votes this time around. The stigma of disco hurts them with some voters no matter how many times they appear on the Rock Hall ballot. Maybe the 10th time will be the charm for Chic. Please, let’s not say “let’s put Nile Rodgers in the musical excellence category.” Regardless of how someone feels about Chic’s music, if an act has been nominated this many times then they are drawing some heavy support from certain nominators and thus very worthy of an induction.

In terms of singer-songwriters, I think Warren Zevon will be the best bet for nomination for the 2016 ballot. With support from the likes of Springsteen, Young and Dylan, it’s hard to deny these first-ballot Hall of Famers’ flood of support for Zevon. While Zevon might lack commercial success (besides “Werewolves of London”), he was one of the most respected and acclaimed singer-songwriters during his lifetime. Although I think Gram Parsons, Jim Croce, Willie Nelson and Harry Nilsson should also be in contention, I’m gonna play it safe and predict Zevon to fit the spot here. The biggest threat for a Zevon nomination could be Sting (who received a surprise nomination last year, much to the chagrin of commentators on this website). I’m indifferent to a Sting nomination, in the sense that I don’t necessarily dislike Sting as a solo act, I just feel a little underwhelmed when compared to his work with the Police. Sting’s solo work is good, not sure if it’s Rock Hall worthy but the Rock Hall will most likely induct him sometime in the next few years, if not the 2016 ballot.

Of all the post-punk and alternative acts that could appear on the ballot, I’m going with The Cure. The nominating committee keeps playing hot potato with this subgenre and doesn’t seem to have consistency. They nominated in order: The Cure (2012), The Replacements (2014) and The Smiths (2015). None of them got inducted. The other best bet for this spot could be Sonic Youth and I’d be fine with that as well. Personally, I believe the Cure should be the first post-punk/alternative act (from the 1980s) inducted but any of these acts would be worthy. One of these acts will appear on the 2016 ballot, it’s just a matter of who draws support and interest from the committee this time around.

One of these 1960s acts could receive nomination this year: Tommy James & the Shondells (given Tommy James’ performance at this year’s Rock Hall ceremony with Joan Jett), The Zombies (They were previously nominated back on the 2014 ballot, I think this would be good closure for British Invasion acts in the Rock Hall if they get inducted), or The Marvelettes (They’ve been nominated twice [2013 and 2015]; I’m more inclined to put them in the 1960s category as opposed to R&B/Soul because I think they will be seen as a nostalgia act for voters. Plus this opens the flood gates to Motown back on the Rock Hall ballot). I like Popecharming’s optimism for a possible nomination for Peter, Paul & Mary. I think the Bob Dylan connection to their work could sway nominators and voters, so I don’t think it’s as much of a left-field pick as many might think. The Rock Hall can’t help itself but nominate a 1960s act, regardless of how much they shake up the nominating committee. I’m going with the Zombies to return on the Rock Hall, but it could easily go with any of the other 1960s artists listed above.

Posted by Nick on Thursday, 08/20/2015 @ 10:09am

It's really difficult to predict this year's ballot with the recent shake-ups with the NomCom. I'm cautiously optimistic that this will finally be the year for Janet Jackson's nomination.

#InductJanet

Others I'm pulling for and/or expecting: Deep Purple, Nine Inch Nails, N.W.A., The Cure, Yes, Sonic Youth, Depeche Mode, Ben E. King

Can Smashing Pumpkins make the ballot?

Posted by Mike on Thursday, 08/20/2015 @ 10:15am

Excellent analysis there Nick. All your points are spot on.

To answer Mike's question about the Smashing Pumpkins, not only can they make the ballot, I think it's a forgone conclusion that they will. I can't remember the last time a year came up where the Nominating Committee didn't put at least one newly eligible act on the ballot. Come to think of it, I don't think it's ever happened. And with the obvious new direction the Hall's wanting to go in by inducting younger, fresher acts, it's not gonna happen anytime soon.

And really when we break down the newly eligible artists, there's really only five acts that have at least somewhat of a shot.

Three alt-rock groups, one rap group, and one pop diva. The three rock groups being Smashing Pumpkins, Alice in Chains, and Hole. The rap group being a Tribe Called Quest, and the pop diva being Mariah Carey.

Hole is very unlikely, but they do have a superstar in Courtney Love who will garner the Hall a good amount of media attention, not to mention being a solid choice to represent female rockers. Highly unlikely, but they have more of a shot than most of the other newly eligible acts.

If N.W.A. and LL Cool J had already been inducted by now, then I'd say A Tribe Called Quest would be a surefire bet to be on the ballot. But the Hall has only one more year to get N.W.A. before they start getting to the superstars of 90's rap (the first being 2Pac), and with N.W.A. being so hot in pop culture right now, the Hall is gonna do everything in their power to ensure N.W.A. gets in this year. Which means, they're not gonna nominate another rap group to potentially take away votes. So a Tribe Called Quest is just gonna be out of luck this year.

Alice in Chains was one of the leading alt-rock/metal bands of the 90's, but while the Hall has been pushing for alt-rock groups to get inducted during the last 7-8 years, they haven't really gone for more metal-leaning alt-rock acts. Nirvana, R.E.M., Red Hot Chili Peppers, the Cure, the Replacements don't really fall under the metal umbrella, and NIN which kind of does is more critically respected. So while Alice in Chains in theory are a big enough act to warrant a first time nomination at least, they won't get it. If Soundgarden hasn't been nominated by now, Alice in Chains won't get nominated either.


Mariah Carey is a strong possibility. However, that means that Janet Jackson and Whitney Houston are gonna get thrown to the way-side which would upset a lot of people (including yours truly). Janet has so much momentum right now, it'll be absolutely baffling if she doesn't get a nomination. And Whitney Houston is still in the news for unfortunate reasons (her daughter's recent death), plus she's always had more critical acclaim than Janet, so it wouldn't be surprising at all to see her nominated instead. Either way, it would just make no sense whatsoever for Mariah to get a nomination before Janet and Whitney. But then again, this is the Rock Hall we're talking about.


So really, as far as newly eligible acts, that leaves the Smashing Pumpkins. Someone among the newly eligible artists has to at least be on the ballot, and the Pumpkins really have nothing in their way to deny them a nomination. They don't really have any bands to compete with that they could take votes away from. Sure there's plenty of other alt-rock groups that deserve a nomination, but having them on the ballot won't cause a pet project of the Hall to miss out on being inducted (like ATCQ hurting N.W.A's chances). And the Pumpkins are more straight up alt-rock, and not so much metal, so they have that going for them.


For all those reasons expect to see the Pumpkins on the ballot, probably along with Nine Inch Nails, and one other 80's alt rock group to represent alt-rock as a whole (I'm leaning towards Sonic Youth to be on there this year, though the Cure, the Smiths, the Replacements all have cases for a second nomination, or someone new like Jane's Addiction, Soundgarden, or the Pixies, etc)

Posted by Donnie on Thursday, 08/20/2015 @ 11:01am

1. Kraftwerk
2. Nine Inch Nails
3. Deep Purple
4. Joan Baez
5. Gram Parsons
6. Roxy Music
7. Sonic Youth
8. The Smiths
9. Chic
10. Ben E. King
11. N.W.A
12. Janet Jackson
13. Judas Priest
14. Chicago
15. Peter Tosh
16. Bon Jovi

Some I'm being more optimistic than others, but still, always holding out.

Posted by Dunkleman on Thursday, 08/20/2015 @ 12:35pm

I am sticking to my previous list and I will explain why.

Back in 1996, three art rock/progressive rock bands were inducted: Pink Floyd, Jefferson Airplane and the Velvet Underground. After Pink Floyd had been inducted, I had decided to create a website to support "art rock," then later in 1997, I had posted a link to my "now long archived" website supporting Rush's induction into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame. From the time of the creation of that website until Rush had been inducted had taken over 15 years. At the same time, I was also (indirectly through Rush's induction campaign supporting he inductions of Yes and The Moody Blues, whose induction
campaigns had not yet taken flight. I surmised that if I could help get Rush in, Yes's or The Moody Blues' induction would follow.

Apparently the rock hall has had only a few artists belonging to the "art rock/progressive
rock" genres inducted since 1996. Queen had been inducted afterwards in 2001, followed by Talking Heads in 2002, then Traffic in 2004, then finally Genesis had been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame in 2010. The induction of Genesis had led to the solo induction of Peter Gabriel in 2014 and possibly to Rush's induction into the Rock Hall in 2013. Rush's induction had been the lynchpin. Slightly before Rush had been inducted, they had advocated the inductions of Yes, The Moody Blues and King Crimson. Since there has been 20 years since the last major induction of "art rock/progressive rock" bands and since no "progressive rock" artists have been inducted since 2014 and since the ceremony is being held in Los Angeles, it only makes sense that progressive artists will dominate the ballot.

Due to Chris Squire's passing recent unfortunate passing, Yes will be nominated and possibly inducted. Due to Duran Duran's recent work, it may be Duran Duran's year as well. The Rock Hall does not really want any more posthumous induction, plus they need a populist choice, hence The Moody Blues. Now, let's look at my other choices: the Rock Hall wants to induct a major singer/songwriter, who better than Carly Simon? We also need a rhythm and blues artist with a "progressive slant," who fits the bill better than Sade?

Posted by Enigmaticus on Thursday, 08/20/2015 @ 16:37pm

I am sticking to my previous list and I will explain why.

Back in 1996, three art rock/progressive rock bands were inducted: Pink Floyd, Jefferson Airplane and the Velvet Underground. After Pink Floyd had been inducted, I had decided to create a website to support "art rock," then later in 1997, I had posted a link to my "now long archived" website supporting Rush's induction into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame. From the time of the creation of that website until Rush had been inducted had taken over 15 years. At the same time, I was also (indirectly through Rush's induction campaign
supporting the inductions of Yes and The Moody Blues,) whose induction campaigns had not yet taken flight. I had surmised that if I could help get Rush in, then Yes's or The Moody Blues' induction would follow.

Apparently the Rock Hall has had only a few artists belonging to the "art rock/progressive rock" genres inducted since 1996.

Queen had been inducted afterwards in 2001, followed by Talking Heads in 2002, then Traffic in 2004, then finally Genesis had been inducted into the
Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame in 2010. The induction of Genesis
had certainly led to the solo induction of Peter Gabriel in 2014 and quite possibly to Rush's induction into the Rock Hall in 2013.

Rush's induction had been the lynchpin. Slightly before Rush had been inducted, they had advocated the inductions of Yes, The Moody Blues and King Crimson. Since there has been 20
years since the last major induction of "art rock/progressive
rock" bands and since no "progressive rock" artists have been
inducted since 2014 and since the ceremony is being held in
Los Angeles, it only makes sense that progressive artists will
dominate the ballot.

Due to Chris Squire's recent unfortunate passing, Yes
should be nominated and possibly inducted. Due to Duran Duran's recent work, it may be Duran Duran's year as well. The Rock Hall does not really want any more posthumous inductions, plus they need a populist choice, hence The Moody Blues. As I have said many times before, The Moody Blues are the co-founders of the "art rock" and "progressive rock" genres. Without The Moody Blues, there would probably be no Genesis, no Yes, no King Crimson and no Rush.

Now, let's look at my other choices: the Rock Hall wants to
induct a major singer/songwriter, who better than Carly


Simon? She is both female and a great singer/songwriter plus she fits in with the "prog" theme.

We also need a rhythm and blues artist, albeit a smooth jazz artist, with a "progressive slant," who fits the bill better than Sade?

Overall, my nominees have a "progressive slant."

Now, on to my other three choices: The Doobie Brothers,
Electric Light Orchestra and Foreigner.

The Doobie Brothers also have a populist slant and they represent a good old fashioned Rock & Roll band.

Electric Light Orchestra is according to Sir Paul McCartney,
the band that The Beatles may have sounded like if they had continued with their trajectory. Plus, E.L.O. Fits the "art rock/progressive rock" bill, plus Jeff Lynne had been a member of the Traveling Wilburys et cetera.

Lou Gramm and Mick Jones have previously been inducted into the Songwriters Hall Of Fame, plus Foreigner had quite a few radio hits and they were critically revered. Additionally, Foreigner is an offshoot of King Crimson, plus they are a "prog adjacent" band.

Posted by Enigmaticus on Thursday, 08/20/2015 @ 17:05pm

Here is my list of 2016 nominees:

01. Duran Duran
02. Yes
03. The Moody Blues
04. Carly Simon
05. Sade
06. Electric Light Orchestra
07. Foreigner
08. The Doobie Brothers
09. Smashing Pumpkins
10. Nine Inch Nails
11. Sting
12. Chic
13. The Zombies
14. Garth Brooks
15. Joe Cocker
16. Mariah Carey

Posted by Enigmaticus on Thursday, 08/20/2015 @ 17:12pm

Great list of nominees Nick and Enig. Doing my List of Nominees. Been changing it 77x. Here's my 18 group ballot.
1.The Cure
2.Deep Purple
3.J.Geils Band
4.Janet Jackson
5.Bon Jovi
6.Ben E. King
7.YES
8.Tommy James & The Shondells
9.Los Lobos
10.Nine Inch Nails
11.N.W.A.
12.Sting
13.Smashing Pumpkins
14.The Spinners
15.Moody Blues
16.WAR
17.Willie Nelson
18.Duran Duran
Think I have 11 past nominees. Had to cut off Soundgarden, Peter,Paul & Mary, Judas Priest, Steve Miller, Chicago, several others. I think Ben E. King, Deep Purple,The Spinners have a good chance of induction. Could make some changes but like this ballot. I see Willie Nelson will make it somehow. 60+ years of music in 80's now. KING

Posted by KING on Thursday, 08/20/2015 @ 20:17pm

Enig, I won't criticize your choices, but please get your facts and classifications straight.

1. Jefferson Airplane were psychedelic-rock, not prog-rock or art-rock. Perhaps you're confusing them with Jefferson Starship, the second incarnation.

2. The Velvet Underground... well, they tended to defy classification, but they didn't blend classical elements and themes into their sound, so we can definitely say they're not prog.

3. Queen is not prog--A Night At The Opera was about the only effort to infuse any classical or baroque ideas into their songs. And while they were certainly very artistic, they are not what generally falls under the category of "art-rock."

4. Talking Heads are arguably art-rock, but I think they are widely accepted as either post-punk or new wave. Somebody who's stronger on the 80s than me can certainly correct me there.

5. Metallica, I believe advocated for Rush when they were inducted in 2009, so maybe we should say that Metallica is the linchpin?

6. Carly Simon does not fit in with the prog-crowd. She is a pop singer/songwriter from the '70s. She's of the same ilk as James Taylor, Cat Stevens, Judy Collins, etc. She's "coffeehouse in Greenwich Village", not prog.

7. Chic fits the R&B artist slot nicely too, but you did pick them as well.

8. You have no rap artist selected. Make no mistake about it: there will a rap act on the ballot.

9. Foreigner is an arena-rock band. Calling Foreigner "prog-adjacent" is like calling Glen Campbell "surf-adjacent"... there might be enough gray area to be considered technically correct, but no one in their right mind thinks of those artists in those terms.

10. The Hall never goes with "themes" for the ballot, mainly because the NomCom is comprised of different people with different mindsets and priorities. I assure you, the majority of the NomCom, even in its pared form, does not have a grand vision in mind to make it a "Six degrees of prog and Kevin Bacon" ballot.

Though I'd be cool with seeing ELO on the ballot too.

Posted by Philip on Thursday, 08/20/2015 @ 21:09pm

I see Ben E. King beating out Joe Cocker for the recent death spot on the ballot. Ben E. King had a much stronger voice than Joe Cocker and Stand By Me is one of the greatest songs of all time. The RRHOF will right the wrong not inducting Ben E. King in the 1980's solo act.
I see Deep Purple and N.W.A. as near locks if nominated.Usually hear Deep Purple is one of the biggest snubs and N.W.A. has the momentum and L.A. ceremony.
Janet Jackson could be the only female solo act on the ballot. I see her inducted possibly.
This probably will be the most diverse and interesting ballot in recent memory. I'm hoping Duran Duran, Moody Blues, The Spinners, The Cure, and Smashing Pumpkins receive a nomination. KING

Posted by KING on Thursday, 08/20/2015 @ 22:55pm

Philip,

Having read several books on the subject, in addition to having read several magazine articles over the years, I am not inclined to post anything unless that opinion can be supported.
Have you ever heard of Prog Archives, or the Gibraltar Encyclopedia of Progressive Rock?

By the way, many years ago, the predecessor to About.com had asked me to be their progressive rock expert. If I hadn't been busy with my present job, I might have considered doing just that.

Now, as to the links which agree with my opinions:

1. www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=2546.
3. www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=1755.
4. www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=5826.
5. Metallica was influenced by Rush, see "Rush: Beyond The Lighted Stage"
6. Carly Simon utilizes strings and orchestral arrangements in her songs.
9. Mick Jones was a former member of Spooky Tooth, a progressive rock band and Ian MacDonald was a former member of King Crimson, another influential progressive rock band.
10. The Hall has been routinely criticized for excluding various genres, in particular- progressive rock.

Of course, you are certainly entitled to your opinion, as always.

Posted by Enigmaticus on Friday, 08/21/2015 @ 00:14am

1. The article cites them primarily as a psychedelic rock band, only flirting with prog in the '70s, late in their Airplane days, and just before going JS.

3. An argument for "art-rock" is plausible, but they were still not prog. Personally, "art-rock" can most succinctly defined by Roxy Music, imo, and they're stylistically a bit different from Queen.

4. Not a Talking Heads expert myself. But Byrne's offbeat enough that it can apply. I've also heard them described as "post-punk" and "new wave."

5. But it took Metallica to get the ball rolling to finally get Rush inducted. As far as the discussion regarding Hall induction goes, that makes Metallica the linchpin, not Rush.

6. Orchestral and string arrangements aren't synonymous with "classical overtones." See: Percy Faith, Henry Mancini, et al.

9. That still doesn't make Foreigner a prog-band. Just like that doesn't make Glen Campbell a surf rocker. That was the point. They have a connection to those movements, but the acts themselves are not of those movements.

10. Prog and about a half a dozen other subgenres: rap, Philly soul, 80's alternative, adult contemporary, doo-wop, etc. Fans of any genre or subgenre will feel that (sub-)genre is underrepresented by the Hall. And none of which means the Hall owes it to us, or you, for that matter to make an all-prog-or-related-to-prog ballot.

Posted by Philip on Friday, 08/21/2015 @ 00:47am

Philip,


Of course, there are divisions between those individuals who prefer progressive rock vs. those who like punk rock. Progressive rock aficionados generally have a tendency to dislike punk rock and simple rock and roll. I especially strongly detest AC/DC, for example. Generally, those individuals who prefer more challenging pieces, almost never get along with those who appreciate more straightforward rock. Never the twain shall meet, or so to speak. For me personally, I prefer orchestral arrangements in songs; if you include a string ensemble or an orchestra, I am more inclined to listen to your work. Orchestral backing has been essential for my enjoyment of music.

However, even your hardcore punk rockers had afterwards voiced an admiration for such artists as: Pink Floyd and Queen, whereas new wave artists were more open to being influenced by major progressive rock bands. Therefore, I have gravitated towards those artists and my lack of appreciation for simplicity had turned me off to punk rock and most heavy metal.

Perhaps I am too old to fully embrace Grunge. I have never quite understood the popularity of groups like Nirvana. It has been said that you gravitate towards the music that was made between your 15th and 30th birthdays. Since, I did not start listening to rock music until I was in my late teens, that range would be from 1977 to 1992. "Roll The Bones" was released towards the very tail end of that period, whereas "A Farewell To Kings" and "Going For The One" were released towards the beginning of that time. Of course, I also appreciate some music written between 1966 and 1976, as well although I am less inclined to enjoy music made after 1992, with certain noticeable exceptions.

I tend to divide groups between those who sound like The Moody Blues v. those who sound like AC/DC. If you scream like you are in inexorable pain then I will generally change the radio dial, or in many instances, reach for the off button.

Posted by Enigmaticus on Friday, 08/21/2015 @ 02:37am

Philip,

I agree that Roxy Music is an "art rock" band. Anyway, categorizations of rock music can be quite arbitrary. After all, the song 'Terrapin Station' by The Grateful Dead is definitely very progressive, although The Grateful Dead is not a prog band. On the other hand, "After Bathing At Baxters" by Jefferson Airplane contains a song by Grace Slick titled 'Rejoyce' which is indeed progressive rock and according to Prog Archives, Jefferson Airplane is considered to be a Proto Prog band.

Basically, it is up to the listener to make those determinations for themselves.

Posted by Enigmaticus on Friday, 08/21/2015 @ 03:17am

Generally speaking, if your music happens to feature complexities and orchestral arrangements then you are prog.

Posted by Enigmaticus on Friday, 08/21/2015 @ 03:27am

One band everyone has forgot about that I will bet the house not only gets nominated but goes in is Pearl Jam next year.

Posted by scott on Friday, 08/21/2015 @ 06:30am

For the last couple of years, I have been convinced that NWA was a lock to be inducted. I knew about their influence, etc. & based my predictions mainly on that, and the members that made up the band.

Now that movie has come out, I have read up more on them & I am wondering if some of their more 'earthy' songs might be a problem with them getting inducted.

I don't know how many women are voters, a minority for sure. But of the women who vote for induction, how many do you think would be voting for a band that put out some songs that are not complementary at all of women? Maybe 2 percent?

Still think they will be inducted at some point, but this factor may be a reason they have to wait a few more years.

Posted by Paul in KY on Friday, 08/21/2015 @ 07:19am

Paul in KY-- point well taken, re: NWA. One corrective I would add, though, is that not just women are offended by their misogyny. I'm a guy and I have problems with it.

If the Rock Hall were to give me a ballot that included NWA among other worthy acts, I would ~probably~ acknowledge their historicity, their influence, their skill at their craft, and their very understandable anger at how law enforcement often treats young black men. I listened to "Straight Outta Compton" just yesterday, and was, in turns, intrigued and alarmed. N.W.A. lived in a dilapidated urban landscape that treated young black men as worthless, suspect, and disposable, But Ice Cube, Dr. Dre, & Co. can't break the cycle; their music treats most women, and in fact, most people of all sorts they don't like, with the same kind of violent contempt.

This isn't an anti-rap thing; there are lots of musicians in other genres I couldn't vote for for the same reason. My wife works for a number of women's organizations and she often sees firsthand the effects of masculinities that treat women as disposable.

Posted by PopeCharming on Friday, 08/21/2015 @ 08:38am

I think pretty much everyone knows that N.W.A.'s "message" and their lyical content, and heck, even their image has been a big factor in keeping them out. Let's face it.

The majority of the voting block on the Voting Committee is the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductees. The majority of those artists were born between 1930-1960. Aka: Artists that came of age in the 50's, 60's, and 70's. Most of them still don't "get" rap music, and probably even most form of alt-rock, dance-pop, and electronic music, aka: more modern styles of music. They're gonna cling to their peers, the music they know, the music they like.

Some more modern artists are so huge and important they can't be denied by the Voters, even they barely know any of their material or don't like their style of music. Groups like Madonna, Public Enemy, Nirvana, Pearl Jam, 2Pac, etc.

N.W.A. really is on that level, but a lot of what people consider to be "bad" about modern music, especially rap music was pretty much started by N.W.A. They're like the 80's version of the Monkees in a way. They are seen by the majority of people in the music industry as starting a lot of "bad things" about music. The Monkees were seen as spawning fake, manufactured pop groups, and N.W.A. are seen as spawning music of a more misogynistic, homophobic, violent subject matters. So there's still a lot of people that aren't gonna vote for them. Public Enemy's music was just as confrontational and bold, but in a more respectful, arty type of way. They're more respected critically, so they got in right away. Even though in reality both are pretty close when it comes to how important they were on rap music and music as a whole. Both should've went in on the 2013 class in reality.


But yeah, N.W.A. is not an easy choice for a lot of the Voting Bloc to go for. Can you really see Ray Davies, Robert Plant, of Gregg Allman voting for N.W.A.? Obviously not lol. That's hurting them, and pretty much every group of the 80's and 90's honestly. It's why we haven't seen a true 80's alt rock group get inducted in this decade thus far. Those same artists I mentioned probably don't even know who the Smiths or the Replacements even are, let alone vote for them. They probably don't even know the Cure, or certainly not enough to vote for them.


The Hall can change the Nominating Committee all they want, but in reality, they just influence the ballot. It's the much bigger voting block that decides who gets in for the most part, and the majority of the Voting Block is still of the Baby Boomer Era which means 60's and 70's groups have the best chance of making it in, outside of the major headliners that can't be denied.


I agree with everyone though, that if N.W.A. can't get in this year, they're probably just not gonna get in. Especially with so many "bigger stars" in the rap genre becoming eligible over the next 10 years.

Posted by Donnie on Friday, 08/21/2015 @ 08:56am

If N.W.A. can't get in, I don't know 2Pac will either.

Posted by Gassman on Friday, 08/21/2015 @ 15:24pm

I'll give this one a final stab before the announcement, and this time explain who, of my list, would get inducted:

Ben E. King
Blur
Chic
The J. Geils Band
Janet Jackson
Johnny Winter
N.W.A.
Nine Inch Nails
Robert Palmer
Smashing Pumpkins
The Spinners
Tommy James and the Shondells
Warren Zevon
Willie Nelson
X
Yes

Possible wild card:
Joy Division and/or New Order

My final thoughts:
Well, I've dropped the wild card down to one act which I still have a nudge towards. As for my other picks:

Chic/N.W.A./Nine Inch Nails = Fairly safe picks. N.W.A. (much as I'm not a fan of their misogyny like others have said) is a lock, and Chic is a reliable pick (plus I have my reasons, as said before). Nine Inch Nails are just going to make the ballot until they get it.

Ben E. King/Johnny Winter/Yes = Posthumous picks. King and Yes I'm comfortable with (having been on ballots before), and Winter seems like a good pick for an outside shot (considered).

Janet Jackson = Fan favorite nominee. Janet Jackson's chances have improved, I'd like to hope, thanks to #InductJanet.

The J. Geils Band = Establishment nominee. The J. Geils Band has connections, and with the Paul Butterfield Blues Band in and Peter Wolf having inducted them, it looks likely for them to make it back on.

Smashing Pumpkins = First balloter. They have the best chance of anyone coming in fresh.

Warren Zevon/Willie Nelson = The names floating around. Zevon was a favorite guest of Letterman, and since Shaffer's still in the upper echelon, that may give Zevon a boost. Nelson got a mention from Greg Harris, and his press has been getting good lately.

The Spinners = The now-or-never nominee. I know it's sad to think of it that way, but with only one member still alive, this would be their only shot at righting a wrong before that wrong becomes too big. They deserve it, either way.

Blur/Robert Palmer/Tommy James and the Shondells/X = The risky picks. Here's the picks that I'm making in an effort to catch an outside nod, all of whom have yet to be nominated. With Sting likely going out in favor of J. Geils, the ballot may need a place for a solo genre-blender candidate, and Robert Palmer sounds like the kind of name that can replace him. Tommy James recently performed on the ceremony with Joan Jett and was in the Legends at the Hall this year, so I'm giving him a shot, especially since the Hall always seems to have a 60s band on the cards. As for X, while I do think MC5 is an essential pick, I think the ceremony being held in Los Angeles may favor them to be the punk rock nominee. Blur is, far and away, the riskiest. They're up fresh now, but they had extremely little success in the US. The reasons I put them up are 1) they'd fit the spot that the Cure, the Replacements, and the Smiths all fit (and the Smiths, I think, had less US success than Blur), and 2) they'd be a first-year ballot, and that may appeal to the Hall, but it's a long shot. The same logic exists for Joy Division and New Order, so that's why they're my wild card.

I won't lie. I'm waiting for the nominees for the inductee predictions, but this was a fun thing to do.

Inductees of this list:
Chic
Janet Jackson
N.W.A.
Warren Zevon
Willie Nelson
Yes

(If 7 or 8)
7. Nine Inch Nails
8. The J. Geils Band

Posted by SotN on Friday, 08/21/2015 @ 16:51pm

Ack. Forgot to include reasons for the inductees:

Chic: I said this before, but Chic has made ballots 75% of the time since they've been eligible. With the 90s coming in fresh, and many, MANY deserving nominees becoming eligible just next year, the spot Chic sits in is going to be more valuable than it ever was. Plus, with Rodgers in the press and the disco revival, it wouldn't be a bad time to induct them.

Plus...ten times. It's about time.

Janet Jackson: If she gets nominated, she'd easily win the fan poll, and the winner of the fan poll has always gotten inducted. Would be a good headliner.

N.W.A.: Currently at their peak since their heyday, and in, essentially, their hometown.

Warren Zevon: The Hall loves singer-songwriters, and with the likely boost from Letterman and Shaffer, Zevon may likely get in. For the record, I don't think Eazy-E and Chris Squire will affect his chances.

Willie Nelson: A nice pick for the Hall, and he would be a good reach-out to some country fans. Maybe him getting in will help some other deserving country or country rock acts (coughGramParsonscough)

Yes: Chris Squire dying before they got in is yet another example of the Hall waiting too late, and their prog rock record is hardly good viewing. Yes getting in takes care of both of those. Plus, the ceremony could be a reunion of the surviving original lineup as a tribute.

Posted by SotN on Friday, 08/21/2015 @ 17:04pm

In no particular order:

Ben E. King

Bon Jovi

Chic

The J. Geils Band

Janet Jackson

Warren Zevon

N.W.A.

Nine Inch Nails

The Zombies

Smashing Pumpkins

The Spinners

Tommy James and the Shondells

The Marvelettes

Electric Light Orchestra

Moody Blues

Yes

Posted by Von Rothenberger on Friday, 08/21/2015 @ 21:52pm

Also in no particular order:

Nine Inch Nails
Eurythmics
Link Wray
NWA
Kraftwerk
Chic
Tommy James and the Shondells
Don Henley
Barry White
Judas Priest
Soundgarden
The Spinners
J.J. Cale
Yes
Black Flag
Whitney Houston

Posted by dmg on Friday, 08/21/2015 @ 23:10pm

Great 2015 Nominees list dmg and Von Rothenberger. I think Deep Purple will be nominated and inducted this year. Both of you have Chic and Nine Inch Nails. The female & singer/songwriter will be interesting. Several possible nominees there. I like the Judas Priest pick. Crossing my fingers for them. Moody Blues deserves a nomination. I think even Charles Manson liked Moody Blues. Solid ballots both. KING

Posted by KING on Saturday, 08/22/2015 @ 00:14am

This is a my poor use of free time, but...

Here's an informal record of what the predictions are at this stage from this page, predictions posted on the Northumbrian Countdown, Charles Crossley's forum, and other places on the internet. At this point, I have 15 different coherent predictions from: Charles Crossley, Rick Vendi, Enigmaticus, Big Tony, Troy Smith, SotN, Kyle, Nick, Dunkleman, Von Rothenberg, Suites, KING, John R.C., dmg, and myself. Everybody made between 14 (Troy) to 18 (KING) choices, with most giving the customary 15 or 16.

So far, consensus seems to be forming around...

14- Chic
14- Nine Inch Nails
14- NWA
12- Janet Jackson
11- Smashing Pumpkins
10- J. Geils Band
9- Deep Purple
8- The Spinners
8- Yes
7- Ben E. King
6- Bon Jovi
6- Electric Light Orchestra
6- Kraftwerk
5- Joe Cocker
5- Tommy James & the Shondells
5- Warren Zevon
4- L.L. Cool J
4- Moody Blues
4- The Marvelettes
4- The Meters
4- Willie Nelson
3- Chicago
3- Eurythmics
3- Roxy Music
3- Sonic Youth
3- Sting
3- The Commodores
3- The Cure
3- The Zombies
3- War
2- Duran Duran
2- Gram Parsons
2- Joan Baez
2- Judas Priest
2- Link Wray
2- Soundgarden

Peter, Paul & Mary, A Tribe Called Quest, Johnny Burnette, De La Soul, Dionne Warwick, Foreigner, Sade, Garth Brooks, Mariah Carey, Doobie Brothers, Carly Simon, Pat Benatar, The B-52s, Phil Collins, Rufus/Chaka Khan, Chuck Willis, Johnny Winter, Robert Palmer, X, Blur, Carole King, Peter Tosh, The Smiths, Cheap Trick, Los Lobos, Don Henley, J.J. Cale, Whitney Houston, and Black Flag.

Some acts that I'm surprised nobody has nominated given recent nominations themselves or their reputation as perennial snubs: The Replacements, Joe Tex, Erik B. & Rakim, Afrika Bambaataa, The Chantels, Dick Dale, Dire Straits, Iron Maiden, Kate Bush, Joy Division/New Order, Iron Maiden, Depeche Mode, and Procol Harum. Collectively, we are all quite bearish about 50s and 60s acts, given the Nom Com changes. Nine Inch Nails, NWA, and Chic appear to be near-unanymous, with Janet, the Smashing Pumpkins, and the J. Geils Band falling just behind.

Posted by PopeCharming on Saturday, 08/22/2015 @ 07:32am

I meant to say that the long list beginning with Peter, Paul & Mary and ending with Black Flag are acts that received just one vote.

Posted by PopeCharming on Saturday, 08/22/2015 @ 07:48am

My predictions for 2016 which, based on past history, will come nowhere close to being correct:

Bjork
Bon Jovi
Chic
Phil Collins
Deep Purple
Depeche Mode
The Go-Gos
Janet Jackson
King Crimson
Kraftwerk
The Marvelettes
The Monkees
Harry Nilsson
NWA
Rufus, with Chaka Khan
The Spinners

Posted by Ian on Saturday, 08/22/2015 @ 10:39am

If you're talking just nominations (no order here):

Alice In Chains
Bon Jovi
Smashing Pumpkins
Deep Purple
Chic
War
Nine Inch Nails
N.W.A.
LL Cool J
Link Wray
Soundgarden
Mariah Carey
The Monkees
Blur
Janet Jackson

Some of these folks I wouldn't bet the house on, but I included them cause it's only the nomination process. Chic seems to be nominated each yr. only to be unduly cruel to, which stinks. I'd love to see the Monkees inducted, but I have a feeling that they might end up in Chic-land, if the voters react in the same manner.

I'm surprised to see no action whatsoever on Alice in Chains. I thought I'd see at least one vote. Oh well, I'll be first here. I'd argue that Alice has artistic credibility and commercial success (two #1 albums, and a fair sales total), along w/many other artists who'd support them.

Bon Jovi - It's all pretty much been said. The elasticity of the Hall should be enough to grant him entrance, yet for some reason it's not happening.

Smashing Pumpkins - This should be a lock, though on a personal note, I might actually put AIC in 1st, or even Soundgarden

Deep Purple/Chic - There was a movie released in the mid 60's, who's title says it all: "The Agony and the Ecstasy". Just pick which one you want to be which(they've both been waiting forever)...

War - I've always supported them, and the hits are there for everyone to hear. If Sly, Funkadelic, and Earth, Wind & Fire are there...

NIN - Truth be told, I've never really been sold on them, but they've received all sorts of hype, so who am I to say?

N.W.A. - Not a fan. I think the misogyny is catching up w/them, Hall-wise. It's real hard to justify the Joni Mitchell's and Carly Simon's of this institution, and then put N.W.A. in. Questionable "art", we have here.

LL Cool J - For those wishing to induct someone w/rap skills, & w/out the junk that comes w/the above mentioned group, here's a good option.

Link Wray - Have influence, will travel. If this really Does count...

Soundgarden - The record doesn't change. It'd be nice to see a Seattle double bill this yr. (SG and AIC), but it might be next yr. w/Pearl Jam.

The Monkees - Already noted above, as to what might happen. I don't see them being elected, & my nominating them just comes from within.

Blur - The longshot, as others have noted. Still, they had the U.K. going from 91 - 98 (approx.), and "Parklife", "Girls & Boys", "Country House", etc. can't be sneezed at.

Janet Jackson/Mariah Carey - 2 for 1. If one goes in, they'll hold on the other one, at least in the short term (in many ways, it's the same situation as Soundgarden/Alice In Chains, but w/less volume). Jackson probably deserves to go first, though Carey might get it on sheer hype/success rate.

Posted by Cheesecrop on Saturday, 08/22/2015 @ 15:57pm

I've finally come up with my list of nominations for next year's RNRHOF class. I'm going with 16 nominees. I'll have a more in-depth analysis on my choices on my Facebook page in the coming days. For now, here is simply my list...

1. Barry White
2. Ben E. King
3. Chaka Kahn and Rufus
4. Chic
5. Deep Purple
6. Depeche Mode
7. Gram Parsons
8. The J. Geils Band (you guys sold me on them)
9. Janet Jackson
10. Joe Cocker
11. Nine Inch Nails
12. N.W.A.
13. Pat Benatar
14. Smashing Pumpkins
15. Sonic Youth
16. Willie Nelson

Posted by Donnie on Saturday, 08/22/2015 @ 19:40pm

I actually messed up on my list. Tommy James and the Shondells were actually my last predicted nominee and not Barry White (who was one of the last artists I cut).

Revised List of Predictions....

1. Ben E. King
2. Chaka Khan and Rufus
3. Chic
4. Deep Purple
5. Depeche Mode
6. Gram Parsons
7. The J. Geils Band
8. Janet Jackson
9. Joe Cocker
10. Nine Inch Nails
11. N.W.A.
12. Pat Benatar
13. Smashing Pumpkins
14. Sonic Youth
15. Tommy James and the Shondells
16. Willie Nelson


Artists by Unofficial "Categories"

Newly Eligible/Headliners

Smashing Pumpkins


70's/80's Classic Rock

Deep Purple
The J. Geils Band
Pat Benatar


Alternative Rock/New Wave/Punk/Electronic, etc.

Depeche Mode
Nine Inch Nails
Sonic Youth
(also Smashing Pumpkins)


Rap

N.W.A.


R&B/Soul/Funk/Disco


Ben E. King
Chaka Khan and Rufus
Chic
Janet Jackson


50's/60's Groups/Artists

Tommy James and the Shondells
(also Ben E. King)


Singer/Songwriters/Solo Artists

Gram Parsons
Joe Cocker


Left-Field Genre

Willie Nelson (Country)


Female Nominees

Alfa Anderson & Luci Martin (of Chic)
Chaka Khan (of Chaka Khan and Rufus)
Janet Jackson
Kim Gordon (of Sonic Youth)
Pat Benatar

Posted by Donnie on Saturday, 08/22/2015 @ 21:19pm

Cyndi Lauper
Brian Eno
Joe Jackson
The Troggs
LL Cool J
Joe Tex
Olivia Newton-John
Hole
Garth Brooks
The B-52's
The Chiffons
Fairport Convention
Herbie Hancock
Jethro Tull
Little Feat

Posted by joker on Saturday, 08/22/2015 @ 22:00pm

First-balloteers:

Alice in Chains - It would be nice to see another grunge band get nominated before its Pearl Jam's time (next year!). Influence and positive effect will get them nominated and hopefully inducted soon. But I don't see an induction happening next year. But, it'll be a start. AIC, along with the other 'Big Four' grunge bands (Soundgarden, Nirvana and PJ) have influenced so many post-grunge bands. Just ask Sully Erna of Godsmack (lol).

Smashing Pumpkins - I feel the same way about the Smashing Pumpkins. Sure, they'll probably get nominated but no induction just yet. We all know the Pumpkins were very iconic during and after the grunge phase. Controversy will definitely set in while figuring out which members to induct (laughs).

Previously nominated:

War - I'm sure they'll keep them around the Nominating Ballot every year until they get inducted....
Nine Inch Nails - I don't think he may be put in just yet (maybe, maybe not?), but I sense that NIN will get another year of serious consideration.
N.W.A. - They've been nominated before, but I believe their timing is NOW. They are on board to be the next Rap-Hiphop inductees...several different reasons for that.
Marvelettes - see War
The Spinners - see War
Kraftwerk - Said this many times: to me, they are the most important (as far as influence) act not in the HOF. What y'all waiting for?!
Yes - random pick, but with Chris Squire's recent death it could sure bring them more attention
Link Wray - I've complained many times that 50s/60s bands have been disappearing, and I do hope they put more in the HOF soon. I'm sure they'll give this guy another look. He may just be another back-door induction...

Yet to be nominated/left-field picks:

Janet Jackson - I'm aware that several people believe she should be in at this point, and a lot believe next year will be her shot. Well...I agree. The timing can't be more perfect for Ms. Jackson. She'd make a great headliner, no doubt. While the Super Bowl controversy (and aging) pretty much destroyed her career, no one can't take away the fact she scored several timeless hits and influenced countless young women. Plus it would be nice to have another Jackson inducted. (If I'm not mistaken, the Jacksons have the most inducted, family-wise?) And in addition, she is on tour, plus a new album, despite of her newest overhyped single flopping. I won't say this will be 'the comeback', but at least she'll get recognition for her career finally.

Todd Rundgren - It's a mystery on why this guy hasn't been nominated, or inducted. I don't know if I'll go as far as calling him a 'legend', but he's getting there. There's several different reasons I believe he should be in (I'd have to write multiple paragraphs for this one). He would definitely have strong support for people who he's worked and toured with. In fact, he was part of Ringo's All Starr Band a year ago. Side note: I started listening to his classic 2-LP set 'Something/Anything' several months ago and it's one of the greatest works of alltime in my book. Axl Rose even once cited it as one of his favorites.

Stevie Nicks - We all know there are several different female solo artists and groups that deserve to get in. (Thanks Tom Lane's blog for detailing this!). I'd be happy putting Joan Baez, Carole King (solo artist), the Go-Go's and Carly Simon in the HOF. But...for some reason, Stevie Nicks just stands out in my mind. Perhaps it was when I saw her perform with Fleetwood Mac back in March. I was more than blown away by her presence and performance on stage, and it reminded me how much she has inspired another generation of women. Her solo career was so-so, but it was mostly her image that was rock and roll.

Joe Cocker - Like Mr. Rundgren, its a mystery on why Cocker was never nominated. Especially during his lifetime. I'd hate to call it the 'death fairy' touch, but if it does happen then it will go to either Cocker or Ben E. King. I hope both. Maybe even Lesley Gore....

'Weird Al' Yankovic - I know this may be unlikely for some, but he's appealing more to younger people these days as well as their parents. Plus, he's parodied several notable artists, including RRHOFers. While some may criticized he made a career out of doing that, most people don't realize that he is one of the very few that has the talent to back it up. Love him or hate him, he has gained support from his fans to get in the HOF. After all, the Rock Hall has shocked us in the past!

Over the years I've had great random left-field picks like the Cars, Jane's Addiction, the Commodores and Nick Drake. I've always felt they should have been in a long time ago. However this year I'm going with a completely different field of guesses. Maybe that'll work :). I almost put Billy Preston on there, just because now that all four Beatles are in (as solo artists), why not the unofficial '5th Beatle'? Sadly, his name may never be considered.

Posted by Jason Voigt on Sunday, 08/23/2015 @ 00:03am

'Weird Al' Yankovic - I know this may be unlikely for some, but he's appealing more to younger people these days as well as their parents. Plus, he's parodied several notable artists, including RRHOFers. While some may criticized he made a career out of doing that, most people don't realize that he is one of the very few that has the talent to back it up. Love him or hate him, he has gained support from his fans to get in the HOF. After all, the Rock Hall has shocked us in the past!

Posted by Jason Voigt on Sunday, 08.23.15 @ 00:03am
--------------------------------------------------
It's funny that you bring up Weird Al. For the record, I love nearly everything he's ever done. That being said, when I posted yesterday, his name completely slipped my mind. Mind you, I've voted "Yes" for the man numerous times on this site, yet when it came time to think about inductees, I drew a blank on him.

It says something about myself in the immediate. At the same time, I wonder if it doesn't say something about how the actual Nom Com relates to him as well. It's entirely possible that this is the general reaction to Al, every year. I wonder if maybe Al shouldn't try to raise his profile a might, as it may do him good (especially if what I just inferred is true).

