Every year in October, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame releases a shortlist of nominees for induction, and this year’s choices are surprisingly strong. While they can’t nor won’t please everyone – cue the anonymous commenter who is angry that The Moody Blues or ELO or Styx got snubbed again, or that rap doesn’t belong (it does) or so on – the Hall’s offers several possibilities for a strong induction class. It can be argued that Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as a concept is a bit ridiculous at its core, but it’s always been a good discussion starter like any hall of fame, good or otherwise.

The nominees for the 2016 class of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame are diverse lineup that covers nearly every genre of rock music: The Cars, Chaka Khan, Cheap Trick, Chic, Chicago, Deep Purple, Janet Jackson, The J.B’s, Los Lobos, Nine Inch Nails, NWA, The Smiths, The Spinners, Steve Miller and Yes. In December, six of those artists will be announced as inductees.

TYF Writers Ryan Gibbs, Jon Winkler, Matt Rice, Kevin Montes and Joey Daniewicz (the latter of whom corresponded with us through email) engaged in a roundtable chat about the individual nominees and what they think about the Hall of Fame as a whole.

In addition to our comments, we made a Spotify playlist featuring songs from each of the nominated artists, which you can find on the last page.

Opening thoughts on the Hall of Fame

Ryan Gibbs:  What are your thoughts on the Hall of Fame in general?

Kevin Montes: I never really started paying attention until Run-DMC was inducted by Eminem.

Ryan: I think the original idea had the best intentions, but it’s become a little more dubious every year out. There’s been as many puzzling inductions (Laura Nyro? Paul Butterfield Blues Band?) as there has been snubs (and not just from artists who were nominated).

Kevin: I was surprised when I saw Green Day got inducted recently, mostly because I forgot they are that old. It was also puzzling ‘cause didn’t they get in on the 25th year rule?

Ryan: Yeah, their debut EP (1000 Hours) came out in 1989, and their debut album (39 Smooth) the following year.

Kevin: Makes sense.

Ryan: I thought last year’s class, where the nominees that didn’t get in would have actually made a better class than the ones that did, was the ultimate nadir of this thing. Hopefully, they can rescue themselves with this year’s quite good nomination class. “hopefully” and “rescue” in big scare quotes.

Kevin: I mean depends on who you’d be content with being left out in the end. I was discontent with A Tribe Called Quest’s snub.

Matt Rice: Adding more diversity to the nominating committee might make me care more.

Jon Winkler: Hall of Fame has some glaring snubs (early metal bands like Purple and Priest), but they’re fine.

Ryan: The Rock Hall has a problem with specific genres – prog, disco, power pop, funk, doo-wop, hip hop, metal, new wave – but most of those styles are represented this year! (Poor doo-wop.)

Matt: Doo-wop is hard to judge on a group-by-group basis, unless you’re talking about major groups like The “5” Royales. So many of the best doo-wop tunes are by different artists.

Kevin: But I mean they call it the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, I guess they like sticking to the name.

Jon: True.

Ryan: Rock & Roll can include all kinds of music, not just white boys strumming guitars.

Jon: I’m just glad Kiss and Rush got in recently. They always deserved it.

Kevin: Honestly, I never cared for Hip-Hop to be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. There’s so much to it that I think it needs it own Hall of Fame.

Jon: I agree there should be a Hip-Hop HOF.

Matt: Eh, I don’t think hip-hop should be othered, especially when so much of it is tied to rock and roll.

Kevin: It’s tied to so many things.

Ryan:  Ok, so let’s start with this year’s nominees.

Jon: Alright, who’s first?

THE CARS

Late 70’s and early 80’s new wave power pop icons led by singer-guitarist Ric Ocasek and late bassist Benjamin Orr. Known for hits such as “My Best Friend’s Girl” and “You Might Think”. This is the first time they have been nominated, but they have been eligible since 2003.

Ryan: First off alphabetically, we have The Cars.

Kevin: I’ve honestly never heard any of their music.

Ryan: Come on dude, you know “My Best Friend’s Girl”

Kevin: I actually don’t! It’s sad.

Matt: Kevin, if you’ve heard “Stacy’s Mom,” you know the opening riff to “Just What I Needed.”

Kevin: I have heard “Stacy’s Mom.”

Matt: I’ve never explored their albums much, but I do love the obvious songs.

Jon: The Cars are one of the best examples of pop rock.

Ryan: They’re an interesting choice to pick for a new wave act when they’ve largely ignored the genre for so long, but I think it’s understandable. They had a solid run of hits.

Jon: Yeah, and they’ve influenced so many other bands. Hell, Weezer probably wouldn’t have a career without them

Ryan: And their videos of off Heartbeat City, while they haven’t aged well at all, were very innovative for their time.

Matt: And I heard “Drive” a lot on classic rock radio before I even knew who The Cars were.

