Today is one of those dates that will have numerologists and conspiracy guessers (they ARE NOT THEORISTS!) going crazy. Today it is February 2, 2022 (2/2/22) and also Groundhog’s Day in the States, another stupid notion that a groundhog can actually predict when Spring will arrive (Duh! March 19! It’s right around the corner or about 6 weeks away, no matter how you paint it.). Supposedly, Trump will be reinstated again today. Oh, yeah, and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, one of our favorite distractions announced the nominees for their Class of 2022.
This year’s nominees is stuffed full of deserving acts. That’s right! Each one of them deserve to be inducted. The nominees are Beck, Pat Benatar, Kate Bush, Devo, Duran Duran, Eminem, Eurythmics, Judas Priest, Fela Kuti, MC5, New York Dolls, Dolly Parton, Rage Against the Machine, Lionel Richie, Carly Simon, A Tribe Called Quest and Dionne Warwick. This is be one of the most worthy class of inductees since the start of the institution. I will write more on this topic later, mainly because I really need to digest this list a bit more before making any predictions. But, let’s just say, this is a worthy class.
So, while I have left you hanging with my predictions, I think you will be pleasantly surprised to see the names of many women on the Nominees List released today. Whilst I channel the late great Casey Kasem, “On with the countdown!”
75. 7 Year Bitch. In the wake of the Grunge movement called Riot Grrrl, which was the punk movement filtered through feminism. 7YB was one of the leading lights. Best song: “Dead Men Don’t Rape”
74. Richard & Linda Thompson. Richard is one of rock’s best-kept secrets as a guitarist, and Linda’s singing adds a depth to the duo’s music that makes their song-cycles concerning their marriage so painful. Best song: “I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight”
73. Carla Thomas. This was THE voice of STAX Records in the beginning. Best song: “Gee Whiz (Look at His Eyes)”
72. Melissa Etheridge. She singlehandedly brought the blues rock back in vogue in the last-80s. That alone puts her in the Hall. Best song: “Bring Me Some Water”
71. Tori Amos. Ms. Amos took the lyrics of Joni Mitchell and channeled them through a Gen X mentality with a directness and rawness not yet heard. Best song: “Cornflake Girl”
70. The (Dixie) Chicks. Country fans were ready for this trio’s talent level, but they were NOT prepared for the band’s brand of feminism. Best song: “Not Ready to Make Nice”
69. Indigo Girls. This neo-folk duo were one of the leading lights in the 80s neo-folk movement. Best song: “Closer to Fine”
68. Babes in Toyland. Another prominent band from Seattle’s Grunge-influenced Riot Grrrls scene. Best song: “Bruise Violet”
67. Missy Elliott. By the mid-Aughts, Ms. Elliott was probably ranked higher. However, her subsequent silence on the charts may have diminished her ranking. Regardless, she is responsible for some of the sickest beats this century. Best song: “Get Ur Freak On”
66. Cocteau Twins (singer Elizabeth Fraser). This band is responsible for the marriage of post-punk exploration with airy vocals that became a big deal in the 90s. The problem is that the Twins did it better than anyone else.
65. Kylie Minogue. Easily the Madonna of Europe, Minogue has become something of a franchise outside of the USA. She is THE disco diva of the world. Best song: “Can’t Get You Out of My Head”
64. Spice Girls. Love ’em or hate ’em, you gotta give ’em their due. These women branded a new form of feminism for the Millennials. Best song: “Wannabe”
63. L7. Another Riot Girl entry who just flat out pummel you into submission. Best song: Pretend We’re Dead”
62. The Donnas. Perfected the pop punk sound. Best song: “Take It Off”
61. The Slits. T band were the peers of Sex Pistols, The Clash and The Jam. Peers! Best song: “Typical Girls”
60. Gloria Estefan & Miami Sound Machine. Gloria and her Miami-based Latin dance crew make some great Top 40 Latin-tinged dance hits in the 80s. She was the OG Latin star here in the States. Best song: “Conga”
59. No Doubt (Gwen Stefani). They popularized ska for a brief moment in the 90s, then transformed into one helluva pop/rock band. Best song: “Just a Girl”
58. Sinead O’Connor. Her combination of sensitivity and furiousness was fresh and visionary. Best song: “Nothing Compares 2 U”
57. Siouxsie & the Banshees. The original Goth rock group that transcended the genre all over the world. Best song: “Hong Kong Garden”
56. Ashford & Simpson (Valerie Simpson). One of the greatest songwriting duos ever, this husband and wife team penned hits for seemingly everyone, then went on to have a very successful singing career. Best song: “Solid”
55. En Vogue. One of the great female vocal groups of all-time. Best song: “Giving Him Something He Can Feel”
54. PJ Harvey. This petite woman packs a mighty wallop with her music and lyrics. Best song: “Rid of Me”
53. Annie Lennox (solo). Launched her solo career by embracing her massively soulful vocals. Best song: “No More ‘I Love Yous'”
52. Fugees (Lauryn Hill). The Fugees rang in a new era of hip hop with their unique Caribbean-influenced sounds. Best songs: “Killing Me Softly”
51. Liz Phair. The original angry woman of the 90s. Best song: “Supernova”
We are halfway through this list. More to follow.
If My Records Could Talk 
Scott.
Which acts do you see being inducted this year and Which acts do you see as potential spoilers/Wild Cards/Dark Horse picks for 2022?.
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I plan to cover that topic next week.
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