Posted by Cheesecrop on Sunday, 08/23/2015 @ 10:00am

Back in October, 2012 4 "art rock/progressive rock" artists were nominated for induction into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame: Procol Harum, Deep Purple, Rush and Kraftwerk. Out of those 4 acts, only Rush was inducted. Now, Rush had received the lion's share of the popular votes and I am guessing that most of the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame previous inductees had voted for them, as well. Prior to their actual induction: the members of Rush had supported 4 bands for induction: Yes, The Moody Blues, King Crimson and previously nominated Deep Purple, plus Geddy Lee had also hoped that Procol Harum would have been inducted also.

In Rush's documentary, "Rush: Beyond The Lighted Stage," Neil Part had stated how much the members of Rush had loved those new wave bands from the United Kingdom. Of course we know that Rush had loved U2, The Police and Ultravox, but Geddy Lee had said that Duran Duran was a good group also and of course, the members of Rush had loved the music of Talking Heads. U2, The Police and Talking Heads are previous inductees, Duran Duran has done enough recently to garner a nomination for induction as well.

Out of those acts not inducted, Deep Purple had garnered enough votes however to be nominated in October, 2013 for induction into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame in 2015. However Deep Purple had now faced competition with Yes and Peter Gabriel on the "art rock/progressive rock" side and KISS and Nirvana on the hard rock side. Unfortunately, most of those Rush fans had supported KISS due to KISS's early support of Rush in their early days, instead of Yes and KISS had been inducted.

In October, 2015 there will quite possibly be another group of 4 "art rock/progressive rock" acts on the ballot: Yes (due to the recent passing of Chris Squire), The Moody Blues (because of their long overdue need for a nomination and their position as a founding father of those genres), Electric Light Orchestra (due to Jeff Lynne's legacy) and Duran Duran (due to their most recent work and the overall excellence of the majority of their work over the past 35 years). This time however, Out of those 4 artists, at least 3 will be inducted: The Moody Blues, Yes and Duran Duran. Although E.L.O. is different enough from the other 3 to garner an induction also.

Now, the Rock Hall has been roundly criticized for not inducting enough female artists. As far as singer/songwriters are concerned, Carly Simon meets those criteria: more than 4 decades of excellence. They also need an R & B artist whom most of the populace and the Rock Hall can get behind. Who makes a better choice than Sade? She and her band have released at least 7 outstanding recordings and they can really put on an exceptional show without lip synching.

The remaining slots could be taken by two groups who have been long overdue for induction: The Doobie Brothers and Foreigner. The Doobie Brothers and Foreigner have numerous hits on the radio.

Posted by Enigmaticus on Sunday, 08/23/2015 @ 10:32am

Out of my previous list, I expect all 8 of those artists to be inducted. The members of Rush will probably vote for Yes, The Moody Blues, Duran Duran, Carly Simon and Sade. Which just so happen to be my picks, also.

I am sorry, I had meant to say Neil Peart, not Neil Part. Unfortunately, my spell check function does not like Neil's last name.

Posted by Enigmaticus on Sunday, 08/23/2015 @ 10:41am

Great predictions so far. Before I make mine I wanted to post what would be my dream ballot for this year (note the word dream)taking into account the names I've seen brought up.


Smashing Pumpkins
Deep Purple
The Spinners
Yes
Kraftwerk
Electric Light Orchestra
War
Moody Blues
The Meters
Chicago
Roxy Music
The Monkees
Peter, Paul & Mary,
Carole King
King Crimson
Jethro Tull

Before anyone breaks out the torches and pitchforks remember I said dream ballot. I know a ballot like this would never happen.

I'll post my official picks later today.

Posted by Tom H. on Sunday, 08/23/2015 @ 11:59am

Tom H.,

Your nomination list is great; I just wanted to tell you that. If you had replaced Roxy Music with Duran Duran, I would like it even more!

Posted by Enigmaticus on Sunday, 08/23/2015 @ 12:09pm

Cheesecrop,

I'm a lifelong fan of Weird Al's as well, and love everything he's done (except maybe Poodle Hat). I've got all of his albums, seen him live many times (most recently June of this year) and I never missed a moment when he was on TV. To me, he's become one of the biggest 'pop culture geeks' of this generation, and possibly the previous one too.

Also - one name that slipped my mind when compiling my list was Nina Simone. She would be another great representative in the female category...or she may just slip thru the back door.

Posted by Jason Voigt on Sunday, 08/23/2015 @ 12:13pm

It's been awhile, so I guess I'll hop in on this N.W.A. discussion.

What's fascinating to me is that all of the controversy/criticism that dogged N.W.A. in their heyday hasn't really gone away. Usually most artists who were seen as "edgy" in their era eventually get accepted as elder statesmen and the controversy that follows them goes away. (Alice Cooper, Sex Pistols etc.) That really hasn't happened with N.W.A., and a lot of it is their own doing.

Whether we like it or not, we live in a much more PC society now, so the songs of N.W.A. are picked apart for being very sexist and homophobic, and no matter how much Ice Cube justifies it, the image won't really go away.

So Cheesecrop's point that their insensitive music is catching up with them is absolutely right. The movie definitely got them more attention, but not all of it was good. In fact, a lot of it is basically replaying a lot of the concerns people had with the lyrics back then. The principals involved never did a mea culpa (or at least a "that's how we felt at the time, but it's wrong") so the "thug" image keeps sticking. I'm sure there are very obvious reasons why it sticks to them but it didn't stick to the Sex Pistols.

That's not even getting into the music. Donnie said they were like the Monkees of the 80s, which is interesting; I would call them the KISS of rap. They're a group that put out quality music in their own right and are iconic, yet they embody a lot of what critics find "bad" about a certain genre. It may have sounded real and better when they did it, but the ingredients for what devolved into 50 Cent and your numerous gangsta rappers are still there. The difference is that KISS had an easier time with the voting committee than the nominating committee, whereas N.W.A. has the opposite problem.

I don't necessarily think it spells doom if they don't get in this year; remember Black Sabbath took like eight times to get in, and you can't get more important than that. I'll also be interested to see next year what happens when 2Pac becomes eligible; what the hall does with him will be a great indicator if this is just a N.W.A. problem or if future rappers (2Pac, Notorious B.I.G., Jay-Z and Kanye West) will run into their image and music actually harming their case in the future.

Posted by Jim on Sunday, 08/23/2015 @ 12:58pm

Alright here's my list:

Deep Purple
Nine Inch Nails
Janet Jackson
Kraftwerk
The Cure
N.W.A.
Yes
Sonic Youth
Ben E. King
The Spinners
Depeche Mode
Smashing Pumpkins
Blur
Chic (yawn)
LL Cool J


Honorable mentions and noteworthy: A Tribe Called Quest, Alice In Chains, Kate Bush, De La Soul, Bjork

Posted by Mike on Sunday, 08/23/2015 @ 15:46pm

Enigmaticus-

Glad you liked my dream ballot. I will caution you that it was a dream ballot for a reason namely that the Nominating Committee would never in a million years put out a ballot like that.

Here is the dream ballot to refresh everyone’s memory:

Smashing Pumpkins
Deep Purple
The Spinners
Yes
Kraftwerk
Electric Light Orchestra
War
Moody Blues
The Meters
Chicago
Roxy Music
The Monkees
Peter, Paul & Mary,
Carole King
King Crimson
Jethro Tull

As you all can see half the ballot is either unbridled prog/art rock (Yes, Jethro Tull, Roxy Music, King Crimson, Moody Blues) or fits the bill loosely (Deep Purple’s original lineup, ELO, Kraftwerk). It’s like pulling teeth to get them to put one or two bands from the genre on the ballot so clearly 8 is not gonna happen. Plus you have Jazz Rock (Chicago), Funk (The Meters) and however the hell you classify War (Latin/R&B/funk rock??).

This year is weird however because of how the committee was gutted so that makes it hard to predict what this ballot will look like. Will it skew towards the 80’s and beyond? Will it embrace prog and alternative in general? Or will it be, to quote The Who “meet the new boss…same as the old boss”?

Here’s my best prediction at what the ballot will look like:

NWA- pretty much a lock for the ballot and I think a lock for induction. I will not go into reasons because I’m pretty sure we’ve covered them all

Chic- At this point I’m just going to predict them every year until they get in. The voters have gotta throw Nile and company a bone eventually right…right (cue sound of crickets chirping).

Nine Inch Nails- Ok let’s face it: with last year’s ceremony basically being on Trent Reznor’s home turf the voters really dropped the ball. Expect him back on the ballot this year.

Janet Jackson- Want a headliner? Exhibit A is right here.

Smashing Pumpkins- One of my favorite bands of my youth. I think they stand the best chance of making the ballot of the first timers. Would absolutely love to see them go in but think that voters might go for NIN first.

Deep Purple- I think a lock for the ballot and like many I think they should have made it years ago. Maybe this is finally their year.

J. Geils Band- The Jan Wenner approved choice

The Spinners- Less certain about this one but I think they are the Deep Purple of R&B. The committee might try to clear the decks for them so they can get in.

Yes- Another example of a the voters dropping the ball. I think Chris Squire’s death guarantees their spot on the ballot this year (I wish I didn’t have to type that). I can see this being a feel good moment for the rest of the band’s core members to get together perform in his honor. Plus it would break up the logjam on the prog rock front (make room for The Moody Blues and Jethro Tull).

Ben E. King- The “Death Slot/McPhatter Club” pick. Already in with The Drifters but wouldn’t having John Legend or Stevie Wonder (or both) singing “Stand By Me” be a cool moment?

Kraftwerk- The committee overhaul might work to their benefit.

Tommy James & the Shondells- Having perform with Joan Jett last year might have been a not so subtle hint to put on the ballot in the future. Plus let’s face it there’s always gonna be a 60’s act on the ballot. With several classic garage rock singles though it’d be nice to at least see them get nominated.

Warren Zevon- The token singer/songwriter and another example of the “oh crap we should have nominated him when he was still alive”.

Sonic Youth- Thought they’d get nominated last year based on Kim Gordon’s role in Hervana but The Smiths took their slot as the 80’s alternative nominee (plus having NIN on the ballot didn’t help either). Less sure about this one as this spot may go to The Cure or The Smiths.

Chicago- Ok this one’s purely a hunch but like I said last year if the committee and voters can change their mind on KISS then anything’s possible.

Peter, Paul & Mary- One of my favorite groups of their time period (and this is coming from a Republican) Again a left field pick but they have a few things going for them. 1. The committee loves the 60’s. 2. Considering the current social and political climate their songs and overall message could play well. 3. When Bob Dylan gives an artist props people take notice. 4. Eddie Trunk would have a coronary of epic proportions which would make for a completely hysterical rant on That Metal Show.

Posted by Tom H. on Sunday, 08/23/2015 @ 16:25pm

Okay, I've changed my mind. I'll play. It's the same list as always.

MY PREDICTION: THE 2016 ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME NOMINEES

01. Mary Wells
02. The Marvelettes
03. The Spinners
04. Chubby Checker
05. Willie Nelson
06. Joan Baez
07. Jan and Dean
08. The Monkees
09. Yes
10. Deep Purple
12. Chicago
13. Chic
14. War
15. The Meters
16. N.W.A

OR

01. Ben E. King
02. The Marvelettes
03. The Spinners
04. Joe Cocker
05. Willie Nelson
06. Joan Baez
07. Jan and Dean
08. The J. Geils Band
09. Yes
10. Deep Purple
12. Chicago
13. Chic
14. War
15. The Meters
16. N.W.A

Posted by Roy on Sunday, 08/23/2015 @ 18:27pm

WILL THEY BE INDUCTED BEFORE PEARL JAM?????

Soundgarden * Alice In Chains * Jane's Addiction * Nine Inch Nails * Smashing Pumpkins * Megadeth

Maybe Nine Inch Nails and Smashing Pumpkins.

Posted by Roy on Sunday, 08/23/2015 @ 18:45pm

I'll take a stab at it.

2016
1. Chic- Will this finally be their year? Odds are, nope.
2. Deep Purple- At the moment they are one of the most snubbed acts along with Yes and Kraftwerk.
3. Electric Light Orchestra- Jeff Lynne performed at the Grammys, so a nomination is possible.
4. Janet Jackson- The push is so huge for her that I can't see the Hall ignoring it.
5. Kraftwerk- See Deep Purple.
6. Nine Inch Nails- Should've got in last year, this year should be their year.
7. N.W.A.- Not only is Straight Outta Compton a huge movie, they have been snubbed for years. Perfect timing for them to get in.
8. Sonic Youth- At least one 80s alt act is nominated a year. With Kim Gordon's book Sonic Youth seems most likely.
9. The J. Geils Band- The Hall's new pet project after the succesful induction of the Paul Butterfield Blues Band.
10. The Marvelettes- Frequent nominee of the past few years.
11. The Smashing Pumpkins- Only first-year act that has even a slight chance on the ballot.
12. The Spinners- See the Marvelettes.
13. War- See the Marvelettes
14. Warren Zevon- Every year there is a singer-songwriter on the ballot, and with Letterman's retirement Zevon seems the most likely.
15. Yes- Not only are they similar to Deep Purple and Kraftwerk, Chris Squire's unfortunate recent passing gives them an edge over the aformentioned acts.

If I am correct, I believe the inductees will be something along the lines of

Janet Jackson
Nine Inch Nails
N.W.A.
The J. Geils Band
Warren Zevon
Yes

Posted by dank on Sunday, 08/23/2015 @ 18:50pm

My much more in-depth detailed blogs on my predictions for the RNRHOF are now up on my Facebook page, so if you're on there, be sure to check it out.

Posted by Donnie on Sunday, 08/23/2015 @ 19:55pm

Hoping the Rock Hall will finally catch up to Link Wray.

First to use intentional distortion in a rock & roll recording.

Credited with inventing the POWER CHORD, the “modus operandi” in rock & roll.

His song RUMBLE - an instrumental - was banned from radio airplay for fear it would incite teenage gang violence.

First Native American rock star with RUMBLE selling over a million copies in 1958.

In the top 50 of the 100 GREATEST GUITARISTS selected by Rolling Stone magazine.

Influenced the likes of Rock Hall of Famers Jimmy Page, Neil Young, Iggy Pop, Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, and Pete Townshend as well as Dan Auerbach of the Black Keys and countless thousands of other musicians the world over.

Featured in the Smithsonian Institute’s National Museum of the Native American Indian "Up Where We Belong" exhibits in DC, NYC & Canada.

His music crossed over to the hip hop community when Death Grips released the song Spread Eagle Across the Block, which heavily sampled RUMBLE.

"Link Wray Day" has been declared by Governor’s Proclamation in the states of Maryland and North Carolina.

RUMBLE, having met the criteria of being "culturally, historically or aesthetically important and/or inform or reflect life in the United States" was selected in 2008 to be in the National Recording Registry, housed in the Library of Congress. Less than 40 rock and roll songs have received this honor.

There are those that blaze the trail and there are those that reap the rewards. Link Wray was a trailblazer.

Posted by Greg Laxton on Sunday, 08/23/2015 @ 23:26pm

Link Wray
Link Wray
Link Wray
Link Wray
Link Wray
Link Wray
Link Wray
Link Wray
Link Wray
Link Wray
Link Wray
Link Wray
Link Wray
Link Wray
Link Wray
Link Wray

Posted by HK Mike on Sunday, 08/23/2015 @ 23:45pm

Hello everybody. We are getting towards the end of the summer. I said I would return here towards the end of the Summer. As we know there was a big shake up in the Nominating committee. I believe this eliminates chances at least significantly for
50s and early 60s artists. This would strengthen chances I feel for Prog Rock, Heavy metal as well as a lot of 80's Pop Rock artist. I altered my prediction list due to the shake Up. Enig and King I know you're out there. I want to say I'm not too big on Grunge either. A tiny bit of it. You pointed out the Age range. I was 30 in 1995. My strong love is for 60s, 70s, and 80s.I have lots of that in my list. I surmise that memebers of the committee are the same way. Here is my prediction list for the 2016 Rock Hall of Fame.

Bon Jovi
Chicago
The Cure
Deep Purple
Duran Duran
Electric Light Orchestra
Steve Miller Band
Moody Blues
Nine Inch Nails
N.W.A.
Sade
Smashing Pumpkins
Soundgarden
War
Johnny Winter
Yes

There is my List. The way I figure it the oldest artists are now from the late 60s. I don't think a lot of the Middle Age members went anywhere. They are still on the committee. I figure mostly the oldest members that grew up in the days of Doo Wop are gone. So this means an artist like the Moody Blues has a much better chance. I also figure on lots of 70s artists like the Steve Miller Band. So folks I look forward to your responses

Posted by Ben on Monday, 08/24/2015 @ 04:35am

Ok. It's just as I thought. It's the oldest members of the Committee that were let go Mainly. So people like Robbie Robertson and Paul Schaefer are still there. I would say the Prog rock subcommittee has a stronger say. I think Chicago and Moody Blues have a good chance for being Nominated and perhaps Inducted. ELO would be another good prog rock choice and of Course Yes. Especially in light of the passing of Chis Squire. I am predicting Steve Miller Band. I figure if the Hall is moving away from Early Oldies then they can go with Steve Miller. Great musician and it's Populist. Bon Jovi Has been nominated before. I think following the Shake up he returns. Duran Duran can easily be nominated since more focus will now be on the 80s. How about that Enig. I also figure the time has come for Sade. This updates the R&B category. Nice smooth 80s R&B. So there is some Analysis. Look forward to responses

Posted by Ben on Monday, 08/24/2015 @ 06:48am

Thanks to all for NWA comments. Ice Cube has said that some of the more 'anti-hoe' songs are about very specific types of women they ran into & are in no way representative of women in general.

Just some of the song titles (and lyrics) are pretty bad (IMO).

Posted by Paul in KY on Monday, 08/24/2015 @ 07:34am

Thank you Ben, it's great to see that you are back. I think that the Rock Hall has now decided to divide the long list of overdue nominees list into three areas:

1. Los Angeles: progressive rock and prog adjacent bands. If you used orchestral accompaniment on your songs, this is the place where you will get inducted:

Case in point, take the previous inductees for example:

1. Rush: major "progressive rock" band, although not part of the genre, one of the godfathers of "progressive metal," along with Yes, King Crimson, Genesis and Deep Purple. Enormous influence, enormous fanbase, innovative and experimental. Utilized string sections and had desire to become "...the world's smallest symphony orchestra..." Also referred to as "classical music played with loud guitars..."

2. Heart: major hard rock group led by two sisters, Ann and Nancy Wilson. (prog adjacent)
Utilized string sections in support of songs. Hybrid between folk rock and hard rock.

3. Randy Newman: major singer songwriter who utilized orchestral support in support of songs.

4. Donna Summer: the "Queen of Disco," also utilized orchestral support in the support of her songs.

New York: mostly hard rock and singer/songwriter inductees, and occasionally progressive rock artists, in the case of Genesis and Peter Gabriel. Most recent hard rock inductees: Nirvana and KISS.


Cleveland: alternative ad punk rock artists, also major blues artists. This is where you induct those bands that distilled things down to basic rock and roll. Recent inductees: Green Day, Joan Jett, the late Stevie Ray Vaughan, The Paul Butterfield Blues Band, Red Hot Chili Pepper's, Beastie Boys, Guns 'n' Roses.

What do you think about that?

Posted by Enigmaticus on Monday, 08/24/2015 @ 09:48am

By the way Ben, that is a great list and it's great to have you back!

Posted by Enigmaticus on Monday, 08/24/2015 @ 09:50am

B-52s
Chic
Deep Purple
Gram Parsons
Janet Jackson
J Giels Band
NWA
Pat Benatar
Phil Collins
Roxy Music
Smashing Pumpkins
Soundgarden
The Commodores
The Meters
Yes

Posted by Shrek on Monday, 08/24/2015 @ 13:20pm

Everyone Has been putting together interesting lists and have good reasoning. Here is mine
Yes
Chic
Joe Cocker
Deep Purple
N.W.A
Duran Duran
Nine Inch Nails
Janet Jackson
J.Giels Band
Kraftwerk
Warren Zevon
Bon Jovi
Smashing Pumpkins
Sonic Youth
The Zombies
War

Will post reasoning later

Posted by Logan on Monday, 08/24/2015 @ 13:54pm

BEN

Great to see your 2015 RRHOF Nominees and back at FRL. I have many of the same artists. Sade must be an Enig pick. My locks are Ben E. King, Deep Purple, and The Spinners. That leaves 3 or 4 spots. I cut Chic, Peter, Paul & Mary, Soundgarden, Chicago, Steve Miller off my list. Tough cuts to be sure.

I'm 12 years younger than Enig. We have some different musical tastes. Love Nirvana and those groups. Stone Temple Pilots a King FAV as well. Enig and I plus some FRL regulars have given Duran Duran much support. Like Enig, I believe the new Paper Gods CD plus Duran Duran and their musical excellence and strong catalog of songs and longevity should garner DD a nomination.

Many of the FRL regulars are curious on the Nom Com shake up earlier in the year. How it will affect this year's ballot. PopeCharming thinks it will still be 25 years an artists wait and 15 Nominees most years. Hasn't heard anything differently.

Here's some things I think might happen. King's Quick Takes.
1.Think Tommy James will earn a nomination. He's a good solid 60's choice plus his songs have been covered by many. Crimson & Clover-JoanJett Mony,Mony-Billy Idol etc.
2.I say it's Deep Purple's year. Their influence and innovation tough to ignore. Recent inductees KISS, Heart, Metallica, Rush etc. would probably vote for them.
3.Bon Jovi might be inducted this year. They sold over 100 million albums and would be good headliner for the ceremony.
4.Women's nominee tough to figure but Janet Jackson a good bet. She turns 50 in May and that would be a great birthday present for her to be inducted. JJ deserving for sure.
5.I think Duran Duran will be nominated but I think they might fall short of induction. There seems to be a good push to get Ben E. King, Deep Purple, and The Spinners in this time. KING

Posted by KING on Monday, 08/24/2015 @ 15:12pm

I must tell you that those were good responses. Enig and King, you both have excellent lists. I have a lot of the same predictions. I feel there will be a stress on 70s and 80s a lot. They were leaning that way before the Shakeup. That is probably what caused the shake up. I realize that makes chances Very slim for a group like the Marvelettes. Things are strengthened for Moody Blues, ELO and Yes. I am also predicting Steve Miller Band. A reknowned musician with lots of Hits. Also Bon Jovi Duran Duran and Sade have a good chance of being on the ballot. I think a judge staying like Paul Schaefer will Push for Johnny Winter. That would be a good Blues rock choice that would honor his passing.

Posted by Ben on Monday, 08/24/2015 @ 17:30pm

N.W.A
Deep Purple
Yes
Depeche Mode
Kraftwerk

Posted by Brian on Monday, 08/24/2015 @ 20:40pm

Nine Inch Nails
Deep Purple
Female Singer (Janet Jackson, Joan Baez, Carole King, or Kate Bush)
N.W.A
Electronic/Art Rock/New Wave (Duran Duran, Depeche Mode, The Cure, Kraftwerk, Roxy Music)
Ben E. King

Posted by Dunkleman on Monday, 08/24/2015 @ 22:14pm

Thank you Ben,

I am very appreciative of the fact that you have enjoyed reading my list. I will eventually elaborate on it at a later time.

Posted by Enigmaticus on Tuesday, 08/25/2015 @ 02:11am

Thank you Ben, it's great to see that you are back.

I think that the Rock Hall has now decided to divide the long list of overdue nominees into three areas:



1. Los Angeles: progressive rock and prog adjacent bands and singer/songwriters with "progressive inclinations. If
you had used orchestral accompaniment on your songs, this is the place where you will probably most likely be inducted:



Case in point, take the previous inductees for example:



1. Rush: major "progressive rock" band, although not part of


the heavy metal genre, considered to be one of the godfathers of "progressive metal," along with Yes, King Crimson, Genesis, Uriah Heep and Deep Purple.

Enormous influence, enormous fanbase, innovative and


experimental. Has utilized string sections and brass bands and had the ultimate goal of becoming "...the world's smallest symphony orchestra..." Also

referred to as "classical music played with loud guitars..."


2. Heart: major hard rock group led by two sisters, Ann and
Nancy Wilson. (prog adjacent).Has utilized string sections in support of songs. Hybrid between folk rock and hard rock with a little "progressive rock" thrown in for good measure.



3. Randy Newman: major sardonic singer /songwriter who had utilized orchestral ensembles in the support of his songs.


4. Donna Summer: the "Queen of Disco," had also utilized
orchestral support in the execution of her songs.



New York: mostly hard rock/heavy metal and
singer/songwriter inductees and occasionally progressive rock artists, in the case of the inductions of Genesis in 2010 and Peter Gabriel in 2014. Most recent hard rock inductees include: Nirvana and KISS.


Cleveland: alternative and punk rock artists, also major blues artists and hard rock/ heavy metal artists. This is where you induct those bands that had distilled things down to basics in rock and roll. Recent inductees: Green Day, Joan Jett, the late Stevie Ray Vaughan, The Paul Butterfield Blues Band, Red Hot Chili Pepper's, Beastie Boys, Guns 'n' Roses. By the way, I do realize that 'November Rain' is more "progressive,"

What do you think about that?
Posted by Enigmaticus on Monday, 08.24.15 @ 09:48am

Posted by Enigmaticus on Tuesday, 08/25/2015 @ 02:52am

I really have to ask: am I the only person who doesn't think the committee shake-up is going to cause instant results?

Don't get me wrong, I do think the shake-up will get some fresher names on the ballot and may lead to a boom period of major snubs getting in, but I'm just not seeing like four or so prog rock acts getting in just this first year. I wanted to put Love in as a nominee (since they were pretty much THE epicenter of a major LA music scene), but even with the shake-up, I still can't see bands like Love, Moody Blues, or King Crimson getting nominated right out of the gate. The same goes for Duran Duran: I can't see them swinging a nomination yet. Two years down the line, sure, but not immediately.

I do see a band like Joy Division getting nominated or a long-time ballot snub like Kraftwerk FINALLY swinging an induction now, but that's about it. I think the bigger change will be in the years to come.

I would like to be proven wrong...that'd be great, but the Hall's burned me out one too many times for me to start being optimistic right now.

Posted by SotN on Tuesday, 08/25/2015 @ 03:27am

To touch on SotN said, I kind of agree with him, yet disagree.

I think it could make a difference in who gets nominated, but I think the difference or advantage, I should say, is going to go more towards 80's artists and beyond. I agree, we're not gonna see 4-5 prog bands on the ballot like some here are saying. It's just not realistic. Honestly, when it comes to prog and early 70's classic rock, I don't feel the committee shake-up is gonna make an difference on those genres. The "new blood" coming in I think bodes well more for punk rock groups, rap artists, alternative rock artists/bands, maybe even dance-pop stars as well. In short, I think the 80's and early 90's (and maybe very late 70's like the early thrash metal bands or arena rock groups from the late 70's) are gonna benefit the most.

I also don't think the 60's will be completely snubbed again. There will be at least 1-2 acts from that decade on the ballot. We still have Little Steven on the Committee after all. As well as Dave Marsh, Jann Wenner, Paul Schaffer, etc. So there will still be some representation from the 60's, and maybe even possibly late 50's.

I think ultimately this year's ballot will look very similar to last year's ballot, with more focus on R&B, rap, and alternative rock, or 80's solo stars (like Sting).

Honestly, I'm a little worried that late 60's and early 70's classic rock groups (whether it's prog, heavy metal, glam metal, whatever style you want) is gonna get cast aside as well.

No one really knows for sure though. Obviously it's speculation at this point. We'll have to see how this year's ballot turns out.

Posted by Donnie on Tuesday, 08/25/2015 @ 07:51am

Basically what Donnie said. The 50s and 60s acts will probably have an even more difficult time getting on the ballot, but they still have plenty of support from the remaining old-timers. While I'm not betting on a Link Wray or Zombies or Tommy James & the Shondells nomination, it wouldn't surprise me. Under the right conditions and with a persuasive argument, the votes could be there. My own predictions assumed very little changed, and I predicted mostly the usual mix of in-house favorites, previous nominees, and never-before-nominated artists with a clear buzz surrounding their candidacy.

Incidentally, I'm really enjoying the predictions- especially those who, like Donnie and Tom H. among others, laid out their rationale. Looking forward to seeing who the FRL team thinks will be on the ballot.

Posted by PopeCharming on Tuesday, 08/25/2015 @ 09:23am

I think that we all realize that the backlog of artists worthy of induction keeps getting longer and longer each year. Obviously, the Rock Hall Nominating Committee is not going to please everyone each year. At least, I think that they are finally making efforts to not be so dismissive of other artists. When Rush had finally been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame in 2013, some individuals were upset that The Guess Who had not been inducted yet. They were also upset that Rush had endorsed artists of their own genre, "progressive rock" and not KISS. Then, most of the Rush fanbase had supported the induction of KISS, because of their earlier ties to each other; KISS had treated Rush well in their early days. As a result, KISS was inducted into the Rock Hall in 2014.

Those four acts that Rush had publicly endorsed: "The Moody Blues, Yes, King Crimson and Deep Purple have not been inducted yet. It is now three years later.

Unfortunately, Chris Squire (co-founder) of Yes and Peter Banks (the guy who gave Yes it's name) have already passed away.

The Moody Blues, the co-founders of "progressive rock" and "art rock" are also getting older, this year, only Justin Hayward will not be over the age of 70.

John Lord, (co-founder) of Deep Purple had passed away in 2012, prior to Deep Purple's first nomination.

I do not think that King Crimson will receive a nomination later this year, but three of their pivotal albums: "In The Court Of The Crimson King," "Red" and "Discipline" are very important for their influences upon "progressive rock" and other rock genres.

But, Rush is not just a "progressive rock" band, they are also an "art rock" band. That is one genre which the Rock Hall has not yet fully addressed. Of the major "art rock" bands, Roxy Music and Duran Duran have still not been inducted. Although, I would not oppose the induction of Roxy Music, I think that Duran Duran has the better chance of the two. They are much more popular than their predecessors, plus they are quite innovative and influential. Plus, unlike their predecessors, they also have longevity.

Posted by Enigmaticus on Tuesday, 08/25/2015 @ 09:46am

I like to think of "art rock" as the hybrid genre which sits between "progressive rock" and "pop." Both genres utilize orchestral arrangements, but in "art rock," songs are usually shorter in length. When Rush had started to feature shorter songs on their recordings which had still employed "progressive rock" elements, but which were more radio friendly, their sales had skyrocketed.

Posted by Enigmaticus on Tuesday, 08/25/2015 @ 10:04am

I didn't post reasons for my picks, since I figure in many ways they are wild ass guesses, partially based on gut and part on history, and history is suspect with the upheaval in the nominating committee - we don't know if there is an emphasis change going on there or just a streamlining of what tended to already get nominated anyway. Here is a bit more on my guesswork

The B-52s - They have been steadily nominating 80s alternative bands, and having them tossed back by the main voting block - The Cure, The Smiths, The Replacements, etc. are being passed over. The B-52s have a lot going for them; their early career was part of the underground college rock scene that spawned REM and The B-52s eventually broke out to bigger audiences with major pop hits. They are a well known commodity.
Chic - I don't care how much you shake up the committee, at this point I think the first thing they do when they meet is to write in Chic on the ballot and then start debating the other spots. Deep Purple - Too much pressure to pass them over, especially from some of the newer hard rock bands that have been added in recent years.
Gram Parsons - This is my pick for the annual singer/songwriter spot. While there is a lot of noise about Warren Zevon getting nominated, Gram Parsons is actually one of the major Rolling Stone "Immortals" that is not in the HOF, while Zevon is not on that list.
Janet Jackson - Basically I think that the presence of Mariah Carey on the new list of eligible artists will result in the nominating committee figuring out they can't nominate her before they do Whitney Houston and Janet Jackson, and Janet gets the nod due to the public fan campaign. Plus she is available to perform for the TV show, and Whitney is not.
J Giels Band - Peter Wolf inducting Paul Butterfield was like watching a baton being passed.
NWA - Probably would have been nominated again anyway, but the movie guarantees it.
Pat Benatar - With the induction of Joan Jett, she just seems "next up" to me for a real "Rock" female selection.
Phil Collins - Just my gut pick for a "where the heck did that come from" nomination that Sting got last year.
Roxy Music - Another member of the Rolling Stone "Immortals" list that is not yet in the HOF.
Smashing Pumpkins - Strongest contender of the newly eligible acts.
Soundgarden - With Pearl Jam a year away from nomination, these guys are really the most obvious 90s grunge act that is still waiting their turn.
The Commodores - Lionel Ritchie just seems to be having a big year, and I think a nomination for The Commodores is more likely than a solo nomination.
The Meters - Another act, like Chic, that is simply too important of an influence to ignore. I'm wondering if they might not just go ahead and give them a nod as a "Musical Excellence" induction.
Yes - Squire's death guarantees a return, and likely the sympathy votes to put them over the top.

And as long as we are predicting, if I was to guess on 5 off that list to get voted in, I think I would guess: Yes, The Commodores, Soundgarden, NWA, and Janet Jackson

Posted by shrek on Tuesday, 08/25/2015 @ 17:48pm

WILL THEY BE INDUCTED BEFORE PEARL JAM?????

Soundgarden * Alice In Chains * Jane's Addiction * Nine Inch Nails * Smashing Pumpkins * Megadeth

Maybe Nine Inch Nails and Smashing Pumpkins.

Posted by Roy on Sunday, 08.23.15 @ 18:45pm
--------------------------------------------------
This is interesting, as everybody here is either eligible, or, as you imply in your question, a lock to go in (PJ).

In the case of Jane's Addiction, I'd say they should probably be in right now. They're an 80's act that had more influence on the 90's, yet when it comes to the perception of them as a group, they tend to backslide into the 80's. Farrell should probably be in there on his own, as he is arguably one of the top 10-15 most influential people in rock history, provided everything he did is taken together.

They're not letting in anyone from the thrash four outside of Metallica just yet, so I'm not sure where this puts Megadeth. Perhaps a general trend towards harder & heavier groups might help, but I can't see them making it within the next two yrs. (maybe 3 - 5 yrs.).

Presumably, they muffed it in regards to NIN last yr. I question it overall, but that Academy Award is doing more lobbying for the Hall then the group itself. They have a real chance this yr.

The others I see as sort of linked together. Everyone's talking about the Pumpkins this yr. while no one's mentioning Alice. Look to next yr. when Pearl Jam will be headlining. Many may want a Soundgarden induction as well, as the two groups are linked via the Temple of the Dog project. In addition, that induction class is kind of weak, minus 2Pac, who I presume is the other lock.

Thing here is, if you induct Soundgarden, you almost have to induct AIC. Inducting 3 w/out the 4th is the Ringo situation wrought large again. At the same time, I don't think the Hall would want "Seattle-fest", courtesy of them all getting in the same yr. (weak class or no weak class).

In answer to your question, it's a pretty good bet the Pumpkins & NIN are going in this yr., & nobody else. The others will either go in alongside Pearl Jam, or afterwards.

For what it's worth(stop, hey, what's that sound, it's the Nom Com ringing round & round...), I'd actually switch up AIC & NIN this yr. I'd have the Pumpkins and Alice go in together, & then follow it up w/PJ and SG. Let NIN go in after that, alongside Radiohead the yr. after (we presume). Of course, by all rights Jane's and Megadeth should already be there. This would be my optimum method for crushing deadlock, presuming a full 6 to 7 act, all-hard/heavy class is not unveiled (that'll be the day):

2015: Pumpkins/AIC

2016: PJ/SG/Megadeth (if they want a "metal slot filled, what better way...)

2017: NIN - They'll probably leave it at that, though NIN/Jane's would look nice. With Radiohead, etc., it's probably too alt-rock for their tastes.

2018: Jane's (though if Farrell were to get elected earlier...)

Of course, none of this will probably happen, unless the Hall Expands the # of Inductees!!! Think about it!!

:)

Posted by Cheesecrop on Thursday, 08/27/2015 @ 06:09am

I just want too do some more analysis. I think the shake up works in favor of 70s and 80s artists. Enig that was good point about the different arenas. Los Angeles New York and Cleveland. So this in 2016 the Ceremony is in Los Angeles. That means my predictions of ELO, Moody Blues and Yes stand a real good chance. I do want to share that I feel ELO will be nominated but actually inducted. I'm dealing with nomination primarily. I think ELO will be nominated a few times first. I think Moody Blues and Yes are more key. I am torn on who will be inducted for those 2. I figure one prog Rock. I am not a huge ELO fan. They had many key albums though with Face the Music, New World Record Out of the Blue and Discovery. I have heard all those. I just think Moody Blues and Yes will come first. Those 2 came first.
Chicago as a group we can say were prog Adjacent in their early days by Innovating Jazz Rock. Their first 3 albums show that off. They went for Pop rock after awhile with Tunes like If You Leave Me Now. That huge hit is slightly orchestrated. Deep Purple are perfect as the Hard Rock choice this year. Duran Duran represent art rock type New wave in the 80s. Sade brings out the smooth R&B of the 80s.
I have predicted the Steve Miller Band this year too. A good overlooked 70s choice. The Rock Hall will nominate some Basic rock artists even in LA. Actually there is a good use of Keyboards if you listen to their albums.
Certainly the stress on 80s and 90s will come through. I am picking NIN Smashing Pumpkins and Soundgarden as well as NWA as a Rap choice. I am not a fan of the Cure at all but I know they were key in the 80s. They have been nominated before.

Bon Jovi stand a good chance too. A good 80s choice and they have been nominated before. That would bring Basic rock to the Hall list this year for sure. Livin On A Prayer would make a good jam at the end of the Ceremony. I am just chatting about Nominees here but just pointing that out. Hear from ya all.

Posted by Ben on Thursday, 08/27/2015 @ 06:33am

A small correction. I do want to share that I do feel ELO will be nominated but NOT actually Inducted. Important correction since I was making that point that I am making Nominee predictions at this time Not ones for Inductees. Jeff Lynne Is a great talent but Moody Blues and Yes came first. Also those 2 groups led the way for a group like ELO. That's what I think.

Posted by Ben on Thursday, 08/27/2015 @ 07:03am

Why not include Peter Frampton and Cheap Trick? Both are on tour together and both have been around long enough that they should at least be considered to be nominated for the rock hall. Besides both have put out great live albums.

Posted by David on Thursday, 08/27/2015 @ 23:25pm

Cheesecrop,

Why are you putting the priority on Alice In Chains over Soundgarden? Soundgarden was more popular, more critically acclaimed, on the ground floor of the creation of grunge which AIC wasn't, and Chris Cornell's numerous other projects (Temple of the Dog/Audioslave/solo work) and Rock Hall speeches would give him the easy edge. I'm not sure objectively if AIC has anything over Soundgarden. If you give AIC credit for influence on alternative metal, Soundgarden was there too. I think AIC probably did have more other bands directly ripping off their sound, but that's the only thing I can think of...

I think most people aren't listing AIC because they see Soundgarden as next in line, and Soundgarden probably won't get in until a couple years after Pearl Jam does also. Smashing Pumpkins and Nine Inch Nails meanwhile were unique enough as far as mainstream acts were concerned that it's hard to think of a lot of bands likely to be nominated who are in the same categories...

However, I'm still leaning towards expecting no first ballot nominees at all this year.

Posted by Sean on Thursday, 08/27/2015 @ 23:32pm

Cheesecrop,

Why are you putting the priority on Alice In Chains over Soundgarden? Soundgarden was more popular, more critically acclaimed, on the ground floor of the creation of grunge which AIC wasn't, and Chris Cornell's numerous other projects (Temple of the Dog/Audioslave/solo work) and Rock Hall speeches would give him the easy edge. I'm not sure objectively if AIC has anything over Soundgarden. If you give AIC credit for influence on alternative metal, Soundgarden was there too. I think AIC probably did have more other bands directly ripping off their sound, but that's the only thing I can think of...

I think most people aren't listing AIC because they see Soundgarden as next in line, and Soundgarden probably won't get in until a couple years after Pearl Jam does also.

Posted by Sean on Thursday, 08.27.15 @ 23:32pm
--------------------------------------------------
Sean -

I edited your post down slightly.

If it sounds as though I am trying to place Alice over Soundgarden, that's not necessarily the case. Personally, I think SG should've gone in w/in the first 2 to 3 ballots. As it stands, I think the Hall is waiting till next yr., as they may wish to have a Pearl Jam/Soundgarden double bill at the top, if only for the television coverage.

I bring up AIC because I don't want them to be forgotten (hence the "Ringo" connection). I've always though AIC had a distinctive sound, compared to the other acts that Roy had listed in his post. Actually, they're all fairly distinctive compared to one another. In reality, I'm probably pressing for Alice over NIN. My fear is that Alice will be lost in what's coming up.

As an example, when SG was first on the ballot, they had the misfortune to be in the same debut class as Guns N' Roses, which pretty much guaranteed a 1st ballot call was not in the works. Since then, though, you never hear their name mentioned. You could say that Nirvana/Green Day put the kibosh on their recent chances, but what's telling is that often only one modern act is being inducted. This is usually for TV purposes.

Everyone here is presuming that both the Pumpkins & NIN are double-billing it this year. What if they're not, though? What if one takes it, and the other is left off? Wait another yr., and Pearl Jam has it. Wait a yr. afterwards, and Radiohead (we presume) has it. In other words, what if the Hall simply starts inducting a single modern act, and Only a single act, for TV purposes? All you have to do is look around this site & see the yelling over leftover 80's acts to acknowledge the backlog.

It's hilarious when I think about the article from June that talks about the changes on the Committee. I love how some of those in the article are suggesting that older acts will suffer for the Hall's push towards youth. If anything, younger acts (relative term here, meaning 80's/90's) have been suffering at the hands of the older acts for yrs. They were the ones who drew back on the inductees, thus causing the backlog. Now their dumping it on the youth?!

In all honesty, I think that the 2016 class really will be a PJ/SG top of the line double-bill. Thing is, if it's not - and SG get's kicked down the line again - this time their going down the line w/AIC. They may also be going w/the Pumpkins or NIN. They may also be joined by Blur... and later, Weezer... & maybe someone else, and someone else...

I think you get where I'm coming from. No one wants to admit it, but really IS time for double, and even triple, modern classes to start.

:)

Posted by Cheesecrop on Friday, 08/28/2015 @ 06:21am

Chicago as a group we can say were prog Adjacent in their early days by Innovating Jazz Rock. Their first 3 albums show that off.

Posted by Ben on Thursday, 08.27.15 @ 06:33am
--------------------------------------------------
Ben - Question. What do you think about the Doors, in all this?

A lot of times you'll read about Jazz Rock, and the writer(s) inevitably start w/Miles Davis, and mention Chicago, Blood, Sweat, and Tears, Herbie Hancock, maybe Steely Dan, etc. The Doors are often left out, yet they definitely had a jazz component to the sound. They beat all those other groups to the charts first, by at least two yrs., and sometimes three or more.

I'm not arguing that the Doors are "progressive rock" in any way, shape, or form. What is interesting, though, is that the Doors are approaching jazz rock at the same time that Davis is supposed to be "inventing" it - and they're coming at it from a diff. angle.

Just interested in your take on the Doors, & whether they have a hand in innovating Jazz rock, as you suggest w/Chicago.

Posted by Cheesecrop on Friday, 08/28/2015 @ 06:37am

I agree whole-heartedly with Cheesecrop's posts about the state of 90's rock bands and where the Hall is going with them.

He pointed it out perfectly. The Hall is getting in a bad pattern, yet again, that will lead to a huge backlog down the road. From about 1990-2001, the Hall mostly got it right, getting most of the major/important groups of the late 60's/early 70's inducted within about 4 years of being eligible (for the most part). It's when the Hall went down to 5 inductee classes for the majority of the 2000's, is when they really started to develop a huge backlog of worthy artists. Mostly with artists from the second half of the 70's, and of course the 80's.

Unfortunately this has resulted in the Hall having to and trying to play catch-up over the last few years with this era. The classes of 2013 and 2014 did a great job in getting some of the major snubs of the 70's inducted while inducing two major late 80's and early 90's acts (Public Enemy and Nirvana). 2015 did a solid job as well.

