It’s that time again when the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame releases its nominees for induction … and we get to offer our thoughts on the nominees.
There are 15 nominees this year, and usually five to seven acts are inducted, so we’re basically cutting this list in half.
n Def Leppard
n Devo
n Janet Jackson
n John Prine
n Kraftwerk
n LL Cool J
n MC5
n Radiohead
n Rage Against the Machine
n Roxy Music
n Rufus featuring Chaka Khan
n Stevie Nicks
n The Cure
n The Zombies
n Todd Rundgren
Toughest omissions? Devo (fondly remembered at the dawn of MTV more for their look than anything else); John Prine (probably belongs in, but how is he just a first-time nominee at this point of his career?); LL Cool J (I’ve advocated for him before, but his legacy feels faded at this point); Todd Rundgren (one of the most influential acts of the last half-century and if I gave myself a sixth vote, he’d get it).
You’ve read my thoughts. Now share yours!
You can vote on who you think is most deserving through Dec. 9 at rockhall.com. The top five artists in the public vote will comprise a “fans’ ballot” that will be tallied along with other ballots to choose 2019 inductees. Voting is capped at one ballot per day, and log-in is required.
Inductees will be announced in December, and the Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony takes place on March 29 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.`
