The new group of Rock Hall nominees has been announced and they are eclectic to say the least. Remember, this group will be winnowed down to five or six.
They include The Spinners, Kate Bush, Cyndi Lauper, Willie Nelson, The White Stripes, Tom Morello and Rage Against the Machine, Soundgarden, George Michael, Warren Zevon, Sheryl Crow, Joy Division/New Order, Missy Elliot, Iron Maiden, and A Tribe Called Quest.
Lauper is in. Zevon is in. I’d like to see The Spinners finally get some love. Missy Elliot is rap but she might make it. Morello is very popular among rock journalists. Jack White of the White Stripes, ditto. Kate Bush had a huge revival last year courtesy of “Stranger Things,” but I don’t think that will help.
And then there’s this whole matter of Willie Nelson. How can he not be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame? How is it that he’s not in already? Yes, he’s country. But this man is beyond labels. There should be six inductees because of him and because they waited so long to induct him. He’s still putting out albums!
The others all have merit but will have to wait.
I do hope the Hall has an Early Influencers category this year and chooses Chubby Checker and the late Mary Wells at last. It’s only right.