The problem now is, that with the Hall trying to hard to play catch-up when the majority of the best 70's acts should've already been in by now, now major 90's groups are coming up and already getting lost in the shuffle. Soundgarden is the perfect example. They are a band that should've at least been nominated for the 2013 class, easily. There was no real major 90's bands that became eligible that year, so that should've been their moment. And it was passed upon.

We're at the point now where every year there should be two 90's rock band inductees, and one rap inductee, in order to keep the worthy inductees going in at the proper rate. Obviously there would be some snubs along the way no matter what, but it wouldn't be the major, big time groups.

Honestly, they got it right in 2012 with Guns N' Roses, RHCP, and the Beastie Boys, two groups that were huge in the 80's, and then all three were also huge in the 90's. That was in all honestly, the most 90's centric class the Hall has had yet. 2013 should've had Soundgarden and the Pixies (or Jane's Addiction) among the nominees. 2014 could've had Nirvana and Sonic Youth. This year could've been Green Day and Nine Inch Nails. Then for the 2016 class, Alice in Chains and Smashing Pumpkins. 2017, Pearl Jam (and Tupac). Then in 2018, you've got a choice of two of the three between Radiohead, Beck, and Rage Against the Machine. And whichever of the two doesn't get the nod (probably Beck), they could be inducted the following year. If they went with that route, by 2021, the majority of the biggest bands of the 90's would already be in. Which would leave room for Oasis, Weezer, and maybe Blur. And they'd be well on their way to getting it right with the 90's.

But they seem to be on the path of only inducting one major 90's rock group per year at this point, and that's gonna make for a huge 90's rock backlog that will go on for a long time, if they don't correct it now.

But again, there's still so many 80's and a good amount of 70's, and even a few big 60's snubs that need addressed too.

I've said it for a long time, but the Hall really screwed themselves up long term, by going to 5 inductees per class for so many years.

Posted by Donnie on Friday, 08/28/2015 @ 08:00am

To continue with my post, the Hall has a huge problem on it's hands, but the question is can they fix it, and if they can, then how they do it?

I've been thinking about this for awhile, and I think I have a two step solution that could get them back on the right track. Of course, it'll never happen. We're just peons on an internet message board, what do we know? lol. But in all honesty, I think it would really go a long way in making things fair and balanced, and also allow them to play catch-up with long overdue snubs, while not allowing it to happen with the upcoming artists that are gonna be eligible.

The first step is simple, the other is a bit more complicated.

1. They need to go back to seven inductees like there was through most of the 90's. The 90's groups were the best ones, because there ware so many worthy, no-brainer inductees, but also enough to put more overlooked artists in there as well. When you have such a limited amount of inductees, you're either gonna miss the more obscure artists, or you're gonna have major snubs that get passed over for those more obscure, less thought about acts. 7-8 acts per class will get it just right. Obviously, we modeled our mock Hall induction ceremonies on having 7 inductees per class. And I think most here would agree our timeline of inductees turned out much better than the real Hall's has.

2. The second step is more complicated, and some would probably disagree, but I think it's a good idea.

I actually think that the Hall should officially separate their Performers inductees by different categories. Those categories would be by era. If we're gonna have a 7 inductee class, then there should be three categories with a set amount of nominees and inductees for each category/era. The first era would be 80's and 90's (newly eligible). Each class would have to have 4 inductees in this group. The next category would be 70's. There has to be 2 inductees in this category. The final one would be 50's and 60's, and there has to be one inductee for this group.

As far as the nomination ballot. I think each year should now be a 20 artist ballot, also divided by categories/era. There would be 10 nominees from the 80's/90's (Newly Eligible) category for the voters to choose from. For the 70's category, there would be 6 nominees on the ballot for the voters to choose from. And for the 50's/60's category, there would be 4 artists on the ballot for voters to choose from.

Between the 10 nominated 80's/90's (Newly Eligible) category, the 4 artists that get the most votes would be inducted.

Between the 6 nominated artists in the 70's category, the 2 artists with the most votes would be inducted.

And between the 4 artists nominated in the 50's/60's category, the 1 artist with the most votes would get inducted.

I would even be okay with the idea of splitting up the Nominating Committee by which era they are more of an expert in. Obviously people like Steve Van Zandt, Jann Wenner, etc would be perfectly suited for the 50's, 60's category. Tom Morello and Questlove would be more suited for either the 70's or 80's/90's categories. That way you don't have Steve Van Zandt bitching about 90's alt-rock or 80's pop stars being on the ballot and not his next favorite garage rock group. Things like that would be stopped for the most part.

Doing it by this format would ensure that no decade gets snubbed anymore. There would be fair representation in all eras. And if you do this over a 10 year period at least, you will pretty much get rid of any 50's (and 60's for that matter) snubs. You'd just about get rid of the 70's snubs as that would be 14 artists from the 70's that would be inducted over a 10 year period. Obviously that would still leave some, but if you go for the very best (Deep Purple, Kraftwerk, the New York Dolls, Electric Light Orchestra, Chic, etc.) you could really make some headway on the 70's. The 80's would get some major catch-up, potentially, and the 90's would be more likely to not fall in the same trap that the 70's and 80's fell in by developing a huge backlog of artists.


Obviously genres would not matter. The categories would be by decades/eras. If the 70's committee wanted to nominate all 70's R&B acts on the ballot, then so be it. Or 70's hard rock, or all 70's punk, whatever).


Obviously, this would never happen, but I really think this format could be a great change for the Hall and really fix some of the problems they put on themselves.

Posted by Donnie on Friday, 08/28/2015 @ 08:20am

Has no one ever heard of Three Dog Night? They are so snubbed, they don't even make anyone's list of snubbed bands.

Posted by Tim C on Friday, 08/28/2015 @ 08:35am

Electric Light Orchestra - The GRAMMY performance with Jeff Lynne and Richard Tandy, then the Paul McCartney, Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, Haim Sisters, Nicole Kidman, Keith Urban and overall crowd reaction should hopefully put ELO over the top for 2015-2016 Rock Hall induction, also, Los Angeles is where Jeff Lynne resides!

8-)

Remainder

Smashing Pumpkins
Nine Inch Nails
De La Soul
N.W.A
Chic
Johnny Burnette & The Rock 'n' Roll Trio
The Marvelettes
Joe Cocker
Tommy James & The Shondells
Eurythmics
Dionne Warwick
The Spinners
The J. Geils Band
Chicago

Posted by Rick Vendl II on Friday, 08/28/2015 @ 09:59am

I'm very impressed by your recommendations Donnie. A few months ago, I came up with an April & October induction with at least 4 inductions each ceremony. Enig has thrown his 2 cents in with RRHOF inductions in LA, New York, Cleveland, putting certain genres of music inducted in LA for Prog example. I agree with the backlog of 70's bands Donnie. Amazing groups like Chicago,Moody Blues,The Cars,YES etc still waiting. The RRHOF painted themselves into a corner because no brain picks like Pearl Jam, Radiohead,Dave Matthews, Counting Crows, 2 PAC will be up for induction. Now you have 2 slots taken up to put Immortal Groups in.
That's not counting Seattle giants Alice In Chains and Soundgarden who deserve induction plus the logjam at Metal. I mean Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, & Motorhead should have been in years ago.
There seems no easy solution. Maybe, at the end of each decade they have Fan Voting or a mammoth 8 Induction class reminscient of 1986 & 1987 when they got the RRHOF off the ground.
I think if there was more consistency to the RRHOF nominations and voting...There would be less shouting and exasperation on the forums. I know the RRHOF want to keep nominations secret and I respect that. Maybe, they can develop a Big Board or Group List which shows the 10 groups that just missed nomination. For example, say Chicago was #5 in just missed category. The next 2 cycles they finally move up to a nomination.
Thanks Donnie for your suggestions. Hopefully, some of the Nom Com will see the post and add a few of your changes. I mean think about that Chicago, Duran Duran, and The Cure not inducted as well. KING

Posted by KING on Friday, 08/28/2015 @ 11:57am

I have a big announcement to make. I am changing my list. I did not know Little Steven was still on the Committee. This changes things. He is a big 60s fan. He grew up in that time. He usually Votes for 60s artists. Some 70s perhaps. This changes things. The nomination list will include extra 60s. So meet the New Boss. Same as the old Boss. Only 50s fans are done away with. Little Steven like some 50s too. So Here is My new list.

Bon Jovi
Chicago
Joe Cocker
Deep Purple
Duran Duran
Electric Light Orchestra
Steve Miller Band
The Moody Blues
Nine Inch Nails
N.W.A.
Sade
Smashing Pumpkins
War
Johnny Winter
Yes
The Zombies

Posted by Ben on Friday, 08/28/2015 @ 16:28pm

Ben,

Your new list is great; thank you for posting it. From your list, I would choose: The Moody Blues, Yes, Electric Light Orchestra, Duran Duran and Sade as inductees.

Posted by Enigmaticus on Friday, 08/28/2015 @ 17:08pm

Here is my list of 2016 nominees:

01. Duran Duran
02. The Moody Blues
03. Yes
04. Sade
05. Carly Simon
06. Electric Light Orchestra
07. Doobie Brothers
08. Foreigner
09. Deep Purple
10. Nine Inch Nails
11. Smashing Pumpkins
12. Sting
13. Chic
14. Chicago
15. Pearl Jam
16. Steve Miller Band

Posted by Enigmmaticus on Friday, 08/28/2015 @ 17:18pm

Thank you Enig. When I read that Little Steven is still there. I was thinking You might just lose the 50s artists. Not 60s. Guys like Little Steven love the Zombies. I had him in mind with that choice. He loves British Invasion stuff. Also I added Joe Cocker since he just passed not too long ago. I can see Robbie Robertson voting for him. It seems like you changed your list too. You had Joe Cocker. I was inspired by you to add him. You deleted him. You added Steve Miller Band. I think you see my point with Him. Extra 70s artists. Pearl Jam aren't eligible for another year. I will definitely have them on 2017 list. They released their 1st album late 1991. So you an add Joe Cocker back. I'm not a big fan of his. It's a good posthumous choice because many in the Rock world are big fans. I am really torn between Moodys and Yes. They won't induct 2 Prog. The world isn't ready for that Unfortunately.

Posted by Ben on Friday, 08/28/2015 @ 18:29pm

Great posts so far. I'm still standing by my picks but I'd love to add Nina Simone, which would make my list up to 16.

Funny that someone brings up Three Dog Night. That band is so forgotten, despite of all the hits they have. I would imagine no one under the age of 40 would name a song of theirs, sadly. I got mixed thoughts about them going into the HOF.

Posted by Jason Voigt on Friday, 08/28/2015 @ 19:58pm

Ben,

You are absolutely correct. Pearl Jam is not eligible until next year. Therefore, I will replace Pearl Jam with Soundgarden.

More than 2 hard rock artists have been inducted before at the same time. So, why not more than 2 progressive rock bands?

Posted by Enigmaticus on Friday, 08/28/2015 @ 22:31pm

Jason, I'm 34... do I count? hehehehe.

Posted by Philip on Friday, 08/28/2015 @ 23:17pm

Same...I'm 32, and I've even seen them in concert.

The important thing to remember is that these are predictions, not lists of Most Egregiously Snubbed Artists. Many of us like Three Dog Night, and they have a good chance of getting voted into our Rock Hall Projected project this fall. But like it or not, interpretive artists who don't work in an R&B/Motown medium are heavily punished if they don't write their own songs. And 3DN used material from some of the great songwriters of that age: Randy Newman, Hoyt Axton, Paul Williams, Laura Nyro, Harry Nilsson. The Righteous Brothers were the last white male act that mostly recorded other peoples' material, and they got in...when? 2002? 2003? Well over a decade ago, at any rate.

They interpreted those songs very nicely and with great success, and they routinely topped the charts during some of rock and roll's most competitive years. But knowing how the Rock Hall works, Three Dog Night is behind the eight ball.

Posted by PopeCharming on Saturday, 08/29/2015 @ 01:55am

I'm 25, and Three Dog Night were one of my first "favorite bands" from listening to early oldies radio. Still love them.

Would love to see them in, but I don't see them getting nominated for a while yet, sadly.

Posted by SotN on Saturday, 08/29/2015 @ 06:11am

Here's the thing about interpretive type music artists.

The Hall has always cut slack to those type of artists that came around before the Beatles. It wasn't really until the Beatles came along that it became the industry standard for artists to write their own material as well as perform it. Before the Beatles, even in rock and roll music, it was still the industry standard for the performer to just perform songs by studio songwriters (ala Elvis). Sure there were exceptions that laid the foundation for the standard the Beatles would later set, people like Chuck Berry, Buddy Holly, Little Richard, etc, but most of the big acts of the late 50's, and especially the early 60's didn't write a whole lot material, and instead performed songs written by others.

After the Beatles came along, the standard changed and artists were expected to write their own material and perform it. That's why artists like the Monkees (even though they did write a lot of their material after their initial breakthrough, but they couldn't get that stigma off of them), Joe Cocker, Linda Ronstadt, and Three Dog Night were not really critically acclaimed.

The Hall has pretty much went this route as well, as The Monkees, Three Dog Night, and Joe Cocker have never made the ballot, though they have been previously considered. Because the Hall has had such a strong need for female inductees, they've had to kind of forget about this standard in order to induct strong female inductees, which is probably why Linda Ronstadt got a pass and was inducted finally. Joe Cocker's death and criticism from fellow inductees about not inducting could finally get the Hall to relent and at least put him on the ballot (and probably end up being inducted).

I also think that Cocker and Ronstadt would get easier passes, because they were singers, first and foremost. Singers are given more of a pass on not writing material. They're thought of more for their vocal prowess and interpretive skills, which both Cocker and Ronstadt were great at.


Three Dog Night and the Monkees, on the other hand probably won't get as much of a pass (and haven't thus far), because they were bands. There's probably a thought in the music industry that if you're in a band, SOMEONE in the band should be able to write songs. It's fine to give one person a pass (like a singer), but if 5 or 6 people that make up a band, and none of them can write songs, then is this band really any good? Shouldn't someone be able to write songs?

I don't agree with that mentality, as Three Dog Night and the Monkees were great groups regardless and they had tons of hits and songs that have lived on and are still classics. The Monkees also did write a lot of their material and also were enormously groundbreaking and influential, though it wasn't realized until decades later. But the Monkees still have that stigma like a Three Dog Night for not writing their material initially. But I'm sure that's how a lot of people on Hall Committee view both bands. It's unfortunate and not fair, but it's the way it is.


And I'm 30 years old and can name a bunch of Three Dog Night songs btw. "Joy to the World" (probably their most enduring song), "Shambala," "One," "(Mama) Told Me Not to Come," "Black or White," "Never Been to Spain," "Eli's Coming," etc.


I'd be fine with Three Dog Night getting in, but in all honesty, there's more important and influential, and overall better bands from that same era that should be getting in first. Like Deep Purple, King Crimson, Yes, Jethro Tull, T. Rex, Roxy Music, The Monkees, the Moody Blues, the Doobie Brothers, ELO, etc.

Posted by Donnie on Saturday, 08/29/2015 @ 06:22am

Enig,

That's a good idea. I know you like staying accurate with your predictions. So I thought I'd point that out about Pearl Jam. I was not open to all Grunge. I was picky. I feel much of a belonging to the 60s 70s and 80s. Soundgarden is a fine pick as far as 90s. They first released something around 87. I got limited knowledge on 90s grunge. I actually took them out to make room for Joe Cocker. I may revise again. I am really not sure about 2 Posthumous nominees that recently passed. If you look at my list I have both Joe Cocker and Johnny Winter. I'll mull it over.

Posted by Ben on Saturday, 08/29/2015 @ 06:23am

Ok. This should be my Final list of 2016 Nominees:

Bon Jovi
Chicago
Joe Cocker
Deep Purple
Duran Duran
Electric Light Orchestra
J. Geils Band
Steve Miller Band
The Moody Blues
Nine Inch Nails
N.W.A.
Sade
Smashing Pumpkins
War
Yes
The Zombies

There you go. My Final list. This way the one Posthumous choice is Joe Cocker. J Geils Band rather than Johnny Winter is the Blues Rock choice. A few said they are the next Pet project. In getting rid most of the Oldest Oldies people on the Committee power and say is in the hands of Jann Wenner Little Steven and Paul Schaefer. Basically meet the new boss same as the Old boss. So J Geils were nominated before. I add J Geils Band. They would wait on J Winter. Not much buzz there.

Posted by Ben on Saturday, 08/29/2015 @ 13:00pm

Cheesecrop,

I am finally getting back to you on the Doors. I am a huge Doors fan. They were inducted at the 1993 Rock Hall Cermemony. I heard it on the Radio at the time. In those days there was not as much complaints. There was an influx of 60s artists Inducted promptly. So you asked me about Jazz rock with relation to the Doors. I have been into the Doors since I am about 14. I have never read anywhere about them innovating Jazz Rock as you pointed out. My take on this is the Doors had a Jazz component to their sound particularly later on. I never thought of them as Jazz Rock. So While it is true they had a Jazz component for awhile they switched around 1970 to a Blues component. Morrison Hotel shows that off. Also LA Woman. Some Jazz component still shined through. Grateful Dead surely had Jazz components as well. The reason I feel Chicago innovated Jazz Rock they focused much more on Jazz. The same with Blood Sweat and Tears. Lots of brass and Horns constantly. Even on albums like Chicago V and VI they were playing a lot of Jazz combined with Rock. Frank Zappa certainly made use of Jazz too. I wouldn't call him Jazz Rock either. He also did not just focus on Jazz playing. So Hopefully that answers your question. By the way someday Blood Sweat and Tears will be in the Hall I would say. Chicago first though.

Posted by Ben on Saturday, 08/29/2015 @ 13:33pm

I actually think that the Hall should officially separate their Performers inductees by different categories. Those categories would be by era. If we're gonna have a 7 inductee class, then there should be three categories with a set amount of nominees and inductees for each category/era. The first era would be 80's and 90's (newly eligible). Each class would have to have 4 inductees in this group. The next category would be 70's. There has to be 2 inductees in this category. The final one would be 50's and 60's, and there has to be one inductee for this group.

Obviously, this would never happen, but I really think this format could be a great change for the Hall and really fix some of the problems they put on themselves.

Posted by Donnie on Friday, 08.28.15 @ 08:20am
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Donnie -

I chopped off a bit of text (if you don't mind) ;)

Your breakdown was great. The only thing I would've changed would be in the outlay of slots. You have a (4) modern, (2) 1970's, (1) 1950's/60's set-up. I would argue for a temporary three yr. shift to a 3-3-2 set-up, if only to accommodate anyone from the 1950's who are up there in age right now. I know that completely contradicts what I wrote earlier, but as a temporary measure, it wouldn't be that bad. If the real Hall magically sought to implement your outline next yr., or the yr. after, I'd argue for a 3-3-2 set-up till the end of the decade, and then a 4-2-1 set-up beginning in the 2020's.

In addition, don't be so sure that what you suggested, or a modification of what you wrote, won't be implemented in the near future. The only other way to handle it would be to do a mass induction, a'la what baseball did w/the Negro Leagues in 2006 (I believe? 2005? somewhere in there). They put in 20 old-timers, and then closed the door and moved on. I could easily see something like that emerging, complete w/special billing (you know, "20 Years - 20 Acts - 1955-1975" or something). I don't think it would go over too well, but it would be a way to close out the 50's/60's/early 70's. :)

Posted by Cheesecrop on Saturday, 08/29/2015 @ 15:03pm

Frank Zappa certainly made use of Jazz too. I wouldn't call him Jazz Rock either. He also did not just focus on Jazz playing.

Posted by Ben on Saturday, 08.29.15 @ 13:33pm
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You've a great point here. I never even thought about Zappa, & technically he beat the Doors by a yr. (1966 to the Doors 67). I guess what struck me was that the Doors laid down some very jazzy work on the 1st three albums in 67 & 68 ("Light My Fire", "Soul Kitchen", even something like "We Could Be So Good Together") that were released before Chicago hit the airwaves (technically even before Miles Davis made his move over). I often wonder why the Doors are just lumped in w/the psychedelic crowd.

You're right on Zappa, though. :)

Posted by Cheesecrop on Saturday, 08/29/2015 @ 15:13pm

This year, without knowing how the chemistry of the revamped NomComm will play out, I'm going to go with a standard issue, safe ballot of mostly returning names with a few new ones sprinkled in.

A Tribe Called Quest
Blur (this is my far left field, deserves-to-happen-first-ballot-but-with-this-institution-99%-unlikely-to, pick)
Chic
Deep Purple
J. Geils Band
Janet Jackson
Joe Cocker
Kraftwerk
The Marvelettes
N.W.A
Nine Inch Nails
Smashing Pumpkins
Sonic Youth
The Spinners
Yes
The Zombies

Posted by DarinRG on Saturday, 08/29/2015 @ 15:28pm

Cheesecrop. This is a very good chat. Both Zappa and the Doors used elements of Jazz. I am much more of a 70s guy but I have known many people who were teenagers in the 60s. I had a Hippie boss 25 years ago. There was a group Electric Flag. Probably will never b considered for the Hall. They had strong elements of Jazz. I was only 3 when they were around. Also Quicksilver Messenger Service. These were Psychedelic bands. Jazz was toyed with during this period. My Hippie Boss told me a lot of that time. Chicago engulfed themselves with Jazz beyond the lesser known Electric Flag. The extensive constant use of Jazz gave Chicago that label of Jazz Rock. I must make correction. The Doors had a Jazz component particularly EARLY on. Around 1970 they switched to the Blues thing. So while the Jazz component goes back to the Mid 60s. Chicago went much further with it. The Doors are jumped in with the Psychedelic crowd because they were in California and regulars of the Whiskey A go Go. A Psychedelic club 1966-1968.

Posted by Ben on Saturday, 08/29/2015 @ 15:45pm

I know that this kind of late, but I made this one earlier from the Top of the Charts forum.

So here are my predictions for the 2015 ballot:

1. Electric Light Orchestra - With the Grammy performance and an endorsement from Paul McCartney, they are surefire for nomination/induction.

2. N.W.A. - With the release and success of the movie about them and a possible reunion tour with Eminem, they got a better chance or induction.

3. Nine Inch Nails - Even without a Rock Hall induction, Trent Reznor had a good time these past few months. He got some awards buzz for his score in Gone Girl and got a membership of the musical branch of the AMPAS (or simply known as the Oscars). With Green Day out of the ballot, they have a chance now.

4. Smashing Pumpkins - Out of all the newly eligible artists of 2015, they got a better chance to be in the ballot.

5. Chic - If they can't get inducted after ten tries, I don't know what can.

6. J. Geils Band - His appearance at this year's ceremony will sure get the Committee to nominate them again.

7. Deep Purple - With all the induction of Rush and KISS, they got a good chance of induction.

8. Janet Jackson - With her back on the spotlight, the Nominating Committee will now have to consider her for nomination.

9. Bon Jovi

10. LL Cool J

11. The Meters

12. Kraftwerk

13. The Marvelettes

14. The Smiths - Either them or the Cure if the Hall wants to nominate an 80's Alternative act.

15. Ben E. King

16. Joe Cocker (an extra if they are going to have 16 again)

Posted by John R.C. on Saturday, 08/29/2015 @ 16:18pm

Ben

Your list is fantastic. Thank you for posting it.

Here is my amended list:

01. Duran Duran
02. The Moody Blues
03. Yes
04. Sade
05. Carly Simon
06. Electric Light Orchestra
07. Doobie Brothers
08. Foreigner
09. Soundgarden
10. Smashing Pumpkins
11. Nine Inch Nails
12. Deep Purple
13. Chicago
14. Chic
15. Steve Miller Band
16. Sting

Posted by Enigmaticus on Saturday, 08/29/2015 @ 18:28pm

FRL Fans & Posters.
I see some good Nominee posts in recent weeks here. Starting to hear some buzz on ELO but I don't see how they will be nominated on a standard 15 slate of artists. Let's break it down. 1 Rap act N.W.A. or LL Cool J maybe 2 on ballot. 1 Female or 2 women artists I'd like to see Pat Benatar & Stevie Nicks but probably Janet Jackson. There's the singer/songwriter types usually 2 a male or female. Then there's the old 50's selection such as a Link Wray or Chuck Willis and a deserving 60's artist like The Zombies or Tommy James. A first time eligible like AIC or Smashing Pumpkins. Also, a recently dead snub usually makes an appearance. Ben E. King fits that one plus a Deep Purple type group appears for the aggregious snub slot. As you can see, the slots for ELO are diminishing. Jeff Lynne would make a good recipient for The Musical Excellence award with Brian Eno or other special award. I would be surprised to see ELO nominated this year. Soundgarden another group I see often. Don't see Soundgarden going in before Pearl Jam even though Soundgarden was 1st. I see Soundgarden nominated in the 2017-2018 year. Great to see all the discussion on the Forums. KING

Posted by KING on Saturday, 08/29/2015 @ 18:55pm

Okay, so I was a bit 'out of whack' about my Three Dog Night comment. I'll be 34 next month and I always heard them on oldies radio plus my parents had their records. They made an appearance at my alma mater a few years back and I was probably the youngest person in the audience (everyone else was in their late 40s-60s). That's what got me thinking like that.

Interpretative artists do deserve induction as well. I always thought of Joan Jett as one, and Linda Ronstadt. Who shall be next, Joe Cocker or 3 Dog Night?!

Posted by Jason Voigt on Saturday, 08/29/2015 @ 19:09pm

So I've seen a few responses about Weird Al (I was probably the only person to put them on my 2016 Nomination Predictions list). Suppose he did get nominated. Would this spark any kind of outrage? I think it will, and that's fine with me (laughs).

Posted by Jason Voigt on Saturday, 08/29/2015 @ 19:15pm

I would personally love for "Weird Al" Yankovic to be on the ballot, but he's just not an artist that I think anyone on the Nominating Committee will ever take seriously enough to put on the ballot. He had arguably the most successful year of his career last year, and it didn't get him on the ballot.

I think more of the HOF'ers themselves would support an induction for him than the majority on the Nominating Committee.

Still, if he ended up on there, I'd support him!

Posted by Donnie on Saturday, 08/29/2015 @ 21:45pm

1. Yes (Death bump)
2. NWA
3. Deep Purple
4. Janet Jackson
5. Nine Inch Nails
6. Smashing Pumpkins
7. Chic (come on now...)
8. Kraftwerk
9. Sting
10. J. Geils Band
11. Bon Jovi
12. LL Cool J
13. Ben E. King
14. Joe Cocker
15. The Cure

Wild cards:

1. Duran Duran. I don't think they're taken seriously enough to get on the ballot, but stranger things have happened.

2. The Monkees. See above.

3. Alice in Chains. My confidence in their chances is shaken every year Soundgarden miss out, but who knows?

4. The Moody Blues. I believe their window of opportunity has closed. I could be wrong, however...

5. Blur. OK, realistically there's no way as long as The Smiths and their greater American success can't get in.

Posted by Sam on Sunday, 08/30/2015 @ 04:56am

5. Blur. OK, realistically there's no way as long as The Smiths and their greater American success can't get in.

Posted by Sam on Sunday, 08.30.15 @ 04:56am
--------------------------------------------------
Are you sure The Smiths really have had a greater American success here?

In pure record sales, you might make an argument. At the same time, many younger fans know Damon Albarn from Gorillaz, & at least a few have probably looked into his prior work, out of sheer curiosity.

If anything, the two acts may be quite equal. The Smiths may have been the more popular as a group, but Morrissey has become more of a fan-base performer, kind of like a Grateful Dead for a diff. crowd. At the same time, Blur may have lurked around the edges of American success, but Albarn has mage himself known to a greater extent later on. I'd say both may be on equal ground here.

This being said, I do think Blur would be a longshot this yr., at least. Once again, don't rule out the future, as the English may get more play than you think, especially if the Hall is looking to keep crowds coming in the near future.

Posted by Cheesecrop on Sunday, 08/30/2015 @ 06:08am

I think it should count for something that at one time (maybe for about a year or so), Three Dog Night was the biggest pop band on the planet.

Posted by Paul in KY on Sunday, 08/30/2015 @ 08:43am

My predictions:

Deep Purple
Roxy Music
Gram Parsons
Janet Jackson
Nine Inch Nails
Smashing Pumpkins
Kate Bush
Yes
N.W.A
LL Cool J
Electric Light Orchestra
Chic
Kraftwerk
Joe Cocker
The Spinners
Sonic Youth
Carole King

Posted by Greg F on Sunday, 08/30/2015 @ 12:56pm

FRL Fans & Posters.
I see some good Nominee posts in recent weeks here. Starting to hear some buzz on ELO but I don't see how they will be nominated on a standard 15 slate of artists. As you can see, the slots for ELO are diminishing. Jeff Lynne would make a good recipient for The Musical Excellence award with Brian Eno or other special award. I would be surprised to see ELO nominated this year. Great to see all the discussion on the Forums. KING

Posted by KING on Saturday, 08.29.15 @ 18:55pm

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Unfortunately, most die hard Jeff Lynne fans, except me, have been falsely misled into thinking that ELO is a one man band and believe he will be inducted alone under Musical Excellence or as a Performer all by himself with no input from anyone else, just ask Chris Groucutt, Kelly's son who was there in the studio, he knows better!

>:-(

Posted by Rick Vendl II on Sunday, 08/30/2015 @ 13:38pm

No, like Chic, which this Rock and Roll Hall of Fame keeps nominating on their ballot for about 10 years now to get famous producer Nile Rodgers in, Electric Light Orchestra should be treated exactly the same by not inducting Jeff Lynne solo!

Posted by Rick Vendl II on Sunday, 08/30/2015 @ 13:44pm

SAM

You have one of the best 2015-2016 RRHOF nominee ballots I've seen. We have 10 or 11 the same. Agree on the choices. I have N.W.A. instead of LL Cool J but LL Cool J deserves induction. The Duran Duran Wild Card pick makes sense for several reasons. I have Duran Duran getting a nomination. They were a big 80's group and have the required influence and innovation in their music. Check the longevity box 37 years plus have new CD Paper Gods. Still relevant in 2015. Have a factory of hits and would be a nice headliner and in good health.
Here are 5 Wild Card picks for me. Already did my list of Nominees.
1.Stevie Nicks-She's timeless and popular. Writes her own material. Fills a singer/songwriter or qualified female artist slot. Already inducted in Fleetwood Mac but other artists inducted twice.
2.Procol Harum-A group that could sneak one of the progressive rock slots or 60's artist nominee. Nominated before.
3.B-52's-A unique group to be sure. Love the 3 different vocalists and put together a strong catalog of songs.
4.Jane's Addiction-You don't hear them mentioned on many ballots but they fit nicely in the 80's alternative slot. The Lollapalooza thing Farrell started has helped perpetuate rock in different forms over many festival years. I like the song Jane Says.
5.Peter, Paul, & Mary. They were a late cut on my list but they could fill a 60's slot or a Folk spot on the ballot. An incredible longevity spanning 50 years. Just a unique act and talented. Mary's death was a sad day. It's amazing they have not been inducted before now.
FRL fans and posters. Who are a few bands that could sneak a spot that most people would not think of immediately? KING

Posted by KING on Sunday, 08/30/2015 @ 15:01pm

You might remember when you were kids...There was this game called musical chairs. When the music stops, you have to find a chair to sit in. Eventually, you run out of chairs. I see this happening to ELO in the Nomination 2015. My money's on Deep Purple for nomination and induction. YES is another band with a strong push again this year. Moody Blues another band getting a strong push from their fans. The Chicago fans are getting upset and making their voices known. They want Chicago nominated and inducted. In this climate, I don't see how ELO gets nominated. There was some talk about the awards performance and McCartney talking love for ELO. The thing is with McCartney's power and influence, why hasn't ELO done better in the nomination phase RRHOF then? KING

Posted by KING on Sunday, 08/30/2015 @ 15:27pm

Sam, Blur was more of a deserving statement pick than something that I think will actually happen with this institution. The RRHoF's idea that British rock doesn't matter once we get past the Boomer heroes of the British Invasion isn't lost on me.

We had a discussion about that over the past couple days on Top of the Charts that might be worth checking out.:

http://ourrockandrollhalloffame71305.yuku.com/reply/30088/Predictions-2015-Guess-September-2015-Nominee-Ballo#reply-30088

Posted by DarinRG on Sunday, 08/30/2015 @ 15:52pm

There was some talk about the awards performance and McCartney talking love for ELO. The thing is with McCartney's power and influence, why hasn't ELO done better in the nomination phase RRHOF then? KING

Posted by KING on Sunday, 08.30.15 @ 15:27pm


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Well, Paul McCartney did help Ringo Starr solo get in last year after 20 years of being snubbed, so do not underestimate his power!

Posted by Rick Vendl II on Sunday, 08/30/2015 @ 19:34pm

I’m 25 and I know most of Three Dog Night’s famous songs like “Joy to the World,” “Shamabala,” “Black & White,” and “Mama Told Me Not to Come” (I nominated and got that song in the Song Project earlier this year). I think what hurts Three Dog Night’s chances at the Rock Hall is that they hardly got any acclaim at the zenith of their popularity in the late 60s and early 70s. At this time, Three Dog Night were one of the most popular bands. I think most of their songs still hold up well today. Let’s face it, there are more worthy and important bands in the history of rock music that aren’t in the Rock Hall yet (Yes, Deep Purple, Moody Blues, Kraftwerk, etc.).

Just because they didn’t write their own songs doesn’t mean they’re not worthy. If that was the case, many of the inducted acts wouldn’t have stood a chance (e.g., Linda Ronstadt, Righteous Brothers, Elvis Presley and most of Motown’s inducted acts).

On a side note, I totally agree that Electric Light Orchestra should be inducted in the performer category; Jeff Lyne in the Musical Excellent category just seems wrong (akin to Nile Rodgers and Chic). I’m shocked nobody mentioned his connection to Tom Petty (a 1st-ballot Hall of Famer) and someone whose inducted people in the past. If anyone’s gonna induct ELO or Lyne, it would most likely be Petty.

Posted by Nick on Sunday, 08/30/2015 @ 20:05pm

I just want to jump in here and say that I do feel ELO will be nominated but I do not think they will be inducted at all this time. I think they will be nominated several times first. Kind of the way Cat Stevens was nominated at least a couple times. I'm not discussing Inductees yet at all. That's after the official Nominee announcement. I think Moody Blues and yes stand a much better chance of induction but all 3 I predict as Nominees. I feel the same way about the Steve Miller Band. A nominee but not necessarily an Inductee.

Posted by Ben on Sunday, 08/30/2015 @ 21:00pm

Everybody here has pretty much covered why Three Dog Night gets overlooked, so I'll not weigh in there. I think ELO does stand a better than average chance, but I can't see them making it in ahead of the Yes's or Jethro Tull's of the world. Technically there's no reason why I should be thinking this way, as they have a good sized catalog of hits, had plenty of success, & still pick up time on commercial radio (for what that's worth, these days).

Maybe it's that they seem to weigh in on the pop side of Prog rock, & the general trend is toward the heavier side of things. They're a bunch of Sgt. Pepper's in a Tom Sawyer world.

I Blame Rush For All Of This!!! (nah, just kidding, Enigma) :)

Posted by Cheesecrop on Monday, 08/31/2015 @ 06:34am

My official predictions:

Ben E. King
Chic
Deep Purple
Def Leppard
Janet Jackson
Kraftwerk
The Marvelettes
Nine Inch Nails
N.W.A
Pat Benatar
Smashing Pumpkins
Sonic Youth
War
Yes
The Zombies

I'm going with a super stacked ballot. Let's see how I do.

Posted by Paul K on Monday, 08/31/2015 @ 16:43pm

Great 2015 Nominees List Paul K.Love the Ben E. King, WAR, Deep Purple,Smashing Pumpkins picks.Same as mine as well as a few others. Glad to see you put Def Leppard on your list. They are a KING FAV of mine. I went with Bon Jovi. Deep Purple, Ben E. King , and The Spinners are 3 I would like to see inducted. All 3 are deserving and nominated multiple times. Moving into September now. Should be some excellent groups on the ballot. Great picks by Enig, Rick,Roy,PopeCharming etc. It seems to be now or never for N.W.A. Like to see Stevie Nicks on the ballot but she was inducted in Fleetwood Mac. Might go with Janet or Pat Benatar. KING

Posted by KING on Monday, 08/31/2015 @ 17:42pm

Cheesecrop, the Gorillaz connection completely slipped my mind. I was solely thinking in terms of sales and chart positions, and that US journalists prefer The Smiths. Good point.

Darin: Great site! I'm sure I'll properly visit soon. I'm now sure a Smiths induction is coming soon, but sadly I reckon that the only representation of British rock after them will be Radiohead and maybe Oasis.

KING: DD have become one of my faves. I've gone from being maybe on their induction to an absolute YES, largely because of their evolution and ability to keep challenging themselves after Seven And The Ragged Tiger. Fantastic and underrated group all around, and now I'm seeing them for the first time in December!

Posted by Sam on Tuesday, 09/1/2015 @ 04:04am

So I now have posted my Final predictions for the 2016 Nominees. I realized it should be a slightly leaning towards the 60s and 70s still. It's only that 50s artists may now go away. Hey the Zombies is pretty far back as is. I just want to share that I am also a huge Jethro Tull fan. While I would love to see Tull I don't think they are wise enough for that one yet. Moody Blues better chance because Days of Future Passed came first. Also Moodys sold pretty darn well into the 70s and in later decades. So here is some more analysis.

Chicago- Real long career. That can not be denied. My pick is mostly based mostly on their early Jazz Rock that's on the the first 4 albums. However huge pop hits like If You Leave Me Now, Baby What a Big Surprise and Hard to Say I'm Sorry. Those aren't great to me but shows off their Pop success. Case in Point. Hall & Oates went without a history of Groundbreaking albuns.

Joe Cocker- This is a good posthumous pick. I didn't think of it originally. I recall Joe Cocker getting good reviews at Rolling Stone. I am not a fan. I like only a couple songs. The Hall I think Would favor him now.

Deep Purple- A great Hard Rock pick. I'm not totally feeling an induction but a Nomination I think.

Duran Duran- This is a big pick of Enig. I see his point. Key in the 80s. Coming after the gutting out of the committee. Their chance is much stronger.
Electric Light Orchestra- I think the Hall will toy with them a few years with a few nominations Key 70s group. I remember the ELO T shirts when I was very young back in the 70s.

J Geils Band- This is my Blues Rock prediction for this year. This is the next pet project I think. Just to give some of you younger a little history. Freeze Frame is more of a pop album. If you go back to 1972 however they had an album called Full House. It was an album of great Blues Rock. Not a single pop Hit on it. Strictly for FM listeners. Aint Nothing But A House Party comes to mind in this era.

Moody Blues- They are always avoided by the Hall until now. I say that with the oldest people on the Committee gone they have more chance. This may be their time to get on the list finally. Days of Future Passed and In Search of the Lost Chord alone proves their importance and they had huge tours through the 70s.

I will stop my analysis for now here. These posts can get long. There is some analysis for all of you to respond to.

Posted by Ben on Tuesday, 09/1/2015 @ 05:59am

I will continue my Analysis. Kind of a Part 2.

Steve Miller Band- Another good 70s choice. They are mostly straight ahead Rock. Steve Miller had plenty of hits. He'll be nominated I think. Not sure about induction yet. Incidenally Enig. I noticed you included them on your Final list. You may know their albums. Steve Miller toyed with some prog on the deeper cuts. The Window is a cut I recall. There is the album Book of Dreams with cuts like Wish Upon a Star and Sacrifice. I love that tune.

Nine Inch Nails- I am not that big on key 90s people. I have great lack of knowledge on NIN. Out of my league. I just figure they were nominated last year and Green Day are out of the way.

Sade- If there is an artist that can update the R&B category it's Sade. Smooth R&B with a touch of Jazz. This is an R & B pick for me.

War- This is a slightly older R&B pick by me. War Have been nominated before. They had a spacey GRoove on a lot of their Music.

Yes- Need I say more. Chris Squire just passed so this should bring them back to the list. A lot of us know their history. Sold arenas so much in the 70s. They have a good chance of Induction too

The Zombies- This is a key 60s pick for me. They have been nominated before. 60s fans are still on the Committee. Good chance of nomination.

Posted by Ben on Tuesday, 09/1/2015 @ 09:14am

Ben,

Thank you for providing us with your list and for supporting Duran Duran and several other great artists.

I will say that Duran Duran has been my top pick for the past three years. On one website, a commenter had said, "Once Rush has been inducted; Duran Duran will be next." I had to think about this for quite a while, then I had realized that those two acts have been getting closer musically over the past 22 years. Was Geddy Lee teasing us when he said that "Alex Lifeson wanted to be Simon Le Bon?" Starting with those two great songs from "Duran Duran (aka 'The Wedding Album'), 'Ordinary World' and 'Come Undone,' Duran Duran had started moving closer to the sound of what I consider to be Rush's two greatest studio albums, "Presto" and "Roll The Bones." In fact, 'Ordinary World' would have fit on either album alongside 'Available Light,' 'Bravado' and 'Ghost Of A Chance.' Was this a conscious decision on Duran Duran's part? If so, then congratulations to Duran Duran, your longevity is now quite understandable. You have kept getting better and not resting on your laurels. It is your time to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame!

My second pick is of course, Yes, my co-favorite artist, alongside Rush. Both have been compared favorably to each other for over 40 years, even though neither sound alike. Yes was also a major influence upon Rush, as well.

Without The Moody Blues pioneering work on such albums as "Days Of Future Passed," "In Search Of The Lost Chord," "On The Threshold Of A Dream" and "To Our Children's Children's Children," I seriously doubt if we would have had many of the aforementioned progressive rock bands. Make no mistake about it, The Moody Blues were a huge influence upon Rush, Yes, Genesis, King Crimson, etc.

My fourth pick is Sade, one of the greatest smooth jazz ensembles of all time. Helen Folasade Adu wrote her lyrics, wrote her music and sang her magnificent songs with passion. She definitely fits into the R & B category quite favorably.

My fifth pick is Carly Simon, one of the greatest singer/songwriters of all time. She has two many superlatives to mention at one time, plus the Hall has been criticized for not inducting enough female artists. Carly and Sade definitely would be great picks.

Posted by Enigmaticus on Tuesday, 09/1/2015 @ 09:15am

September has arrived!

Posted by Roy on Tuesday, 09/1/2015 @ 13:54pm

You might remember when you were kids...There was this game called musical chairs. When the music stops, you have to find a chair to sit in. Eventually, you run out of chairs. I see this happening to ELO in the Nomination 2015. My money's on Deep Purple for nomination and induction. YES is another band with a strong push again this year. Moody Blues another band getting a strong push from their fans. The Chicago fans are getting upset and making their voices known. They want Chicago nominated and inducted. In this climate, I don't see how ELO gets nominated. There was some talk about the awards performance and McCartney talking love for ELO. The thing is with McCartney's power and influence, why hasn't ELO done better in the nomination phase RRHOF then? KING

Posted by KING on Sunday, 08.30.15 @ 15:27pm

Along with Chicago fans, I think you also have some vocal fans for Journey and Guess Who, and you there always going to Doobie fans chiming in.

There are several suggestions at lists to look at to get trends but I think songs picked and doing well on voice competition shows says something. I see Journey songs getting picked and doing well quite a bit. Also I've noticed R & B and Blues not doing as well as before. Alt seems to be holding steady and Country and Folk seem to be increasing in popularity.

Since you mentioned Paul McCartney, you might be interested in something I came across recently. Back in the 80's Michael Jackson bought the rights to the Beatles songs. There was a big uproar because a lot of fans were upset that the songs were being used in commercials. I came across an article that said Michael Jackson agreed to let Paul McCartney have the rights to the songs after he died and that the Jackson family was fighting this. Makes me wonder if a deal was made for support for Michael Jackson and the Jackson 5 and if the family is trying to get a deal for support for Janet Jackson.

