2019 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Nominee Predictions
Trying to predict the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nominees is a rewarding and frustrating task. Just when I think I know who will be nominated, the nominating committee throws a curveball and demolishes the accuracy of my predictions. Months of following nominating committee members on social media, researching articles that spotlight potential nominees, and rummaging the Rock Hall’s website to figure out who the nominees might be in any given year. As someone who actively follows the Rock Hall, there is no certainty until the institution makes their big announcement in the first week of October.
Inspired by the many great blogs, articles, podcasts and websites devoted to the Rock Hall (major shout-outs goes to Future Rock Legends, Alex Voltaire’s Northumbrian Countdown, Joe Kwaczala and Kristen Studard's 'Who Cares about the Rock Hall?' podcast, Rock Hall Monitors, Tom Lane’s Blog, Charles Crossley Jr.’s Blog, Donnie Durham’s Blog, and ERockracy; all of these sites and authors are fantastic and definitely worth checking out. Thank you for providing a platform for fellow Rock Hall enthusiasts), I decided to predict the Class of 2019 nominees. I compiled a list of 19 potential nominees with detailed analysis and insight on each nominee and why they might be chosen. Predicted nominees come from a range of the Rock & Roll diaspora including Classic Rock, R&B, Alternative, Heavy Metal, Hip-Hop, Funk, and Pop. The majority of my predicted nominees are artists who have received nominations in the past along with first-time (meaning, they have been eligible but never nominated until now) and first-year eligible (meaning, they are nominated as soon they are eligible for induction) choices. To be clear, the artists I have chosen are not my personal choices. Rather, I try to think as if I am sitting in the room along with the other nominating committee members at Rolling Stone’s New York City headquarters on a September afternoon.
I am posting this column well in-advance to the nominating committee’s September meeting and the early October announcement of the final list. Please add comments down below. I am genuinely interested to read what others predict the final list of nominees will be and I look forward to reading them.
2019 Predictions
Bad Company (Not Previously Nominated) – Paul Rodgers is one of Rock’s most gifted and underrated vocalists. He first found fame with his first band Free and their iconic hit song “All Right Now.” After Free disbanded in the early 1970s, Rodgers co-formed the supergroup Bad Company in 1973 (along with Free drummer Simon Kirke, Mott the Hoople guitarist Mick Ralphs and King Crimson bassist Boz Burrell). The band’s hard rock style made them one of the most successful rock bands of the mid-to-late 1970s. Their 1974 self-titled debut album went five-times platinum, and a dozen of their albums have reached at least gold status. Too many memorable songs to ignore for much longer (“Bad Company,” “Feel Like Makin’ Love,” “Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy,” “Shooting Star,” “Can’t Get Enough” and so many more). Ever since the introduction of the fan ballot, popular-yet-critically underwhelming Classic Rock has dominated recent Rock Hall ceremonies (e.g., Rush, Kiss, Deep Purple, Yes, Journey, Bon Jovi). If this trend continues, Bad Company’s name will show up on a ballot sooner rather than later. Nominating Committee member Steven Van Zandt is a fan of Bad Company, and he recently mentioned on Twitter that their name comes up in the annual September meetings. Van Zandt also performed with Rodgers onstage at a concert earlier this month, so I’m willing to bet their nomination will happen this year.