Ryan: What do you think their chances are for induction? I’m not particularly holding out for them because the rest of the acts are so strong.

Jon: Yeah, they probably won’t go in compared to the other acts, but they still deserve it. If there was ever an “intro guide to pop rock” The Cars would be there. Sure they’re simple, but sometimes most great rock and roll is

Matt: I’d rather they get in than Yes and Chicago.

Jon: Same.

Matt: But I’m not sure what their chances are. They’re a major band, but the HOF can be unpredictable with which major bands they choose to induct.

CHAKA KHAN

R&B singer-songwriter who scored several hits in the 70s and 80s both as a solo act and as the lead singer of the funk group Rufus. Solo, she is best known for classics like “I Feel For You”, “Through the Fire” and “I’m Every Woman”. Rufus With Chaka Khan was nominated once, in 2012. This is the first time Khan has been nominated by herself.

Jon: “Ain’t Nobody.” Need I say more?

Ryan: Nominated this year just for her solo career interestingly and not with her funk band Rufus as with previous years.

Jon: Yeah, I don’t think she’s getting in.

Ryan: Questlove, who is on the nominating committee, was really pushing for her inclusion this year.

Jon: I wonder if he pushed Tribe at all?

Kevin: I wouldn’t be surprised. Tribe’s Jazz influence was widespread. The Roots incorporated more percussion than Tribe, but the jazz sampling influence was retained. I wouldn’t be surprised if he did.

Ryan: Rufus has two songs that have really endured: “Tell Me Something Good” and “Ain’t Nobody” from the very beginning and very end of their careers. I seriously think “Ain’t Nobody” is one of the best final singles in rock history.

Matt: Chaka Khan was an artist my mom introduced me to when I was a kid, and initially I wasn’t as receptive to her as I should have been. I love most of what I’ve heard from her. “I Feel for You” is major, and the Rufus singles you named as well.

Ryan: I think it might have been a better idea for them to nominate Chaka solo, she might have a better chance at an induction as just her.

Jon: Good point

Ryan: I consider her kind of a dark-horse candidate for induction out of this class. She’s been nominated before and has a very big, respected name on the committee as pushing for her. Voters might finally get her in.

Jon: Time will tell.

CHEAP TRICK

The pride of Rockford, Illinois, Cheap Trick are probably the first band most people think of when they hear the term “power pop.” The band’s bright, Beatles influenced hooks and hard rock guitars made them stars in the late 70s, particularly in Japan. As time has gone on, the rock press that were initially wary of the group have come to adore them, and they retain a sizable cult following to this day. The band’s best known songs include “I Want You To Want Me” and “Surrender.” This is the first time Cheap Trick has been nominated, despite being eligible since 2002.

Kevin: I WANT YOU TO WANT ME. It took me a while to believe that was them. Cause I’ve only heard their more rock-ish tracks beforehand..

Jon: Another example of awesome pop rock and another hugely influential band.

Ryan: Probably the ultimate power pop band? Like, unless you’re a huge fan of Big Star or The Raspberries that is.

Matt:. I’d go with Big Star over them, just because Radio City is so perfect.

Kevin: I really like Cheap Trick.

Matt: “Surrender” is one of my favorite songs of all time.”If You Want My Love” is one of my favorite Cheap Trick songs, even though it was ruined by Joe Dirt.

Jon: Cheap Trick has inspired a lot of 90s bands like Smashing Pumpkins and Foo Fighters. Plus, their work ethic is stellar.

Kevin: Smashing Pumpkins are in my top 5 of all time, so I guess I should thank them for that.

Ryan: I think Live at Budokan is masterful accomplishment of a live album that really showed what they could do as a band. And to this day, they’re still known as a formidable, strong live act.

Jon: I think they’ve deserved it for a while.

Ryan: And this is their first time being nominated at all, which is crazy!  I think they’re a serious threat for induction this year, which would make me very happy

Jon: Same. They’d be a popular choice.

Kevin: Honestly, I haven’t heard past their first three albums, but I loved their sound. Good to see them on the list.

Jon: They put out a record in 2003 called Rockford that’s realllly good

Ryan: Their 80’s material is often shaky, and might be what works against them, but they rebounded strongly in recent years. I really like the album they put out a few years ago, The Latest.

On page 2, check what we think about Chic, Chicago, Deep Purple and Janet Jackson’s chances at induction.

CHIC

Iconic disco band led by Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards, who were also some of the most dominant songwriters, producers and backing musicians of the era. The band recorded several critically acclaimed albums and retained respect even during the years following the decline of disco. They’re best known for their hits “Le Freak” and “Good Times”. Chic has been eligible since 2002 and have been nominated every year since 2003.

Jon Winkler: Despite disco not being rock and roll, I’ll make Chic an exception.