Posted by Zuzu on Tuesday, 09/1/2015 @ 15:01pm

Going back to Three Dog Night, I do agree with the above statement, posted by Nick. True, they did not write most of their hit songs (if not all). What they did do was help give careers to both Laura Nyro and Randy Newman (who are both in the RRHOF).

I don't see anything realistic about ELO being on this year's ballot...don't get me wrong, I hope it does happen. But to most so-called professional critics, they're just another classic rock act on the same level as the Doobie Brothers and Boston. One thing that could help Jeff Lynne (besides Sir Paul) would be his former Traveling Wilburys bandmates. Well, the ones that are still alive.

Posted by Jason Voigt on Tuesday, 09/1/2015 @ 16:51pm

Jason, I'm glad you agree with me on Three Dog Night. They are a good American rock from the late 60s and early 70s with a slew of hits. I totally agree that the band helped elevate the careers of songwriters writing for Three Dog Night, some of whom like Newman and Nyro are in the Rock Hall. If anything, I think this helps Three Dog Night's chances, but I think the lack of critical acclaim hurts their chances. I will be heavily pushing for them for our Revised Rock Hall class this year for sure.

On ELO, I think they will be a surprise nominee if they're even on this year's ballot. Granted, I'd be very happy but I wouldn't bet on their chances as of now. But anything's possible with the Rock Hall ballots. As you say Jason, Lynne's Connections to the Traveling Wilbury's (Dylan, Harrison, Petty, etc). and McCarthey will always help his chances. I'm just afraid Lynne will get inducted in the musical excellence category when ELO's discography is quite great.

Posted by Nick on Tuesday, 09/1/2015 @ 22:02pm

I'm just afraid Lynne will get inducted in the musical excellence category when ELO's discography is quite great.

Tuesday, 09.1.15 @ 22:02pm


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


This is also my greatest fear, it could be yet another possible big mistake by the Rock Hall, without The Electric Light Orchestra's totally awesome discography with other influential members like Richard Tandy, Bev Bevan, Kelly Groucutt, Mik Kaminski, Hugh McDowell, Mel(vyn) Gale, Louis Clark, Mike de Albuquerque, Wilf Gibson, Mike Edwards and Roy Wood, then no Jeff Lynne solo production career, but they keep nominating Chic for Nile Rodgers, inconsistent hypocrites!

>:-(

Posted by Rick Vendl II on Wednesday, 09/2/2015 @ 00:12am

As far as ELO. I think they will be Nominated a lot. I just think that will start this Year. Moody Blues Yes and Jethro Tull will all be Inducted first. ELO were considered Second rate in Prog Rock at the time I see them being Inducted 5 or 6 years from Now. Nominations would start based on Popularity. This may be the year for Moody Blues and Yes as Nominees. Enig mayb you're right. 2 Prog groups could Happen. 2 Hard Rock groups went in at same time in 2013. Heart and Rush. It's just a nomination for ELO

Posted by Ben on Wednesday, 09/2/2015 @ 09:39am

Now Chicago on the other hand have strong chance of doing better. Key 70s group with Lots and lots of albums. They are known for just Numbering their albums. So when I say stronger chance than ELO I mean possible Induction. I don't want to focus on that here. I really don't like predicting Inductions Until after the official Nominee Announcement.
J Geils Band is a Blues Rock pick that think stand a real good chance of nomination. Peter Wolf has helped the Hall for Years.
Steve Miller Band is another key 70s choice I think will only be Nominated. The Hall might get them started on the lists.
I always pick the Moody Blues. I would think that since they got rid of the Oldest crowd on the Committee It would strengthen their chances. There is plenty of people on the Hall Committee still that grew up with the Moody Blues as teenagers. Yes stand a real good chance. They sold out arenas in the 70s and have a huge catalog of albums. Yes was a major influence on Rush like you said Enig. Rush may have gone in first due to slightly greater popularity in the years that have ensued. The Rush members love Yes. Also Chris Squire recently passed. It's almost a No Brainer.

Posted by Ben on Thursday, 09/3/2015 @ 07:08am

Ben,

You are absolutely correct. Rush's induction will definitely lead directly to the inductions of Yes and The Moody Blues. But the members of Rush have also loved the "art rock" artists who had emerged in the early 1980's, so I suspect that both Duran Duran and Sade definitely stand a good chance of being inducted as well. Carly Simon should be another no brainer. In my opinion, she is the greatest introspective singer/songwriter of all time, plus she uses orchestral backing in most of her songs, this ties her to prog.

As far as E.L.O. is concerned, if Sir Paul McCartney is spearheading their induction effort, then you may see the induction of four prog acts next year, along with four more possible "prog adjacent" acts.

Also Ben, Rush is not really a hard rock act, but an "art rock/progressive rock" artist. Heart is also "prog adjacent." The multiple hard rock acts were inducted in 2012 and 2014, by the way.

Posted by Enigmaticus on Thursday, 09/3/2015 @ 07:34am

Enig.

We agree on this point for sure. The Rush induction will lead directly to Yes and Moodys. The way I figure. The committee was gutted. That takes away the oldest of the Members. Their fav artists were going in less and less. Those members let go I would say had great lack of knowledge of Rock that is later to them like Moodys, Yes, Steve Miller Band and so much other 70s Rock. I am going to venture that there could easily be 2 prog acts inducted. I am not sure about 4 inducted. If you include Duran Duran in that. That's 3 I am confident of.

I do figure on a bunch of Prog acts being Nominated. Easily 4 nominated. Chicago is Prog Adjacent. Their early days show that off. I am confident about them.

Good point about Rush. I think when you refer to 2012 for Hard rock acts you mean Guns N'Roses and red Hot Chili Peppers. So now for 2016 this supports the theory for Moody Blues and Yes at the same time. Big buzz on both bands. There is after all a big buzz for Prog rock in general.

I am a little less prog than you. I happen to support others like J Geils quite a bit as well as War. There some I predicted I don't like. I just think will happen. NIN and Smashing Pumpkins. Not a fan of those but I think they will Happen.

Posted by Ben on Friday, 09/4/2015 @ 11:27am

Ben,

Thank you for your response. I am still thinking that four prog acts may be inducted next year: "Yes," "The Moody Blues," "Duran Duran" and "Electric Light Orchestra."

The Rock Hall does need to induct female artists and who would fit in more than both Carly Simon and Sade? Of course, it does not hurt their chances when both are "prog" adjacent.

I am slightly less certain about The Doobie Brothers and Foreigner, however.

I think that Deep Purple will be inducted in 2017 at the New York ceremony, along with Twisted Sister and Bad Company. Chicago is definitely a wild card, they could be inducted in 2016, but I think that they will most likely be inducted in 2018 in Cleveland, or in 2019 back in Los Angeles.

After Duran Duran is inducted next year, quite possibly by the members of Rush, I expect their members and the members of Rush to support Roxy Music's induction in New York in 2017. Once that happens, that will open the door for the rest of the remaing prog acts leading up to the inductions of King Crimson, Kansas, Supertramp and Jethro Tull. By 2020, almost all of the big prog acts and "prog adjacent" artists would have been inducted, including possibly Styx.

Then in 2020, the Hall will probably start to focus more on "heavy metal."

Posted by Enigmaticus on Saturday, 09/5/2015 @ 05:03am

Ben,

Thank you for your response. I am still thinking that four prog acts may be inducted next year: "Yes," "The Moody Blues," "Duran Duran" and "Electric Light Orchestra."

The Rock Hall does need to induct female artists and who would fit in more than both Carly Simon and Sade? Of course, it does not hurt their chances when both are "prog" adjacent.

I am slightly less certain about The Doobie Brothers and Foreigner, however.

I think that Deep Purple will be inducted in 2017 at the New York ceremony, along with Twisted Sister and Bad Company. Chicago is definitely a wild card, they could be inducted in 2016, but I think that they will most likely be inducted in 2018 in Cleveland, or in 2019 back in Los Angeles.

After Duran Duran is inducted next year, quite possibly by the members of Rush, I expect their members and the members of Rush to support Roxy Music's induction into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame induction in New York in 2017. Once that happens, that will open the door for the rest of the remaining prog acts leading up to the inductions of King Crimson, Kansas, Supertramp, Procol Harum and Jethro Tull. By 2020, almost all of the big prog acts and "prog adjacent" artists would have been inducted, including possibly Styx, Boston and Asia. The only major "progressive rock" artist that may not be inducted until later could be Emerson, Lake & Palmer.

Then in 2020, I think that the Hall will probably start to focus more on "heavy metal" and "progressive metal."

Posted by Enigmaticus on Saturday, 09/5/2015 @ 05:40am

Enig,

That was an amazing post you had there. I left Carly Simon off my list because I'm not sure how Singer/Songwriters fare following the Committee change. I wanted to see what happens. I was thinking at least for 2016 the Hall would give the Mellower thing a rest a bit. I do agree totally with Sade.

Doobie Brothers and Foreigner are good picks but due to so many other artists I think they will wait on those. I am focusing on Nominees. Chicago have a great chance as a Nominee.

Duran Duran also have a great chance. They had tremendous popularity in the 80s and there is an artsiness to their sound. You are a bigger fan but I will say they had their place. I think the leaner and meaner committee will bring on an Influx of Prog and Art Rock. The door will be open for Procul Harum and Jethro Tull as you said. I love Jethro Tull. They are one of my fav bands of all time. Strangely I am not predicting them this year. When it comes to predictions you go with what the Hall might think. Moody Blues came first so I go with them always. I noted that you feel the only major Progressive rock artist that may not be inducted until later could be Emerson, Lake and Palmer. I do agree. I love them but the Hall won't. The way I remember it long ago ELP did poorly with the critics. So I do think Supertramp, Procul Harum and Jethro Tull will go in first. Ahh but I think all those above will be nominated soon to focus on that. There too though Emerson, Lake & Palmer I figure won't get a nomination for at least 4 or 5 years.

Posted by Ben on Saturday, 09/5/2015 @ 06:43am

Ben,

Thank you for your kind words. Also, I would also like to thank you for supporting the inductions of The Moody Blues, Yes, Duran Duran and Sade.

I do think that there will be another singer/songwriter inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame in 2016. I feel that Carly Simon would be a great choice for that inductee. Unlike many other singer/songwriters, Carly has been a great artist for nearly half a century. She has utilized orchestral support in many of her songs, but that was probably not uncommon at that time.
Al Stewart and the late Dan Fogelberg have orchestral backing on many of their songs also.

Once Rush had finally been nominated and later inducted, more progressive rock artists had started to become recognized by the Hall. Alex Lifeson and Geddy Lee have been strongly advocating the induction of Yes, The Moody Blues, King Crimson and previous two time nominee Deep Purple. I have no doubt whatsoever that they will continue to support more "prog" artists. I have no doubt whatsoever that they will support Duran Duran also. The fact that Duran Duran has come out as unabashedly prog, bodes well for them. They will receive support from progressive rock's huge fanbase. Their side project, Arcadia was well received by critics, their past few albums have been receiving better reviews. Who better to induct them than another similarly critically reviled band like Rush?

Posted by Enigmaticus on Saturday, 09/5/2015 @ 12:06pm

Enig,

I agree with you about the movement for more Progressive Rock. This includes Duran Duran who are more Art Rock as you pointed out.

I held off on a Singer/Songwriter choice only because I thought maybe that's affected by the Committee change. I strongly support a prediction of Sade though. I mean Carly Simon was notable in the 70s not earlier. I was basica;lly taking priority to all the picks I chose. We could argue that Steve Miller Band have less chance than other 70s choices. I'll hold off on Carly nonethe less. It's a good point. I can see it. After all Linda Ronstadt was Inducted.
We certainly agree with Moody Blues and Yes for this Year. Also Duran Duran, ELO, and Sade.

Posted by Ben on Saturday, 09/5/2015 @ 13:45pm

Than you Ben,

I will completely endorse Sade, Duran Duran, The Moody Blues, Yes and E.L.O. as the 2016 Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame inductees.

Posted by Enigmaticus on Saturday, 09/5/2015 @ 15:12pm

Also in no particular order:

Nine Inch Nails
Eurythmics
Link Wray
NWA
Kraftwerk
Chic
Tommy James and the Shondells
Don Henley
Barry White
Judas Priest
Soundgarden
The Spinners
J.J. Cale
Yes
Black Flag
Whitney Houston

Posted by dmg on Friday, 08.21.15 @ 23:10pm

------------------------------------------------

The 3 day weekend finally gives me time for some 'splanation. I chose a wide variety of styles as that's typically how the Hall rolls.

Nine Inch Nails - Huguely popular act and the flagship of the industrial sub-genre. They placed second in the popular vote on Rock Hall's website, and were leading until classic rock stations began asking listeners to go vote for SRV.

Eurythmics - Highly influential act that has been covered countless times. Plus, they're fronted by a woman - something the Hall is under pressure to include in each of their ballots (and something that is needed). I might also expect, as an '80s pop-rock act, INXS or Duran Duran in this spot; or Pat Benatar or the Go-Go's if they're more interested in female-led acts.

Link Wray (and the Raymen) - Paved the way for all guitar rock. It's really hard to leave this act out. I was completely blown away by him not receiving enough votes when he was nominated.

NWA - My hip-hop act. As others have mentioned, they are in the spotlight again with their film. They brought hard-hitting, tell-it-how-it-is hip-hop to the forefront and their influence is hard to brush aside.

Kraftwerk - One of the founding acts of electronic music. There are others that came before, but Kraftwerk has the most recognition. Another act that could fill this spot is Silver Apples, but they aren't as well-known, despite being earlier.

Chic - 10th time's the charm. Chic is the quintessential disco act and deserves induction as much as any other.

Tommy James and the Shondells - This highly influential act out of the 1960's has been covered countless times and who's songs are household knowledge, though many may not recognize their name. If influence is a key reason for induction, Tommy James and the Shondells should've been in a long time ago.

Don Henley - This is my former-band-member-gone-solo nomination. The Hall typically has one of these (last year it was Sting, and before that Peter Gabriel). Don Henley is a household name, and everyone's heard his hits at some point. Highly influential and due for a nod. Others that could fill this slot are Sting, Ozzy Osbourne, Phil Collins, Kenny Loggins, or Joe Walsh.

Barry White - The godfather of love. White is the biggest soul shun at this time, in my opinion. Should've been inducted long ago.

Judas Priest - My metal nod for this ballot. One of the Big Four English metal acts from the early '70s, and probably the most influential one left. I would also accept the others from this lot - Iron Maiden or Motörhead (get well Lemmy!) - one of the Big Four of Thrash (Megadeth, Slayer, or Anthrax) - or Pantera as a metal act.

Soundgarden - The true beginning of the grunge movement. This act is still going, and we have to get Chris Cornell in somehow. Highly influential and popular - if Johnny Cash covered you, you've made it.

The Spinners - The highly popular and influential R&B vocal group of this ballot.

J.J. Cale - Cale is an artist that the populus at large rarely knows anything about, yet they hear and feel his influence all over the place. He is also very well known amongst musicians, as he is extremely influential. Chances are, if you listen to a rock station, you've heard an act today that was influenced by J.J. Cale. His most famous songs are After Midnight, Cocaine, and Call Me the Breeze, but you probably recognize them from Eric Clapton and Lynyrd Skynyrd. He influenced acts from Eric Clapton and Neil Young to Dire Straits to Beck and John Mayer. If anyone's deserving of the Hall, it's J.J. Cale.

Yes - My prog act for this ballot. Yes is an incredibly popular and influential act and their non-induction is a hot button for classic rock fans everywhere. I expect them to get another nod. Whether or not they get inducted is an entirely different matter. Other acts that could fill the prog space are the Moody Blues, Styx, Deep Purple, or Supertramp. I do not expect more than one prog nomination, unfortunately.

Black Flag - My punk act for this ballot, and a key influential hardcore act - something the Hall has been neglecting up to this point. I would also consider Bad Brains for this slot as a hardcore act, or The Offspring if they choose to go mainstream (an act that should've been nominated before Green Day, in my humble opinion).

Whitney Houston - My pop act and female vocal artist for this ballot. Her influence and popularity are hard to ignore, and it's difficult to believe she hasn't been nominated yet. I'd also expect Janet Jackson or Mariah Carey in this slot; maybe even Gloria Estefan (a stretch, but there aren't many Latin influence artists in the Hall).

There are many others due for induction - my ballot might be different each time I do it. But there it is.

Posted by dmg on Saturday, 09/5/2015 @ 18:27pm

FYI Johnny Cash has covered 3 acts in my list - Soundgarden, Nine Inch Nails, and J.J. Cale.

Posted by dmg on Saturday, 09/5/2015 @ 19:24pm

Guess what. I am changing my List again. I feel I have to. Enig you have influenced the Changes. Everyone I give you my last and final Prediction List of Nominees for 2016.

Chicago
Joe Cocker
Deep Purple
Duran Duran
Electric Light Orchestra
J. Geils Band
The Moody Blues
Nine Inch Nails
N.W.A.
Sade
Carly Simon
Smashing Pumpkins
Sting
War
Yes
The Zombies

There you go I changed it. You are right Enig. There should be a Singer/Songwriter choice. There is one inducted almost every year. 2014 even had 2 with Linda Ronstadt and Cat Stevens. The Committee change would not affect that. So this is my final list.

Posted by Ben on Saturday, 09/5/2015 @ 20:49pm

Thank you Ben,

Your new list is fantastic. Thank you for posting it. Once again, I am able to easily pick 5, or 6 potential inductees from it.

Posted by Enigmaticus on Sunday, 09/6/2015 @ 02:10am

Enig,

I knew you would like my Brand new list. A syou can see I added Carly Simon. You made a very good point that there would be another Singer/Songwriter Inducted in 2016. I agree that Carly Simon would be a great choice for that Inductee. So I simply ditched the Steve Miller Band. Some other time for him. Here is some more analysis.

Joe Cocker- This is a good posthumous choice. I think the Hall likes him but simply missed the boat on him Before. I think the Hall would favor Him Now. He certainly had a long career.

Deep Purple- A great Hard Rock pick. I'm not totally feeling an Induction for them but certainly a nomination. That's because of all my other choices.

Duran Duran- It's like I said. They were key in the 80s. There is a big buzz on them. Coming after the gutting out of the Committee Duran Duran have a strong chance. Enig as you pointed out people in the Hall like the Rush Members can influence them nominated at least.

J. Geils Band- This is my Blues Rock pick for this year. There always tends to be one. I wanted those younger to know that in the 70s they had great Blues Rock albums like Full House and Bloodshot. This is the next Pet project I think.

The Moody Blues- I've said it many times already. They are bound to get in one of these years. Why not now. Days of Future Passed, In Search of the Lost Chord and On the Threshold of a Dream were all great albums in the late 60s from them.

I will stop analysis for now. I know I analyzed before but why not some more. I also did re do my List again.

Posted by Ben on Sunday, 09/6/2015 @ 06:56am

Ben,

Thank you for adding Carly Simon to your list. In my honest opinion, the late Jim Croce and the late Dan Fogelberg would also have been excellent singer/songwriter choices. However when it comes to introspective songwriters who have not yet been inducted, Carly Simon predominates. Carly Simon has written many great songs over the course of her career, including 'You're So Vain,' 'Anticipation,' 'That's The Way I've Always Heard It Should Be,' 'You Belong To Me, 'Jesse' and 'Let The River Run.' Does Carly Simon deserve to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame? Yes, absolutely!

Posted by Enigmaticus on Sunday, 09/6/2015 @ 08:27am

Here is Part 2 of my Current Analysis.

Sade- Like I said Smooth R&B with a touch of Jazz. My R&B choice for me. It will serve to Update the R&B category. This can happen due to the Committee change. I believe she didn't release anything until the early 80s. Smooth Opreator was a huge hit in 1984.

Carly Simon- Ok. So this is my Singer/Songwriter choice. I realize there is no reason for that to suddenly stop even for awhile. Jim Croce is another that comes to mind. I feel it's Carly first.

Smashing Pumpkins- I am very picky with my 90s. I just think it's their time for a nomination. There is usually some prompt noms. This would be one.

Sting- Another choice I have added. I am not a big fan of Sting solo at all. However, I bet the Hall is. They nominated him last year. So I am being wise and choosing him.

To save time and space I'll just say I explained my choices of War, Yes and the Zombies already.
There is my absolutely final list for 2016.

Posted by Ben on Sunday, 09/6/2015 @ 13:16pm

Once again, here is my final list of nominees for 2016 induction:

Ben

Your list is fantastic. Thank you for posting it.

Here is my amended list:

01. Duran Duran
02. The Moody Blues
03. Yes
04. Sade
05. Carly Simon
06. Electric Light Orchestra
07. Doobie Brothers
08. Foreigner
09. Soundgarden
10. Smashing Pumpkins
11. Nine Inch Nails
12. Deep Purple
13. Chicago
14. Chic
15. Steve Miller Band
16. Sting

Posted by Enigmaticus on Sunday, 09/6/2015 @ 16:49pm

For me I'd like to see the R&R Hall of Fame actually recognize women for once..They always throw one or two in the ballot to make it look okay but there are plenty of female artists that deserve credit and constantly get overlooked. I never could understand why Pat Benatar never gets any credit??? She was the most successful female rock singer of the early 80's won multiple Grammy Awards and had several hits, but she's never mentioned..it baffles me especially since she's still performing and can still sing her ass off. I saw her last April and can testify to her sounding tremendous. I feel Janet should totally be recognized since her first album actually came out in 82. She's one of the most successful and influencial female artists of the last 30 years. Plus she's a hell of a performer, whom I've seen in concert a few times. Whitney Houston is past due as well. If friggin Madonna is in the Hall there is no reason Whitney isn't. Whitney changed music and influenced a generation of singers men and women to perform. People like to down grade her influence but she had a huge impact and some could make the same arguement against some of the 'rock stars' that died and became overrated martyrs. I'd like to see Tina Turner be inducted as a solo artist. Even when she was with Ike she influenced other female singers like Janis Joplin who cited Bessie Smith and Tina as her influences. She's showed tremendous staying power and can still sell out concerts whenever she wants to perform at 75 years old. I also believe Cher should be inducted whether it's her with Sonny or by herself. She deserves to get credit for being around this long and still have the success she's had with her last album and tour. I saw her last year, when I saw Pat Benatar since Pat was Cher's opener. Both ladies were great. The last lady I think should be given credit is Gloria Estefan. She's the most successful Latin artist and crossed over several formats over the last 30 years. Plus she has a hell of a survivor story. Salt-n-Peppa should be recognized since the Hall likes to always induct male rappers. I know the R&R Hall of Fame wouldn't induct these women the same year or probably nominate some of them at all for that matter. Which is a shame. One female based band, Sade should be inducted. I noticed them mentioned along with Janet and Whitney in previous posts. Sade's a band named after their lead singer, Sade Adu. A guy I think should get nominated is Phil Collins. Phil doesn't get much love, but I think he's great and still going strong. It would be interesting to see if George Michael would ever get a nomination for the Hall. There are a lot of artists that I think should be given credit; Connie Francis, Rufus & Chaka Khan, Luther Vandross, Dolly Parton, Iron Maiden even though I'm not a big hard rock fan..there are more but those are the ones that came to mind.

Posted by Mike on Sunday, 09/6/2015 @ 19:35pm

"Friggin' Madonna"- really? She's only the most revered and important female performer since she emerged. It's fine to say that others deserve recognition, and to not be a fan, but no need for the negative slant toward Her Madgesty- and one at least should understand that she and her music have been very acclaimed and important.

I'd love for Pat Benatar to at least get a nomination, and let the voting body decide. Same for Janet Jackson- she's had enough acclaim and influence to warrant it. This could be her year for, at least, her first nomination.

As for Whitney- she did set a template for female pop/R&B, but the big-voiced female singers will not have an easy time (look at Streisand).

Posted by JR on Sunday, 09/6/2015 @ 20:40pm

Some of the FRL regulars have posted some excellent 2015 RRHOF nominees lists. I like my 18 list a few weeks ago. I think a good 2016 Induction would be Duran Duran,Deep Purple,Janet,Nine Inch Nails, N.W.A.,The Spinners, Ben E. King. If the ballot skews older, it could go Ben E. King, Bon Jovi,Deep Purple,Janet,J. Geils Band, War.
Look for the RRHOF to clean up multiple nominees 4 will probably be nominated 3 times or more. Wonder if they will shift Willie Nelson to a Musical Excellence. Janet Jackson red hot right now. Other than Pat Benatar, I can't think who could fit that slot.
Definitely will be intrigued to see ballot. Eventually, they will have to elect an 80's alternative act. The Cure should have been inducted by now. Jane's Addiction would be a possibility as well. I can see no reason why Duran Duran has been snubbed. They have rocked for 37 years. Maybe, they are viewed as too pop or something. Def Leppard another group shutout because of this logjam. The RRHOF should just nominate Enig's groups. He's really did yeoman's work supporting his Prog and Art Rock groups. Forgot about Iron Maiden & Judas Priest. They should have been First Ballot! KING

Posted by KING on Sunday, 09/6/2015 @ 20:44pm

JR... no, Friggin' Madonna sounds about right.

KING... I'd add the stipulation that each act gets removed the ballot if Enig posts about them five times between now and the time the NomCom holds its official meeting.

Will be enjoying my Labor Day Holiday, tomorrow, and hopefully getting my predictions drafted and posted on Rock Hall Monitors.

Happy Labor Day.

Posted by Philip on Sunday, 09/6/2015 @ 21:47pm

It's nice to see some discussion of Three Dog Night after I asked about them. Laura Nyro and Randy Newman are often mentioned as songwriters whose careers TDN helped elevate. A bigger name who they helped is Elton John. This is lesser known since the two songs they bought from him, "Lady Samantha" and "Your Song", were not hits of theirs. According to Cory Wells, one of the reasons Elton decided to stay in the music business early on was due to TDN's interest in his songs. Check out 1:50 of https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hyNs02vez4I.

Posted by Tim C. on Monday, 09/7/2015 @ 10:32am

Hope you all had a great Labor Day weekend. Having read the posts regarding who we predict will be inducted in 2016, I felt it necessary to look back at my initial predictions some months ago and discuss with you fellow posters my thoughts as to whom should be nominated. Before I get to that, there are a number of artists that I do not think are worthy of consideration for the RRHOF. Why, you may ask?

J. Geils Band: no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no! Did I mention No to them already? Well, in that case, No! I am sorry, yet white guy blues bands at that era were a dime a dozen. For every Paul Butterfield or Stevie Ray Vaughan, you had two pretenders like J. Geils Band or that bar band you thought would make it big. Geez, George Thorogood is a heck of a lot more influential than J. Geils, Peter Wolf and Co.; yet Nobody ever thinks Thorogood merits a nomination.

Three Dog Night: They were not ever influential at the least. Why there are people that think otherwise baffles me.

Peter Frampton: He is merely okay. Nothing entirely special, and his live albums are a bit meandering at times.

Counting Crows: They are not eligible yet. However, they are not influential; and to be honest I could not ever get into Adam Duritz's performing.

Now, having mentioned that, here are artists that I think will be nominated this year for induction next year.

N.W.A. : We know Dr. Dre will get inducted on his own one day. It is best to add the group Dre was in before The Chronic. As someone who has seen Straight Outta Compton twice in theatres, N.W.A. deserve induction post haste.

Chic: this will be their 10th time getting nominated. There is no reason other than petty disco bashing for Chic to not be inducted already.

Yes: I am convinced Yes will be inducted before the year is out. It is sad that it has taken Chris Squire dying for this to happen. None the less, a RRHOF without Yes is unfathomable to believe.

Electric Light Orchestra: Once Jeff Lynne and co. get nominee, they will get inducted. Now seems like the best time for an ELO induction to occur.

The Smashing Pumpkins: The most likely first ballot inductee, and definitely one of the more experimental acts of the 1990s. It wil happen one day; best that it happens now.

Alice In Chains: Not too sure if they will be inductees right off the bat. However, AIC are one of the four big grunge-Seattle bands. An induction should happen in a short time from now.

Blur: a bit of a left field pick. Yet, I think Blur will be nominated, considering their recent new album and tour and greater recognition worldwide.

Janet Jackson: I am certain Janet Jackson will get a nomination this year. She may even get an induction right off the bat.

Deep Purple: If they get nominated again, Deep Purple are likely to be inducted. Provided of course many of the past DP alumni are able to be in the same room with the current Mark VIII lineup.

The Spinners: Another nomination, yet I am not sure when their well deserved induction occurs.

War: They will get nominated again. Not sure if this is the year they get in.

Nine Inch Nails: Trent Reznor is getting inducted after coming this close last year. It may only be Reznor going in representing NIN.

Soundgarden: I can honestly say that once Soundgarden gets nominated; they will immediately be honored. Now will probably be the best time for it to happen.

Whitney Houston: A well deserved nomination is pretty certain, given her recent passing alongside that of her daughter. I hope one day an induction will occur.

Todd Rundgren: Rather out of left field. And admittedly Rundgren could also go in as a Non-Performer, as was done in the Revisited/Projected Rock Hall Project. However, I think Todd is well deserving to be included as a Performer, and to be considered by a wider voting bloc.

Depeche Mode: This will be one of those artists that get a nomination and many will vote for as soon as possible. We have periodically seen these sorts of nominations which makes one think "we totally forgot about these artists; let's induct them now."

Here are some Revisited/projected Rock Hall Project inductees that I would have no problem in them getting nominated either.

The Marvelettes
Joy Division
New Order
Duran Duran
Def Leppard
Ozzy Osbourne
Link Wray
MC5
The Moody Blues
The Pixies
LL Cool J
The Zombies
Fugazi
Bon Jovi
Journey

and pretty much any of our honorees.

There are also some artists that I would be okay with should any of them get a nomination. Albeit, I do not think I would be immediately voting for these artists just yet; unless of course they become Revisited/Projected Rock Hall Project inductees by next month.

Ben E. King: not sure if he gets inducted though.

Joe Cocker: Maybe.

Phil Collins: I would consider Hackett, Banks and Rutherford first; but I would be fine either way.

Pat Benatar: maybe she gets in immediately as well.

Sting: It could likely happen that Sting gets in. We cannot ignore a Kennedy Center Honoree.

Sade: She was listed in VH1'S 2010 revised list of the 100 greatest rock stars of all time. There is a reason Sade is quite influential.

George Michael: Same reasoning as with Sade.

Carly Simon: If not now, when?

Foreigner: Perhaps. Though I think king Crimson should go in first.

The Go-Go's: A good idea. Yet I think The Runaways should go in first.

Barbra Streisand: Might not happen, but you never know.

Well, these are my current opinions and thoughts on the upcoming RRHOF Class of 2016. Feel free to comment and discuss your pinions on this post if you want to. I am confident these posts are looked at by the NomCom, along with our Revisited/Projected elections. We are now becoming a lot more influential than we ever dreamed of. Maybe the day will come that any one of us fellow posters get a say in who is nominated.

There's nothing new except what has been forgotten,

Lax32

Posted by Lax32 on Monday, 09/7/2015 @ 21:38pm

Interesting choices, FRL! You definitely zagged where many of us zigged. In fact, we only have 5 of the same picks.

You are certainly banking on more 1980s and 1990s picks, between Sting, Sonic Youth, NWA, NIN, Smiths, LL Cool J, and an uncharacteristically left-field pick, Phish. And given the Nom Com changes, there is good reason to think this. Still, this prediction is many things, but safe and conservative, it ain't. If nothing else, I applaud you for cutting through the groupthink.

If this were the actual ballot, I'd probably support Pixies, Chic, Nina Simone, Procul Harum, and Dick Dale.

Posted by PopeCharming on Tuesday, 09/8/2015 @ 02:14am

I don't like the FRL prediction this year. No Yes, no Deep Purple, no War, no Meters, no Janet Jackson, no Whitney Houston, no Mariah Carey, no Jan and Dean, no Joan Baez. You are right about Dale, Nilsson and Simone.

Posted by Roy on Tuesday, 09/8/2015 @ 07:30am

WHEN VOTING FOR SENIORITY ON THE FRL PREDICTION
THE 2016 ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES

01. Nina Simone
02. Harry Nilsson
03. Dick Dale
04. Procol Harum
05. The J. Geils Band
06. Rufus with Chaka Khan
07. Chic

WHEN VOTING FOR THE MOST RECENT ACTS
THE 2016 ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES

01. Nine Inch Nails
02. Pixies
03. N.W.A
04. LL Cool J
05. Phish
06. The Smiths
07. Sonic Youth


…And Sting is left out of both lists, but he is the only prediction who has already been inducted once.

Posted by Roy on Tuesday, 09/8/2015 @ 07:59am

The FRL Nominees didn't blow me away. Would be weak again on hard rock and 70's rock. The Pixies would be a horrible choice. The Cure and The Smiths were more important in music and fit the 80's Alternative spot better. I would not vote for The Pixies. Dick Dale is an intriguing name. Would support him depending upon the ballot. LL Cool J would be a nice choice as well. He just doesn't seem to garner enough votes for induction. A real shame. Any combination of Duran Duran, The Cure, The Spinners, Moody Blues, Deep Purple, Ben E. King...I'd probably vote for. Hope they don't put Carole King on the ballot. She's already been inducted. Noticed the buzz on Willie Nelson starting to slow. Might be the lack of recent country artists nominated. Bon Jovi would be a good headliner. Kills many stones at once. 80's band, hard rock, still alive, extremely popular. I think Janet Jackson grabs the Female artist spot. My feeling Chic will be left off this year. With a stacked ballot possibly, they aren't going to receive more votes than Deep Purple or Janet Jackson. Steve Miller is more than deserving with Chicago as 2 of the biggest snubs. KING

Posted by KING on Tuesday, 09/8/2015 @ 18:41pm

I'm curious what Prog fans think about Procol Harum and their chances. They could sneak on as a 60's choice. Most of the talk has Moody Blues or YES chosen as the Prog selection for the ballot. One of the posters made a good point about a guitar legend on the ballot. I wouldn't mind Dick Dale or Link Wray taking a spot. Hoping Deep Purple or Judas Priest receives hard rock or heavy metal slot. I'm starting to think Bon Jovi could receive nomination and induction. Jon Bon Jovi has become one of these larger than life music stars in recent years. He's popular and respected with the musicians and has come across as a good guy. I think the nominations would be better if they let the recent RRHOF inductees nominate a group or singer at the April ceremony. For example,say Green Day nominated The Cure or Joan Jett nominated Pat Benatar. You would know 5 or 6 already and then add 12 or 13 to the total with the RRHOF nominations. It would make the ceremony RRHOF must have ticket. The inducted group would be tight-lipped on who they would nominate. Just a suggestion. Hope they nominate Enig's bands. He puts many hours in good points on his FAV bands. Roy too. I think Roy should be inducted FRL HOF! KING

Posted by KING on Tuesday, 09/8/2015 @ 19:08pm

Chicago

Posted by Karen on Tuesday, 09/8/2015 @ 20:48pm

"Hope they nominate Enig's bands. He puts many hours in good points on his FAV bands."--KING

No, he just puts in many hours, period.

I commented on Twitter on FRL's picks, but never said for whom from that proposed ballot I would vote. It'd be N.W.A., the Smiths, Dick Dale, Harry Nilsson, and Rufus with Chaka Khan.

Don't forget to check out RHM for my prediction too!

Posted by Philip on Tuesday, 09/8/2015 @ 22:31pm

Phillip, can you post here or send a link of your 2016 nominee predictions list? I'm curious what you choose. Even thou I don't always agree with your opinions on various music acts, I always respect your blunt honesty and helpful insight.

Posted by Nick on Tuesday, 09/8/2015 @ 23:04pm

About FRL's predictions list:

I do agree with half your list. They (or he) made some good points behind their choices. Like many have said, it's gonna be tough to determine what's going to be on the ballot since the nomcom crew slimmed down, so I can see where he (or they) came up with the newer acts. (Newer as in 1980s and beyond).

That being said, I don't think there will be any 80s new-wave/alternative acts on this years, although I would like there to be! Most of his (or their) predictions are those that have appeared on the ballot before, and I can see that. I also think it would be too early for Phish. I definitely agree on NIN, N.W.A. and maybe Dick Dale...and I'm more than ready for Nina Simone to get in. I don't even care if she sneaks through the back door. I've started listening to her new stuff a year ago, and I regret not hearing her early on. Other words, she so deserves it. The ballot would be so boring if so many of the acts nominated in the past will clog it. I'm still betting there will be at least one first-ballot nominee (mainly the Pumpkins), but no inductees for next year. And I'm still hoping for Janet Jackson, Stevie Nicks, Todd Rundgren, Weird Al and at least one of the recently deceased. May the best ballot win....

Posted by Jason Voigt on Tuesday, 09/8/2015 @ 23:04pm

Nick, it's rockhallmonitors.blogspot.com

It's also in the Twitter feed for now on the homepage.

Posted by Philip on Tuesday, 09/8/2015 @ 23:12pm

2016
Major Artist: Janet Jackson
Classic Rock: Deep Purple
Sympathy Vote: Joe Cocker
People's Choice: The Smiths
Committee's Choice: Chic
Rap: LL Cool J
Alternative: Alice in Chains
Early: Jackie Brenston and His Delta Cats
Soul: Barry White
Blues: Big Mama Thornton
Folk: Peter, Paul, and Mary

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, 09/9/2015 @ 00:20am

Early Influence: Tommy Johnson
Award for Musical Excellence: The Silver Bullet Band

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, 09/9/2015 @ 00:28am

1. Smashing Pumpkins
2. Nine Inch Nails
3. N.W.A
4. LL Cool J
5. A Tribe Called Quest
6. J. Geils Band
7. Joe Cocker
8. Electric Light Orchestra
9. Eurythmics
10. Chic
11. Kraftwerk
12. The Meters
13. The Spinners
14. The Commodores
15. Janet Jackson

Posted by Charles Crossley Jr on Wednesday, 09/9/2015 @ 01:06am

FRL - A different list, I must say. Nina Simone, Nilsson, Procol Harum....

Dale might be nice, though he and Link Wray would really be good. No Soundgarden or AIC, or Pumpkins, but Sonic Youth? Yes & No. I'd like to see SY get in, & I wouldn't complain if they did get in, but I see creeping backlog setting in (though to be fair, you've nothing to do w/this, as it were).

BTW, I love how Phish has been labeled as a "new immortal" by Rolling Stone. How exactly does one become both "immortal" and "new" at the same time? Immortal is just that - immortal. It has no staring point. Ergo, how can one be crowned "newly immortal"? How can you be both "brand new" & "around forever", as it were?

I'd still toss a vote their way, if only to get chummy w/them, & find out where their fountain of youth is (after all, they're going to be around a while, if RS's account is correct).

Of course, I imagine this fountain is routinely stocked w/phish, so it might be a little hard to snag a drink...

Posted by Cheesecrop on Wednesday, 09/9/2015 @ 06:32am

First of all, I would like to say Thank you to Ben and KING for your kind words and support.

As many of you know, I am an aficionado of "progressive rock," or "art rock." Therefore any time when any band of either genre, or a "prog adjacent" band is mentioned, I will be interested.

Just to recap,

In 1996, Jefferson Airplane and Pink Floyd were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame.

In 2001, Queen was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame.

In 2002, Talking Heads were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame.

In 2004, Traffic was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame.

In 2010, Genesis was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame.

In 2013, Rush was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame. In October, 2012 four "prog" acts had been nominated however: Rush, Procol Harum, Kraftwerk and Deep Purple.

In 2014, Peter Gabriel was inducted as a solo artist. Three "prog" acts: Yes , Deep Purple and Peter Gabriel had been nominated in October, 2013 however.

It is now 2016, twenty years after the induction of two major "prog" artists within the same year. As each of these bands age, members have a tendency to pass away. The recent passing of Chris Squire should guarantee Yes another nomination. Rush's induction should now change things: do not be surprised if most of the 2016 nominees are "prog," or "prog adjacent" artists.

Once again, here is my list:

Once again, here is my final list of nominees for 2016 induction:

Ben

Your list is fantastic. Thank you for posting it.

Here is my amended list:

01. Duran Duran
02. The Moody Blues
03. Yes
04. Sade
05. Carly Simon
06. Electric Light Orchestra
07. Doobie Brothers
08. Foreigner
09. Soundgarden
10. Smashing Pumpkins
11. Nine Inch Nails
12. Deep Purple
13. Chicago
14. Chic
15. Steve Miller Band
16. Sting

Posted by Enigmaticus on Wednesday, 09/9/2015 @ 07:01am

Hey Lax32. You invited comments on your opinions, so I am going to take exception to some of your reasoning. I am admittedly not an expert on any of this, just a fan of classic rock:

1. "Three Dog Night: They were not ever influential at the least. Why there are people that think otherwise baffles me." Sorry you are baffled. I am baffled to know why Sade, Foreigner, Carly Simon, and Whitney Houston are considered influential, not merely popular.
2. "J. Geils Band: no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no! Did I mention No to them already? Well, in that case, No! I am sorry, yet white guy blues bands at that era were a dime a dozen." If the existence of similar groups in the same era is a reason to not consider a group for nomination, one could argue that the Spinners shouldn't be considered. Soulful groups in that era were a dime a dozen - O'Jays, Chi-lites, Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes, etc., etc.
3. "George Thorogood is a heck of a lot more influential than J. Geils, Peter Wolf and Co.; yet Nobody ever thinks Thorogood merits a nomination." If he was so influential, you should include him on your list.

Posted by Tim C. on Wednesday, 09/9/2015 @ 09:00am

With regards to my list of nominees:

I have artists of the following types on my list:

2 progressive rock artists: Yes and The Moody Blues.

2 art rock artists: Duran Duran and Electric Light Orchestra. Although, one could argue that all 4 of those artists are either "art rock," or "progressive rock" artists.

2 jazz and/or jazz rock artists: Chicago & Sade. These artists could also be considered "prog adjacent."

5 hard rock artists: Foreigner, Deep Purple, Soundgarden, Smashing Pumpkins and Nine Inch Nails. The first two: Deep Purple and Foreigner are also "prog adjacent."

2 rock and roll bands: Doobie Brothers and Steve Miller Band.

1 R&B artist: Chic

2 singer/songwriters: Carly Simon and Sting.

Posted by Enigmaticus on Wednesday, 09/9/2015 @ 09:40am

Excellent list 2015 Nominees Charles Crossley Jr. I like LL Cool J as a nominee you might have 1 too many Rap Act. Deep Purple should be nominated and receive induction. Don't know much about The Meters would probably have Bon Jovi instead. The Eurythmics is a nice selection. A unique act like B52's. Smashing Pumpkins and Nine Inch Nails could both be inducted not much competition. Janet has to be the female nominee. Too much fire around her with her new album and concert tour. A King salute to your ballot! KING

Posted by KING on Wednesday, 09/9/2015 @ 21:00pm

Reposting it here for those who haven't read it. My predictions:

1. Chic
2. Joe Cocker
3. Deep Purple
4. the Eurythmics
5. the J. Geils Band
6. Tommy James And The Shondells
7. Chaka Khan
8. Nine Inch Nails
9. N.W.A.
10. Pixies
11. Gil Scott-Heron
12. Smashing Pumpkins
13. Sonic Youth
14. War
15. Yes

Posted by Philip on Wednesday, 09/9/2015 @ 21:05pm

With regards to my list of nominees:

I have artists of the following types on my list:

2 progressive rock artists: Yes and The Moody Blues.

2 art rock artists: Duran Duran and Electric Light Orchestra. Although, one could argue that all 4 of those artists are either "art rock," or "progressive rock" artists.

2 jazz and/or jazz rock artists: Chicago & Sade. These artists could also be considered "prog adjacent."

5 hard rock artists: Foreigner, Deep Purple, Soundgarden, Smashing Pumpkins and Nine Inch Nails. The first two: Deep Purple and Foreigner are also "prog adjacent."

2 rock and roll bands: Doobie Brothers and Steve Miller Band.