Beck (Not Previously Nominated) – Beck is one of the most important and critically acclaimed musicians of our time. His self-reflective lyrics, pitch-perfect production values, and postmodern fusion of genres (rock, hip-hop and folk) made him a towering figure in contemporary alternative music. Two of his albums Odelay (1996) and Sea Change (2002) appear on Rolling Stone’s list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. When Rolling Stone writer David Fricke originally reviewed Sea Change, he gave the album a rare five-star review which is impressive for a few reasons. Rolling Stone is notoriously stingy for giving albums five-star reviews to “newer” artists unless they are a well-established name on a trajectory for future Rock Hall enshrinement. By giving Beck a five-star review within the first decade of his career, Beck is considered one of his generation’s most important musicians and earned a distinctive honor from Rolling Stone (a decent majority of the nominating committee are current/former writers for Rock Hall co-founder Jann Wenner’s magazine). Why am I mentioning this? Fricke has served on the nominating committee for nearly two decades and I’m pretty sure Beck’s name will come up at next month’s meeting. In 2015, his album Morning Phase won the Grammy for Album of the Year (sans the Kanye West controversy). While the public might know only one of his songs (the quintessential Generation X hit “Loser”), Beck’s music is original, eclectic, and brilliant. He is supremely important to modern rock music and deserves a spot on this year’s ballot in his first year of eligibility.
Depeche Mode (Previously Nominated in 2017 & 2018) – 1980s Alternative acts cannot catch a break with the larger voting body. In recent years, the nominating committee has put forth the likes of The Cure, The Replacements, The Smiths, and Kate Bush as representatives of the decade and all four acts have fallen short on votes. In the last two years, Depeche Mode has received nominations and perhaps they have as good of a chance as any of the previously mentioned acts and might even get inducted if nominated for the third consecutive year. But Depeche Mode is one of the biggest alternative icons of the decade and selling over 100 million records in their four decade career. Heavily influenced by Kraftwerk, Depeche Mode pioneered and popularized electronic music to the masses. Their catalog of hit singles and deep album cuts is among the most impressive of any Rock Hall prospect. Last year, the band were among the five most profitable tours (only behind the likes of Guns N’ Roses and U2), which is impressive considering the band’s longevity. They have sold over 100 million records and often covered by a wide array of artists along the musical spectrum (most recently Def Leppard recorded their version of “Personal Jesus”). Depeche Mode’s popularity cannot be underestimated. Depeche Mode’s influence seems to grow with each passing year in diverse genres ranging from metal to EMD to pop. Seymour Stein, the founder of Sire Records which signed the band in their heyday, is still on the committing committee and Depeche Mode will most likely remain one of his biggest priorities. Sooner or later, Depeche Mode will receive an induction to the Rock Hall, but it’s just a question of time.
Eurythmics (Previously Nominated in 2018) – One of the best duos of the 1980s, The Eurythmics is a powerhouse combination of Annie Lennox’s soulful voice and Dave Stewart’s synthesizers. They are a marriage of pop perfection. One of MTV’s first superstars, the Eurythmics exploded on television screens with the iconic hit “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)” and became one of the consistent hit makers of the decade. Lennox’s androgyny also redefined gender roles in rock music and allowed the group to stand out among the tidal wave of new artists appearing on MTV in the early 1980s. She remains one of the music video’s most groundbreaking provocateurs of the medium and helped popularize MTV as much as any single figure (besides, of course, Michael Jackson and Madonna). Stewart’s brilliant studio work cannot be shortchanged either and he is still one of the most in-demand producers in the business. Highly respected by their peers and hugely popular, the Eurythmics is one of the defining and most popular New Wave artists. In light of their nomination last year, Stewart and Lennox even recorded videos to their fans and encouraged them to vote on the fan ballot. If inducted, the Eurythmics would reunite once again and put on a hell of a performance.
