During those salad days before the pandemic, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame used to announce the nominees for induction during October of the year before the ceremony. This was always followed by the list of artists who would be inducted later in the upcoming Spring. Since the beginning of the pandemic, things have gotten screwy. Now, the nominees are announced in early February of the induction year, followed by a springtime announcement of the inductees, with their induction ceremony later that fall. The new timeline probably makes more sense, but I am still adjusting to it all.
Due to the change, the Hall Watchers appear to be dragging their collective feet compiling their lists of nominees. Everyone of us seem to have our own way of doing these lists. Some of us with more pull within the rock world seem to be attempting to influence the members of the Nominating Committee to place their favorite artists on the list of nominees. The others, like me, attempt to “read the tea leaves” and actually attempt to predict the names who might actually end up on the list. In the past, I had a pretty decent idea which artists might be hot enough to make the list and who probably wouldn’t.
This year? I do NOT have a clue! Now, if I were going to press for the name of an artist or two, allow me a moment to give you my dream ballot of 15 nominees all of whom I believe should be inducted immediately, especially if I ignore that Eminem is eligible this year. Here’s my wish list: The Jam, Hüsker Dü, Paul Revere & the Raiders, The Spinners, Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, Big Star, Chic, Tommy James & the Shondells, The Monkees, Raspberries, Bangles, Kool & the Gang, Eric B. & Rakim and Phish. Since I believe only a couple of those names have a real chance of being nominated, I will make my actual predictions.
Much like everyone else, I have resources whom I read and study in order to make these educated guesses. And, today, I who like to give these people credit, plus you might want to check out these people on Twitter for links to their blogs, articles, books and podcasts. I love these two websites and the people who keep them running: http://www.notinthehalloffame.com, who rank artists eligible for the Rock Hall in addition to other halls of fame and http://www.futurelegends.com, which does an excellent job of keeping track of all artists in and outside of the Rock Hall. Other iportant writers include Nick Bambach (Rock in Retrospect podcast), Troy Smith (rock journalist for http://www.cleveland.com), Michelle Bourg (Iconic Rock Talk Show blog), Paul Myers (author of many terrific rock books and does Record Store Day podcast), Eric Layton & Molly who host the Hall Watchers podcast, the great Annie Zaleski, author of some fantastic books on 80s pop/rock and an established journalist in her own right. These people have forgotten more about popular music than I could possibly even begin to know. There are so many others that I have met on Twitter through this whole Rock Hall Watchers thing they have kindly included this D-league dabbler in all thing rock & roll. Everyday, I look forward to all of them just to see what knew things I will learn about that day. Thanks Twitter friends and associates!
Now, let’s see how many of these 15 artist actually get nominated for the Class of 2022 to be inducted in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. The acts have been arranged in alphabetical order.
- Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldi – How can the Rock Queen of the early 80s be let out any longer? It’s time to rectify this negligence.
- Kate Bush – Ms. Bush was huge all over the world and her star continues to rise with the younger musicians that you should never be surprised if she is inducted within the next three years.
- Mariah Carey – It took FOREVER to get Whitney Houston inducted. Mariah will NOT wait as long.
- Devo – As much a philosophy as a band, I am still befuddled that these innovators are not in the Hall. Now that Kraftwerk has been inducted, look for Devo to follow in short order.
- Eminem – Slim Shady is the Big name for the artists in their first year of eligibility. He is hip hop’s biggest name so he will be on the fast track for induction.
- Judas Priest – Something just tells me that these metal gods will be inducted this year. If it’s not Priest, then look for it to be Iron Maiden.
- Chaka Khan – The diva of the 70s is still awaiting her induction as she keeps getting nominated as a solo artist and a member of Rufus or as Rufus featuring Chaka Khan. Who cares?!?! Just make it happen! Anyway, wouldn’t it be pretty cool to Chaka and Mariah inducted the same night?
- MC5 – You know, if MC5 or Big Star had been from New York, they’d both be inducted by now. Right now, I’d settle for these Detroit punk godfathers.
- The Monkees – Unfortunately, it may have taken Michael Nesmith’s death to get this done, but it needs to be. How many Gen X artists got their inspiration from these guys on Saturday morning. I bet it’s a huge number.
- Motörhead – Lemmy and the boys need to be inducted soon! Hell, Metallica took their sound speed and made it heavier. Time to correct a wrong.
- Oasis – The pride of the UK will get their first nomination this year. Although Britpop never really made inroads over here in the States, Oasis did break.
- Rage Against the Machine – Rock’s favorite left-wing metal/funk band will be nominated this year. Don’t be surprised if they start a run on big names from the 90s alternative nation.
- The Smiths – If the Kinks started the whole British-centric rock sound, then it was The Smiths who brought it into the 80s and set the stage for Britpop.
- Dionne Warwick – With SNL’s Ego Nwodim doing a terrific impression of America’s favorite Twitter grandmother, do not be surprised to see Dionne’s name on the nominees list again.
- Wu-Tang Clan – This happens to be one of my bigger pet peeves – not seeing Wu-Tang on a ballot. I would love to see them on the stage accepting their induction because there might be as many up on stage as in the crowd. The Wu has been ignored long enough!