1 R&B artist: Chic

2 singer/songwriters: Carly Simon and Sting. One could als argue that Sting is also a jazz artist and that both Carly Simon and Sting are also "prog adjacent."

But are there any connections to any previous Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame inductees?

Doobie Brothers are connected to Steely Dan, whereas many of the other artists have some connections to Rush.

Yes, The Moody Blues and Deep Purple were seminal influences upon Rush.

Duran Duran was an influence upon Rush's "art rock" era recordings. Sting, as the main songwriter for The Police had also influenced Rush, from "Permanent Waves" onward.

Soundgarden, Smashing Pumpkins and Nine Inch Nails were influenced by Rush.

Electric Light Orchestra is a contemporary of Rush.

Foreigner was originally co-founded by Ian MacDonald, a member of King Crimson, which was also a seminal influence upon Rush.

Rush had utilized a "horn section" on their album, "Hold Your Fire," and often Geddy Lee's synthesizers mimic a "horn section" on many of Rush's songs. The "horn section" was a prominent part of Chicago's sound.

Many aficionados of Rush's music also like Sade immensely, due to their jazz style and Sade's soaring vocals and Carly Simon, due to the instrumentation and orchestration behind each of her songs and her soaring vocals as well.

I am not so certain about any connections between The Doobie Brothers, Chic and the Steve Miller Band and Rush, however.

Posted by Enigmaticus on Thursday, 09/10/2015 @ 07:10am

I had meant to say the following, One could also argue that Sting is a jazz artist and that both, Carly Simon and Sting, are "prog adjacent" instead.

Posted by Enigmaticus on Thursday, 09/10/2015 @ 07:18am

Well that is certainly an interesting official list from the Future Rock Legends. Several I never thought of. It is definitely not Safe and Conservative. I think mine is much more so and so many others are. It has Pixies, Sonic Youth, Smiths and Phish on it. I like Phish tremendously. I just don't think it's their time. A lot of Grunge and other alternative would get nominated first I would say. I also think a bunch of Old Prog rock gets nominated first. Procul Harum is possible but I stick with ELO, Moody Blues and Yes this year. My list remains unchanged.
I am Reposting my list of predictions for 2016.

Chicago
Joe Cocker
Deep Purple
Duran Duran
Electric Light Orchestra
J. Geils Band
The Moody Blues
Nine Inch Nails
N.W.A.
Sade
Carly Simon
Smashing Pumpkins
Sting
War
Yes
The Zombies

Posted by Ben on Thursday, 09/10/2015 @ 07:21am

When "scoring" the predictions after the nominees are announced, we'll be using this weighted system again:

* 1 point for a newly eligible artist (like Smashing Pumpkins or Blur)

* 1 point for an artist who has been on the 2013, 2014 or 2015 ballot (Deep Purple, Chic, etc.)

* 2 points for an artist who was nominated between 2006-2012, but not since (Bon Jovi, J. Geils, etc.)

* 3 points for an artist nominated prior to 2005, but not since (MC5, Mary Wells, etc.)

* 4 points to an artist who has never been nominated (eligible less than 10 years)

* 5 points for an artist who has never been nominated (eligible 10 years or more)

* 1,000,000 points if Chicago, the Moody Blues AND the Monkees all make the ballot

Posted by FRL on Thursday, 09/10/2015 @ 15:18pm

My predictions:

1. Chic
2. Joe Cocker
3. Yes
4. Kraftwerk
5. The Meters
6. Smashing Pumpkins
7. Harry Nilsson
8. Nine Inch Nails
9. The J. Geils Band
10. N.W.A
11. Sonic Youth
12. Janet Jackson
13. Link Wray
14. The Marvelettes
15. The Smiths

Posted by The_Claw on Thursday, 09/10/2015 @ 17:05pm

Here are my predictions:
Chic
NIN
NWA
Deep Purple
Bon Jovi
LL Cool J
Joe Cocker
Carly Simon
J Geils
Janet Jackson
Kraftwerk
Meters
Procol Harum
Spinners
Sting

Considered: Willie Nelson or Patsy Cline (they may try and backdoor one of them somehow), Ben E King, Yes, Whitney Houston, War, Smashing Pumpkins, Soundgarden, Judas Priest, ELO

Posted by Classic Rock on Friday, 09/11/2015 @ 12:57pm

My final predictions (in no particular order):

NIN
The Spinners
NWA
J. Geils Band
The Meters
Chic
Smashing Pumpkins
War
Joe Cocker
Yes
Pixies
LL Cool J
Nina Simone

Posted by Paul in KY on Friday, 09/11/2015 @ 15:03pm

Enig:

1. I've listened to most of Duran Durans albums, and they're not even remotely close to being a prog band.

2. What do you make of the new album?

Posted by Sam on Saturday, 09/12/2015 @ 19:04pm

Sam,

Enig lumps prog and art-rock into the same category, pretty much. Art-rock is "prog adjacent" to him, which may have some merit to it, but it's pretty much the same discussion for him.

Posted by Philip on Saturday, 09/12/2015 @ 19:17pm

Sam,

When I had started creating my website back in 1997, "progressive rock" and "art rock" were pretty much interchangeable terms. I did not name my site, 'AKD's Progressive Rock Site.' I had named my site, 'AKD's Art Rock Site,' instead.

I had created the site originally as a College assignment. It had later evolved into a site support "progressive rock" and "prog adjacent" bands.

My central focus was on eradicating the idea that Rush was a "heavy metal" band. At the time, I had strongly detested "heavy metal" and describing Rush as a "heavy metal" band was an anathema, as far as I was concerned. Even describing Rush as a "hard rock" band did not elucidate their musical excellence. My second aim was to prove David Wild wrong and support Rush's induction into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame. I had reasoned that if I could help get people interested in Rush's music, then I could help improve progressive rock's image overall.

Posted by Enigmaticus on Sunday, 09/13/2015 @ 00:29am

Sam,

When I had started creating my website back in 1997, "progressive rock" and "art rock" were pretty much interchangeable terms. I did not name my site, 'AKD's Progressive Rock Site.' I had named my site, 'AKD's Art Rock Site,' instead.

I had created the site originally as a College assignment. It had later evolved into a site to support "progressive rock" and "prog adjacent" bands.

My central focus was on eradicating the idea that Rush was a "heavy metal" band. At the time, I had strongly detested "heavy metal" and describing Rush as a "heavy metal" band was an anathema, as far as I was concerned. Even describing Rush as a "hard rock" band did not elucidate their musical excellence. My second aim was to prove David Wild wrong and support Rush's induction into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame. I had reasoned that if I could help get people interested in Rush's music, then I could help improve progressive rock's image overall.

Posted by Enigmaticus on Sunday, 09/13/2015 @ 00:46am

HOW THE HELL DOES NIN GET IN BEFORE DEPECHE MODE!?! If there's ever been a clearer case for American bias, this is it. DM are more influential, CAME FIRST, and are more popular (100 million records, still playing arenas here and stadiums overseas). Putting NIN in before Kraftwerk and the Mode is like putting in Soundgarden over Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin. Plus, in a day when every song on the radio sounds like a minor league DM backing track, are we sure our fealty to rock is well founded?

Posted by Liquidmuse3 on Sunday, 09/13/2015 @ 02:48am

@ Enigmaticus

I have to agree with Sam that you are defining Rock groups as Prog or Art Rock.

1. Did you know there were 3 bands called Rush? Mahogany Rush may have been considered Metal since their guitarist was said to sound like Hendrix. M & R Rush defined themselves as Metal. We called Rush Rock not Prog back in the 70's.

2. Back in the 70's Prog didn't even take up a whole column in the album section of the record store. I'm fairly certain that Pink Floyd was in the regular Rock section. It's been a while. The only group I can say for certain was in the Prog section was Kansas.

3. First British Invasion was in the 60's. The second British Invasion was in early 80's, although it may have started in 78 or 79. In fact in many respects the 70's was a rejection of the Brits. It came out that the Brits were scamming record sales to get more airplay time.

4. Prog adjacent??? Never even heard the term before. Why would you call Chicago this as if they were the follower when many of groups you define as Prog looked up to Chicago.

5. Chicago never defined themselves as a Jazz-Rock band. The critics called them that. Chicago was influenced by various musical types. Each songwriter in the group concentrated on different influences and Bobby was one that did the Jazz-Rock thing. What Chicago did is what I would call eclectic fusion. Other Chicago artist (Ides Of March, REO, John Prine and Steve Goodman) did this too. This was a strong element of Heartland Rock and I think you mistaking it for Prog.

Zuzu

Posted by Zuzu on Sunday, 09/13/2015 @ 08:02am

1. Chicago
2. Tommy James and the Shondels
3. Patsy Cline
4. Journey
5. Gordon Lightfoot
6. Chic
7. NWA
8. Deep Purple
9. Joan Baez
10. Nine Inch Nails
11. Black Crowes
12. Kraftwerk
13. Janes Addiction
14. Bon Jovi
15. The Fifth Dimension


A few of these I put on here only because I think the NC just can't let go.

2. I also considered the Buckinghams for a Garage Band due to Marty Grebb's health.

3. I also considered Jerry Reid and Willie Nelson for a Country artist.

5. I also considered Steve Goodman for singer-songwriter due to the Cubs standing this year and the cult following he has among the Cubbies.

Posted by Zuzu on Sunday, 09/13/2015 @ 08:53am

One more free opinion that's worth everything you paid for it:

Joe Cocker

Ben E. King

Yes

Deep Purple

Lesley Gore

(The Hall seems to like posthumous inductions, so at least a few of these seem inevitable. Besides, Cocker played at Woodstock, King had at least two solo legendary songs that would look great in the Hall's repretoire, and the Hall is becoming more accepting of progressive groups like Yes.)

The Moody Blues

(Speaking of Woodstock performers...well, they were SUPPOSED to play there, but had a gig in Paris instead.)

Cheap Trick

(Very highly regarded by their peers; since a few punk and new wave groups are now in, it's a matter of time before someone notices the pride of Rockford, Illinois.)

Chicago

(Speaking of groups from Illinois...)

Journey

(Let's face it: the Hall wants acts that can sell Induction Ceremony tickets; even though he has said that he would not rejoin his former band, Steve Perry and Journey would do just that.)

I am going to resist putting in others just because I like them--when I cannot defend them--so I suppose I should leave it at this.

Posted by Joe on Sunday, 09/13/2015 @ 13:46pm

Liquidmuse3, you are showing your rather toffee-nosed side in your ignorance. Depeche Mode was one of the most commercially successful bands for its style, even here in the U.S. Bigger than the Thompson Twins, Dead Or Alive, New Order, Tears For Fears, and even the Eurythmics, I believe. The only synth-rock band that dwarfed Depeche Mode, in terms of commercial success, was Duran Duran. So, the selection of Nine Inch Nails in lieu of Depeche Mode very unlikely has anything to do with Americentrism. The simple fact is that the NomCom as a whole doesn't like synth-rock. None of those acts I mentioned have even been nominated (aside from NIN). And honestly, if there weren't allegedly an impetus to induct more newly eligible modern acts to get younger people interested, Nine Inch Nails may not even have been nominated either.

Posted by Philip on Sunday, 09/13/2015 @ 16:36pm

ZUZU
Strong list Zuzu! I like the Tommy James pick. Have him on my list. He fits 60's selection and songwriter. Have Deep Purple, Bon Jovi, NWA on my Nominees list. The Black Crowes pick is excellent. They are 90's and fit Blues rock spot. I thought about Black Crowes for next year. Jane's Addiction another one I have for next cycle. You picked a few nobody has talked about. You might win the FRL points thing if a few are selected. KING

Posted by KING on Sunday, 09/13/2015 @ 17:14pm

I must admit, I'm not on board with people's predictions of Bon Jovi or Chicago. Both are plausible in that one's been nominated before and one's been considered, but overall, the tide just hasn't been in their favor. In some ways, it's almost more surprising that Bon Jovi even got nominated than that they haven't been inducted.

IMHO, I feel like if either Bon Jovi or Chicago are nominated, it will strictly be to prevent Deep Purple from being the runaway winner in the fan ballot. If Deep Purple's not nominated, Bon Jovi and Chicago almost certainly won't either. Again, just my thought.

Also, no comments on my prediction? Everyone's had something to say about everyone else's, yet almost complete silencio here on mine.

Posted by Philip on Sunday, 09/13/2015 @ 18:25pm

Philip,

I will comment on your predictions. We have 8 in common in fact. Joe Cocker is a fine choice as a posthumous pick since he recently passed. Deep Purple is a great Hard Rock choice. That is actually why I took Bon Jovi off. I think The Hall wants to work with 70s Hard rock first.

J Geils Band is a great Blues rock choice and they have been nominated before. War and Yes are good choices too that we agree with. Yes stand a good chance as a Nominee since Chris Squire Passed.

Now I'm not on board really with Bon Jovi. I am on board though with Chicago. A real long career that goes way back. They satisfy both Jazz rock and Pop Rock. My feeling there is if Hall & Oates got inducted then surely Chicago with an longer and more diverse career can.

There are some Comments.

Posted by Ben on Sunday, 09/13/2015 @ 19:01pm

Philip

I saw your list and don't like The Pixies pick. Don't think they should be inducted. The Eurythmics a cool pick that might pick up points if it hits. Many are on my list Deep Purple, War, Nine Inch Nails, etc. So many musicians have died in last few years, I wonder if Joe Cocker beats out Mr. King. I think Bon Jovi makes a good headliner choice. It would bring down the house Bon Jovi & Sambora finishing the night with acoustic Wanted Dead Or Alive. Have J.Geils Band & Smashing Pumpkins on my Nominees list as well. 1 could get inducted. I hear people saying Smashing Pumpkins won't get inducted first ballot but Green Day did. Don't see where Green Day was that much superior to Smashing Pumpkins. You could make the argument Smashing Pumpkins were more innovative than Green Day and have just as much influence. Philip, love the Deep Purple pick. They should make induction. My only mistake is not putting Procol Harum on the ballot. Might change them and YES! Enig & Ben have a few ballots lost count. Enig helped get Rush in RRHOF maybe he can get Duran Duran and Moody Blues too. KING

Posted by KING on Sunday, 09/13/2015 @ 19:22pm

King

Thanks. I picked Black Crowes over other groups of that period because they have songs that a wider range of people know. I can see Jane's Addiction benefiting from Dave Navarro being on Ink Master by keeping them on people's minds.

I probably have some picks that nobody else has because I'm significantly older than most people on here and it gives me a different perspective.

I agree with what you said about Musical Chairs and there are some huge gaps that need to have some representation. Not everybody is going to get in and the NC needs to get picky and start picking the best in each group to be fair.

Zuzu

Posted by Zuzu on Sunday, 09/13/2015 @ 21:42pm

KING,

I don't like Pixies either, and that's why I chose them. On my blog, I specifically said, when in doubt, pick the band you don't like, so that's why I picked them. Same reason I picked Joe Cocker and Yes instead of Lesley Gore and Ben E. King.

The difference between Smashing Pumpkins and Green Day is that Green Day had already been sucking Wenner's dick by the time they were eligible. Billie Joe inducted the Stooges in 2010, and I believe the band was together to induct Guns N' Roses in 2012... plus the liberal politics in "Minority" and "American Idiot." They scratched in all the right places with the Foundation to the point that it was a foregone conclusion that they'd be ushered in as soon as possible, despite the fact that their merits were only middling compared to those they shared a ballot with. Billy Corgan and company haven't been kissing up to the establishment.

And Enig did not help get Rush in the RnRHoF. Nobody at the foundation gives a shit about what we say here. They don't read this site, they don't care about us, and if they did, they'd have been as annoyed with his day-and-night flood posting about Rush the way everyone else on this site (except you) is. He had nothing to do with getting them inducted. It's a delusion to believe otherwise.

Posted by Philip on Sunday, 09/13/2015 @ 21:53pm

Philip,

I will make some other comments. I don't really agree with the Eurythmics. I don't really like them. I never personally liked Annie Lennox. Leaving that aside I see them nominated in 4 or 5 years. I think Duran Duran would be nominated first. A similar type of group in the 80s but bigger and more influential.

You Have Tommy James and the Shondells as a 60s choice. I went with the Zombies because I think Steve Van Zant likes them much more. He has quite a bit of influence in the Nom com.

You have a good point with Chaka Khan. I left her off. Not sure about her yet. Nine Inch Nails and N.W.A. both of which I don't care for are on my list too. I just feel that the Hall will nominate those 2 again.
I went with some others that are different like Chicago and the Moody Blues. I recently added a singer songwriter with Carly Simon. I'm sort of in the Enig camp a bit. Some are different than him like J Geils. The Blues Rock thing. In general Philip you have a decent list.

Posted by Ben on Sunday, 09/13/2015 @ 21:53pm

Philip

How much do you know about Chicago that you think that they would only be chosen if Deep Purple was also chosen? You do know about the Jann Wenner - Chicago feud?

Government covered Chicago's Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is? and the cover is on Deep Purple's Anthology set.

Zuzu

Posted by Zuzu on Sunday, 09/13/2015 @ 22:06pm

Philip: I read your post with great interest, and I'm working on a blog post at the Northumbrian Countdown comparing the lists of the major Rock Hall watchers, such as yourself, Tom Lane, Charles Crossley, and of course, FRL. If it is feedback you want, it is feedback that you shall get.

Posted by AlexVoltaire on Sunday, 09/13/2015 @ 22:37pm

Ben, not a Eurythmics fan either. I'm pretty much expecting the ballot to be full of acts I either am lukewarm to or don't like. Ideally, Duran Duran would be first, but I'm not hopeful.

The Zombies are a decent choice as past nominees, they have some momentum. I just figure Tommy James' appearance for Joan Jett would help his cause a bit more.

And I did have a singer/songwriter too, just not a traditional "singer/songwriter".


Zuzu, it's half about Chicago not being well-liked by the NomCom, and half about how much Dave Marsh hates Deep Purple. So far, every act that has finished first on the fan ballot has gotten in. Nothing conclusive, of course, but if true, I figure Dave and his camp would try to throw a huge name, populist act that could beat Deep Purple in the fan ballot/poll. If my predictions prove 100% accurate (which of course they won't), Deep Purple would likely run away on the fan ballot. None of the newly eligibles would be able to top DP.... the only viable candidates that I think could beat DP in the fan poll are: Chicago, Bon Jovi, ELO, the Moody Blues, and Motorhead. And I don't see any of those five getting nominated unless Dave Marsh wants someone on there to beat Deep Purple in the fan ballot.

It's a lot of conjecture, but that's my rationale behind my statement about Chicago not appearing without Deep Purple. But I think DP has had enough momentum that Marsh wouldn't be able to block their nomination.

Posted by Philip on Sunday, 09/13/2015 @ 22:39pm

Pope/Alex... I got your feedback on Twitter. Love the feedback I got from you.

Posted by Philip on Sunday, 09/13/2015 @ 22:42pm

Philip

It seems most of the FRL posters have similar nominees with a few Wild Cards. A few years ago, my Peter Gabriel Wild Card hit and he was inducted. That was a great feeling. There seems an interest in Prog I can see Prog Inductee YES and hard rock/metal Deep Purple. Bon Jovi would make a good headliner and appeals to a great swath of the music lovers. I would like to see The Spinners get inducted this time. They are deserving for sure. Link Wray or Dick Dale deserve to be inducted maybe the Hall will try to get them through the back door. I don't always agree with Enig's posts but he presents good research and backing for his arguments. I'm hoping The Cure receives a nomination. KING

Posted by KING on Monday, 09/14/2015 @ 00:12am

His "research" is often so heavily laden with his own personal bias and his own priorities (continuous track record for excellence is highly subjective.... I know people who think U2 should have hung it up after "War") that it's "salty soup" as opposed to "salt in soup."

Even if his postings were greatly toned down, that still doesn't excuse the forum flooding he frequently subjects us to.

And again, I say this as someone who'd love to see Duran Duran and Bon Jovi inducted, thinks Deep Purple is highly deserving, would be okay with Yes getting in.

Posted by Philip on Monday, 09/14/2015 @ 00:21am

Thank you Zuzu for the clarification. I had not set foot in a record store by myself, prior to February, 1979. My parents had forbidden me from listening to rock music.

As far as the three Rush's are concerned, I think that someone had the brilliant idea of placing them on the same bill in their early days.

Posted by Enigmaticus on Monday, 09/14/2015 @ 01:57am

Enigmaticus

Mahogany Rush was from the early 70's from Canada. M & R Rush is from the early 80's and had a regional following. They are from the same neighborhood as Styx.

Zuzu

Posted by Zuzu on Monday, 09/14/2015 @ 06:56am

Philip

I see where you're coming from but There is mounting pressure for Chicago and I think that Chicago has the votes. I sense that it's gone from WTF to this is BS and it better stop NOW. If Smashing Pumpkins gets nominated before Chicago it's going to hit the fan. Check out the 4/29/15 entry on Forgotten Hits about the R & R Hall. People are out right PO'ed with Jann Wenner and his cronies.

I don't get why people keep forgetting about Journey's fanbase. If you want I could give you a breakdown. I would add them. I would also add any Country icon like Patsy Cline or Willie Nelson. It's not about what you see now or on this site but who will be motivated and organized when it matters.

Zuzu

Posted by Zuzu on Monday, 09/14/2015 @ 08:25am

Philip,

You and I are quite obviously from two different generations.

Next February, I will celebrate the 54th anniversary of my birth. First of all, I was home schooled at an early age; I did not attend kindergarten.

When I was 6 years old, I had started reading Medical encyclopedias.

When I was 7 years old, I had won first place in a statewide art contest.

I had co-written my first composition at the age of 11. Unfortunately, it was too Russian sounding and had won second place.

I had attempted to learn how to play the piano at about the same time. Unfortunately, my lessons were cut short by my mother.

I was a member of a church youth singing group in my early teens. After the group's leader had been transferred, the band dissolved.

When I was 17, I was first introduced to the music of Rush, while attending the "Heart Seminar" at the University of Arizona Health Sciences Center.

In August 1980, I started taking classes in Architecture at the University of Arizona. In September, 1980 I had discovered the music of The Moody Blues.

In mid October, 1980 I had purchased my first music on cassettes: "Lost In Love" by Air Supply and "The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack To Xanadu" by various artists.

In late October, 1980 I was reintroduced to Rush's music via "Hemispheres" and to Pink Floyd via "Dark Side Of The Moon."

In early November, 1980 I had purchased "Grand Illusion" by Styx on cassette.

In early December, 1980 I had purchased "A Farewell To Kings" on cassette and I had first heard their epic, 'Xanadu.'

By mid December, 1980 I had been introduced to the music of Heart, Fleetwood Mac and Abba.

I had majored in Civil Engineering during the Spring Semester of 1981.

In June, 1981 I was introduced to the music of Yes.


During that summer, I had also purchased my first albums on vinyl. Those albums were mostly progressive rock albums.

By August, 1981 I had changed my major to Business. I had also discovered other artists which I did not particularly like.

In late October, 1981 I had purchased "Exit... Stage Left" by Rush.

Posted by Enigmaticus on Monday, 09/14/2015 @ 09:30am

Philip,

When I looked at your list again for a Singer/ Songwriter I noticed Gil Scot Heron. I believe that's your Singer/Songwriter choice just not a traditional one. I never would have thought of that one. I don't really know much about him. He had a tune The Revolution will not be televised. I can see him nominated someday now that I'm thinking about it. I'm going a much more traditional route with Carly Simon. It's the same way Linda Ronstadt went in. Enig convinced me about Carly. The committee has been Modernized a little but not that much. Only 50s fans have mostly been let go. The field is still open for any 60s or 70s regardless of genre.

I notice you have Chic. I have predicted Chic to be inducted for a few years regardless of a complete dislike for them to get them over with. I've given up on them. I'm predicting they will finally give up. This group has been nominated 8 or 9 times. My feeling is they will go with Nile Rogers for Musical Excellence category at this point.

We do agree in many cases with our lists.

Posted by Ben on Monday, 09/14/2015 @ 09:41am

Fast forward to late May, 1997. After 5 years of taking care of my late grandmother who had developed Alzheimer's disease, I had enrolled in a local community College class, wherein I had learned HTML. I was also working part time as a Rural Carrier Associate for the U.S. Postal Service. After having read numerous articles and books on the subject over the years, I had decided to rate various "progressive rock" albums. In the late autumn of 1997, I was asked by the committee to induct Rush into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame, if I would support their cause. Prior to this time, I had sent various emails about their eligibility. I also knew that Pink Floyd and Jefferson Airplane had been inducted the year prior.

During that time, I was also asked by one major site to become their resident expert on "progressive rock."

I had also co-written reviews on other websites.

I had over 100,000 visitors to my site by that time.

My website had predated this site by approximately 9 years.

Posted by Enigmaticus on Monday, 09/14/2015 @ 10:05am

Enig
That was incredible timeline of your life. I also helped take care of Alzheimer grandparent for a few years. 24/7 work. They start walking or turn burners on and forget tough situation. Think you are doing excellent work on the FRL posts bringing Prog into the light and intelligent discussions why Duran Duran, Moody Blues, Yes, etc should be inducted. Your about 12-13 years older than me. We have different musical tastes but Duran Duran is something I agree upon. Not even a nomination. I mean groups like Elvis Costello, REM, and The Pretenders get 1st ballot treatment. Don't understand RRHOF sometimes.

Zuzu-Excellent points made on Chicago. The Chicago fans are frustrated and announcing their voices. Could be a Rush situation as they are bombarded with e-mail and other forms of media about Chicago and their induction now. You and the Chicago area people brought up many Chicago bands who deserve nomination and induction. Maybe, the new shakeup in the Committee will help Chicago make RRHOF. I'm wondering if they move Willie Nelson to a Musical Excellence or someway to get him inducted. KING

Posted by KING on Monday, 09/14/2015 @ 15:54pm

Lol at questioning the first ballot status of Elvis Costello and R.E.M.. Both are defining acts in their respective genres.

Chicago does not have nearly the same vocal or powerful fanbase as KISS and Rush did. This is coming from someone who is a fan (owns many of their albums) and feels like they have waited long enough. I just don't see it happening.

That being said, Smashing Pumpkins deserves to be a 1st ballot Hall of Famers. They had 2 albums that defined the 90's and establish Alternative Rock.

Posted by Gassman on Monday, 09/14/2015 @ 16:27pm

Here are my predictions:

Chaka Kahn and Rufus
Chic
Janet Jackson
Kraftwerk
The Meters
N.W.A.
Nine Inch Nails
Smashing Pumpkins
Sting
The Cure
The J. Geils Band
The Spinners
War
Warren Zevon
Yes

If I could personally pick the 15 nominees:

Cheap Trick
Chicago
Deep Purple
Janet Jackson
Joy Division
Judas Priest
Carole King
King Crimson
Kraftwerk
N.W.A.
Nine Inch Nails
Smashing Pumpkins
Soundgarden
The Cure
The Spinners

Posted by Gassman on Monday, 09/14/2015 @ 16:42pm

@King

Just for the record I'm about 15 or 16 years older than you.

Almost all of the inducted artist from Chicago are either Blues or R & B. The exception is ‎Roger McGuinn of the Byrds and the funny thing is the Old Town School of Folk Music considers Steve Goodman its star alumni not Roger McGuinn. The death of Gary Richrath adds to it.

I'm not sure that there will be an e-mail campaign. Think Disco Demolition - if Chicago doesn't get in people will fume and something will happen and an emotional explosion. Smashing Pumpkins could be the set off. It's Billy Corgan's attitude. Anyway, Peter Cetera all of a sudden is playing the bass and singing more Chicago songs makes me think something might be going on behind the scenes.

I think Willie Nelson or Patsy Cline could get in on their own. I could see Musical Excellence being used for Andy Fraser or Jim Peterik who may not have enough in one endeavor but have several endeavors that add up.

Posted by Zuzu on Monday, 09/14/2015 @ 20:38pm

"Lol at questioning the first ballot status of Elvis Costello and R.E.M.. Both are defining acts in their respective genres." -Gassman

No kidding. The comment in question is what we call an Eddie Trunk/Little Steven hybrid facepalm.

Posted by DarinRG on Monday, 09/14/2015 @ 21:23pm

@ Gassman

You have to look in the right places to hear Chicago fans. I was reading suggestions for a Voice contestant with a range similar to PC and it was several weeks in before somebody suggested a Chicago song and after that there was a flood of request for Chicago songs. Kiss had an army spearheaded by a DJ. Those momentum things don't happen on their own - somebody is doing something behind the scenes. You can tell who they are by the bully squads that show up when you say something negative about them such as Led Zeppelin

I don't think any of the 3 you mentioned deserve to get in on 1st ballot but I think just doing something different is enough. You also need to have a geographical switch and none of those 3 did - but Chicago did.

By the way Rufus is a good and deserving choice but I think the need a little hometown backing to get them in.

Posted by Zuzu on Monday, 09/14/2015 @ 21:26pm

Zuzu,

People may be PO'ed at Wenner and his cronies, but Wenner and his cronies are still in charge, and they revel in that power. They rather pride themselves in not kowtowing to John Q. Public. I'm not underestimating Journey, either. I think that being the punchline in many an episode in early seasons of Glee both help and hinder their cause. It would be competitive, but I think Deep Purple would beat them out in the fan poll.

Ben,

Linda Ronstadt did not get in on the singer/songwriter tip... remember, that year, she was inducted with Cat Stevens, the singer/songwriter pick that year. Carly Simon has not even been considered. Scott-Heron has been, and if I wanted to go more traditional, I'd have picked Todd Rundgren, also a Previous Considered choice.

Posted by Philip on Monday, 09/14/2015 @ 21:54pm

I'm just curious if an act is "previously considered" by the committee, then does it not count if that act has yet to officially appear as a nominee on the Rock Hall ballot? I'm only asking because it's something I've always wondered but never fully understood. If someone's previously considered (The Moody Blues, for example), who's saying they were previously considered: a Rock Hall committee member?

By the way, Todd Rundgren would be an awesome singer-songwriter choice. However, I think he would most likely get inducted in the musical excellence category for his extensive producing credits. Phillip you had some good picks, even if a couple were unconventional (Scott-Heron, Eurythmics and Pixies come to mind, although they're all worthy I can see them nominated (especially the first 2) at the end of this decade).

Also, I agree 100% with Gassman and DarinRG on the 1st-Ballot inductions of R.E.M. and Elvis Costello. If anyone doubts why they were inducted first-ballot (especially R.E.M.), I seriously question a person's credibility.Not meant to be a knock or anything, but R.E.M. was one of the pioneering alternative, post-punk bands in American rock music and one of my all-time favorite groups. Also, I'd support The Moody Blues and Chicago in a heartbeat and hope one of them appears on the Rock Hall ballot this year. It's long, long overdue for both of them.

Posted by Nick on Monday, 09/14/2015 @ 23:13pm

@ Philip

I was talking about fan votes if they were nominated.

honestly I don't think the hall is trying to put in the most deserving. too many people on the Nom Com have a vested interest in who gets in the hall. I'm sure deals are made in exchange for votes and I'm sure people are put in to generate interest and money.

Journey songs probably top the list for groups with the most songs used on voice competition shows. Don't Stop Believing is the most downloaded song on I-Tunes that is not from the 21st century. Journey gets a lot of attention. that brings people in - and that generates money.

Wenner and his cronies are not impervious. They PO enough people who become motivated it will come back to bite them. Everybody has a breaking point. The question is why is the show on cable and not network tv.

Posted by Zuzu on Monday, 09/14/2015 @ 23:24pm

Gassman & DarinRG
I'm curious if you think Duran Duran should have been 1st ballot if you think Elvis C & REM deserve 1st ballot. Duran Duran has more hits & album sales than both and was a pioneer in music video. They were also influential and important art rock or new wave group 80's and still rocking. For someone young in 80's, I'm curious on 10 bands you think were immortals and deserving 1st ballot. Thanks! KING

Posted by KING on Tuesday, 09/15/2015 @ 00:15am

Zuzu,

That's why I said Chicago is one of the few possible, viable candidates that could beat Deep Purple in the fan ballot. The question is, what would it take for the NomCom to allow Chicago on the ballot? My thought is that it would only happen if Dave Marsh wanted an act that could beat Deep Purple in the fan poll.

Nick,

I'm guessing that Considered means that they were one of the three names submitted by a NomCom member at the meeting, but didn't make it onto the final ballot.

Enig,

While your accomplishments are impressive, and it reveals things we actually have in common, that does not mean a) that the Rock Hall powers-that-be pay attention to you, or b) that prog and art rock are more important than soul, rap, arena rock, doo-wop, singer/songwriters, etc.

Posted by Philip on Tuesday, 09/15/2015 @ 00:28am

Also Zuzu, network TV time is way too expensive, the presenters like to swear too much for network, and the demographic is a bit too niche for ABC or CBS.

Posted by Philip on Tuesday, 09/15/2015 @ 00:31am

Philip

You have made an excellent point. Carly Simon has never even been considered. As far as Linda Ronstadt she did go in at the same time as Cat Stevens. I think that happened because of sympathy for her due to Parkinsons. The Hall didn't want another Donna Summer situation. It's not that I supported her a lot but the Hall was valuing Summer and missed the boat while she was alive. Also it served to keep things balanced out in the year that both Kiss and Nirvana went in.

Now just so you know last year I was predicting Carole King for the 2016 ballot. I withdrew that because people made the Point that she is technically in already. Carly Simon has a much larger catalog of albums. I'm keeping my list the
same.

In General I think your list is Great. Hey you have both Deep Purple and J Geils Band on it. Both on mine. Also Yes. I am going with Enig on extra Prog nominees. I always predict the Moody Blues. Long before I knew Enig I was doing that. Now that the Nom Com has been changed or Updated I think Prog rock will come more to the Ballot. Enig is more Prog than me. I predict J Geils as well. That is straight out Blues Rock.

Posted by Ben on Tuesday, 09/15/2015 @ 05:32am

Thank you Ben and King,

The Rock Hall has addressed many different genres since being founded. I will openly admit that "progressive rock" and "art rock" artists have been a severe oversight on their part. However, they are a private foundation and they are allowed to do what they want. Moreover, some of their induction have been impressive; in 2013, the overdue inductions of the late Donna Summer, Randy Newman, Heart and Rush were a good place to start. After that however, except for perhaps the overdue inductions of Peter Gabriel, Hall And Oates, the late Stevie Ray Vaughan and the Paul Butterfield Blues Band, the induction have been less than exciting.

Next year, the Rock Hall once again has the opportunity to restore it's reputation with the induction of several overdue "progressive rock" and "art rock" artists. They also have the opportunity to induct other deserving singer/songwriters who have been long overdue for induction.

They also have the ability to bring a sense of continuity to the proceedings. What better way than to nominate the following artists?

The Moody Blues
Yes
Electric Light Orchestra
Duran Duran
Sade
Carly Simon
Doobie Brothers
Foreigner
Chicago
Sting
Deep Purple
Chic
Smashing Pumpkins
Nine Inch Nails
Soundgarden
Steve Miller Band

Posted by Enigmaticus on Tuesday, 09/15/2015 @ 06:51am

Sorry, I had meant to say that some of their inductees have been impressive, instead.

Posted by Enigmaticus on Tuesday, 09/15/2015 @ 06:55am

Thank you Ben and King,

The Rock Hall has addressed many different genres since being founded. I will openly admit that "progressive rock" and "art rock" artists have been a severe oversight on their part. However, they are a private foundation and they are allowed to do what they want. Moreover, some of their inductions have been impressive; in 2013, the overdue inductions of the late Donna Summer, Randy Newman, Heart and Rush was a good place to start. After that however, except for perhaps the overdue inductions of Peter Gabriel, Hall And Oates, the late Stevie Ray Vaughan and the Paul Butterfield Blues Band, the inductions have been less than exciting.

Next year, the Rock Hall once again has the opportunity to restore it's reputation with the recognition of several overdue "progressive rock" and "art rock" artists. They also have the opportunity to induct other deserving singer/songwriters who have been long overdue for induction.

They also have the ability to bring a sense of continuity to the proceedings. What better way than to nominate the following artists?

The Moody Blues
Yes
Electric Light Orchestra
Duran Duran
Sade
Carly Simon
Doobie Brothers
Foreigner
Chicago
Steve Miller Band
Deep Purple
Sting
Chic
Smashing Pumpkins
Nine Inch Nails
Soundgarden

Posted by Enigmaticus on Tuesday, 09/15/2015 @ 07:12am

Enig -- can you elaborate on what you said here?

"In the late autumn of 1997, I was asked by the committee to induct Rush into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame, if I would support their cause."

Also, what was the name of your old site?

Posted by FRL on Tuesday, 09/15/2015 @ 08:53am

King:

Personally I don't think Duran Duran was worthy of a first ballot induction, considering there are plenty of acts that were not but are more important (Michael Jackson, Queen, Pink Floyd, etc). I do however feel however that they should have gotten in 3-5 years after they were first eligible and that they have waited way to long for even their first nomination.

Posted by Gassman on Tuesday, 09/15/2015 @ 09:41am

Certainly FRL,

The name of my old site is AKD's Art Rock Site. It has been archived for several years. I started building my website in June, 1997. My last entries were made in 2008.

Posted by Enigmaticus on Tuesday, 09/15/2015 @ 09:55am

@ Philip

Not sure if you're repeating to emphasize that it's about beating Deep Purple - but yes I think Journey could beat Deep Purple. Deep Purple's voting base is mainly Gen-X males. Journey's base has a higher percentage of females. Men are more interested in rock and are more motivated to see their favorites come out on top.

Journey also has 2 home bases, San Fran and Chi-town. Jonathan Cain is not only from Chicago but is also one of the survivors of the Our Lady of Angels fire. Steve Perry showed up for both the Giant and Sox Championships. Journey has more reserves that have the potential to become motivated when the vote counts.


This isn't an informercial so money would flow into the hall - not out. The networks and cable stations pay for the rights to broadcast the events. Country awards shows are broadcast on network tv. Swearing can easily be handled. So did the hall get no network offers or did they reject network offers and why for either.

Posted by Zuzu on Tuesday, 09/15/2015 @ 10:14am

King - Yes, R.E.M. and Elvis Costello were clearly deserving first ballot inductees. I am a fan of Duran Duran and have been since I discovered them as a kid in the early 80s. I support them as inductees, but don't feel that they've had the career consistency or overall importance to be first ballot deserving. I've also said before that I think they should wait behind Roxy music, Kraftwerk and Chic, who were the major cornerstone influences of the sound.

I consider Duran Duran to be credible and plenty deserving of induction, but not a top shelf snub just yet.

Posted by DarinRG on Tuesday, 09/15/2015 @ 14:27pm

Zuzu,

Some good points, however, I still believe DP would edge out Journey because the overall following of the Rock Hall tends to skew more male, especially if participation on this forum is any indicator. Now, granted, the Steve Perry page shows a glut of women who'd vote for Journey, but there's also to consider that with Eddie Trunk largely present in the movement to get Deep Purple in, he's lying in wait, and he's got the means to mobilize that effort much more quickly, via his program.

I think also for people who try to be more objective in terms of artistic quality, thinking of some of my friends in other internet communities, 70's arena rock is going to get severely stiffed by those who want greater artistry in inductees, and heavy metal and prog are going to get their nod, more likely.

Swearing can be handled, but overall, and the sentiment is clearly expressed by folks like Billy Joel who are seemingly remorseful about the events being televised at all, it's got to be a more polite atmosphere. Also, as editing has shown, when you edit and cram to fit three hours, the overall presentation isn't as great. And that's not even accounting for commercial breaks. And three hours is going to be the limit. Anything over three hours had damn well better be a sports game. I'm not saying it couldn't happen, I'm just saying if it did, you'd need a major overhaul of the formatting, and strictly enforced time allotment, which has only ever happened with KISS.


Enig,

They also have the opportunity to rectify the omission of soul groups, doo-wop, early '60s rockers, etc. While I agree that prog is among the more neglected subgenres, you have to realize that every subgenre has omissions that people find glaring. Even punk.

Also, you said something that caught my eye.

"They also have the ability to bring a sense of continuity to the proceedings."

I think that's where you show you don't entirely understand the Hall, right there. The Hall generally prefers to celebrate diversity and the spectrum/diaspora that is rock and roll music, whereas your dream ballot celebrates a very limited slice. the Hall wants to give something for everybody (supposedly) while yours is an "all for Enig" class. You rather proudly tout the virtues of an all prog, art, and prog-and-art-adjacent rock ballot. It would only "correct" one slighted subgenre, and I put that in quotation marks because it has been shown in many other ways that when one is inducted, there are always more in the queue. You could likely declare prog still criminally overlooked until it exclusively dominates every induction class for the next ten years, and it still wouldn't be enough for you. Meanwhile, arena rock, rap, soul, post-punk, grunge... all go by without so much as a glance because "continuity." Not to mention that your dream ballot has only one Black act on there, and one additional act with a Black frontlady. Every year that all the Performer inductees are White, you hear about it. A "continuity" ballot is just asking for trouble there.

Posted by Philip on Tuesday, 09/15/2015 @ 20:23pm

Deep Purple,Lesley Gore,Dio,Journey,Foreigner,Meatloaf,
War,Judas Priest,Alice In Chains,Nine Inch Nails,Reo Speedwagon,The Zombies,Steppenwolf,Three Dog Night,
Little River Band,Styx,Uriah Heep,
Pat Benatar,Olivia Newton John,
Loverboy,The Doobie Brothers,Rare Earth,Rick Springfield,ELO,Dionne Warwick and Charlie Daniels,

Posted by Ryan Rachal on Tuesday, 09/15/2015 @ 23:36pm

FRL,

When I was referring to "the committee," I was referring to an individual, or a group of individuals who had started this campaign. Once Rush had met the eligibility requirements, I had been asked if I would support their induction. I had told them that I certainly would, if they would provide me with a link. They later sent me a link and an icon in an email. I had then incorporated the link into the body of my Rush Index page.

Otherwise, I had written on other blogs, to other individuals over the years about supporting Rush's induction. My website had been linked my various "rings" and "tags" into the "progressive rock" community. I had also written to other individuals about my ratings on various "progressive rock" albums by various artists. I had never written to the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame personally, but I had signed the online petition and had encouraged other individuals to do so, also. For the most part, I had been actively involved in doing so, until June, 1999 when I had been hired and had accepted my present position with my current employer. Since that time, I had very little free time for updating my website. I would rarely update the site. Then one day several years later, when I had decided to post updates to my website, I had discovered that my website was no longer available. Therefore, my last updated entries had been made in 2008.

Posted by Enigmaticus on Wednesday, 09/16/2015 @ 04:46am

Philip,

I obviously need to clarify what I mean by the terms: "continuity" and "prog adjacent." When, I am referring to continuity, I am referring to how seemingly different artists are connected to each other. The terms "progressive rock" and "art rock" are not so much genres, but attitudes towards creating and performing music. There is a huge variety of difference between any two artists which fall under those umbrellas. For example, neither The Moody Blues, nor Procol Harum, nor Yes, nor Rush, nor King Crimson, nor Gentle Giant, nor Genesis, nor Pink Floyd, nor Jethro Tull, nor Kansas, nor Styx, nor Van der Graaf Generator, nor Emerson, Lake & Palmer sound even slightly similar to each other. Each of those artists have totally distinct sounds, yet they are linked by their connection to musical styles from the past (Baroque, Classical, Romantic and Modern music) and the use of keyboards and synthesizers, and perhaps string ensembles and maybe even orchestras, in order to expand their sound.

Similarly, such artists as: Chicago, Sting and Sade do not sound similar to each other either, except for their connection to jazz.

Also, "prog adjacent" refers to an artist who utilizes one, or perhaps even several parameters utilized by most "progressive rock" artists, although those artists are only tentatively connected. For example, Heart is a hybrid of folk rock and hard rock, but they have utilized string ensembles to flesh out their sound, therefore they are "prog adjacent." Foreigner had incorporated non traditional rock instrumentation, therefore they are also "prog adjacent." The late Donna Summer's music had utilized symphonic support on her songs, therefore she is also "prog adjacent." The same thing is true of Carly Simon, therefore she is also "prog adjacent," as are: Randy Newman, the late Dan Fogelberg, etc.