Janet Jackson (Previously Nominated in 2016 & 2017) – Born out of one of American pop music’s most famous families, Janet Jackson largely remained in the shadows of her brothers, especially Michael, until she became a global superstar in the late 1980s. Beginning with her breakthrough album Control (1986), Jackson became one of pop music’s most reliable hitmakers and a symbol of female empowerment in a male-dominant world. She is a woman willing to speak her mind, be in control of her sexuality, discuss socially conscious and controversial topics (e.g., AIDS, poverty, women's sexuality) and celebrate her womanhood. Just take a listen to the introduction to the album’s title track – Jackson talks to the listener and tells them this is a song about unapologetically living life on her own terms (and Janet is often accused of not being a “Rock” artist??). This is the moment when she stepped out of Michael and the family’s shadow and became her own person. She has more top ten hits than any artist not inducted into the Rock Hall yet (a whopping 28 top-ten singles on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart). For the album Rhythm Nation 1814 (1989) alone she deserves induction, an album that boasted a record-breaking seven top-five singles including four number one hits. Her work with producer Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis revolutionized pop music and helped break racial and gender boundaries along the way. Jackson influenced almost every female (and dare I say male) pop star following her – including Beyonce, Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake, TLC, Aaliyah, and Rihanna. It’s about time Janet joined her brothers and earn her rightful place in the Rock Hall. If HBO wants a headliner for next year’s telecast, look no further.
Judas Priest (Previously Nominated in 2018) - Judas Priest is one of the most glaring omissions from the Rock Hall. On last year’s fan ballot, Judas Priest squeezed into the top five (the only act in the top five to not get inducted last year) which proves the loyalty and support from their fans. Their strong showing on the fan ballot almost guarantees another consecutive Rock Hall nomination. As a whole, Heavy Metal is largely ignored by the Hall of Fame committee and a tough sell for larger voting members (it took Black Sabbath eight (!) times and Deep Purple three times before receiving induction). Judas Priest reached the peak of their success in the early 1980s with their commercial breakthrough British Steel (1980) and soldiered through the decade with groundbreaking hit after hit. “Breaking the Law,” “You’ve Got Another Thing Comin’,” “Painkiller,” and “Living After Midnight” are all classic tracks from the legendary band. Judas Priest has a great track record for crafting radio-friendly anthems while never compromising their distinct Heavy Metal sound and refusing to “sell-out.” A Judas Priest induction could lead to a nomination for other Heavy Metal pioneers such as Iron Maiden, Thin Lizzy, and Motorhead. Next year, Judas Priest will celebrate their 50th anniversary and there is no better way to honor the band’s legacy than with a long-overdue Rock Hall induction. Plus, it helps to have Tom Morello in your corner.
LL Cool J (Previously Nominated in 2010, 2011, 2014 & 2018) - LL Cool J is arguably the first solo hip-hop superstar who brought the genre to mainstream audience in the 1980s. LL Cool J’s popularity helped his producer Rick Rubin (a big snub in the Non-Performers category) become a major player in the record industry and helped Def Jam Records become a groundbreaking record label for emerging hip-hop artists. LL Cool J also helped usher in the “golden age of hip-hop” in the mid-to-late 1980s along with the likes of Run-D.M.C. and Beastie Boys and evolved his rap style over the years (from rap ballads to hardcore rap and everything in-between). Last year LL Cool J became the first-ever hip-hop artist to receive the Kennedy Center Honors award, a great achievement for LL Cool J in his own right at the still young age of 49. But there is one award looming over him: induction into the Rock Hall. LL Cool J’s exclusion from the Rock Hall is obvious and embarrassing at this point. Last year, Chuck D (a 2013 Rock Hall inductee from Public Enemy) compared LL Cool J to the likes of Little Richard and Elvis Presley in the landscape of 1980s hip-hop history. And at one point, LL Cool J received the most votes from the nominating committee when he appeared on one of the ballots, so he clearly has their support for future nominations. But more pioneering 1990s hip-hops artists are becoming eligible, so hopefully LL does not get lost in the shuffle. Don’t call it a comeback, LL Cool J has been here for years and although he’s now more well-known for his acting career, let’s not forget his accomplishments as one of hip-hop’s first great superstars.