And, there you have it! My list of nominees for the RRHoF’s Class of 2022. In a couple of weeks, we will see how many of them I got correct. My apologies to Cher, INXS and Ms. Cyndi Lauper! They were the last three dropped off this list, so do not be surprised if you see any or all of them nominated.
Until next time, Peace.
If My Records Could Talk 
Nice picks, here’s my thoughts on yours.
Pat Benatar: Well with Tina Turner inducted, i think it’s finally Pat’s time to finally be one of them this year. Hopefully her husband Neil Giraldo would be included.
Kate Bush: I think what’s holding her back is basically she’s doesn’t have a lot of success in America (the Hall has a tendency to induct artists whom are successful in the U.S) & she’s more of it in the U.K. With that said, I don’t see her being nominated again unfortunately.
Mariah Carey: I don’t mind if she gets nominated but i don’t see that happening before Diana Ross since she’s also long overdue. So i’ll expect her being nominated at some point just not this year.
Devo: I expect them being inducted at some point before 2025 following their possible 3rd nomination now that the upcoming ceremony is going to Los Angeles. I don’t see them nominated for 2022 but they will take Kraftwerk’s place in the performer category eventually.
Eminem: 100% sure thing & only guarantee, he’ll be a tenth rapper doing so.
Judas Priest: Well it only took pioneers Deep Purple over 20+ years & 3 nominations to get inducted in 2016, so i could see the same for metal icons Judas Priest. So don’t think they will never be inducted following their possible 3rd nomination because it might be a charm for them, heck it worked for most artists in the past.
Chaka Khan: She’s been nominated multiple times both solo & with Rufus, so the only way to earn induction for her is through AME since that worked for LL Cool J last year. Because of that, i don’t see her getting another nomination again.
MC5: Well they reached their 5th nomination mark & waited around like 30 years so they would eventually be inducted under Early Influence since Kraftwerk got it.
The Monkees: Well i’ve been seeing people trying to get the Monkees nominated for inclusion especially since the death of founder Michael Nesmith but it might be a long shot since they were most seen as a parody act rather than a serious band. Plus they’re from the 60’s & i haven’t seen any 60’s acts included since 2019 so with that said, the Musical Excellence Award would be their only way.
Motorhead: Really defining band in the metal genre & they were around the same time as Judas Priest but it might take them 2 more nominations to finally be inducted but if they don’t get inducted as performers then AME would be their ticket. Maybe the Hollywood Vampires would perform at the ceremony in their honor in the future.
Oasis: Man i really have to ponder this one very tough, Oasis is a really great band & their music is still relevant & they took influences from pretty much every band/artist from Jimi Hendrix to The Stone Roses & have influenced bands like Coldplay & Arctic Monkeys. I think what’s hurting them is mostly because they don’t have a lot of popularity in America & the Gallaghers’ constant fighting that made them very infamous. With that said, it’s going to take a long while to ever get them first nominated let alone inducted.
Rage Against the Machine: Well maybe 2022 is finally Rage’s year since Tom Morello is on the committee & the ceremony heading to LA. I think the Hall is trying to put them on the same path as N.W.A since they were inducted following their 4th nominations maybe it could work for RATM.
The Smiths: Very influential band of the 80’s along with The Cure, U2, Depeche Mode, they were nominated twice without succession & aside from not having popularity in US (that already applied for Kate Bush & Oasis), they also have feuds just like Oasis. With that said, if you’re going to have Cure & DM inducted then you had to have Smiths in as well (heck let’s get Duran Duran, Joy Division/New Order etc nominated/inducted as well), but let’s say that 2022 might not be their year for the Smiths it could finally happened in few years from now.
Dionne Warwick: I like her just fine, she has a unique voice but I literally don’t see her being inducted at all since the Hall is moving forward with the 80’s & 90’s. Maybe have one of her songs inducted under “Singles” category. Or better yet, have her inducted under a different category instead of performer.
Wu – Tang Clan: It’s going to take a while for them since you have A Tribe Called Quest still waiting for nomination. I said that Eminem is sure thing & guarantee but it doesn’t work for every rap act & unfortunately Wu is one of them but i still don’t mind if they do get nominated this year.
Alright these are my thoughts.
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Great analyses Jordan! That’s why I do this – to hopefully stimulate some discussion. I like the Musical Excellence induction for The Monkees. And, I see your point about getting a solo Diana Ross in ahead of Mariah, but Mariah is unique in that she’s had a bundle of US #1s AND is now the undisputed Queen of Christmas. Also, I’d be just fine with Duran Duran’s induction, as well as a multitude of new wave artists: INXS, The Replacements, Hüsker Dü, Pixies, The B-52’s, Joy Division/New Order, The Jam, Buzzcocks & The Damned. But I would love to see some metal, especially solo Ozzy, and some influences like The Rock & Roll Trio, Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, Merle Haggard, Loretta Lynn, John Coltrane, Patsy Cline, Gram Parsons, among so many others.
I could do this all night! Thanks for your reply! Peace to you and yours!
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Of course!
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