So, that brings us to the three "art rock" artists on my ballot: The Moody Blues, Electric Light Orchestra and Duran Duran. Neither of those artists sound even slightly similar to each other, yet all of them are connected in more ways than one:

1. All three groups were originally formed in Birmingham, U.K.

2. All three groups have incorporated string sections, or orchestral ensembles, or non rock instrumentation, or keyboards in order to expand their sound.

3. All three artists were also extremely popular during their respective decades: The Moody Blues represent the 1960's, Electric Light Orchestra represents the 1970's and Duran Duran represents the 1980's and beyond.

That, is what I had meant by continuity.

Posted by Enigmaticus on Wednesday, 09/16/2015 @ 05:34am

Phillip,

Trunk said Chicago was next on his list. Did he lie?

There is no such thing as arena rock. We called Journey rock plain and simple. Even though they were a San Fran band they were doing heartland rock. This goes back to the critics mislabeling Chicago as a jazz rock band when they were actually eclectic fusion. It's why the 70's bands had mass appeal. Anybody who is old enough knows Infinity was Journey's best album.

I really need to hear how metal is higher quality. Metal was lumped in with pardy hardy rock. Look at Ozzie. He acts as if his brain was fried. Black Sabbath is probably the main reason people my age can't stand metal. Some other time maybe we can discuss what is rock and what is a rock derivative. It gets a bit complex.

Getting back to Trunk vs Journey. It comes down to Journey's base being motivated. OLA survivors have a website. Remember Johnathan Cain is somebody they grew up with and know. This is personal. Both Sox and Giants fans have several message boards. A lot of the fans will be checking for trade free agent speculation. Sox fans were also able to get the most hated player in baseball into the Allstars.

Posted by Zuzu on Wednesday, 09/16/2015 @ 11:14am

Enig,

No, you didn't need to explain. The point is still the same for while you think of prog-rock and art-rock as "attitudes toward creating music, the fact is that prog-rock and art-rock are subgenres, your ballot is loaded with artists that are either prog, art-rock, influenced by one of those two or helped influence one of those two styles. Your ballot does not celebrate rap, blues, rockabilly, post-punk, etc. Your ballot has "continuity" because at some point, their stylistic paths all cross, possibly to a common single point. Rock Hall classes, and especially ballots are much more diverse than your microcosm.

Posted by Philip on Wednesday, 09/16/2015 @ 22:35pm

Zuzu,

Unless he's changed his mind, Eddie Trunk still considers Deep Purple the biggest snub from the Rock Hall, not Chicago... although I did mention Chicago as one of the acts that I think could defeat Deep Purple in the fan ballot.

You say there's no such thing as "arena rock" but say the term, and most people know what you're talking about: acts like Journey, Boston, Ted Nugent, Foreigner, Styx, etc. And the point is that Deep Purple would be considered more artistic than Journey.

Posted by Philip on Wednesday, 09/16/2015 @ 22:44pm

Philip,

You are probably correct. Those four aforementioned genres, in addition to dance music and heavy metal, are probably not my cup of tea, since I do not dance, nor bang my head. I prefer the kind of music that you listen to, instead of the kind that you dance to.

Posted by Enigmaticus on Thursday, 09/17/2015 @ 09:20am

Enig, I think what Phillip is saying is that if you are really giving a 'prediction' of who the Hall will nominate, then you need to look at genres that you, personally, may not care for.

Posted by Paul in KY on Thursday, 09/17/2015 @ 10:44am

Philip,

It was in an interview with somebody from the hall before Kiss got in. He said something about Kiss first and then Chicago.

Then term was made up after the fact. We defined Nugent as pardy hardy rock. That was our term. Could he even fill an arena? He was a guy thing and the girls weren't into his music. Sort of like Zep but not as bad.

Term is used as a put down. And I think it is a generational thing and I have not seen any consistency. It is right in line with the attempt to redefine the meaning of garage band. And by the way do you realize that you are naming groups with some of rocks all time greatest vocalist?

When you say artistic I think that you are trying to elevate them. All music is art. You can argue styles of art and level of musical ability. with Schon and Rollie's proven track record with Santana and Perry's vocals it's hard to argue musical ability. I see it coming down to style and male vs female tastes in music.

Posted by Zuzu on Thursday, 09/17/2015 @ 10:51am

Paul,

Exactly, but also that his dream of a "continuity" ballot and class is outright unrealistic. We've come pretty close: Van Halen and R.E.M. being icons of the 80's, and Michael Stipe admitting to being hugely influenced by Patti Smith and having the first Grandmaster Flash And The Furious Five LP. Then in 2012, the whole love affair of Donovan, the Beastie Boys, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers... but that's really about as close as it gets. The ballots are pretty diverse, and so are the actual induction classes.

Posted by Philip on Thursday, 09/17/2015 @ 12:19pm

Zuzu,

Fair enough, though I will repeat once again, that I DO think Chicago would beat Deep Purple for first place in the fan ballot. And I'm going for Family Feud Sudden Death here: only the #1 answer matters because the notable trend so far is that who finished first with the fans has gotten inducted. Correlation, not causation, of course, but still worth keeping an eye on.

I didn't know "arena rock" was considered a pejorative. I always heard it used as a term for those who didn't have an edge like AC/DC or even Aerosmith, not hair metal like Van Halen or Bon Jovi, and not wimpy soft like Air Supply or 99% of Bread's stuff. And arena rock is pretty neutral compared to the terms my friends use to describe it: chiefly "cock rock" or, and specifically in reference to Ted Nugent, "butt rock." I don't get why they bag on Uncle Ted so much, but on this site, a lot of people share that sentiment.

I'm not really trying to elevate one over the other. FTR, I enjoy Journey more than Deep Purple, though songs like "Open Arms" and "Faithfully" woo me more towards Deep Purple than any actual DP songs. I'm just voicing what seems to be the atmosphere when you compare the two. As far as fine vocalists... well, I'm more partial to the '60s lead singers and soloists.

Posted by Philip on Thursday, 09/17/2015 @ 12:28pm

Philip,

I would love it if all three were nominated at the same time just to see what really happen. It would also be interesting to see which ones would end up getting nominated under the circumstances.

It is when the hall passes the whole group over and when the person using the term also says popularity or records sales are a negative or speaks negatively of the era of music as a whole.

I do admit to a preference to 70's vocalists but I also feel that some of rocks greatest vocalist are from that era. I also think that vocalists that were singing rock in that era were better trained.

Posted by Zuzu on Thursday, 09/17/2015 @ 14:49pm

Outstanding talk on the FRL site! Chicago and Journey are 2 talked about groups in RRHOF discussion. Let's put Chicago & Journey through the KING tests. The Inclusion Test. Putting a group NOT in Hall Of Fame with a group of bands already inducted. Most are legends. The Who, Pink Floyd, Chicago,David Bowie, Queen, Beach Boys, Journey, Stevie Wonder, Van Halen, REM, Fleetwood Mac, U2. I think Chicago & Journey don't stick out like some bands when they are placed with RRHOF bands. We will move them to Phase 2. The Eraser Test. First Journey. It would be tough to erase Journey completely. As Zuzu pointed out with Schohn and Rollie's Work with Santana and songs like Don't Stop Believin' & Wheel In The Sky & Separate Ways etc. Steve Perry was one of best rock vocalists and for a decade Journey was one of rock's popular groups.
Don't know as much about Chicago but they have several hits through the decades. I've always liked Peter Cetera's voice. Saturday In The Park and 25 or 6 to 4 were big on radio. They had 80's hits with Stay The Night, You're The Inspiration, Hard Habit To Break. It would be tough to erase Chicago as well. Influenced several bands who arrived on the music scene later.
That leaves The First Thought or First Impression Test. Do Chicago & Journey belong in the RRHOF? I'd probably say YES. Sometimes, these tests don't work perfectly but Chicago & Journey look like bands who should receive induction one day. KING

Posted by KING on Thursday, 09/17/2015 @ 14:56pm

Philip,

I almost forgot to add that there is negativity towards Ted Nugent because of his conservative political leanings. I would say that people that are into rock tend to have liberal leanings.

Posted by Zuzu on Thursday, 09/17/2015 @ 14:57pm

Zuzu,

Yeah, the politics unfortunately do play a part. They really shouldn't, and some would argue they're just icing on his Lack Of Merit cake. In the family of Michigan rockers, he's the uncle who's the reason why all family get-togethers have to be dry, since he still won't admit to having a problem.

As for Deep Purple's Journey to Chicago, it's strange to say: Deep Purple's been nominated before, so we know Dave Marsh can't always keep them off the ballot. Chicago and Journey both have yet to get a nomination. I definitely think Chicago would crush both of them in the fan poll. But I'm no hipster who thinks chart success is a reason to keep them out. I just think that Deep Purple's influence on metal and prog would overcome their chart success deficit to Journey, and I think the soft schmaltz of "Open Arms," "Faithfully," and to a lesser extent "Lovin', Touchin' Squeezin'" (though that one's got a good groove to it) would hurt Journey too.

Guess we'll just have to agree to disagree about who would beat whom.

Posted by Philip on Thursday, 09/17/2015 @ 18:56pm

I've honestly never seen anybody argue that chart success should keep someone out.

Posted by DarinRG on Thursday, 09/17/2015 @ 21:27pm

Liam...

Posted by Philip on Thursday, 09/17/2015 @ 21:57pm

Thank you Paul in KY and Philip.

In Yes's song, 'The Ancient,' from "Tales From Topographic Oceans," Jon Anderson asks, "Is the movement in the head?"

That is my manifesto in a nutshell, if something does not appeal to or resonate with me on an intellectual level, then I have little to zero interest in it. This covers music, art, etc.

Posted by Enigmaticus on Thursday, 09/17/2015 @ 22:01pm

Enig,

We're all a little guilty of that, but the point is not be closed off completely, and maybe try to let something grow on you. That's actually how I got into the Spinners as much as I have. Didn't like them much at first, but now I think they're pretty awesome.

Also, just because it doesn't resonate with YOU doesn't mean you should have an intentional blind spot towards what the Hall seems to enjoy honoring.

Posted by Philip on Friday, 09/18/2015 @ 00:36am

King,

What criteria are you using for standing out? I would think Peter Cetera's and Steve Perry's vocals would be enough to stand out. Listen to the live versions of Sing a Mean Tune Kid and Mother Father. How many pros can do either song live at the same quality without the studio fixes?

In addition for Chicago:

they were the most recognizable rock band of the 70's

How many rock bands had horns?

How many rock bands had as many people?

Posted by Zuzu on Friday, 09/18/2015 @ 14:36pm

"In addition for Chicago:

they were the most recognizable rock band of the 70's"

This is 100% false.

Posted by Gassman on Friday, 09/18/2015 @ 14:55pm

Gassman,

This info comes from an online article I came across years ago. They got it from a survey done back in the 70's.

Singles and albums combined Chicago was the top selling rock group of the 70's.

Posted by Zuzu on Friday, 09/18/2015 @ 15:20pm

I've honestly never seen anybody argue that chart success should keep someone out.

Posted by DarinRG on Thursday, 09.17.15 @ 21:27pm


Try looking at comments against Chicago and comments in support of Indie artists and other artist that had no hits. It may not come out in those exact words but the inference is there.

I'm talking about comments not only here but also comments I have come across the internet.

Posted by Zuzu on Friday, 09/18/2015 @ 15:32pm

I just read through the Chicago comments and didn't see any argument that an artist should be disqualified due to chart success. There was some inference that chart success is one of the more trivial considerations in assessing an artist, which I've gone on record agreeing with multiple times, but that's a completely different thought than the one that I was questioning.

Posted by DarinRG on Friday, 09/18/2015 @ 18:14pm

DarinRG,

dinosaurs that sold by the bucket load

Business is to art what Raid is to bugs

just another hit-making band

I would consider these to be examples that infer that high record sales are a negative.


I do disagree with sales being considered trivial. It is an important control in determining balance in the nomination process and an important statistical tool to determine if info on an artist is accurate or complete.

Posted by Zuzu on Friday, 09/18/2015 @ 18:53pm

Okay, I think where we get hung up is that I was looking for a literal, definitive statement that chart success should disqualify an artist rather than comments that show a disdain for it.

I was looking for a finer point than may have been intended.

My stance on the issue is that the charts are no more than an industry gauge of what's being spoonfed to the masses. There are certainly many great, important, deserving acts who did well in that area, but there are just as many who were important, innovative and influential who did not have chart success. In my view the story of RnR history can't be accurately told without both.

Posted by DarinRG on Friday, 09/18/2015 @ 21:11pm

Zuzu

Don't know what you are referring too. The Inclusion Test excludes many groups when you put them up against 10 RRHOF bands including some Immortals. The groups that don't belong or hang with the RRHOF list stand out and can be eliminated. It's good that Chicago & Journey didn't stand out which shows they belong with the RRHOF list.

Enig
Love your posts! FAV. Hope you think about Philip's advice. Maybe, try to listen to an older band or new one outside the prog or prog adjacent acts. You might finish pretty high on the RRHOF nominee prediction points list. Carly Simon starting to get more buzz and Steve Miller and Soundgarden could sneak spots. I'm not hearing overwhelming buzz for Duran Duran but they should be considered and might fill an 80's new wave or art rock slot. KING

Posted by KING on Friday, 09/18/2015 @ 21:21pm

It is that time of the year again! I have been following this sight for a long time...I really have enjoyed the comments! I am a Moody Blues fan and have been for over 40 years. I also enjoy many types of music and have been very fortunate to have seen many of the great classic rock bands live since the 70's. I have to throw my two cents worth in about the RRHOF. I was beyond happy about RUSH but if you look at the Moody Blues they should have been inducted FIRST. The fact is that politics are involved and have been for many many years! Perhaps now the changes in the "smaller" committee will shake things up and finally the Bull SH** will end. I am not going to go over all the wonderful Moodie comments again about all their fantastic accomplishments from the past. Let me speak of the present time. This is and has been the hardest working classic band of all time. They have toured live to sold out shows around the world nonstop in 2015 and years before. Justin Hayward is touring solo backing up his release "Spirits of the western sky" for the third year now when off from the MB shows. He has changed the set list each year. If you are a MB fan you MUST go see this show. New material(some of his best) and classic songs are featured. He has a special band with him in an acoustic set. This year John Lodge released a cd called "10,000 Light years ago" He has new material as well and it is just out of this world. Two of the original Moodies Mike and Ray play on this cd and some VERY talented artists help him out...pure rock magic. Can anyone tell me any band around for over 50 years still touring nonstop and making NEW music? Remember that if not for this band's influence there would probably be no Rush,ELO,Chicago, Yes and many others. Justin is one of the very best song writer's of all time as the UK gave him their top award years ago...sad sad indeed that true legends are snubbed. I guess they have to be dead aka Joe Cocker. I am one of thousands of Moody Blues fans who refuse to visit the "Hall" until this changes! This band has a VERY strong fan base. They had big hits in the 60's, 70's and 80's. A sold out concert crosses generations. Please go check them out as they are back on the east coast US in spring 2016. I will be at the March show in Atlanta just as I was in 2013 for the solo show Justin taped for PBS for "Spirits live"..Any true classic rock fan must see this performance on DVD. Ok I feel better now..thanks!

Posted by Sue on Friday, 09/18/2015 @ 22:44pm

I want to say that as far as my List I think it,s realistic. For instance I think Joe Cocker may easily be nominated in light of his passing. I am not actually not a fan of his really. I only like a few songs. Good chance of induction. I also think J Geils Band have a good chance as a nom, A great Blues rock act. There is usually a Blues Rock act on the Nom list.

I am really not into Nine Inch Nails or N.W.A. I just think both have a good chance being on the list, NIN were nominated last year. That's where I came up with them. N.W.A. is of course my Rap choice. I am not into Rap but there tends to be a Rap choice. They too were nominated last year.

ELO, Moody Blues and Yes satisfy the Prog rock realm. I figure that with the committee having shrunk these are much more possible. Prog Rock has been an Oversight as Enig has said.

I choose Chicago as a pick. They have real long career and yet have been avoided by the Hall until now. They can benefit from the committee change too. I think it's the first 3 or 4 albums that would support their Nom. Duran Duran is an 80s pick of mine. They were so popular after all. They can be viewed as Art Rock.

Deep Purple is my Hard Rock pick. They have nominated before. I do want to stress that I don't feel they will be inducted However. A nom though.

As far as R&B I have 2 choices rather different from eachother. Sade and War. Sade is a way of modernizing the genre in the Hall. War have been nominated before. There is always R&B on the Nom list. There is of course my singer/songwriter choice. Carly Simon is who I choose. It has been pointed out that she has not been previously considered. I'll go with her anyway. Not sure if you have to be in order to Nominated. If she is not on the Nom list I will be more careful next year. There is a further explanation of a lot of my choices.

Posted by Ben on Saturday, 09/19/2015 @ 06:41am

Ben, I understand that you want to have your ballot discussed. I would improve it on two points:

Firstly, why would the Nominating Committee pick three acts to "satisfy the Prog rock realm"? That sounds highly unrealistic. It is possible that they would place one, maybe two prog rock acts on the ballot, but three? The Committee usually picks a quite diverse ballot, with acts from different genres and periods. Furthermore, the committee members that have a dislike for prog rock or that prefer other genres, would never agree with a ballot that contains three prog rock acts.

Secondly, your ballot is quite heavy on 'white' acts. There is only one completely 'black' act (N.W.A.) and two 'mixed' acts (Sade and War) on it. It is unlikely that this could happen. Last year had seven acts on the ballot that were either completely black or mixed. The year before had five, and the year before that eight. Rush was inducted alongside Donna Summer, Public Enemy and Albert King.

Posted by The_Claw on Saturday, 09/19/2015 @ 12:15pm

I was predicting 3 Prog acts based on the Nom com change. There will b a lot less emphasis on Older Oldies acts. Prog rock is an area to be improved on. There is such a buzz on it. I would say that for 2017 there may b an emphasis again on black or mixed. I almost picked the Spinners who I like by the way. I'm thinking that one may get a rest this year. I could see Philip's pick of Gil Scot Heron coming. I also see the Meters coming back. Just not this year. LL Cool J will also return. I just don't think this year. It would clash with NWA. Last year NWA was the one Rap act. Also in 2017 I feel very strong about 2Pac as a nominee. I also see Tribe called Quest coming as a Future Nominee for Rap. Also the Commodores. Just not this year. I can always be wrong with 2016 list. Probably will be to some extent.
I picked 3 prog Rock for this year. I would not be doing that next year in 2017. it would satisfy that genre awhile. Next year may then just be one Prog act.

Posted by Ben on Saturday, 09/19/2015 @ 12:54pm

It's a tough call. The members on the NomCom who are still there are still a diverse bunch. Toure is only going to suggest rap acts. We know this. There may be a push for a little more post-punk, or maybe a couple more hair-metal acts... maybe Huey Lewis And The News... and maybe they double-down on the '70s. It's a crap shoot, even more so now, but three prog... it really only invites dividing the ballot against each other so that none of them make it through... that's my thought. That level only works if you've got less than 12 nominees... which is also a possibility with a smaller NomCom. Of the three you list, I think Yes is the strongest because of a key member's passing this past year.

Speaking of which, I'm a little rueful of picking Gil Scott-Heron in retrospect. The last time the Previously Considered list was updated was before he died, I believe, so him getting considered may have been a one-time thing after he died, not to recur after that. Still, I'll stick with him.

Posted by Philip on Saturday, 09/19/2015 @ 13:44pm

The closest thing to a black artist embracing "progressive rock" that I know of, presently is Sade. Of course, that may change in the future with more artists coming into vogue. I hope that Gary Clark Jr. and Zac Brown may eventually work together and form a "progressive rock" band. So, the future is still full of uncertainty.

What is certain now, is that Duran Duran, Electric Light Orchestra and Yes have been getting much more attention in recent years. The Moody Blues deserve their spot in the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame, as well.

Of course, the hall may surprise us by nominating Procol Harum and if they do, a Moody Blues versus Procol Harum ballot would be quite interesting. I think that Deep Purple will be nominated next year and inducted in 2017 in New York.

Posted by Enigmaticus on Saturday, 09/19/2015 @ 15:40pm

well if prog is about classical elements and string arrangments, then Jackie Wilson could be considered prog adjacent with his interpretations of operatic melodies, such as "Night." Not that I think Jackie Wilson comes close to prog, but that I think he's as close as Sade to prog. The only real difference is that you love Sade and probably don't care much for Mr. Excitement.

Moody Blues vs. Procol Harum would be no contest. MB would beat PH so bad, PH would start to like it a little too much.

Posted by Philip on Saturday, 09/19/2015 @ 15:52pm

Ben,

Thank you for supporting the nominations of The Moody Blues, Yes, Electric Light Orchestra, Duran Duran, Carly Simon and Sade. I really feel that if chosen, this list of inductees would be the strongest class that the Hall has had in years. I think the Rock Hall came very close in 2013, but this list is in a class of it's own, adding The Doobie Brothers and Foreigner to this list and you would have even more spectacular variety and yes, it would silence many of the Hall's critics.

Posted by Enigmaticus on Saturday, 09/19/2015 @ 15:54pm

Ben,

Thank you for supporting the nominations of The Moody Blues, Yes, Electric Light Orchestra, Duran Duran, Carly Simon and Sade.

I really feel that if chosen, this list of inductees would be the strongest class that the Hall has had in years. I think the Rock Hall came very close in 2013, but this list is in a class of it's own. In my honest opinion, adding The Doobie Brothers and Foreigner to this list and you would have even more spectacular variety. I think that it would also silence many of
the Rock Hall's harshest critics, as well.

Posted by Enigmaticus on Saturday, 09/19/2015 @ 15:59pm

Actually Philip,

I have never heard of Jackie Wilson. But you have certainly intrigued me, so, I will have to check his work out.

Posted by Enigmaticus on Saturday, 09/19/2015 @ 16:03pm

Enigmaticus,
No offense, but how can you say that you never heard of Jackie Wilson?? He was one of the most popular American soul singers of the late 1950s and 1960s. IMO, he was one of the greatest live performers and a fundamental figure that bridge the gap between soul/R&B and popular music in the early rock era. He was inducted in 1987, the second class of the Rock Hall (and rightfully so). Listen to some standard Wilson classics: "Lonely Teardrops," "(You're Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher," "Alone at Last," and ironically from your last post's final comment "Baby Workout."

Posted by Nick on Saturday, 09/19/2015 @ 16:20pm

You know who that class wouldn't shut up? The race card players. Because you've only got Chic and the namesake frontlady of Sade. And that's it. Doobie Brothers and Foreigner would offer a very LIMITED variety. I don't know how many times I can point that out before you finally read that.

And Nick, I wouldn't be surprised. Enig is only interested in preserving the legacy of prog and artrock. "Soul" is something on the bottom of his foot, or a fish.

Posted by Philip on Saturday, 09/19/2015 @ 16:40pm

Now I would like to say that I know Jackie Wilson somewhat well. Several tunes anyway. He was inducted back in 1987 or something. He went in promptly. So did the Beatles, Rolling Stones, Temptations and Stevie Wonder. Same thing with the Who my favorite band. Four Tops, Ike and Tina Turner and Creedence Clearwater Revival and the Doors. Soo many others went in promptly. Then something happened. A backlog started developing. It was shortly after Billy Joel and Bruce Springsteen I realized about the backlog.

This backlog includes a lot of Prog groups and also R&B groups like War, The Spinners and the Commodores and the Meters.

Somehow the Jackie Wilson comment triggered off for me memories of when the Hall was on the mark.
At one time they were. This site was created after all because the Rock Hall is no longer on the mark like they were. I mean I think so.
Now I am predicting 3 Prog Rock acts this year because I believe at least 3 Hard Rock acts have been nominated. Several years ago perhaps. It's an experiment in predicting. In fact Deep Purple was nominated at the same time as Kiss in 2014. So now there is a buzz over Prog. Moody Blues and Yes have the best chance as Noms. ELO not quite as much but still a good chance.
I do however say that a larger amount of Urban artists will be nominated next year. That would be the year 2Pac is nominated. Commodores would be a much mellower opposite to the Rap next year. I will stick with 2016. This year may be less Urban. Also less on the Hard Rock.
Deep Purple should come on strong there. As a Nom anyway

Posted by Ben on Saturday, 09/19/2015 @ 19:58pm

It's easy to say that the Hall was on the mark in the early years, because they were mostly. But there's two big reasons for that, one of those being thanks to the Hall's own doing, and the other being just circumstances of that time.

1. There was a lot less artists for the Hall to induct. Thanks to the 25 year rule, in 1986, the Hall had to induct artists from 1960 or before. Now obviously there was plenty of candidates even then to choose from, but again, you only had artists of a roughly 6-7 year period to choose from. Today in 2015, the Hall has artists from about 37 years (1953-1990) to choose from. Granted a lof the most deserving artists in about 25 years of that time period are already in, but still there's a way bigger pool of artists to choose from.

So in short, there wasn't near as many snubs in the early years of the Hall like there is now.


2. The Hall, with the exception of 1988 and 1989, had 6-9 inductees every year until 2003, meaning they were inducting plenty of artists every year. Starting in 2003 (with the exception of 2004), and up until 2012, the Hall went back to only inducting 5 artists per year. The Hall was already starting to develop a backlog by 2003, and because the classes became so much smaller, the backlog only increased. If the Hall had stayed at around 7 inductees (like what we did here on the Rock Hall Revisited and Projected project), from 2003-2015 (taking the 2004 and 2012 classes out of the equation), there would be around 19 more artists inducted into the HOF than there are now. We would have a much smaller backlog than we do now, if those 19 extra artists were in the HOF now.

I honestly feel the Hall going on a near 10 year run of 5 inductees, was the worst move the HOF made in it's history. It really led to the huge backlog they have now in my book.

Posted by Donnie on Saturday, 09/19/2015 @ 21:21pm

I am one of a small group of ladies here and I have to say I enjoy the discussion but please can we play nice? I love the "Moody Blues" above all others and I know music. I also know all GENRES of rock and roll can be traced back to the early delta blues. Artists like Eddie Jones,Al Green,Stevie Wonder,Robert Johnson,Joe Turner, Ray Charles and Muddy Waters impacted rock and roll and yes I know who they are including Jackie Wilson. I also love Lorenna MCkennett,Enigma,Mary Youngblood,Alan Jackson,Kenny G,Vangelis,Nine Inch Nails,Creed,Munford and son,Zac Brown Dave Matthews Band and many others. The point is that groups like the Moodies have longevity Give them a break they were even on the Simpsons. It would be very sad if the "Committee" put them off several more years until one of the original members passes. Now is the time they can all Jam together again..we have waited long enough. As I said we all have to compromise here but can anyone here dare argue with me about this band and the influence on Prog rock. This GENRE can not continue to be swept under the carpet... Sold out shows and millions of sales... I am so happy Rush made it...Time for the "Moody Blues"

Posted by Sue on Saturday, 09/19/2015 @ 21:30pm

I posted my list of predictions about a month ago, but didn't really give any explanations for my picks. As I made a much more detailed blog on the subject on my Facebook page for those to read. However, most of the people on this message board aren't on my Facebook page, so I will now go ahead and re-post my list of predictions with more detailed explanations for my picks. I'll try to keep it shorter compared to my blog.

Before I begin with my list, every year when I make my list of predictions, I divide out my predictions on unofficial "categories" that the Hall tends to have on their ballot each year. As everyone (for the most part) here knows, the Hall is very diverse in their choices, and thus those of us that want to have a legit shot of getting our predictions right, we have to be diverse in our choices as well. So here are my 8 unofficial "categories" that I go with.

1. Newly Eligible/Headliners
2. 70's/80's Classic Rock Acts
3. 50's/60's Rock & Roll/R&B Acts
4. Alternative Rock Umbrella Acts (Punk, Post-Punk, New Wave, Electronic, Grunge, Art Rock, etc)
5. Classic R&B/Soul/Funk/Disco Acts
6. Rap Acts
7. Singer-Songwriter/Solo Acts
8. Outside Genre/Left-Field Picks (Country, Blues, Jazz, Reggae, Novelty Acts)

So here are my picks by category...

Newly Eligible/Headliners


The Smashing Pumpkins

To me, the Smashing Pumpkins are the only newly eligible act that has a clear path to the ballot. There's plenty of deserving acts becoming eligible this year, but all of them have obstacles in their way to appearing on the ballot. Mariah Carey, to me can't make the ballot until Whitney Houston and Janet Jackson get inducted. The Hall has shown serious reluctance to embrace female pop stars, and it would just be baffling for the Hall to skip over Whitney and Janet and go right to Mariah. Alice in Chains is too "metal" for the Hall to go for at this time, especially when there's other alt-rock acts the Hall would be more likely to go for instead. Blur had too little success in America so they won't be on the radar, most likely. Hole is a possibility thanks to the notoriety of Courtney Love who could provide female presence on the ballot, but ultimately there are so many other alt-rock bands now eligible that should be in before Hole. I strongly believe that the Hall will not nominate any other rap acts so N.W.A. has a more clear path towards induction. So that means a Tribe Called Quest and Ice Cube (for his solo career) will not be on the ballot. The Hall is nowhere near ready to start going for 90's electronic acts, so Moby stands little chance. Kid Rock, Celine Dion, the Black Crowes, and Primus are notable names but either lack the critical acclaim or starpower to make the ballot.

But of course there's going to be at least one newly eligible act on the ballot, so that leaves the Smashing Pumpkins.

Other Possibilities: Mariah Carey, Alice in Chains, a Tribe Called Quest, Blur, Hole


70's/80's Classic Rock Favories

Deep Purple

Deep Purple are the biggest shoe-in remaining for 70's hard rock now that Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, KISS, Aerosmith, Queen, AC/DC, Van Halen, Alice Cooper, and Rush have been inducted. Sure there's other worthy acts in that genre, but Deep Purple is the remaining shoe-in. They've been nominated twice in 2013 and 2014 but were shut out by two bands that were more popular in American and in current pop culture (Rush and KISS). Now if they make the ballot, there's really no one left standing in their way. I think this will be their year.


Pat Benatar

The Hall has obviously been under more pressure in recent years to have more female representation on their ballot, and I believe the Hall will want to continue acknowledging female hard rock acts. And with both Heart and Joan Jett presently inducted, Pat is the next logical choice. Sure she was never really critically acclaimed, but neither was Heart, and Joan was more acclaimed for him image and impact on female rock acts. Pat was also influential on a lot of female musicians, despite lacking critical acclaim in her time, so she would be a logical nominee.


The J. Geils Band

Everyone on this group sold me on why they'll be on the ballot, beings they have the support of some pretty important members of the Committee and haven't been on the ballot in quite some time. Since I made my predictions a month ago, Steve Van Zant has made a number of references to them on social media, so I think it's safe to say they're definitely going to be brought up at the Nominating Committee's meeting, and will probably make the ballot.


Other Possibilities: Bon Jovi, Cheap Trick, Def Leppard, Dire Straits, The Doobie Brothers, Electric Light Orchestra, Journey, and Yes


Singer-Songwriter/Solo Acts

Gram Parsons

A lot of people here think the Hall is gonna nominate a new singer-songwriter that hasn't been nominated before like Warren Zevon, Harry Nilsson, Carly Simon, and even Todd Rundgren. I'm however going with the pattern the Hall has shown in recent years, and thus going for a repeat nominee of Gram Parsons. the main singer-songwriter nominees of the last few years have all been artists that were nominated in the early 00's, weren't voted in, and then popped up on the ballot again 10 years later and were promptly inducted. Those artists being Randy Newman in 2013, Cat Stevens in 2014, and Lou Reed in 2015. Gram Parsons was another songwriter that received numerous nominations in the early-to mid 00's that the Hall seemed to give up on. I think they'll try again.


Joe Cocker

He's got the support of some pretty prominent HOF inductees (Billy Joel, Paul McCartney, and Ringo Starr), and the Hall has went on a spree in recent years of inducting recently passed artists. I simply think he'll be on the ballot.


Other Possibilities: Carly Simon, Don Henley, Harry Nilsson, Joan Baez, Phil Collins, Sting, Warren Zevon


Alt-Rock Umbrella


Depeche Mode

Rolling Stone recently had an article touting their influence and impact on hard rock and heavy metal acts. It's not often that Rolling Stone highlights non-inductees and their influence and impact on music without having them on the radar. They're on the previously considered artists list, so obviously they've been on the radar at some point and with that article, probably are right now. The Hall has failed in getting the originators (or one of) of synth-pop inducted with Kraftwerk, so I can see the Hall going back to bad habits of skipping past the originators in favor of a more popular act that put said genre on the map in order to get that genre some representation in the Hall. If the Hall is gonna move on from Kraftwerk and onto a more popular act, than Depeche Mode is certainly not a bad choice.


Nine Inch Nails

They did very well on the fan ballot, and they're now one of the most respected rock acts of the 90's. They'll be back.


Sonic Youth

Every year the Hall fails to get their 80's alt rock act inducted, and so they switch to someone else that might have a better chance. First it was the Cure, than the Replacements, and then the Smiths this past year. I think that pattern will continue and Sonic Youth will make their first appearance on the ballot. And through Kim Gordon, you get some female representation. FRL went in a bold direction by predicting both Sonic Youth and the Pixies on the same ballot, but I just don't see that happening. Although that approach may be the only way to get those on the Voting Committee to finally acknowledge 80's alternative rock, something they've obviously been reluctant to do in the last few years or so. Ultimately, I think the Nominating Committee won't be that challenging though, and will stick to one 80's alt-rock act, with Sonic Youth being my choice.


Other Possibilities: Big Star, The Cure, The Dead Kennedys, Eurythmics, Jane's Addiction, Joy Division, Kraftwerk, The MC5, The Pixies, The Smiths, Soundgarden


Soul/R&B/Funk/Disco

Rufus w/Chaka Khan

I made my list of predictions a month ago and had this group on there. That was before buzz on Chaka increased thanks to Questlove's now public support of an induction for her. The main reason I put them on my list of predictions is the patterns the Hall tends to go with. When it comes to R&B acts, the Hall has failed miserably at getting 70's R&B acts inducted. The Hall has tried with the likes of Chic, the Meters, the Spinners, War, Chaka Khan and Rufus, as well as 60's groups like Joe Tex and the Marvelettes. And Donna Summer took about 5 nominations and passing away, before finally receiving induction. With the exception of Chic, the Hall has not tried to throw R&B acts down the voters' throats year after year. When an act has failed to be inducted, the Hall has cast them aside for 1-2 years and then tried again down the road. Of all the recently nominated acts, Chaka Khan and Rufus have went the longest without receiving a repeat nomination. So for that reason as well as Chaka Khan being a major female star to have on the ballot, I think they'll be back. Questlove's public support only adds more credence to this possibility.


Chic

Duh.


Janet Jackson

Few artists have more hype and buzz around them right now than Janet Jackson. She's right in the middle of releasing her comeback album and embarking on a comeback tour (which I will be attending in January!). Not to mention there's been serious buzz for an induction for her on social media in recent years, largely thanks to the Induct Janet campaign. With the Hall moving towards more modern forms of popular music, they cannot ignore pop and dance music for much longer. Janet is the perfect candidate for the Hall to finally dive head first into this style. Obviously Whitney Houston is another major omission, but the Hall will also want to put on a good Induction Ceremony/show for HBO next year. An induction for Whitney obviously won't be as good and entertaining a moment as seeing Janet perform would be. So I think this will finally be the year that Janet makes her long overdue first appearance on the ballot. And likely an immediate induction. She's a no-brainer.


Other Possibilities: Barry White, the Commodores, The Chi-Lites, Donny Hathaway, Joe Tex, Luther Vandross, The Spinners, War, Whitney Houston


Rap

N.W.A.

No artist is hotter in the music industry right now than N.W.A. They've already been nominated every year since they became eligible, but with their mega-hit of a biopic film, not to mention the political and social issue of police violence on black Americans heavily in the news and media right now, N.W.A. is more relevant than ever. Just as I stated with Nirvana's eminent nomination for the 2014 class, I will state now that I will chop my arm off, if N.W.A. is not on the ballot this year. I won't go that far for an induction though, as N.W.A. obviously has those who do not support them and have had their obstacle at getting enough votes. Everyone knows that. So even though few deserve induction more than them, it's not a guarantee at all that they'll be inducted. But nominated? Nothing is more certain.

I'll also be very surprised if another rap act appears on the ballot. The Hall will not want to take any chances of another rap act stealing N.W.A.'s thunder and either taking votes away or, even worse receiving more votes and being inducted instead. Though I could be wrong.


Other Possibilities: Afrika Bambaataa, De La Soul, Eric B. and Rakim, LL Cool J, Queen Latifah, Salt N' Pepa


50's/60's Acts

Ben E. King

It's been a long time since he's been on the ballot, and I think his death will re-ignite conversation on his merits, and I think ultimately he'll be back on the ballot for the first time in over 25 years. Yes, I also have Joe Cocker on my list of predictions, but because they both really fall under different "unofficial categories", I don't think either will stand in each other's way so to speak, and they'll both be on the ballot.


Tommy James and the Shondells

Every year, Steve Van Zant gets a 60's group on the ballot, usually one that hasn't been nominated before, and I think this time it will be Tommy James and the Shondells for the first time. Mainly due to Tommy's appearance at this past year's HOF ceremony with Joan Jett, which is always a good way to get on the Nominating Committee's radar. And because honestly, for a group that was dismissed by many critics in their heyday, they sure did have a nice catalog of songs that have become bona-fide classics. Songs like "Crimson and Clover," "Hanky Panky," "I Think We're Alone Now," "Mony Mony," and "Crystal Blue Persuasion. I'm not sure that Little Steven will be the one heavily pushing for them, as he'll probably divert more of his attention this year on the J. Geils Band, but I think they'll receive enough push from someone to finally make the ballot for the first time.


Other Possibilities: Chubby Checker, Chuck Willis, Dick Dale, Johnny Burnette and the Rock and Roll Trio, Link Wray, the Marvelettes, Mary Wells, The Moody Blues, The Monkees, Paul Revere and the Raiders, The Zombies


Left-Field Genre

Willie Nelson

I think he's the least likely nominee on my list, but the Hall likes to really make their ballot diverse every year by nominating someone outside the rock, alt-rock, rap, and soul umbrella, by nominating someone in the blues, jazz, country, or reggae fields. And of those genres, country has went the longest without any nominees (the last one being Conway Twitty for the 2005 class), and so Willie Nelson would make the most sense. So I'll go with him.