Love (Not Previously Nominated) – Can one album cement a band’s place among the greats in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame? It worked for the Sex Pistols, who infamously denounced the institution as a “piss stain.” Love’s 1967 album Forever Changes is one of the definitive documents from the Summer of Love and one of the most critically acclaimed and influential records ever released. Forever Changes also sits comfortably at #40 on Rolling Stone’s list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time, inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2008, and added to the National Recording Registry in 2012. The accolades for Forever Changes might just be enough to propel the relatively forgotten psychedelic rock band back to the limelight. Alan Light, a Rock Hall nominating committee member, mentioned on his SiriusXM show late last year that Lenny Kaye (Patti Smith’s guitarist and another nominating committee member for almost as long as the HOF’s existence) advocated for two bands: Dire Straits and Love. Dire Straits got inducted earlier this year (with much controversy) and Love did not appear on the final nominees list. Kaye’s continuing support might be enough to get the Californian band on the ballot for the first time.
Outkast (Not Previously Nominated) – One of the most popular and critically acclaimed hip-hop acts of the late 1990s and early 2000s, Outkast should easily secure a spot in their first year of eligibility. Now thinking, the nominating committee has only nominated New York and California-based rappers. It’s about time they explore the genre’s southern roots and there’s perhaps no better starting point than Outkast. The Atlanta-based duo broke the door for future southern hip-hop artists to reach mainstream success and be taken more seriously. Outkast fused R&B, funk, gospel, pop, and hip-hop to create some of the most popular songs of the last quarter-century including “Hey Ya,” “Mrs. Jackson,” “B.O.B.,” “The Way You Move,” “Rosa Parks,” “Elevators (Me and You).” In terms of commercial success, Outkast is one of hip-hop’s most successful acts. All six studios went platinum including the double-album Speakerboxx/The Love Below (2003) which holds Diamond status (selling over 11 million records, the album is the best-selling hip-hop record of all time and even won the 2004 Grammy for Album of the Year). Any artist with Outkast's credentials should be a no-brainer for nomination in their first year of eligibility and hopefully they are not forgotten. Expect nominating committee members Amy Linden, Alan Light, Questlove and Reginald C. Dennis to push hard for Outkast’s inclusion this year.
Phil Collins (Not Previously Nominated) – Although he is already inducted as a member of Genesis, Phil Collins’ solo work warrants more serious consideration as one of the most popular music superstars of the 1980s. Here’s a staggering and relevant statistic: Collins is one of only three musicians to sell over 100 million records as both a solo artist and a member of a band and/or group. The other two musicians? Paul McCartney and Michael and they have already been inducted twice into the Rock Hall. What makes Collins’ case more unique is the fact he was still an active member of Genesis, serving as lead vocalist and drummer for the pioneering progressive-turned-pop band, while achieving solo superstardom in the 1980s. Sometimes it’s forgotten how massively popular Collins, although his music is widely ridiculed and lampooned (remember Patrick Bateman’s passionate plea for Phil Collins’ artistry in American Psycho or Mike Tyson air-drumming to the drum solo of “In the Air Tonight” in The Hangover: Part II?). Standing in the shadows of Peter Gabriel cannot be easy, but Collins found a way to succeed and proved all of his naysayers wrong. Sometimes an artist who lacks critical acclaim embodies the “Fame” aspect of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Collins has that in spades. He has six certified platinum albums including the Diamond-selling No Jacket Required (1985). Seven of Collins’ songs reached #1 on the Billboard U.S. Hot 100 and many of his songs still receive heavy rotation on the radio (especially “In the Air Tonight”). Is Collins’ solo work groundbreaking? Not really, but that did not stop the nominating committee to put Bon Jovi back on the ballot and they got inducted. Collins could potentially be the next two-time inductee and has more fans than most would openly admit.
Radiohead (Previously Nominated in 2018) – The sheer fact Radiohead did not get inducted last year is one of the biggest mysteries in the history of Rock Hall inductions. How can the most important and influential band of the late 1990s and 2000s not get inducted in their first year of eligibility? By not inducting Radiohead last year, the Rock Hall appears uncool and out of touch within the larger context of current popular music. There is much written about the band’s nonchalant response (or lack thereof) to their nomination last year. Their lack enthusiasm might rub committee members the wrong way, but they will eventually have to deal with Radiohead in the near future. If nominated again, Radiohead will probably get inducted and who knows, maybe they will actually show up and perform. Hopefully Radiohead does not have a show in Argentina on the night of the induction ceremony.
Rage Against the Machine (Previously Nominated in 2018) - Few bands are more fiercely political and in-your-face than Rage Against the Machine. Although the band only released four studio albums from 1991-2000, the band remains one of the most revolutionary, influential, and controversial of their era. Combining rap, metal, and hard rock, Rage Against the Machine is more than just music: it’s music to help end social and political injustice. Deeply rooted in deeply anti-capitalistic and anti-government sentiments, the band's lyrics represent the harsh economic conditions and political struggles of the modern world. Tom Morello is a modern-day guitar hero and one of the most respected figures in Rock Hall circles and he is even one of the current nominating committee members. Although nominated in their first year of eligibility last year,the band was surprisingly not selected. Perhaps they were splitting the votes between the other-nominated revolutionary rock band MC5 and the other first-ballot act Radiohead. But Rage Against the Machine has a strong chance to reappear on this year’s ballot. In an increasingly polarized political climate, they might be the band the nominating committee might gravitate towards and ultimately fight for their induction. If not Rage, maybe the nominating committee will choose another modern rock act in its place such as Soundgarden or the return of Nine Inch Nails. Or maybe the MC5 will return to the ballot for the fourth time (Wayne Kramer is releasing an autobiography in the fall and MC5 will soon celebrate their 50th anniversary). While not everyone might be a fan of their political stances, Rage have left a tremendous impact on rock music's intersection with political and social issues.
Roxy Music (Not Previously Nominated) – The fact that Roxy Music has never received a Rock Hall nomination is baffling. As an art-rock band, Roxy Music is the Rock Hall’s missing link between The Velvet Underground and Talking Heads. Supremely talented and vastly underrated in America, Roxy Music released one of the best streaks of terrific albums in rock history from 1972’s self-titled debut album to 1975’s Siren. The band’s performances were just as important as their music. With flamboyant outfits and vibrant stage performances, Roxy Music was a must-see live act in their day. Roxy Music is one of the most influential bands, inspiring many punk, new wave, and alternative bands that followed them. When Rolling Stone originally composed their list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time in 2004, Roxy Music ranked at #98 and are one of the very few artists not inducted into the Rock Hall on that list (Gram Parsons, Radiohead, Nine Inch Nails are some other eligible but not HOF inducted artists on the list; sadly, Roxy Music disappeared in the 2011 updated list). Also, the sheer fact Brian Eno is not in the Rock Hall in any capacity is insulting as he is one of the most influential and in-demand performers/producers of the last half-century. And that takes nothing away from lead singer Brian Ferry, one of Rock’s most charismatic and distinctive singers. Maybe, just maybe, Eno and Brian Ferry can reunite and play once again. That is the kind of stuff Rock Hall dreams are made of.
Rufus featuring Chaka Khan (Previously Nominated in 2012 & 2018) – Rufus is one of the most influential and successful funk bands of the 1970s. They found superstardom with the release of the Stevie Wonder-penned top-five hit “Tell Me Something Good” and helped launch the career of R&B vocalist Chaka Khan. She became the centerpiece for the band and her voice ensured the band’s popularity (“Sweet Thing,” “Do You Love What You Feel,” “Once You Get Started,” “You Got the Love,” “Ain’t Nobody,” among others). Questlove is a big fan of Khan and she was nominated in 2016 and 2017 as a solo artist. But the nominating committee does not seem to know what to do with her as R&B/Funk/Disco artists have not fared well on Rock Hall ballots this decade. Khan’s repeated nominations will hopefully secure her another nomination this year and the safe bet is she will get another nomination with original band Rufus. If Chaka Khan (with or without Rufus) get passed over this year, maybe another soul act such as LaBelle, Diana Ross, Barry White, Roberta Flack, or Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes could take Rufus’ place. Or maybe the nominating committee will nominate another R&B icon such as Whitney Houston (who famously covered Khan’s “I’m Every Woman”), Mary J. Blige (who covered “Sweet Thing” on her commercial breakthrough 1992 album What’s the 411?) or Mariah Carey. But Khan has too many connections in the music business (many of whom are Rock Hall inductees) to get ignored.