Other Possibilities: Albert Collins, Patsy Cline, George Jones, Garth Brooks, Gloria Estefan, Herbie Hancock, John Coltrane, Johnny Winter, Peter Tosh, "Weird Al" Yankovic


My final list of predicted nominees in alphabetical order


Ben E. King
Chic
Deep Purple
Depeche Mode
Gram Parsons
The J. Geils Band
Janet Jackson
Joe Cocker
Nine Inch Nails
N.W.A.
Pat Benatar
Rufus w/Chaka Khan
Smashing Pumpkins
Sonic Youth
Tommy James and the Shondells
Willie Nelson

Posted by Donnie on Saturday, 09/19/2015 @ 22:16pm

Ben,Enigmatics,Phillip and others
Sorry..sometimes a visual pretty much does wonders!
I have to agree Steve Winood may get the votes. "Low spark of high Heeled Boys' is a great song.
However here is the list of the songs written by the Timeless Justin Hayward..this does not include the solo songs by the very talented Moodies- John, Graeme(he has a book release of written poems)Ray and Mike. I would be happy to include them if there is space LOL:


Hayward was awarded the first of numerous awards from the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) for songwriting in 1974. In 1985, the Moody Blues picked up the Ivor Novello Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music, and in 1988 Hayward received the Novello, among other honours, for Composer of the Year (for "I Know You're Out There Somewhere"). In 2000, he was one of a handful of British artists to receive the "Golden Note" award for lifetime achievement by ASCAP.[20] In 2004, Hayward was awarded the "Gold Badge" for lifetime achievement by the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors (BASCA).[13] At the Ivor Novello Awards in London on May 16, 2013 Hayward was given the PRS for Music Award for Outstanding Achievement (presented to Hayward by Marty Wilde).
CompositionsEdit

1965 ~ "London Is Behind Me" (45 RPM Debut Single)
1966 ~ "Day Must Come" (45 RPM Single)
1966 ~ "I Can't Face the World Without You" (45 RPM Single)
1966 ~ "I'll Be Here Tomorrow" (45 RPM Single)
1967 ~ "Fly Me High" (45 RPM Single)
1967 ~ "Leave This Man Alone" (45 RPM Single)
1967 ~ "Cities" (45 RPM Single) b-side of "Nights in White Satin"
1967 ~ "Long Summer Days" (Released 1977)
1967 ~ "Tuesday Afternoon" on Days of Future Passed
1967 ~ "Nights in White Satin" on Days of Future Passed
1968 ~ "Voices in the Sky" on In Search of the Lost Chord
1968 ~ "Visions of Paradise" (with Ray Thomas) on In Search of the Lost Chord
1968 ~ "The Actor" on In Search of the Lost Chord
1968 ~ "King and Queen" (Released 1977)
1969 ~ "What Am I Doing Here?" (Released 1977)
1969 ~ "Lovely to See You" on On the Threshold of a Dream
1969 ~ "Never Comes the Day" on On the Threshold of a Dream
1969 ~ "Are You Sitting Comfortably?" (with Ray Thomas) on On the Threshold of a Dream

1969 ~ "Gypsy (Of a Strange and Distant Time)" on To Our Children's Children's Children
1969 ~ "Watching and Waiting" (with Ray Thomas) on To Our Children's Children's Children
1969 ~ "I Never Thought I'd Live to be a Hundred" on To Our Children's Children's Children

1970 ~ "Question" on A Question of Balance
1970 ~ "It's Up to You" on A Question of Balance
1970 ~ "Dawning Is The Day" on A Question of Balance

1971 ~ "Procession" (with Thomas, Lodge, Edge and Pinder) on Every Good Boy Deserves Favour
1971 ~ "The Story in Your Eyes" on Every Good Boy Deserves Favour
1971 ~ "You Can Never Go Home" on Every Good Boy Deserves Favour

1972 ~ "You and Me" (with Graeme Edge) on Seventh Sojourn
1972 ~ "New Horizons" on Seventh Sojourn
1972 ~ "The Land of Make Believe" on Seventh Sojourn
1973 ~ "Island" on Seventh Sojourn (Digitally Remastered 5.1 Edition)
1973 ~ "The Dreamer" (with Ray Thomas) on Seventh Sojourn (Digitally Remastered 5.1 edition)
1975 ~ "This Morning" on Blue Jays
1975 ~ "Remember Me (My Friend)" (with John Lodge) on Blue Jays
1975 ~ "My Brother" (with John Lodge) on Blue Jays
1975 ~ "Nights Winters Years" on Blue Jays
1975 ~ "I Dreamed Last Night" on Blue Jays
1975 ~ "Who Are You Now" on Blue Jays
1975 ~ "When You Wake Up" (with John Lodge) on Blue Jays
1975 ~ "Blue Guitar" on Blue Jays (CD Reissue)
1977 ~ "Tightrope" on Songwriter
1977 ~ "Songwriter" on Songwriter
1977 ~ "Country Girl" on Songwriter
1977 ~ "One Lonely Room" on Songwriter
1977 ~ "Lay It on Me" on Songwriter
1977 ~ "Stage Door" on Songwriter
1977 ~ "Raised on Love" on Songwriter
1977 ~ "Doin' Time" on Songwriter
1977 ~ "Nostradamus" on Songwriter
1977 ~ "Marie" on Songwriter (CD Reissue)
1977 ~ "Heart of Steel" on Songwriter (2nd CD Reissue)
1977 ~ "Wrong Time Right Place" on Songwriter (2nd CD Reissue)
1978 ~ "Had to Fall in Love" on Octave
1978 ~ "The Day We Meet Again" on Octave
1978 ~ "Driftwood" on Octave
1978 ~ "Top Rank Suite" on Octave
1980 ~ "Crazy Lovers" on Night Flight
1980 ~ "Nearer to You" on Night Flight
1980 ~ "A Face in the Crowd" on 'Night Flight
1980 ~ "Suitcase" on Night Flight
1981 ~ "The Voice" on Long Distance Voyager
1981 ~ "Gemini Dream" (with John Lodge) on Long Distance Voyager
1981 ~ "In My World" on Long Distance Voyager
1981 ~ "Meanwhile" on Long Distance Voyager
1983 ~ "Blue World" on The Present
1983 ~ "Meet Me Halfway" (with John Lodge) on The Present
1983 ~ "It's Cold Outside of Your Heart" on The Present
1983 ~ "Running Water" on The Present
1983 ~ "Eternal Woman" (from the film She)
1985 ~ "One Again" on Moving Mountains
1985 ~ "Take Your Chances" on Moving Mountains
1985 ~ "Is it Just a Game?" on Moving Mountains
1985 ~ "Moving Mountains" on Moving Mountains
1985 ~ "Silverbird" (with Jeff Wayne) on Moving Mountains
1985 ~ "Who Knows?" on Moving Mountains
1985 ~ "Goodbye" on Moving Mountains
1985 ~ "Lost and Found" on Moving Mountains
1985 ~ "The Lights are Low" on Moving Mountains (CD Reissue)
1985 ~ "The Angels Cry", performed by Agnetha Fältskog and Annie Haslam, separately
1986 ~ "Your Wildest Dreams" on The Other Side of Life
1986 ~ "Talkin' Talkin'" (with John Lodge) on The Other Side of Life
1986 ~ "I Just Don't Care" on The Other Side of Life
1986 ~ "Running Out of Love" (with John Lodge) on The Other Side of Life
1986 ~ "The Other Side of Life" on The Other Side of Life
1986 ~ "Slings and Arrows" (with John Lodge) on The Other Side of Life
1986 ~ "Forever autumn" from Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of the Worlds
1987 ~ "It Won't Be Easy" (with Tony Visconti) (Theme from the show Star Cops)
1988 ~ "I Know You're Out There Somewhere" on Sur La Mer
1988 ~ "Want to Be With You" (with John Lodge) on Sur La Mer
1988 ~ "River of Endless Love" (with John Lodge) on Sur La Mer
1988 ~ "No More Lies" on Sur La Mer
1988 ~ "Vintage Wine" on Sur La Mer
1988 ~ "Breaking Point" (with John Lodge) on Sur La Mer
1988 ~ "Miracle" (with John Lodge) on Sur La Mer
1988 ~ "Deep" on Sur La Mer
1989 ~ "Shoe People" (from the children's television show of the same name)
1989 ~ "Something Evil, Something Dangerous" (from the film The Howling IV)
1991 ~ "Say It With Love" on Keys of the Kingdom
1991 ~ "Bless the Wings (That Bring You Back)" on Keys of the Kingdom
1991 ~ "Is this Heaven?" (with John Lodge) on Keys of the Kingdom
1991 ~ "Say What You Mean" (Parts I & II) on Keys of the Kingdom
1991 ~ "Hope and Pray" on Keys of the Kingdom
1991 ~ "Once Is Enough" (with John Lodge) on Keys of the Kingdom
1991 ~ "Never Blame the Rainbows for the Rain" (with Ray Thomas) on Keys of the Kingdom
1996 ~ "I Heard It" on The View from the Hill
1996 ~ "Broken Dream" on The View from the Hill
1996 ~ "It's Not Too Late" on The View from the Hill
1996 ~ "The Way of the World" on The View from the Hill
1996 ~ "Sometimes Less is More" (with Dennis Lambert) on The View from the Hill
1996 ~ "Troubadour" on The View from the Hill
1996 ~ "Shame" on The View from the Hill
1996 ~ "Billy" on The View from the Hill
1996 ~ "Children of Paradise" on The View from the Hill
1999 ~ "English Sunset" on Strange Times
1999 ~ "Haunted" on Strange Times
1999 ~ "Sooner or Later" (with John Lodge) on Strange Times
1999 ~ "Foolish Love" on Strange Times
1999 ~ "All That is Real is You" on Strange Times
1999 ~ "Strange Times" (with John Lodge) on Strange Times
1999 ~ "The One" (with John Lodge) on Strange Times
1999 ~ "The Swallow" on Strange Times
2001 ~ "Water" (with John Lodge) on Journey into Amazing Caves
2001 ~ "We Can Fly" (with John Lodge) on Journey into Amazing Caves
2003 ~ "Don't Need a Reindeer" on December
2003 ~ "December Snow" on December
2003 ~ "In The Quiet of Christmas Morning (Bach 147)" (lyrics only, with John Lodge) on December
2003 ~ "Yes, I Believe" on December
2013 ~ "In Your Blue Eyes" on Spirits of the Western Sky
2013 ~ "One Day, Someday" on Spirits of the Western Sky
2013 ~ "The Western Sky" on Spirits of the Western Sky
2013 ~ "The Eastern Sun" on Spirits of the Western Sky
2013 ~ "On The Road to Love" (with Kenny Loggins) on Spirits of the Western Sky
2013 ~ "Lazy Afternoon" on Spirits of the Western Sky
2013 ~ "In The Beginning" on Spirits of the Western Sky
2013 ~ "What You Resist Persists" on Spirits of the Western Sky
2013 ~ "Captivated By You" on Spirits of the Western Sky

Solo discographyEdit
Studio albumsEdit

Blue Jays (1975) with John Lodge UK No. 4
Songwriter (1977) UK No. 28
Night Flight (1980) UK No. 41
Moving Mountains (1985) UK No. 78
Classic Blue (1989) with Mike Batt UK No. 47
Justin Hayward and Friends Sing the Moody Blues Classic Hits (1996)
The View from the Hill (1996)
Spirits of the Western Sky (2013) UK No. 81

Posted by Sue on Saturday, 09/19/2015 @ 22:21pm

I will say that Moody Blues are one of my favorite groups and are sadly ignored until now. I am figuring that the Nom Committee change does actually benefit them. It seems to be primarily the Oldest members that were let go. They had their say long ago when those like the Great BB King and Jackie Wilson were going in. The old Motown people like the Supremes as well as the Four Seasons. The Platters, Booker T and the Mgs. and many others from that era.
Those that helped get Cream, The Doors and Neil Young in could easily still be on the Committee. So now in 2015 there is this huge backlog. Moody Blues. Since I would say Older Oldies acts have little or no chance I think that raises the chances for the Moody Blues. Those who were teenagers when Days of Future Passed came out should certainly be on the Committee. It also raises the chances for ELO and Yes. Sue I definitely agree with you on Moody Blues. I predict them every year for the last 8 years or so. I think I may envy you. You may have been a teenager when Days of Future Passed came out or at least go back to Seventh Sojourn.
Anyway I also think the time has come for Chicago. There is longevity there. An R&B group like War should come on strong. I look forward to the Spinners returning to the list. Maybe not this year. I am not a big fan of the Meters but they recur on these lists so I see that one happening. I am giving up on the Chic thing. I think hopefully the Hall will let it go. A focus on Prog and the 90s alternative this year I think will cut down on black acts this year. I am also predicting Chicago, Joe Cocker and Duran Duran. So that limits my Black acts on the list. Then I think it swings back to a whole bunch of black acts in 2017.

Posted by Ben on Saturday, 09/19/2015 @ 22:28pm

Donnie, overall an excellent list of predictions. Rufus/Chaka Khan has received a major boost in the last couple of weeks, thanks to Questlove’s social media support for them. Plus, it helps Rufus/Chaka Khan’s chances that they were nominated back in 2012. Most of the potential nominees we agree on. I really hope you’re right about Gram Parsons receiving another nomination; personally I think he’s among the overlooked artists currently not in the Rock Hall. Likewise, I believe Parsons would be the most ideal singer-songwriter nominee this year (although I have a feeling we’ll see a Sting or Warren Zevon nomination instead of Parsons). I think the support for Willie Nelson has died down and he likely won’t be nominated this year but who knows at this point.

A Depeche Mode nomination would be welcoming and I’d definitely support them. If they received a nomination, I think this would open the gates for more electronic and New Wave acts to receive nominations (although it would seem odd if Kraftwerk didn’t get in before Depeche Mode).

Similarly, I think you’re right about Tommy James and the Shondells possibly getting a nomination this year, especially since he performed with Joan Jett at her induction performance earlier this year. However, I can easily see The Zombies or The Moody Blues take this spot.

A lot of us are focusing on Questlove’s support for various acts (e.g., Rufus/Chaka Khan, War); however, I wonder who Tom Morillo will be lobbying for this year (especially since he was so vocal about Kiss 2 years ago)?

For the record, I hope Chicago, Moody Blues, or ideally both, will receive nomination this year.

Posted by Nick on Saturday, 09/19/2015 @ 22:51pm

Thanks for the feedback Nick.

Like I stated, Willie Nelson, I think of everyone on my list has the smallest chance of being nominated. Even though the Hall likes to be as diverse as possible, country is probably the least acknowledged genre on the Hall, as it's had very little representation over the near 30 year history of the Hall. Not counting the Early Influence category (which basically doesn't exist anymore), there's only one country inductee, that being Johnny Cash. And I think only Conway Twitty and maybe one other country act has ever been nominated. The Hall tends to go more towards blues, reggae, or even jazz when it comes to more outside genres than country, but Willie Nelson is one of those few country acts that crosses over well to rock audiences, so he's always a possibility. Not to mention the President of the Hall himself, wants him inducted, so who knows.

Yeah, I could easily see myself being wrong on Tommy James and the Shondells. Mainly, because I've never heard of Steve Van Zant heavily supporting them or even talking about them, and he's usually the main champion of 60's rock. And honestly there's other 60's acts far more deserving than Tommy James and the Shondells, like the Moody Blues, the Zombies, and also the Monkees. But the Moodies and the Monkees don't have anymore buzz than they have in the past, so I don't see why this year would be "the year" for them. The Zombies were recently nominated and are quite popular on social media circles (namely Facebook and Spotify) and are currently active with their original lineup, so they're always a possibility. 60's Rock is another genre that the Hall plays "hot potato" with so to speak, so I'd be kind of surprised if the Hall did a repeat nomination of the Zombies or Procol Harum (as FRL is predicting) over someone new. And with Tommy James recently appearing at the Hall, that makes me think they'll be the 60's choice this year. But if the Moodies, the Zombies, or the Monkees (all of whom I think are more deserving) take the 60's spot instead, I'll be very pleased. Then again if it's someone like Herman's Hermits or the Sir Douglas Quintet, I will be baffled and annoyed, lol.


As for who Tom Morello will lobby for, I think Deep Purple is a foregone conclusion. In addition to KISS and Rush, his coming onto the Nominating Committee was a major part in finally getting Deep Purple on the ballot, so I am sure he will lobby for them again. They'll probably be his top choice, because as I alluded to, there's really no one in the 70's "Hard Rock" field more deserving than Deep Purple at this stage. I thought I had read somewhere that he also supported Janet Jackson, so if him and Questlove both can team up for her cause, then that will only help her chances.

I would love to see Chicago as well, but I don't see any real buzz coming their way.

Posted by Donnie on Saturday, 09/19/2015 @ 23:17pm

A lot has been made about the cutting of the Nominating Committee, and when I really think about it, I honestly think people are over-estimating how big of a difference it's gonna make.

1. It's not like the only people on the Nominating Committee left now are people that grew up in the 70's and 80's. There's still some prominent Baby-Boomers on the Committee. You still have Jon Landau, Steve Van Zant, Dave Marsh, and of course Jann Wenner is still involved. So you still have the "Dinosaur Rolling Stone" crowd on board. That's how the J. Geils Band will be on there. You're still gonna see Rolling Stone-loved artists on the ballot more than likely.

2. The Nominating Commitee has already been gearing towards more modern forms of music in recent years. There is far more rap, alternative rock, hard rock/metal representation than say 5-6 years ago, so the additions of Toure, Questlove, and Tom Morello have made a big difference already.

3. The Nominating Committee- made ballots have been more diverse than ever in the last few years. I'm sure that trend will continue.

4. Everyone's acting like there's gonna be far less 50's and 60's artists on the ballot from now on. Well, there's already not a lot of 50's and 60's acts on the ballot anyway. The last few years have featured probably no more than 3 out 15/16 acts that were at their peak in the 50's or 60's. So unless there isn't a single 50's or 60's act on the ballot from here on, how much more can the presence of 50's/60's acts on the ballot really decrease anyway?


I don't really think that much is gonna change honestly. There certainly isn't going to all of a sudden be 6-7 prog acts on the ballot or a ballot that's 90% "prog-adjacent" as Enig puts it. That sure as heck isn't going to happen. There will never be a ballot again that's gonna heavily feature a particular genre or style (namely 6-8 acts of this type on a ballot). It's gonna remain diverse with a few artists representing all differently styles and eligible eras, just as it has in the last few years.

Posted by Donnie on Saturday, 09/19/2015 @ 23:27pm

I know I posted my official predictions last month but I thought that with it getting closer to nominating time I'd repost them to see what some people think.

First off here is my dream ballot (note the word dream):

Smashing Pumpkins
Deep Purple
The Spinners
Yes
Kraftwerk
Electric Light Orchestra
War
Moody Blues
The Meters
Chicago
Roxy Music
The Monkees
Peter, Paul & Mary,
Carole King
King Crimson
Jethro Tull

As you all can see half the ballot is either unbridled prog/art rock (Yes, Jethro Tull, Roxy Music, King Crimson, Moody Blues) or fits the bill loosely (Deep Purple’s original lineup, ELO, Kraftwerk). It’s like pulling teeth to get them to put one or two bands from the genre on the ballot so clearly 8 is not gonna happen. Plus you have Jazz Rock (Chicago), Funk (The Meters) and however the hell you classify War (Latin/R&B/funk rock??).

This year is weird however because of how the committee was gutted so that makes it hard to predict what this ballot will look like. Will it skew towards the 80’s and beyond? Will it embrace prog and alternative in general? Or will it be, to quote The Who “meet the new boss…same as the old boss”?

Here’s my best prediction at what the ballot will look like:

NWA- pretty much a lock for the ballot and I think a lock for induction. I will not go into reasons because I’m pretty sure we’ve covered them all

Chic- At this point I’m just going to predict them every year until they get in. The voters have gotta throw Nile and company a bone eventually right…right (cue sound of crickets chirping).

Nine Inch Nails- Ok let’s face it: with last year’s ceremony basically being on Trent Reznor’s home turf the voters really dropped the ball. Expect him back on the ballot this year.

Janet Jackson- Want a headliner? Exhibit A is right here.

Smashing Pumpkins- One of my favorite bands of my youth. I think they stand the best chance of making the ballot of the first timers. Would absolutely love to see them go in but think that voters might go for NIN first.

Deep Purple- I think a lock for the ballot and like many I think they should have made it years ago. Maybe this is finally their year.

J. Geils Band- The Jan Wenner approved choice

The Spinners- Less certain about this one but I think they are the Deep Purple of R&B. The committee might try to clear the decks for them so they can get in.

Yes- Another example of a the voters dropping the ball. I think Chris Squire’s death guarantees their spot on the ballot this year (I wish I didn’t have to type that). I can see this being a feel good moment for the rest of the band’s core members to get together perform in his honor. Plus it would break up the logjam on the prog rock front (make room for The Moody Blues and Jethro Tull).

Ben E. King- The “Death Slot/McPhatter Club” pick. Already in with The Drifters but wouldn’t having John Legend or Stevie Wonder (or both) singing “Stand By Me” be a cool moment?

Kraftwerk- The committee overhaul might work to their benefit.

Tommy James & the Shondells- Having perform with Joan Jett last year might have been a not so subtle hint to put on the ballot in the future. Plus let’s face it there’s always gonna be a 60’s act on the ballot. With several classic garage rock singles though it’d be nice to at least see them get nominated.

Warren Zevon- The token singer/songwriter and another example of the “oh crap we should have nominated him when he was still alive”.

Sonic Youth- Thought they’d get nominated last year based on Kim Gordon’s role in Hervana but The Smiths took their slot as the 80’s alternative nominee (plus having NIN on the ballot didn’t help either). Less sure about this one as this spot may go to The Cure or The Smiths.

Chicago- Ok this one’s purely a hunch but like I said last year if the committee and voters can change their mind on KISS then anything’s possible.

Peter, Paul & Mary- One of my favorite groups of their time period (and this is coming from a Republican) Again a left field pick but they have a few things going for them. 1. The committee loves the 60’s. 2. Considering the current social and political climate their songs and overall message could play well. 3. When Bob Dylan gives an artist props people take notice. 4. Eddie Trunk would have a coronary of epic proportions which would make for a completely hysterical rant on That Metal Show.

To recap here are my predictions for the ballot:

Ben E. King
Chic
Chicago
Deep Purple
Janet Jackson
Kraftwerk
Nine Inch Nails
NWA
Peter, Paul & Mary
Smashing Pumpkins
Sonic Youth
The J. Geils Band
The Spinners
Tommy James & The Shondells
Warren Zevon
Yes

Posted by Tom H. on Saturday, 09/19/2015 @ 23:30pm

Tom H.,

I really like your dream ballot. Thank you for supporting it.

Sue,

I have been a huge advocate for The Moody Blues' induction for several years. I had reasoned that if I could help get Rush inducted, then Yes and The Moody Blues would follow suit. I also feel that it is time for The Moody Blues to be inducted alongside Yes, Electric Light Orchestra, Duran Duran, Carly Simon and of course, Sade.

Of course, you may be quite correct, there would probably be no Rush, Yes, Genesis, King Crimson, ELP, Gentle Giant, E.L.O., Deep Ourple, Roxy Music, or Duran Duran without the influence of The Moody Blues. Even The Beatles and Procol Harum would have sounded differently. I would venture to guess that Pink Floyd would probably not have gone on their cosmic space time excursions and that Jethro Tull would have remained primarily a blues band. As Alex Lifeson has said prior to Rush's induction, The Moody Blues were a huge influence upon Rush, as were Yes, King Crimson and Deep Purple, in their early days. Eliminate The Moody Blues and most prog suddenly disappears. I do not even know if Grace Slick would have joined Jefferson Airplane, or if The Grateful Dead would have released "Terrapin Station."

Posted by Enigmaticus on Sunday, 09/20/2015 @ 11:17am

Tom H.,

I really like your dream ballot. Thank you for supporting it.

Sue,

I have been a huge advocate for The Moody Blues' induction for several years. I had reasoned that if I could help get Rush inducted, then Yes and The Moody Blues would follow suit. I also feel that it is time for The Moody Blues to be inducted alongside Yes, Electric Light Orchestra, Duran Duran, Carly Simon and of course, Sade.

Of course, you may be quite correct, there would probably be no Rush, Yes, Genesis, King Crimson, ELP, Gentle Giant, E.L.O., Deep Purple, Roxy Music, or Duran Duran without the influence of The Moody Blues. Even The Beatles and Procol
Harum would have sounded differently. I would venture to guess that Pink Floyd would probably not have gone on their cosmic space time excursions and that Jethro Tull would have remained primarily a blues band. As Alex Lifeson has said prior to Rush's induction, The Moody Blues were a huge influence upon Rush, as were Yes, King Crimson and Deep Purple, in their early days. Eliminate The Moody Blues and most prog suddenly disappears. I do not even know if Grace Slick would have joined Jefferson Airplane, or if The Grateful Dead would have released "Terrapin Station," if there had never been The Moody Blues.

Posted by Enigmaticus on Sunday, 09/20/2015 @ 11:23am

Oh yes Sue the Moody Blues are a fine group. I predict them every year for about 8 years. Before that I was giving the Hall the benefit of the doubt with Catching up. I understood ones like The Clash, The Police, Bob Seger, Traffic, ZZ Top, Buddy Guy, Pretenders, Black Sabbath,Lynyrd Skynyrd, REM, Patti Smith and Van Halen all going in. But then saw that the Moody Blues were always being ignored. I started predicting them. Others always get in but not them. I can understand Jeff Beck going in. I didn't mind Dr John. But why before Moody Blues? So here we are now. The Moody Blues are still not in.They were groundbreaking in their way.

Posted by Ben on Sunday, 09/20/2015 @ 15:48pm

Ben and Enigmaticus,

Thank you so very much for your wonderful Moody Blues Comments.
I have been a true fan since the summer of 1974 a few weeks before turning 15. It was by a twist of fate. The teens in our small neighborhood often swapped records for a few days. I had a next door friend who had a cousin for a visit and he wanted to borrow my CCR,Led Zep and Beatles..He had Days of FP ,Queen and Stones. Once I put "Days" on my turn table I did not even look at the others. I must have played it 20 times before I had to return it. I bought it a few weeks later and the rest is history. The lyrics and musicianship have such a positive message. They have helped me through some very difficult times. I have been very fortunate to see many bands live including Queen,Petty,Eagles,Steve Miller, Stevie Ray, U2 and others but no band can compare to them live.I have seen the moodies at least once in the last 3 decades! Unlike many of my peers I actually left sober.. From the early days with Mike and Ray they were way ahead of their time(even Beatles) from inventive use of the mellotron, spoken word, classical inspiration, harmony and flute. They still sell out concerts. Justin and John are amazing together. Justin is perhaps the MOST underrated guitarist and vocalist in all rock history! He has a timeless grace on stage. When he picks up his red gibson and lets it rip you are taken to another place. Watch a clip of his solo work acoustically from the last couple of years from "Spirits" especially on "Question" and ask yourself why the the snub? I would love to read comments here after you watch the moodies at the Royal Albert Hall concert, Isle of Wight,Lost Performance Paris, recent concerts and Justin solo.
I am a librarian and understand research and connections. It blows my mind why the RRHOF does not understand how much impact this band has had for over 50 YEARS! I am so frustrated . I have no problem with a variety of genres getting inducted. For 2016 I like Smashing Pumpkins or NIN, Deep Purple,Spinners,Janet J or Carole King, Ben E King,Kraftwerk,J Geils,Duran Duran or perhaps Bon Jovi, even NWA has it's place. It is way past time for Chicago and Yes. But no band deserve to be inducted more than the Moody Blues!! I wish the fans can do something to stir some buzz..

Posted by Sue on Sunday, 09/20/2015 @ 17:17pm

SUE
Love your 40 year testimony on the greatness of Moody Blues. There has been plenty of support for Moody Blues here with the FRL regulars Ben, Enig, myself etc. I remember when I first heard Nights In White Satin...Just an incredible song. Not of this earth. Remembering on Channel 13 some years back stumbling upon a Moody Blues concert and a Fleetwood Mac one. It was excellent. Moody Blues has fans of all generations and ethnicities. They have several things going for them this nomination cycle. The increased support for Prog and MB as one of the early leaders in the genre. Also, John & Justin are still alive rocking putting on excellent concert shows and keeping Moody Blues in the public eye. Moody Blues are often mentioned as 1 of the biggest RRHOF snubs. I noticed this year a wider vocal support for Moody Blues on various media sites.
Enig he's a big supporter of Prog and Moody Blues. Some of his Rush postings and support as well as the Rush fanbase were helpful in lifting Rush to RRHOF. I remember watching some documentaries that Charles Manson was controlling with the stable of girls and followers but they were allowed to listen to Moody Blues. I guess the RRHOF committee is meeting now for nominations. Hoping this is Moody Blues year for nomination and induction. KING

Posted by KING on Sunday, 09/20/2015 @ 18:34pm

King,
Thank you for your Moody Blues support very much....
I hope you are correct!! Why has the RRHOF snubbed Prog Rock? I have read different accounts about the MB but why the whole genre? Pink Floyd in 1996 and Genesis in 2010 was necessary or the Hall would really have a situation. Rush in 2013 and Peter Gabriel in 2014 pretty much sums it up.
Yes,King Crimson,Procol Harum,Jethro Tull, ELP,Kansas,ELO and Roxy Music are just a few bands with major fan base. In the wings are the more heavy prog groups like Tool,Dream Theater,Coheed and Cambria and Porcupine Tree. The Hall better wake up. Fans like myself will not visit as I am sure there are many many more. As usual money may be the only way to get the attention of the "Committee"

Posted by Sue on Sunday, 09/20/2015 @ 20:19pm

King,

Thanks for clarifying your system. Sometimes I et a bit passionate about my guys.

Donnie,

I feel Willie Nelson and Patsy Cline are both great choices for country artist that influenced rock.

Conway Twitty, George Jones and Garth Brooks may have been very influential in country but I don't think they were influential enough in rock. Have you considered such artist as Bobbie Gentry, Kenny Rogers, Jerry Reed, Dolly Parton, Tanya Tucker, David Allan Coe, Dottie West, Merle Haggard, Emmylou Harris, Glen Campbell or Kris Kristofferson? Some of these artist have worked with or helped rock and folk artist.

Posted by Zuzu on Sunday, 09/20/2015 @ 20:53pm

I just want to say here that I think Moody Blues have a better chance than before. There is the Nom Com change. There's already not a lot of 50s early 60s artists on the ballot. That's very true. So that only eliminates the appearance of the earliest rock era.
A group like the Moody Blues became prominent in the late 60s. Their earliest fans would be Baby Boomers. That age group is still very much on the committee. I would guess that the whole sub Committee of Older Oldies acts is gone. The Prog thing is a rather recent buzz. There may now be people on the committee that like some Prog. There is also a bunch that support R&B, Hard Rock/Heavy Metal, Alt, Rap and various other genres.
I'm giving it a shot with 3 Prog acts on the ballot. I always predict Moody Blues in recent years. In contrast to them I predict the J Geils Band. As was mentioned it's the Jann Wenner approved choice. Also Joe Cocker because he passed and has a lot of support. I previously predicted Johnny Winter as a posthumous pick but there isn't enough support for him. Deep Purple, Duran Duran, Nine Inch Nails, and even NWA have their place and stand a good chance this year. War is a good pick I think but I don't know how the heck to really classify them. They fall best under R&B.

Tom H. you have a fine ballot there. I'm not sure how much chance Ben E King has anymore due to the Nom Com change. Besides that though. I can see a lot of those happening. I predict Sonic Youth and Warren Zevon happening in another year. Very nice list though.

Posted by Ben on Sunday, 09/20/2015 @ 22:02pm

What makes Nine Inch Nails better than?

Sonic Youth
Television
The Mekons
The Replacements
Patty Smith

Answer: less than nothing. The Mekons are the best band on the list and the least recognized by far (despite Lester Bangs' description of Mekons as "...the most revolutionary band in the history of rock and roll"). The rock hall of fame has NO BALLS. Imagine if MoMA put up those pictures that say: "Eat Well, Live Long, Love More as works of art. F**in' cliche on wheels.

Posted by m on Monday, 09/21/2015 @ 00:02am

What is Nine Inch Nails legacy aside from Marilyn Manson and Rob Zombie? NIN has its moments, granted, but MM and RZ are useless kickoffs who will be forgotten in five years (if they haven't been forgotten already).

Posted by m on Monday, 09/21/2015 @ 00:07am

I was looking at some past Nominee lists. I found that in 2013 4 Hard Rock acts were nominated. Deep Purple, Heart, Joan Jett & the Blackhearts and Rush were nominated. I am aware Enig that Rush are also a Prog band. So the thing I am saying is if 4 Hard Rock acts are nominated it is conceivable that 3 Prog acts could be based on the Buzz. It would satisfy prog fans for sure. I understand the Committee as it is Now still has the Dinosaur Rolling Stone crowd. You still have Jon Landau, Steve Van Zant and of Course Jann Wenner. There are newer people on the Committee and the members of Rush seem to Have some say Now. So will stay with the 3 acts ELO, Moody Blues and Yes. I happen to think Joe Cocker has a very good chance and that's totally different. People like Paul McCartney and Billy Joel support him a lot.
As I said next year may be a big year for Black and Mixed acts. I've mentioned some but that's for 2017. Right now I will focus on 2016.

Posted by Ben on Monday, 09/21/2015 @ 07:11am

Ben,

Out of 4 you list, Deep Purple is the only one I would call hard rock. Joan Jett is punk, Rush is considered prog and I would call Heart rock. 1 - Brit, 1 - Canadian and 2 West Coast.

Looking at most people's list, I'm seeing 40% 70s/80s Brits 40% R&B of one sort or another and 20% late 80s/early 90s. These are 2 of the 5 groups that have a glut in the hall. You brought up 4 Brits. Britain has a population about 1/6 of the US. R&R is a genre that is native to the US.

Posted by Zuzu on Monday, 09/21/2015 @ 09:34am

Ben,

Thank you for your support of many of my favorite artists. The way that I see it: back in 2013, one "art rock/progressive rock" artist- Rush and one "prog adjacent" artist- Heart were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame. In October, 2012- 4 prog acts were nominated (Procol Harum, Rush, Deep Purple and Kraftwerk). In October, 2013 3 "progressive rock" artists were nominated (Deep Purple, Yes and Peter Gabriel). Again, only one prog artist was inducted- Peter Gabriel. However in 1996, 2 progressive rock artists- Pink Floyd and Jefferson Airplane were inducted and one experimental artist was inducted- Velvet Underground. In 2002, one "art rock" artist was inducted- Talking Heads. In 2010, one "art rock/progressive rock" artist was inducted- Genesis. So, if several "progressive rock" artists and "art rock" artists appear on the ballot, I think that there is a greater probability of seeing multiple inductions of "art rock" and "progressive rock" acts.

Posted by Enigmaticus on Monday, 09/21/2015 @ 10:02am

Sue,

Thank you for your kind words. The Moody Blues are third on my list of favorite bands, after Rush (1) and Yes (2) and slightly above Pink Floyd (4). The fact that they have remained in that position for more than 3 decades is quite extraordinary. The Moody Blues have staying power. My favorite Moody Blues album is still "To Our Children's Children's Children," although later albums such as "Long Distance Voyager" and "Strange Times" rank highly, as well. I think that the buzz around Mike Pender and Ray Thomas playing on John Lodge's solo album, puts The Moody Blues in a good position for induction into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame next year.

Posted by Enigmaticus on Monday, 09/21/2015 @ 10:13am

In addition to the 4 I mentioned. It's been mentioned that I brought up 4 Brits. I also predict Chicago, J Geils Band, Carly Simon and War. I highly support Chicago for 2016. They also Have been ignored too long. They are indeed American and have been around since about 1969. It's about time they are at least Nominated and Hopefully Inducted. Some people mentioned Tommy James and The Shondells. I went with Zombies as a 60s Oldies act instead. It's a Steve Van Zant fav. He has more say than ever. Gordon Lightfoot is an excellent Singer songwriter choice I noticed in Posts. some people mentioned Warren Zevon. I can certainly see those 2 happening. I'm not predicting them this year though. Journey I am predicting as a Nom in a couple years. Not quite yet. I think that will happen after Deep Purple. Black Crowes and Bon Jovi I can easily see. I had Bon Jovi but took Him Out. I'm giving the Prog predictions a shot along with Joe Cocker and Duran Duran. I didn't realize it but that cut down on American artists for this list.
I also want to mention that there is also Southern Rock to consider at some point. They are certainly American. Marshall Tucker Band comes to mind. I like them also. Only Allman Brothers and Skynyrd have gone in for this genre. No I don't think any Southern Rock is going to be on the ballot this year but I just thought I'd throw that in. Some good ole Southern bands are bound to come along.

Posted by Ben on Monday, 09/21/2015 @ 17:50pm

Black Crowes are from GA. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers are from FL and are in the hall.

Steve Miller is from WI but raised in TX, but I don't see him being nominated for a year or two. There is also Molly Hatchet which I think may fall through the cracks. Off hand I don't think of them as being influential but I haven't looked into them.

I personally consider 8 or 10 country artist from 60s and 70s as overlooked also. Canadians and several singer-songwriters\folk artist are being passed over.

Posted by Zuzu on Monday, 09/21/2015 @ 18:40pm

Ben, Zuzu
I am from Georgia..it would be wonderful to see more Southern picks some day!!
Charlie Daniels (N.C.) 38 Special and Blackfoot (Florida) Marshall T( I think is from SC) From my state: Alan Jackson, Collective Soul,Drivin'N'Cryin and Black Crows.
Does the group think the announcement will come early because of the cuts? Less people may make it faster? Usually by mid October but I seem to remember it can vary?
There does not seem to be as much "buzz" online as
in past years. Perhaps many people like myself are just frustrated . Last year the whole "Kiss" speculation caused alot of news. Any thoughts here?

Posted by Sue on Monday, 09/21/2015 @ 21:07pm

If we're talking about Southern rock, we really should include the granddaddy of it: the Big Bopper. The man's music was among the first that took a lot of the ingredients that made of rockabilly, and yet come up with something completely different, unique, about a full decade before Linda Ronstadt was on the scene.

Of course, he'll never get his due credit for it.

Posted by Philip on Tuesday, 09/22/2015 @ 00:40am

I almost forgot ZZ Top is in the hall.

Sue,

I understand how you feel about what is close to you not being recognized. I'm from Chicago and all they look at is blues r&b from here. The 70s were about what was going on in the heartland and the south.

There are several ties between Chicago and southern artist. Kal David, Marty Grebb, John Prine and Steve Goodman were working with several southern artist. You Never Call Me By My Name, recorded by David Allen Coe, was written by Goodman and Prine. Coe even mentions Goodman in the song.

Philip,

They can't even remember the grand lady who was fast moving up to Elvis' level, Patsy Cline. I was about 5 when she died. I remember her name and songs were all over the place at that time.

Then you also have Willie Nelson, Jerry Reed, Dottie West and Kris Kristofferson who wrote songs during the rockabilly era and came into their own as recording artist in the 70s. This is what led to the outlaws. the outlaws were the country side of country/rock/folk fussion.

During the 70s, the only place open late at night were bars and truck stops. So if you were riding around, partying (think of the song Lake Shore Drive) late at night and you got the munchies you went to a truck stop to get a bite. Country was on the jukebox so a lot of the music crossed over.

Posted by Zuzu on Tuesday, 09/22/2015 @ 09:51am

You want to know why Duran Duran isn't in the Hall of Fame? This tweet from FRL: ".@StevieVanZandt once wrote that the Spinners and Duran Duran were "mindless, emotionless, meaningless crap.""

Hard to get nominated when there is a nominating committee member, with many fellow allies on the committee, that is quoted saying that about your band.

Posted by Gassman on Tuesday, 09/22/2015 @ 14:04pm

Then again, The Spinners have been nominated twice, so there's hope.

Posted by The_Claw on Tuesday, 09/22/2015 @ 14:28pm

Guess it doesn't matter to how many records are sold and how many fans these groups have if he doesn't like an artist they will never get in but because Percy Sledge sang When a Man Loves a Woman @ his wedding he gets into the RRHOF?????

Posted by Annamaria on Tuesday, 09/22/2015 @ 19:35pm

Zuzu,

However, strong the influences, though, I really don't think of the Big Bopper as a country artist. I genuinely consider him much more of an early rock'n'roll artist.

Annamaria,

You catch on fast.

Posted by Philip on Tuesday, 09/22/2015 @ 19:58pm

Philip
Thanks. I'm new to the site it's nice to see that there are so many people here who really know about music to bad none of them are on the committee then maybe it would truly be The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame!

Posted by Annamaria on Tuesday, 09/22/2015 @ 20:42pm

Annamaria, the Nominating Committee (NomCom) know their music, but a lot of cronyism, personal taste pushing, and favor-trading goes on too.

Posted by Philip on Tuesday, 09/22/2015 @ 21:57pm

Gassman,

Strangely, I can understand why he would say that about Duran Duran: they were part of that scene in the early to mid-'80s... the androgynous, Britsh android acts Emotionless voices and vocal inflections, electronophonic effects becoming the forefront rather than the enhancement.. it all gives way to a concept of artificiality (that also traces back clearly to Kraftwerk... "Wir sind die Roboten" anyone?).

But I have no effing clue how one could say that about a soul group that made extensive use of harmonies to help invoke or imply an emotion within the song, such as the Spinners.

Posted by Philip on Tuesday, 09/22/2015 @ 22:14pm

If I remember right, I thought I read somewhere once where Little Steven was complaining about how Michael Jackson and the Talking Heads were getting inducted while certain doo wop groups were getting left out (aka: 2nd/3rd tier 50's acts basically).

So when it comes to people on the committee who don't want to acknowledge anything after 1975, Little Steven is one of the prime culprits of this mentality. If you're complaining about Michael Jackson getting inducted, then yeah, you're seriously out of touch. He was probably the lone person on the Committee trying to argue against Nirvana's induction lol.

Posted by Donnie on Tuesday, 09/22/2015 @ 22:45pm

True, but he's still the best chance of actually getting deserving acts from the 50s and 60s in. I'm nowhere near ready to shut that door. Hopefully he's the one who got Brook Benton some consideration. Would love to see that overlooked A-lister in.

Posted by Philip on Tuesday, 09/22/2015 @ 22:52pm

Philip,

I consider the Big Bopper to be rockabilly, so I'm not sure if we see him differently. I see a lot of non-country elements in the others. Is that what we see differently?

Jerry Reed - Crazy Legs, Guitar Man and Amos Moses

Jeff Beck covered Crazy Legs and Elvis covered Guitar Man

Kris Krstofferson - Me and Bobby McGee covered by Janice Joplin

Posted by Zuzu on Tuesday, 09/22/2015 @ 23:50pm

I consider the Big Bopper to be proto-Southern rock. His rhythm lines were a little too smooth for the hoppin'-n-boppin' style of rockabilly, but a little too rhythmically charged for '50s country.

Elvis is in both the Country & Western AND the Rock 'N' Roll Halls Of Fame, so make what you will about the King covering and even working with Jerry Reed. That said, country is one of the genres that was part of the original recipe for creating rock n roll music. Plus, it's also not uncommon for artists to take a song and redo it in a very different style or make it sound very different while keeping basic elements of the original song.

Posted by Philip on Wednesday, 09/23/2015 @ 00:35am

Philip: I'm not sure where Little Stevie is going with that RE: DD. Quite a bit of their early synthy work was emotionally charged (non-sexual lol). The songs New Religion, Anyone Out There and Careless Memories all come from pretty dark places (I'd also point these out to anybody who says their writing is fluff). I'd certainly vote for them but they're nowhere near the top of my snubs queue.

Posted by Sam on Wednesday, 09/23/2015 @ 02:54am

Getting closer to October and the 2015 Nominees List. Great lists by several FRL regulars and a few new ones. The RRHOF committee can be unpredictable but I see Ben E King, Deep Purple, Janet Jackson, J. Geils Band, Smashing Pumpkins & The Spinners to be good bets to be nominated. I think it's Deep Purple's year. Inducting Deep Purple really opens it up for Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, & Motorhead down the line. They are deserving too. The death slot has good candidates but Ben E King fits the 60's and singer slot. Stand By Me was a legendary song and Spanish Harlem was a beautiful hit. I always was a Peter Wolf fan so would have no problem with J.Geils Band nomination. My HOF would have Dokken, White Lion, and Def Leppard in it. Def Leppard has the best real chance at induction of my FAV. KING

Posted by KING on Wednesday, 09/23/2015 @ 03:52am

The Bopper wrote White Lightening and Running Bear.

Have you listened to any of those songs? Amos Moses is a fusion of country, rock and funk. Jeff Beck isn't in the country hall. Reed opened for Dexy Midnight Runners. Steve Morse and Les Claypool consider Reed an influence.

According to his obituary in the Guardian: "His influence on American guitar playing is held by some to be comparable to that of Django Reinhardt, and several of his songs have become country rock standards."

Posted by Zuzu on Wednesday, 09/23/2015 @ 06:44am

In regards to synth-pop or 80's new wave, most of us thus far have discussed Duran Duran, the Eurythmics, and Depeche Mode (and of course Kraftwerk) as far as being the more likely choices to appear on the ballot, if the Nominating Committee nominates an 80's synth-pop group. Even though no one has brought them, New Order also has to be a favorite in that genre for nomination as well.


But wouldn't it be funny if the Hall passed over the favorites like the bands mentioned above and went for someone not as likely. Like Gary Numan, the Pet Shop Boys, or the Human League? That'd be pretty funny, if unlikely.

On a sidenote, I've been listening to the Human League quite a bit in the last few days. I think they're one of the more underrated and overlooked groups of the 80's synth-pop/new wave scene.

Posted by Donnie on Wednesday, 09/23/2015 @ 08:39am

Philip: Yeah, comparing Duran Duran to The Spinners was a bit weird.

Donnie: Yet Little Steven has also said he's a huge fan of The White Stripes and the neo-Garage Rock movement of the 00's and 10's. He has Icky Trump listed as his favorite Garage Rock Album of all time.

Bruce Springsteen seems to have a more diverse opinion on music, because if you've seen his induction speech for U2 he brings up a ton of different groups including Public Enemy.

Posted by Gassman on Wednesday, 09/23/2015 @ 08:56am

On a sidenote, I've been listening to the Human League quite a bit in the last few days. I think they're one of the more underrated and overlooked groups of the 80's synth-pop/new wave scene.

Posted by Donnie on Wednesday, 09.23.15 @ 08:39am

Absolutely. They're most remembered as a nonthreatening commercial Synthpop band, but their earlier work was pretty revolutionary. Not quite as experimental as foundation stone Industrial contemporaries like Throbbing Gristle, Cabaret Voltaire or SPK, but along with Tubeway Army they were ahead of the curve artistically by the end of the 70s.

Posted by DarinRG on Wednesday, 09/23/2015 @ 14:59pm

Springsteen is 10X more knowledgeable about different forms of music than the majority of the those on the Nominating Committee. I've read a decent amount of interviews from him and when he's talking about music and particular artists, he goes all over the place with genres and time periods. He's even advocated for Suicide to be in the RNRHOF. He's one of the few Baby-Boom era artists that keeps up with modern music, as in music that's out right now, let alone the music from the 80's, 90's, and 00's.

It's really too bad he's not on the Nominating Committee. He's way more diverse as a music fan, which is what the Hall overall needs.

Posted by Donnie on Wednesday, 09/23/2015 @ 17:22pm

Darin RG

You are right about Human League being overlooked. Songs like Don't You Want Me and Keep Feeling Fascination were Classic songs. I like when they alternated the male singer and female in Don't You Want Me. It was innovative how they told the story from different points of view. Many groups tried to sing or copy the lead singer's style of vocal. King's take Human League won't be inducted but glad you brought them up. The 80's music was brash and flashy at times with many talented bands. Fun time to be alive. KING

Posted by KING on Wednesday, 09/23/2015 @ 17:31pm

Donnie: Springsteen does come off as being one of the more in-touch with modern music inductees into the Hall of Fame. Honestly, because of his words about them, the next ceremony in NY (their hometown), and both members still alive, I've pegged Suicide as a possible dark horse inductee for next year. The committee shake-up may play a part in that if it happens. I'm not one of the Boss's biggest fans (I enjoy him, but he's not universally my cup of tea), but I appreciate that, unlike Stevie it seems, he actually is willing to give a nod.

Also, Duran Duran and the Spinners "mindless, emotionless, meaningless crap"? Yeah, because I know how little intelligence and emotion went into stuff like I'll Be Around and Hungry Like the Wolf.

DarinRG: I already think Human League is underrated, but what were they doing in the 70s? I'm really curious.

Posted by SotN on Wednesday, 09/23/2015 @ 20:15pm

I gotta admit to being one of those who can't stand Human League. "Don't You Want Me" is just one of the most awful songs to me. "Human" and "Fascination" just do not strike a chord with me. They're one of those acts that would actually have to be nominated in order for me to have any motivation to research them further. They're probably more than those songs, but I don't have the impetus to find out right now.

Posted by Philip on Wednesday, 09/23/2015 @ 21:13pm

Happy Autumnal Equinox!

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nominating committee will soon be meting in New York to plan on who will be the nominees for the Class of 2016. I have already mentioned who I think will be nominated; yet an interesting development has occurred on my end.