The Doobie Brothers (Not Previously Nominated) – The Doobie Brothers are still one of the mainstays of Classic Rock radio stations and continue to regularly play concerts. They have been eligible for over two decades with no sense of urgency to induct them until now. What makes this year different? The band’s new association with mega promoter Irving Azoff, who apparently helped Bon Jovi get back on last year’s ballot and they got inducted this past year, has greatly increases the likelihood of a first-time nomination this year. Besides the recent news with Azoff, the Doobie Brothers released some of Classic Rock’s most enduring songs: “Black Water,” “Listen to the Music,” “China Grove,” “Long Train Runnin,” and “What a Fool Believes.” By blending Rock, Country, and Soul, the band’s versatile musical palate only strengthens their case for induction. Plus, the band has two distinctly different time periods of success with Tom Johnson and Michael McDonald at the helm. Enjoying tremendous success for decades, the Doobie Brothers’ status as journeymen paying their dues and playing consistently great music will soon be rewarded with a Rock Hall induction. They'll sit firmly in the top five of the fan ballot and they will get inducted once nominated.
The Go-Go’s (Not Previously Nominated) – Born out of the vibrant California punk scene in the late 1970s, The Go-Go’s defied gender norms and became the most commercially successful all-female band in rock history. The band’s debut record Beauty and the Beat (1981) became the first album by an all-woman female rock band to reach #1 on the Billboard albums chart (and stayed at #1 for six consecutive weeks and selling over 2 million copies). A pinnacle moment in New Wave music, Beauty and the Beast featured many of the band’s best-known hits (“Our Lips are Sealed” and “We Got the Beat”) and remains one of the strongest debut albums ever recorded. Their sound is joyous and upbeat, but their lyrics are often dark and sad: pondering long-overdue vacations, dealing with gossiping friends, and teenagers dreaming of skipping school to go to the local disco and dancing the night away. The universal themes in their songs embody the spontaneity and liveliness of rock and roll. The band’s lack of critical acclaim might be what’s been keeping them off the ballot. Now thinking, the Go-Go’s were hardly ever taken seriously despite their historical significance. But if the nominating committee wants more worthy and influential women in the Rock Hall, then look no further. Evelyn McDonnell’s recent New York Times piece on The Go-Go’s’ legacy highlights the pioneering all-woman rock band in a historical framework and mentions their exclusion from the Rock Hall.
The Spinners (Previously Nominated in 2012, 2015 & 2016) – The Spinners are one of the great soul groups of the 1970s not already inducted into the Rock Hall. Along with 2005 Rock Hall inductees The O’Jays, The Spinners’ partnership with producer Thom Bell exemplified and popularized the Philadelphia Sound to a nationwide audience. The Spinners had strong showings on two of the fan ballots they appeared, finishing in 7th and 8th places, which is very impressive considering Soul artists do not often do well (Joe Tex and The Meters finished dead last in the last two years). After a forgettable stint at Motown in the 1960s, The Spinners left the label for Atlantic Records (at the Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin’s suggestion no less) and began working with producer Thom Bell. The Spinners’ work with Bell is one of the greatest artist-producer collaborations in Rock history and resulted in some of the best soul songs ever released. The group represents one of the weakest areas for induction in the Performers Category in recent years: R&B and Soul. The Rock Hall used to love inducting soul artists, but recent ceremonies lack representatives of the genre. It’s almost as if soul music does not matter much after circa 1970, after almost all the Motown legends and obvious non-Motown soul legends (e.g., Otis Redding, James Brown, Wilson Pickett, Solomon Burke) got inducted years ago. The Commodores or Kool & The Gang could receive first-time nominations instead, but The Spinners’ past nominations will give them an advantage. After two consecutive years of no appearances on a Rock Hall ballot, The Spinners could receive their fourth nomination in seven years this year.
The Zombies (Previously Nominated in 2014, 2017 & 2018) – The Zombies are among the last of deserving 60’s British Invasion artists not inducted into the Rock Hall. Despite a slim discography (The Zombies only released two albums during their peak, the latter released after initially breaking up), The Zombies’ influence has grown dramatically over the years. Drawing inspiration from classical music and jazz with a psychedelic twist, The Zombies produced some of the greatest melodies and arrangements of their era. They performed surprisingly well on the fan ballot last year and finished at #6 (just shy of the top five where they could’ve used an extra vote). The Zombies are still touring and they are celebrating the 50th anniversary of their magnum opus Odyssey and Oracle (1968). The band even appeared in-person at the Rock Hall for an exhibit about the band last year, so they would be more than happy to play at the induction ceremony if inducted. The Zombies also have the support of influential nominating committee member Steven Van Zandt and usually whatever he wants, he gets. This might finally be the time of the season for a Zombies Rock Hall induction.
Todd Rundgren (Not Previously Nominated) – Todd Rundgren is one of rock music’s great renaissance men. His work as a producer warrants a separate induction and he produced albums for The New York Dolls, Hall & Oates, Meat Loaf, XTC, and Badfinger. And he could be nominated for his excellent work in the side projects The Nazz and Utopia. But Rundgren’s legacy should be rewarded for his prolific and innovative solo career. Rundgren’s commercial breakthrough the brilliant double-album Something/Anything? (1972) features the classic songs “Hello It’s Me” and “I Saw the Light” which are still in heavy rotation on classic rock stations. As the decade progressed, Rundgren eventually abandoned his pop sensibilities and his music became more experimental and challenging to mainstream audiences. As a result, he became a cult artist for his devoted legion of fans. Rundgren’s ability to work in a variety of genres such as progressive rock and electronica should also confirm his reputation as one of the most forward-thinking musicians of our time. He holds the distinction for being the first musician to broadcast the first interactive concert in 1978 and releasing the first interactive album on the internet in 1994. Just like John Lennon, Rundgren could craft a perfect pop song at a moment’s notice and remind listeners of his brilliant, almost effortless talents. And just like Jeff Lynne and Mark Knopfler’s recent nominations (and eventual inductions), Rundgren’s legendary and well-regarded career will be rewarded by his peers who will happily cast their vote for him the second he appears on a ballot.
And those are my choices for predicting the Rock Hall's 2019 nominees. I could easily be proved wrong with many of my choices when the big announcement happens in early October. And that's perfectly fine with me. I view this article as an exercise in writing, but also an exercise in convincing myself why the artists I’ve chosen should be nominated in the first place. All of the aforementioned artists have viable cases for induction, but it's ultimately the nominating committee who decides which artists appear on the ballot. Fans can argue and speculate about why an artist should (or shouldn't) be enshrined in the Rock Hall for the rest of eternity. But without the support of the committee, those artists stand little chance. There will probably be a few surprises that few (if any) will suspect, but that's part of the fun predicting Rock Hall classes. Despite the most meticulous and well-argued research from Rock Hall followers and writers, nobody has any degree of certainty what the final list will look like until they are announced. Could there be less (or more) nominees on the final ballot? Will there be less Classic Rock artists nominated? Any Pre-Beatles acts nominated? Any outside or left-field choices from neglected genres (e.g., Country, Reggae)? Any international nominees outside the U.S. & U.K.? Any nominating committee shakeups and additions? We will have all of our questions very soon.