I have recently been listening to a great deal of The Moody Blues. We rightly inducted them into the Revisited/Projected Rock Hall Project a while ago. Yet, despite a unique catalog of albums, songs and tours, The Moody Blues have not once been nominated for the RRHOF. I keep thinking why this has yet to happen. And that got me to thinking about who would show up for the induction ceremony should the Moody Blues one day get inducted.

Justin Hayward: he would certainly show up without question.

Patrick Moraz: I'm sure Moraz would be pleased to show up; yet I do not think it would be his decision. The rest of the Moody Blues these past 25 years have to minimize Patrick Moraz's importance during the 12 years from 1978-1990 when he was with the band. Let us be realistic here: Patrick Moraz brought a sense of new ideas and forward thinking when he became involved. Long Distance Voyager, The Present, The Other Side of Life, Sur La Mer, Legend of a Band and Keys of the Kingdom involved to some degree or another Moraz's keyboard prowess and at times his songwriting capabilities.

Understandably, it was not the core 7 era, but it was still quite good. None the less, I think The Moody Blues need to loosen their pride and pretty much give Patrick Moraz his due regarding the transitional years of newer music and increased popularity. Knowing what Justin Hayward and company may think of Patrick Moraz, it seems less likely Moraz would be given his recognition as an inducted member in the eyes of the RRHOF. Fortunately, when the time comes that Yes are inducted before the year is out, I am quite sure Moraz will be included as an inductee with Yes. They certainly know that Relayer and the tours that followed benefitted from Moraz's involvement.

Denny Laine: Possibly not going to happen. Laine's tenure was in the pre Justin Hayward era. Both Denny Laine and The Moody Blues went on to bigger and better things.

Mike Pinder: he would probably show up. Indeed, every so often Mike Pinder has popped up in Moody Blues related material. I think he was the bald-headed person in the video for Your Wildest Dreams, though I could be wrong. And admittedly, they lost something after Pinder left. Problem is, four of the five core 7 Moody Blues have very mixed feelings regarding Mike Pinder, particularly when it comes to Octave. Hayward though has softened his stances on Pinder; so that helps.

John Lodge: Of course he would go. Just as important to the band as Hayward, Moraz and Pinder.

Ray Thomas: if he is up to it, Thomas would show up. Easily the most whimsical and positive of the Moody Blues.

Graeme Edge: he has been there from the beginning and is still there to this day. Edge would show up without question; although I think there is still a schism between Edge and Mike Pinder that Edge has not really gotten over.

The family of Clint Warwick: if Denny Laine is not likely to get inducted, do not expect Clint Warwick to get inducted either.

These might be the reasons why we have yet to see The Moody Blues get inducted into the RRHOF. They are well deserving of an induction, and it would be nice to see them get in when the bulk of the Moody Blues are still alive. Let me know what you think might be the reasons why The Moody Blues are not yet in, and if they have a chance in the near future.

I think, I am, I think, therefore I am, I think,

Lax32

Posted by Lax32 on Wednesday, 09/23/2015 @ 21:58pm

Regarding the Moody Blues, I think it comes to down to the fact that they were not really a "critically acclaimed" band throughout their peak popularity in the late 1960s and early 1970s. "Days of Future Passed" is one of hte best albums of the late 1960s; "Nights in White Satin," "Tuesday Afternoon," "Question" and "I'm Just a Singer in a Rock and Roll Band" are classic songs. Without question, they are one of the most influential and important Progressive Rock bands. However, I think it's lack of acclaim that's keeping them on the outside looking in. I hope they get a nomination this year, but not sure at this point. If a band like Kiss got in, then the Moody Blues still have a fighting chance (and I really like Kiss, but I'm saying this because most critics hated their work).

Posted by Nick on Thursday, 09/24/2015 @ 00:04am

The Human League is an interesting band to think about for future HOF ceremonies. Although I don't think their entirely worthy of HOF status, "Don't You Want Me" is one of the most recognizable songs from the 1980s. Other New Wave acts would have to be inducted before the Human League has any sort of chance at the HOF.

Posted by Nick on Thursday, 09/24/2015 @ 00:11am

I like the recent posts on the Moody Blues. They have been shut out so long. There is few reasons for that perhaps. I've mentioned some. One more key reason is that the Hall had that stupid decision of only Having 5 Inductees. We're talking Nominees here in general. As I recall the Nominee lists were smaller. So naturally the tastes of the Committee at that time shut them out. The Hall inducted people like Neil Diamond, Dr John, Donovan, Guns n' Roses and Laura Nyro and various others. I remember Bon Jovi, The Cure, Chic, J Geils Band, Donna Summer and Joe Tex being Nominated around this Time.

I brought this up to show where the varying tastes of the Hall were at that time. I am diverse. I happen to like early J. Geils and also Joe Tex. I feel those should go in. However year after year there is No Moody Blues. Why is that? As Nick Put it they were not a Critically acclaimed band. I do think the tide is changing However. Rush who are very prog oriented were Inducted. Also key is that Kiss got in. Also worth mentioning is that Yes were nominated a couple years ago. They were not exactly critically acclaimed either. This should strengthen the chances for the Moody Blues.

Hey they won't have to worry about controversy with the Moody Blues. Also Days of Future Passed is one of the finest albums of the late 60s as well as In search of the Lost Chord and Threshold of A Dream. There is perhaps a Prog subcomittee at this point. I have heard there is subcommittees. Ones for R&B, Rap, Metal, Blues Rock that sort of thing. A prog subcommittee would strengthen the chances for the Moody Blues. Can someone let me know about subcommittees. Not sure there is. In any case I'm rooting for a Nomination of the Moody Blues as I've said.

Posted by Ben on Thursday, 09/24/2015 @ 06:23am

Phillip,

I'll bring up two lesser known songs from the Human League that I think are absolutely awesome, both from the same album (Dare!) that "Don't You Want Me" is on.

"Do or Die"
"Seconds"

Both are incredible songs, especially "Seconds" which is about the assassination of John F. Kennedy. Of course like their sound in the early 1980's, it is heavily electronic, so if it's the electronic sound in general that bugs you, then you won't probably appreciate them.

But the songs you brought up ("Fascination," "Don't You Want Me," and especially "Human") are more poppy so to speak. "Human" sounds like borderline adult contemporary, so I get why you wouldn't like them.

But if you don't mind electronic sounds, just something with more substance, try those two songs out on YouTube, if you've got 10 minutes.

If not, no biggie.

Posted by Donnie on Thursday, 09/24/2015 @ 07:56am

As Nick alluded to, the Moody Blues have more than likely sat out on the outside for so long, because they weren't ever really critically acclaimed, with the exception of Days of Future Passed, which has really become one of the most underrated albums of the 60's, particularly with your Rolling Stone crowd, whom of course, basically controls the Hall.

If the people in that crowd completely had their way, there wouldn't be a single progressive rock group in the Hall. I think they would've even passed on Pink Floyd if they could (who to this day still doesn't get that much respect from Rolling Stone). Rush certainly wouldn't be in. Genesis probably as well.

The thing that the Moody Blues wasn't ever really able to do like Pink Floyd, Genesis, Rush, and Yes (who hasn't been inducted, but nominated), is really enjoy pop culture infamy in the present day.

Pink Floyd obviously became one of the biggest bands in rock history. Like Led Zeppelin, they became so huge, even the Rolling Stone groupies couldn't hold them back from the Hall. Genesis did the same thing, although not on the level of Pink Floyd, but were huge in the 80's. Eventually they couldn't be denied, plus the critical acclaim of Peter Gabriel's solo career I'm sure helped their cause as well.

As for Rush and Yes, critics may still hate them, but Rush and Yes have become so popular with today's generation, they've managed to break through. Rush in general, and "Owner of a Lonely Heart" in general have become pop culture staples in recent years, so both of their statures have grown immensely as time has went on. The same cannot be said for the Moody Blues.

Kids in today's age that are discovering older music know Rush and Yes (or at least "Owner of a Lonely Heart" and "Roundabout." The Moody Blues have not really had that crossover appeal. Sure they were like Yes and Rush and had big commercial success in the 80's as well, but after that they really faded outsider of their hardcore fanbase.


Even though the Moody Blues have the credentials to be inducted and should've been a long time ago, they already have the disadvantage of being a prog band, and one of the major pioneers of it for that matter, which we all know is not well appreciated by many on the committee. And with not really continuing to be relevant to today's pop culture scene, they've kind of been forgotten. I could totally see Tom Morello or someone younger arguing with Steven Van Zant and Dave Marsh over Rush and Yes. I don't see that happening for the Moody Blues. That might be the difference maker there.


Hopefully in the next few years, I'll be proven wrong, as to me other than Deep Purple (and maybe Kraftwerk), they're the biggest snub of the HOF, in my book.

Posted by Donnie on Thursday, 09/24/2015 @ 08:06am

Basically it boils down to this. The old guard (Marsh, Wenner, Van Zant, etc.) doesn't appreciate the Moody Blues. That much is obvious. For bands like the Moody Blues, if you've got the old guard not ever bringing them up, it's gonna take someone from the new breed to come on the Committee and bring them up. That's how Rush, KISS, Yes, etc. broke through. But if no one in the new breed appreciates them either, well, then you've got not no support from anyone, which means your name is not gonna come up. Simple as that.

Posted by Donnie on Thursday, 09/24/2015 @ 08:13am

Excellent Points Brought Up Ben and Donnie; Doesn't the Rock Hall Committee have a Subcommittee for Progressive Rock, like Hip-Hop? Does anyone know by chance who's on that committee?

There is a slow changing of the guard on the Rock Hall committee which is a good thing. So if anything this is a great thing for bands like the Moody Blues and Chicago, who probably didn't attract much attention to begin with.

Also regarding Stevie Van Zandt's comments on Duran Duran and The Spinners, it's kinda surprising to hear that from him. I thought he was more open to other kinds of rock music, I guess not. Really disappointed to hear him say that about the Spinners, one of my favorite soul groups ever. If Van Zandt think the Spinners are "mindless music," I don't wanna know what he thinks of Motown. Yet he (and Dave Marsh, who I strongly dislike and think is everything wrong with the Rock Hall's Nominating Committee; he's very close-minded) was probably so behind Percy Sledge's induction back from 2005, a glorified one-hit wonder. But they did receive 2 nominations recently so who knows; even thou he is quite a heavyweight on the Committee.

Posted by Nick on Thursday, 09/24/2015 @ 09:47am

Philip,

I'm not into Human League either. They're ok but it's not music I would want to for more than a song or 2.

Nick, Donnie,

You both brought up an interesting point about Moody Blues not being well acclaimed. But why were they and several other Brit's being rejected for the most part by the American public? Forget about the Nom Com because this wasn't their decade. Why were Americans not connecting to the Brits' music in the 70's?

Some of Brits being big was brought up. Look at their US chart #s and you'll see that they were only doing ok in the 70's. They didn't get traction until the 80's. Why? Something else to remember: record sales in total dropped in the 80's. Why?

Posted by Zuzu on Thursday, 09/24/2015 @ 09:48am

Zuzu,
I think it boils down to the Nominating Committee's Distain for Progressive Rock which is why bands like Yes, The Moody Blues and Jethro Tull have not been inducted yet. It's important to keep in mind that Progressive Rock is one of the most polarizing subgenres in Rock Music: Either you love it or hate it, there's no middle-ground. I don't think the charts matter as much in the case of the Moody Blues, not to allude that it doesn't but it's definitely not the defining characteristic for their induction. It's not that Americans werent't "connecting" to Progressive Rock, many were and that's an impossible question to answer. My answer would that Progressive Rock, at its core, is more of an experimental subgenre that combines elements of Rock and Classical Music (among others). Bands like Genesis (Phil Collins era) and Yes went "commercial" in the 1980s, that's why they connected better with audiences. Many of their fans from the 1970s thought both bands "sold out" for this reason alone (a betrayal of sorts).

However, it's the "established" Rock Critics (eg, writers for Rolling Stone, Dave Marsh, Robert Christgau) who strongly disliked that subgenre of Rock Music. If they didn't like it, then they wanted to perceive and brainwash other to think Progressive Rock bands are "not up to par" with other Rock acts of the 60s and 70s. Obviously it's not going and bands like Rush and Yes have appeared on the ballot recently. I think Yes will appear on this year's ballot as the Progressive Rock choice.

Posted by Nick on Thursday, 09/24/2015 @ 10:02am

The voters shoulder much of the blame. For example, Yes was at least nominated. It took two tries to get Pink Floyd inducted.

Posted by dmg on Thursday, 09/24/2015 @ 10:19am

To answer Zuzu's question, I'm not really sure where you're getting the idea that British groups weren't very commercially successful in the 1970's.

Obviously, British groups didn't dominate quite as much as they did in the 60's. There was no "British Invasion" in the 1970's so to speak. But still, some of the most successful (commercially, I'm talking about) acts of the 70's were British.

Maybe not quite on the Singles charts, but on the albums charts, the Who and the Rolling Stones were just as successful and popular as ever, and Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd both emerged to dominate the album charts in that decade.

And let's also not forget the Bee Gees who were Australian or British (people have different viewpoints on that) and were perhaps more popular than any group of the decade.

And then there's Queen who was pretty popular in the late 70's (though not as much as they are today, admittedly).

I was born in 1984, so obviously I didn't live in the 1970's, but my parents were. They were in the early 20's throughout the decade and going to concerts, almost on a weekly basis.

Most of the bands they saw were American bands like KISS, Aerosmith, Blue Oyster Cult, REO Speedwagon, Foghat, etc. And Rush, though not American.

They didn't ever go see the major, major bands like the Who, Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, the Eagles, Elvis, any of the Beatles, or the Bee Gees. They were too "big time" for my parents to go see at local shows in the Indianapolis area during that time. And, of all those mentioned, all of them are British, with the exception of the Eagles and Elvis (throw Fleetwood Mac in there too, although the peak lineup was 3/5 British).


So as someone that lived through the 70's, what do you mean by the idea that British artists didn't connect with American audiences? I don't see that at all.

If you mean British punk and post-punk at the end of the 70's, that I can see.

Posted by Donnie on Thursday, 09/24/2015 @ 10:54am

Nick,

I'm a tail end Boomer so my teen and early 20s were in the 70s. They are not exactly putting our music in the hall either. I see 60s and 80s artist listed. Guess what I think the Nom Com could do with Nyro and Summer.

When I went to the record store in the 70s prog, metal and punk were near but not in rock. In a sense I see these as rock derivatives that at times crossed over but were not exactly rock.

Also look at what was going on in the 70s: Vietnam, Watergate, disco and disco sucks. We had some serious stuff going on and our comedy came with a message. British slapstick didn't cut it until the late 70s. After Saturday Night Fever, anything remotely sounding like disco was getting played on rock stations. It wasn't just prog artist doing disco. The other Brits were doing it too.

Maybe I'm wrong but even if they get the nom, will they get the votes? Personally I think having some of N American 70s rock artist get in will increase these Brits chances of getting votes because they are contemporaries. Same way I feel that some of the Outlaws getting in would help NIN because Johnny Cash covered Hurt.

Posted by Zuzu on Thursday, 09/24/2015 @ 10:56am

Donnie,

If your parents were in their teens in the 60s they probably would be into the Brits and the California sound. 4 or 5 years make difference in tastes.

Foghat are Brits. Are you sure they went to see Kiss? I made my brother's face turn red when he told me he wanted to listen to Kiss. They were marketing to the little kiddies. I liked Rock and Roll All Night but I also liked Rubber Duckie too.

Go look at the US #s on wiki. Most Brits had sporadic #s. You will also notice they did better at the beginning and end of the decade. The Beatles (as a group & individually combined) got more airplay time then all the rest of the Brits combined. You never heard of Beatles Weekends?


The girl & the fish - I've heard 2 versions - 1 were she was willing and 1 were she wasn't.

Bonham needing to be held down because he was trying to tear the clothes off a woman that worked for them

Page & the 14 year old girl

The whole group saying they could get American girls to do whatever they wanted

Do you really think these guys were popular with the ladies?

The Who & Stones

Neither was anywhere near the level of the Beatles.

It had come out that the Brits were fudging official sales #s to get airplay time. Nobody I knew was buying the Stones or the Who so I am skeptical about their #s being so high.

If you accidently got a Who record instead of a Guess Who record, your reaction was yuck.

The Stones lost their bad boy version of the Beatles image when they tucked tail and ran at the Altamont concert

I'm trying to point out the Brits as a whole were not doing anywhere near as well as most people on here think in the US during the 70s. They did not get traction in American popularity until the 80s. The Who and the Stones were not hoisted up to level of the Beatles until the 90s.

Posted by Zuzu on Thursday, 09/24/2015 @ 13:05pm

DarinRG: I already think Human League is underrated, but what were they doing in the 70s? I'm really curious.

Posted by SotN on Wednesday, 09.23.15 @ 20:15pm

Their first two albums, Reproduction (1979) and Travelogue (1980) as well as their Human League precursor incarnation, The Future, were much more experimental and adventurous than the slick Synthpop that they're most remembered for. They were one of the earlier bands developing the seminal stage of Synthpop, but the work that they were doing at the time was reaching more in the direction of what the Industrial bands, especially their Sheffield fellows Cabaret Voltaire, were doing in the late-70. Those early albums actually anticipated the Post-Industrial sound of the early and mid-80 more so than the glossy, radio friendly Synthpop sound that got them their commercial success.

Posted by DarinRG on Thursday, 09/24/2015 @ 20:41pm

So I can see a bunch of the FRL's official predictions happening. I just don't see a lot them happening this year. I'm still going with the Prog catch up this year. Along with Chicago, J Geils Band and War. I'm staying the Course with my List. J Geils is one of the few I agree with. I can see Pixies next year. I know them. They are worthy. Perhaps next Year. Rufus and Chaka Khan is an excellent R&B choice but for next year perhaps. I'm expecting an R&B catch up next year for some reason.
It is Ironic FRL have Phish on their List. I love Phish. I just don't think the World is ready for that. I mean one can argue that the World isn't ready for NIN and Smashing Pumpkins. The thing is even though I dig Jam bands soo much more as far as 90s I think The Hall will go thru Key 90s Alternative bands first. I'm not an expert on 90s so I'll move on from this.

Dick Dale is an interesting pick. I can see Steve Van Zant supporting him.
I agree with Sting despite the fact I'm not a fan. He is popular overall and captures a crowd for the most part.
Harry Nilsson is a Singer/Songwriter I can certainly see. I'm going with someone more popular with Carly Simon this year. The Hall went with Cat Stevens in that way in 2014.
As for Chic I am simply giving Up. I mean after 9 Noms I would think something is Up with that. We'll see if the Hall agrees.
I'm going with my List. My list is Final. I've already discussed it a few times.

Posted by Ben on Friday, 09/25/2015 @ 08:36am

2016 Inductions. It would seem the dead music artists could get the short end of the stick in future inductions. As this RRHOF event will be televised, it makes sense to have a living artist perform his or her work. Case In Point-Sting vs. Nilsson or Stevie Nicks vs. Whitney Houston. In a close vote or nomination, I wonder how if someone living who can perform their music at RRHOF ceremony and still living will sway the decision.

I realize for dead artists or someone who is old or sick others will perform their songs. It's intriguing though with this HBO deal if this becomes more of a factor. Curious what the FRL regulars think about the topic. KING

Posted by KING on Saturday, 09/26/2015 @ 03:22am

I kind of agree with the point King has brought up to a degree.

We'll never have a class with the majority being deceased artists ever again. I think that much is certain.

But one interesting point regarding this though, is that in recent years, the Hall has enjoyed bringing superstar artists who aren't being inducted and centering the show on them. Usually in tribute performances.

Take last year's for example. Green Day may have been the "headliner" of the show, but in reality, the true headliners were Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr. Ringo Starr as an artist for his solo career was minor compared to the majority of the HOF inductees, but with Paul McCartney as his inductor and co-performer, you had a much bigger star than any of the inductees.

When it came to SRV's time at the ceremony, instead the Hall got a bunch of guitar greats to do a tribute performance.


The year before that you had "Hervana," with Dave Grohl and Kris Novoselic performing with a number of female performers which was a true highlight moment. Same as the all-star tribute to Linda Ronstadt.


I think the Hall is getting to the point where they'd almost rather have major superstars come in and perform the inductees or do their speeches, than the have the inductees do it themselves.

I'm sure, for example, in Whitney Houston's place, they'd go all out and try to get a bunch of superstar singers to pay tribute to her. Like Stevie Wonder, Beyonce, Jennifer Hudson, etc.


When it comes to show planning, I don't think an artist being deceased will make that much of a difference in preventing them from being inducted.


But even more than that, the Hall loves getting bands to reunite or performers to perform for the first time in a long time, so if the Hall can get a group like the classic lineup of Deep Purple to reunite for the first time in decades, they'll go for it.

Posted by Donnie on Saturday, 09/26/2015 @ 05:24am

A point was made that Kids in Today's age that are discovering older Music know Rush and Yes. The Moody Blues don't have that Crossover appeal. A point well made is that they are not relevant to today's Pop culture scene. These are good points. However, it has happened in Other Genres that artists that aren't too relevant in today's Pop Culture have been Inducted or nominated. I won't go back too far. Bob Seger, Traffic, The Hollies, Neil Diamond, Dr. John have been Inducted. J Geils Band and Joe Tex Have been Nominated. I like a lot of these artists a lot but I don't know that they are too relevant in today's Pop Culture. Kids in Today's age may know Centerfold from J Geils and that's it.
I know what some of you are thinking. A lot of these are favs of the Old Rolling stone guard like Jann Wenner and Dave Marsh. However, that may be changing. If there is a Prog subcommittee then chances are strengthened for the Moody Blues. If that's the case they can at least be nominated and possibly inducted the same way Traffic and the Hollies once were. I would like to know more about Sub committees. That can make a difference. I have heard that there is for R&B, Hip Hop, Blues, and Singer/Songwriters.

Posted by Ben on Saturday, 09/26/2015 @ 07:22am

Ben,

Where in pop culture do today's kids hear Rush or Yes? They get the Moody Blues from the more cow bell SNL skit. That one is frequently played on the best of SNL. The kids don't know Old Time Rock and Roll? How many times is the air guitar scene from Risky Business shown or mimicked?

If it's in a movie or used for a commercial they will at least know the song. They will know the songs from singing competition shows. They know Journey and Kansas.

They may not know the artist but they will have a reference point to the music. By the way they know John Denver too. Google Rocky Mountain High.

Posted by Zuzu on Saturday, 09/26/2015 @ 10:08am

Actually that strengthens My point More then. I was going with What Donnie said that Kids know Rush and Yes. They don't know them well. I work at an Electronic store and some Kids have mentioned Rush and Yes. Maybe because of their parents. Also I was talking about Bob Seger as an artist not just The one Song. But Good Old Bob Seger was inducted based on the Older Fan base so It don't matter about the kids. Same thing with Traffic. It don't matter about the kids. I have not met a kid today that Knows Traffic. So My Point then is the Moody Blues don't need kids to know who they are. Artists I think get in based on Their overall career not how they are regarded by Pop Culture at this moment.
So Moody Blues can get at least Nominated due to their Old Contributions. Hey Dr. JOHN got in and so did Neil Diamond.

Posted by Ben on Saturday, 09/26/2015 @ 10:43am

I watch the Voice and several of the older songs are done. Bob Seger did Turn the Page with one of Voice finalists a couple of years ago.

I think the hall is trying to cover several ends. They want the younger generations so they are putting in several non-rock artist. They were putting mostly their pet projects and favorites in.

Why wouldn't Neil Diamond get in? He was big in the late 60's.

Who is the Moody Blues more important to? I don't think they are high on the list of those of us that were teens in the 70's. The problem is will they get the votes. I think the voting body is getting a little bit pickier about who they vote in. Maybe they will get the votes, but Yes and Deep Purple didn't. In an interview I came across I got the impression that Rush felt there were other artist that should have been put in before them.

Posted by Zuzu on Saturday, 09/26/2015 @ 11:43am

As far as the dead artist vs. living artist idea, I think that the question runs aground on the fact that the VoteComm is not a single entity sitting around planning what will make the best show. The NomCom can create a ballot that tries to steer things in a preferred direction, but the final result hinges on hundreds of people getting a ballot and putting a check mark next to their friends and favorites.

I've seen several old timers post their ballots on Twitter over the past couple years and they only had two or three names checked because the voter was so out of touch that they only knew their few peers and contemporaries who were nominated.

The voters are not planning out the HBO special when they fill out their ballots.

Posted by DarinRG on Saturday, 09/26/2015 @ 13:39pm

Both Neil Diamond and Dr. John most definitely should be in. Also The Hollies should be in. Donovan deserves to be in. All of them had lots of Hits in the 60s. I just don't know if it matters about the Pop Culture of Today on those. In fact of the Ones I just said Neil Diamond would be better known by Kids due to Commercials.
There are some artists in Now that Kids really wouldn't know. The Small Faces went in. Paul Butterfield Blues Band, The Meters and the Zombies were nominated a couple times. P Butterfield even went in. So it's not always huge names still known in Pop Culture.
So I figure it's just a matter of time for the Moody Blues.

Posted by Ben on Saturday, 09/26/2015 @ 15:23pm

If the Nom Com puts high number of artist that are known not to be popular or respected by the voting body, they have a high probability of getting in who they want. Add to that any behind doors deals that are made to get votes and probability gets even higher.

First off, are older voters the only ones to not use all 5 votes they are entitled to? I could also see somebody doing that if they think only a few of those year's nominees belong in the hall. Just because you have found some of the older voters doing this, does not mean all older voters are out of touch. Don't forget Johnny Cash covered NIN's Hurt. Some will keep up, some won't and I'm sure some are having their cards filled out by family or a friend.

Posted by Zuzu on Saturday, 09/26/2015 @ 15:40pm

"First off, are older voters the only ones to not use all 5 votes they are entitled to?"

Not having seen every ballot none of us would know. The only that that I've seen were from acts that had their main relevance in the 60s.

"Just because you have found some of the older voters doing this, does not mean all older voters are out of touch."

And I never claimed that all older voters are out of touch. In fact the sentence that you are addressing begins with the words, "I've seen several old timers...".

Posted by DarinRG on Saturday, 09/26/2015 @ 16:38pm

I still think some it is. I almost forgot about Glee. Unfortunately they don't get that Glee doing Journey is not the same as Steve Perry doing it.

What about current, popular artist doing covers. I saw a video where Fall Out Boy was having problems with their equipment and he played his guitar as if it was acoustic and did City of New Orleans. Before that he said he was picky about folk because his father was a folk musician and he used to play this Steve Goodman song for him when he was little.

Then you have songs that are done around the holidays such as Chicago's Saturday in the Park for 4th of July or Same Old Lang Syne by Dan Fogelberg for Christmas or Arlo Guthrie's Alice's Restaurant for Thanksgiving.

Let's not forget songs done by sport's teams such as Riding the Storm Out by the Hawks. What about what the Cubs do with having guest artist do the 7th inning stretch.

I didn't know Paul Butterfield songs but I have heard his name enough times by those who were older than me to know that they were important. Some of the people on here come up with artist from the 70's that make me go who the frick is that. Nobody I knew listened to that one.

Posted by Zuzu on Saturday, 09/26/2015 @ 16:41pm

In reference to where in pop culture are kids finding out about Rush and Yes, there's plenty of references to them.

One there's the Guitar Hero and Rock Band video game franchises which is probably the main output that kids of the last 10 years have discovered "classic rock" music. Rush and Yes were two of the more heavily featured bands in those series of games, especially Rush.

Rush has received a lot of media coverage in the last 5 years or so, shortly after their documentary film came out. They were on VH1's newer list of the 100 Greatest Artists, and they were one of the storyline focal points for the movie, "I Love You Man," starring Paul Rudd and Jason Segal.

I think an argument could be made in the early 2010's (not so much in the last year or so), that Rush was probably the most talked about late 70's rock band around in pop culture and the world of music media.


Yes has also been featured in commercials as well as in movies. "Owner of a Lonely Heart," in particular has gotten quite a following thanks to it's use in commercials and films (Dinner for Schmucks being an example), and it's popularity on YouTube.


And another note is that both are bands are still heavily played on "classic rock" radio. The Moody Blues are too, but not as much.


Other than "Nights in White Satin," I don't really see the Moody Blues having major followings on YouTube or social media (another avenue that Rush and Yes have had more success at), or heavily airplay on classic rock radio, or lots of references to them in movies, tv shows, and commercials (although "Nights in White Satin" was used in the Dark Shadows film, though that movie wasn't a major success, certainly compared to the original TV show in the 60's).


Ultimately, that stuff doesn't matter as much as having the support of those on both committees. I only brought up that stuff, because sometimes it can be an important counter to those on the Nominating Commitee not liking a particular act. The Hall has had to become more populist in recent years, so even if Jann Wenner and Co. don't like a group like Rush or Yes, both bands are too popular to ignore. The Moody Blues, don't have the same crossover appeal to younger audiences like Rush and Yes have, so the Nominating Committee can afford to go along with their bias against the Moodies and not nominate them, and it won't cause as much of an outcry, beyond the group's fanbase.


Which is of course a shame. I like the Moody Blues more than Rush and Yes myself, but at the same time I have to acknowledge that they're simply not as popular or remembered among younger rock fans today, like Rush, KISS, Yes, or even Deep Purple are (mostly thanks to "Smoke on the Water").

Posted by Donnie on Saturday, 09/26/2015 @ 20:11pm

what wonderful discussion here! Thanks everyone for the Moody Blues comments.
It is true about pop culture and the younger fans and the MB but remember the "Simpsons" have reruns... Also Justin has a very popular fan base on facebook He also has a new PBS special from his solo tour "Spirits" The Moodies do have fans that crossover to bluegrass with the amazing MOODY BLUEGRASS cds. Kenny Loggins and Justin wrote a fantastic song that is on "Spirits" called "ON THE ROAD TO LOVE" Justin is well known around Nashville.The MB also were involved in an IMAX soundtrack for "Journey into amazing caves"
I feel like they have paid their dues! They have toured nonstop for years to sold out shows. I have been to several and there are fans of all ages.
From the Rockhall websight:
We shall consider factors such as an artist's musical influence on other artists, length and depth of career and the body of work, innovation and superiority in style and technique, but musical excellence shall be the essential qualification of induction. -
I love ELO,Rush and Yes...Duran Duran and Chicago also deserve to be in. But no band if you consider the above factors (TO ME) deserve it more than the Moody Blues!

Posted by Sue on Saturday, 09/26/2015 @ 21:51pm

Donnie, Thanks for bringing up Guitar Hero. I had completely forgotten about that one.

I understand how you feel about wanting to see an artist you think should be in get pushed back by an outcry for those you feel are less deserving. I would love to see Steve Goodman get noticed and he is not even listed here or on other sites.

I think you are looking at only a small segment that consists of younger males that are into rock and are motivated and more vocal. This isn't the general population. Just remember that despite what anybody says that what is most important is do they have the respect of their peers, because that is who votes for them. So I wouldn't give up hope.

Sue, Working with Kenny Loggins would get noticed among country fans due to Danny's Song and the Footloose remake.

Now I Have to put my guys ahead of yours but out of all the British Prog I think MB & ELP are probably most respected by their peers. I still think that Styx and Kansas have a better chance getting in. I see some of the N American groups from the 70's getting in, helping the Brits because they are contemporaries.

Posted by Zuzu on Saturday, 09/26/2015 @ 23:27pm

Ben,

Where in pop culture do today's kids hear Rush or Yes? They get the Moody Blues from the more cow bell SNL skit. That one is frequently played on the best of SNL. The kids don't know Old Time Rock and Roll? How many times is the air guitar scene from Risky Business shown or mimicked?

Posted by Zuzu on Saturday, 09.26.15 @ 10:08am

-----

That was Blue Oyster Cult, not the Moodies.

Posted by DC on Sunday, 09/27/2015 @ 00:10am

Thanks DC. you're right.

Posted by Zuzu on Sunday, 09/27/2015 @ 00:33am

ZUZU

Very tired after working a ton of hours but I have to respond...You are probably correct about Kansas and Styx but I am a HARD CORE MB fan..

Kansas: Dust in the wind from 1977 "Point of know return" A big hit..Dust in the wind
lyrics:
All we are is dust in the wind
Dust in the wind
All we are is dust in the wind
I close my eyes
Only for a moment, then the moment's gone
All my dreams
Pass before my eyes, a curiosity
Dust in the wind
All we are is dust in the wind

It's the same old song
We're just a drop of water, in an endless sea
All we do
Just crumbles to the ground, though we refuse to see
Dust in the wind
All we are is dust in the wind

Life's too short brothers and sisters
Dust in the wind
All we are is dust in the wind

Don't hang on
Nothing lasts forever, but the earth and sky
It's there always
And all your money won't another minute buy
Dust, all we are is dust in the wind
Life's too short brothers and sisters
Dust, all we are is dust in the wind

Moody Blues: New Horizons from 1972 "Seventh Sojourn"
lyrics:
Well I've had dreams enough for one
And I've got love enough for three
I have my hopes to comfort me
I got my new horizons out to sea

But I'm never gonna lose your precious gift
It will always be that way
'cause I know I'm gonna find my own peace of mind
Someday

Where is this place that we have found?
Nobody knows where we are bound
I long to hear, I need to see
'cause I've shed tears too many for me, me

But I'm never gonna lose your precious gift
It will always be that way
'cause I know I'm gonna find my own peace of mind
Someday

On the wind soaring free
Spread your wings, I'm beginning to see
Out of mind far from view
Beyond the reach of a nightmare come true

Well I've had dreams enough for one
And I got love enough for three
I have my hopes to comfort me
I got my new horizons out to sea

But I'm never gonna lose your precious gift
It will always be that way
'cause I know I'm gonna find my own peace of mind
Someday, someway
The MB released this song a FULL 5 years before Kansas...
There is no way in the world that Kansas was not influenced by the MB.The MB should be inducted FIRST...
Thank you everyone for positive Moody Blues comments. Keeping fingers crossed...
Justin Hayward has a birthday on October 14, He will be 69.. a RRHOF nomination would be a nice gift...But this band is timeless...with class. They have deep intelligent lyrics that have a positive message . Perhaps that is their problem with the Nom Comm?? It has been noted that the fans are more upset about the snubb than the band...

Posted by Sue on Sunday, 09/27/2015 @ 01:29am

I think I need to clarify that Chicago are my boys.

I have not come across any reference to Kansas being influenced by the Moody Blues. I realize that you are very passionate about MB but New Horizons has nothing to do with Dust in the Wind. New Horizons is nowhere the level of quality or depth of meaning of Dust in the Wind.

Wiki likens the wording to Genesis, The Tale of the Heike and Native American poetry. Dust in the Wind is about Heartland, Bible Belt mythos, a deep introspective look at the meaning of life. I can't even make out the meaning of New Horizons. To me it sounds like a breakup song.

Posted by Zuzu on Sunday, 09/27/2015 @ 12:17pm

I wonder if Cheap Trick now gets a major boost for a Rock Hall nomination this year after Stevie Van Zandt's support via Twitter? Cheap Trick is definitely underrated and should already be in the Rock Hall.

Posted by Nick on Sunday, 09/27/2015 @ 13:59pm

Yeah, I was about to comment on the same thing Nick did. Steve is obviously a fan of Cheap Trick with his recent tweets. But does that necessarily mean he's going bring them up (or already has) at the Nominating Committee meeting?

That'd be interesting if Steve put aside his 60's tastes and pushed for 70's acts this year instead. It's looking like Cheap Trick and the J. Geils Band (two prime 70's rock groups) are the two groups he's championed for in public recently. What would be a third candidate for him to bring up?


I know he'd instantly become a favorite member of the Nominating Committee for many rock fans if he could finally get Cheap Trick on the ballot.

Posted by Donnie on Sunday, 09/27/2015 @ 14:44pm

About the Moody Blues my point seems to be misunderstood. I was very tired when I posed last night so I may not have been clear...
My point was that they were ahead of their time in so many aspects. The hard core fans understand the band's use of deep complex emotional and spirtual lyrics packed with positive messages.
I was trying to make a point that the MB spiritual lyrics may have influenced groups like Kansas. Many fans including myself have stated the MB have actually helped them through difficult times.

Justin Hayward said during his solo tour he wrote
several songs during periods of grief after the loss of his brother.

I hope Chicago,Yes,Duran Duran,ElO,Deep Purple all get inducted. They really deserve it but not as much as the MB.
Thank you again everyone for the Moody Blues comments...

Zuzu,

It is indeed an honor to post here with someone who feels as strongly about their band as I do about the Moodies...

Posted by Sue on Sunday, 09/27/2015 @ 16:23pm

Don't see Cheap Trick making it this year. I've seen a few dozen FRL regular RRHOF predictions. Can't recall Cheap Trick on any lists. In fact, nobody posted anything on Cheap Trick here since my post. All summer no action there. It's possible that SVZ tweet means something but there's probably good discussion on 20-30 groups. Have no opinion on Cheap Trick only that they probably will be inducted eventually. The late 1970's Cheap Trick albums were well-liked and influenced some later bands. KING

Posted by KING on Sunday, 09/27/2015 @ 17:55pm

Sue,

I'm not seeing the spiritualism that you're seeing in MB. There was a lot of use of spiritualism in rock at this. Others were using religious spiritualism which was more in line with what Kansas recorded. The garage band Peter Cetera was in before Chicago, the Exceptions recorded an ep called Rock and Roll Mass. I think you would need something more definitive of MB being the influence.

Posted by Zuzu on Sunday, 09/27/2015 @ 18:28pm

I think Cheap Trick has a fighting chance now for a Rock Hall nomination this year. I think the best way to approach a potential Cheap Trick nomination is looking at the 2014 ballot (IMO the most populist nominee ballot the Rock Hall has ever released). Hall & Oates and Peter Gabriel were on the ballot, even thou most people weren't anticipating either to receive a nomination that year. Both acts got inducted. With the Rock Hall's newfound emphasis on "newer" acts, I think this would be awesome to see deserving bands of that era (including Cheap Trick among others) have more of a chance. Cheap Trick is one of the best live bands, almost like the J. Gelis Band who also sounds great live. With the major Rock Hall shakeup months ago, I think anyone eligible has a chance this year (even thou I think this year's ballot will mostly be repeats).

On a side note Donnie, beyond Cheap Trick and The J. Gelis Band I think Van Zandt will probably get behind a 1960s British Invasion group like The Zombies or Procal Harum (who have both received nominations recently).

Posted by Nick on Monday, 09/28/2015 @ 00:05am

Now while it is true my List is Final. Chicago, Joe Cocker, Moody Blues, J Geils Band and all the rest I listed I am going to cover myself this year. I am sure I am bound to be wrong. I was looking at the FRL list and Various people's list on the site here. I would support Procul Harum if they are Nomd by the Hall. I would also Support the Pixies if they are picked. That's different. I don't really see that one but you never know. They are not on my list. Some others I would support or can Understand are Phish, Harry Nilsson, Chic, Tommy James & the Shondells, Journey, Gordon Lighfoot, Bon Jovi, The Meters and Janet Jackson. I can see any of these showing up but my list still Remains Final. It's just that last year I was so disappointed after my predictions I thought I'd cover myself. I actually didn't predict Stevie Ray Vaughan last year and he is an all time fav of mine. He was in fact Inducted! I do love my Blues and Blues Rock. I like many kinds and predict many kinds.

The reason Chic are not on my List is I'm thinking the Hall will give up. You can call this Back ups or Honorable Mentions I suppose. I at least want the Moody Blues. I will also say that Bon Jovi was on my list but I took priority to others. Cheap Trick is also Understandable.

Posted by Ben on Monday, 09/28/2015 @ 08:36am

I would love to see them give up on Chic but it's one of those too good to be true things.

Ben, do you think they put them in like Ringo if they aren't nominated?

I'm not liking the idea of Cheap Trick or J Geils being noms at this time. I consider them more 80s than 70s and I would hate to see 70s artist that are more important passed over for them.

I have really been disappointed with the noms for several years. Just once I would like to see 1 of my favorites. The list is still blah if the best they can do is give one I only think is ok.

Posted by Zuzu on Monday, 09/28/2015 @ 09:09am

I don't know why you would consider Cheap Trick to be an 80's band. There most important albums (In Color, Heaven Tonight, At Budokan, Dream Police) and songs (I Want You To Want Me, Surrender, Dream Police, Hello There, Gonna Raise Hell, etc) were all released in the late 70's. Only releases of note in the 80's was "Mighty Wings" on the Top Gun Soundtrack and their only #1 "The Flame."

Posted by Gassman on Monday, 09/28/2015 @ 09:27am

You are using the wrong criteria to judge which decade they belong in. They didn't take off until Budokan was released in 1979. They are relevant in the 80's. Less than a year is not enough.

They are not Boomer music. They were considered by us to be a step down in quality. It was Gen X that liked them.

Posted by Zuzu on Monday, 09/28/2015 @ 09:52am

Actually at least by the people in the Hall J Geils would be considered a 70s Band. They were only played on FM stations though. I had a "Hippie" boss as I call him. He was Quite Young in the late 60s and early 70s. That Boss saw the J Geils Band at the Fillmore East in 1971. A key club in those years. There is an album from 1972 called Full House that was played on FM back in the early 70s. Serves You Right to Suffer was a highlight. Musta Got Lost was a Minor Hit in 1975. Again it was played more on FM. Some may consider them more 80s due to Freeze Frame but I think Steve Van Zant will see them as a 70s band. Van Zant isn't much of a hits guy. I can see Cheap Trick as more 80s.
I'm keeping Chic off my list but you are right ZuZu it's probably too good to be true. So they are on my Back up List. Gordon Lightfoot is a great Singer/Songwriter Choice. If You Could Read My Mind, Beautiful and Don Quixote are all great tunes. Journey is a great band and a great choice. The Hall may wait a few years They may stay from big Arena Rock for now. If that's the right term.
As far as Chic I think that's exactly what they would do. They would put them in like Ringo. At this point they may go with the Musical Excellence category. Only because they have been nominated 9 times. I think it's time for them to give other R&B acts even more of a chance as Performers.
Chicago is one Already on my list. Besides the Moody Blues I feel they are very very deserved. They certainly have a long career. Chicago were key in the 70s. I was a kid in the 70s and loved almost all their hits. I got into some of their albums later on.

Posted by Ben on Monday, 09/28/2015 @ 09:54am

I don't remember any of their stuff playing in the 70s, but you're right in thinking that the nom com would call them 70s. They may have been regional like AH&J was around here. It wasn't until I got on the internet that I found out that Lake Shore Drive (LSD) was only huge in this area.

The nom com has the same problem as ESPN (eastern seaboard propaganda network). If it's not East Coast, West Coast, Brit, R&B or Motown, they have a hard time recognizing the artist.

Sounds like you do what I do on some of the 60s artist, rely on what you remember what older people said.

Chicago is important to me. I feel that them getting in is key in getting several other artist in.

I'm glad you get the generation and decade split. I think you will see it again between the 90s and 00s when you have the switch between Gen X and Millenials.

Posted by Zuzu on Monday, 09/28/2015 @ 10:46am

This is the year for the RRHOF to right a couple wrongs to sate the genres and attempt to add some legitimacy to an occasionally lampooned institution. Without further adieu, my attempt:

1. N.W.A.
2. Deep Purple
3. Yes
4. Janet Jackson
5. The Spinners
6. Warren Zevon
7. Smashing Pumpkins
8. Nine Inch Nails
9. Sonic Youth
10. Chicago
11. The Monkees
12. Kraftwerk
13. Alice in Chains
14. The Meters
15. Moody Blues

I threw a couple personal faves who are longshots, i.e AIC, in there, but I would like and expect to see NWA, Deep Purple, the Pumpkins, Kraftwerk, and Chicago inducted. While Jackson would seem to be a favorite, there may not be room given they need to recognize the hip-hop, prog rock and electronic rock genres a bit more. The 90s are coming fast to Hall of Fame voters, and they first need to put in place the pioneers of the genres before they can get those in that are among the foundations for current, and future, rock and roll.