To conclude this piece, I am listing 19 additional artists who I cut from my predictions and who could possibly replace any of my choices above:
1. Big Star (Nominating Committee member Holly Warren-George wrote a book about frontman Alex Chilton a few years ago, so they have a strong chance appearing on the ballot soon)
2. Carly Simon (An important and popular female singer-songwriter from the 1970s with a catalogue of great songs. If the Rock Hall wants to induct more worthy women to their institution, look no further)
3. Def Leppard (A famous 1980s hard rock band with a string of Classic Rock staples under their belt; plus, former manager and current nominating committee member Cliff Burnstein could be a vocal supporter for their induction)
4. Duran Duran (One of the earliest superstars of MTV and one of the defining bands of the 1980s. They would easily win the fan vote if ever nominated)
5. Jethro Tull (With the recent inductions of Yes and The Moody Blues, maybe the nominating committee will nominate Jethro Tull who are one of Progressive Rock’s most popular bands. I tend to think the nominating committee will wait to nominate Jethro Tull, but this could be their year)
6. Kate Bush (I was one of the few people to predict her nomination last year and she could reappear on the ballot. One of the great singer-songwriters and visionaries of her era and she has fans all over the musical spectrum)
7. Kraftwerk (Probably the biggest Rock Hall snub of them all, Kraftwerk’s influence on modern music cannot be overstated. Somehow, they have been passed over four times)
8. MC5 (Nominated three times in the past, the MC5 could easily fill the void as the revolutionary, overtly political band the Rock Hall wants so desperately to induct. Wayne Kramer will tour later this year to celebrate the MC5's 50th anniversary and he will be releasing an autobiography in the Fall [just in time for the Rock Hall nominations]).
9. Nick Drake (Recently appointed nominator Amanda Petrusich wrote a book about Drake’s album Pink Moon years ago, so there’s a strong chance he appears on the ballot)
10. Nine Inch Nails (Besides Judas Priest, the only artist to finish in the top five of a past fan ballot without receiving induction. Trent Reznor’s musical brilliance should be honored, but he has not appeared in the last two years. I tend to think the committee will wait until the ceremony is back in Cleveland to honor him in his hometown)
11. Sonic Youth (Questlove promised this pioneering and important alternative rock band was going to get nominated sooner or later …)
12. Soundgarden (After the inductions of Grunge icons Nirvana and Pearl Jam, maybe it’s time to nominate another of their contemporaries. Plus, this past year’s ceremony featured a tribute to the band’s lead singer Chris Cornell, so there is a strong possibility of an impending nomination)
13. The Cure (Nominated back in 2012 and one of the most questionable omissions from the Rock Hall, maybe The Cure will take the 1980s Alternative Rock spot this year from Depeche Mode or sit on the sidelines once again)
14. The B-52s (They are celebrating their 40th anniversary this year and there has been a plethora of articles on their career this year including a piece on Rolling Stone’s website; and the nominating committee should expand their choices to include more representatives of the LGBT community)
15. The J. Geils Band (Almost chose them again, since they are a favorite of Steven Van Zandt and Jon Landau, but I think the nominating committee will choose Bad Company in their place. Sorry Peter Wolf and company, better luck next year)
16. The Marvelettes (One of Motown’s most underrated talents and they even managed to have the first number one hit on the label. Nominated twice in the past, they could sneak back on the ballot)
17. The Monkees (The Rock Hall’s new exhibit on Rock and Television might force the committee to take a serious look at one of the biggest hitmakers of the late 1960s)
18. Toots and the Maytals (Almost chose them again this year, but the nominating committee should take another look at reggae artists and here’s one of the one influential examples of the genre’s enduring importance)
19. Warren Zevon (David Letterman wants him in and Paul Shaffer’s on the committee, so it’s only a matter of time before Zevon appears on the ballot)