Matt Rice: Chic is the group I’m most hoping gets in, and disco is totally rock and roll.

Ryan Gibbs: This is their record-tying 10th nomination. Only other artist to get that many nominations was Solomon Burke, and he got in there. It is stupid that they’re not in yet. And agreed, disco come out of funk and r&b. How is it not rock?

Matt: What’s more rock and roll than pissing off white guys so much they crush a bunch of your records?

Jon:  lol. Point taken.

Ryan: It’s stupid that they didn’t get in when Nile Rodgers was having a great year off of the Daft Punk record. It’s stupid that they didn’t get in 10 years ago. It’s stupid that so many artists that don’t deserve to be in got in before them.

Jon: Nile Rodgers is one of the best guitar players alive today, and he’s a great producer.

Kevin Montes: Agreed.

Ryan: And also one of the best songwriters, which should have worked to his and their advantage.all the times they were nominated before. They’re due for induction. One of my problems with that dumb fan vote is that people sometimes have a really narrow minded idea of what rock is and it’s white guys with guitars. Which is silly. Even though, yeah, that fan vote is really a thrown bone. It only counts for a single ballot.

Matt: I’m not big on “Get Lucky” or Let’s Dance, honestly. Their work with Sister Sledge, on the other hand…

Ryan: C’est Chic is a fantastic album. One of the strongest of the disco era.

Matt: Risque and Real People are phenomenal, too.

Jon: They have a great instantly recognizable sound too.

Ryan: I really want them in this year. If had a vote, they’d be on my ballot easy.

Matt: Their biggest contribution to rock and roll: the “Good Times” bassline.

Jon: And to hip hop as well.

Ryan: Yeah! That bassline is all over early hip hop; The backbone of “Rapper’s Delight.”

Matt: And, more importantly, “The Adventures of Grandmaster Flash on the Wheels of Steel.”

Ryan: Right now, disco, funk and old school hip hop are having a huge resurgence. This is probably the best chance Chic has to get in.

Matt: To sum up my feelings, on a scale of one to ten, this band is a “26.”

Ryan: Ha! Awesome.

Jon: So we all agree: Chic goes in or the HOF are dumb.

Ryan: Well the HOF is kinda dumb for not putting them in last year, or the year before, or the year before that etc. etc., but yeah.

CHICAGO

Starting out in the late 60’s, Chicago had a string of horn-heavy jazz-rock hits in the 70s led by guitarist Terry Kath and singer-bassist Peter Cetera. When Kath died in an accident in 1978, Cetera took over the band, and led them into a soft rock sound that turned into simultaneously into massive pop stars and ear poison for music critics and most rock fans. The band had a string of hit singles and albums that is nearly unmatched in rock history, but at the same time, their legacy is complex at best. They’re best known for hits like “Saturday in the Park” and “You’re the Inspiration”. Chicago has been eligible since 1994, but this is the first time that they have been nominated. It should be noted that the band is one of the most requested nominees in the history of the Hall.

Matt: Ugh. Fucking boomers.

Ryan: I have…many feelings about Chicago.

Jon: I honestly don’t know too much about them.

Kevin: Same.

Jon: I just remember the joke in Little Nicky about them, when Nicky spins the record backwards.

Kevin: Of all movies!

Ryan: This is Chicago’s most recent greatest hits album. Disc 1 is really good! It’s quite solid jazz-rock aside from “If You Leave Me Now” which is a sign of things of to come. Disc 2 is the fucking worst. If you just had that record and didn’t know that band’s history, your first question would be “how do you go from something as cool as “25 or 6 to 4” to a waiting room soft rock snoozathon like “You’re the Inspiration“?” The answer is compromise, and also their talented guitarist accidentally shooting himself.

Matt: I’ve never been able to care about them at all, even their supposedly good stuff. I love Lester Bangs’ review of their Carnegie Hall live album.

Ryan: This isn’t like Genesis where the Phil Collins-era “corporate” stuff is actually pretty good and you can totally see the growth from their prog days to Invisible Touch. 80’s Chicago is some of the worst pop music of the past 50 years. I know people are very, very excited about this band finally getting nominated. I love their singles from their first few albums. But the stuff they did under Peter Cetera’s brutal regime should absolutely work against them. Anyway, anyone have anything to say about Chicago?

Kevin: I wanna visit the city.

Matt: I visit Chicago a lot. Wouldn’t mind living there. Chicago the band is the opposite of Chicago the city in my book.

DEEP PURPLE

Blues-influenced survivors of the psychedelic era, Deep Purple cemented their place in rock history first with their Concerto for Group and Orchestra in 1968, and then a string of well received albums leading to 1972’s Machine Head and the iconic “Smoke on the Water”. The band is often named as one of the major influences on heavy metal, and guitarist Ritchie Blackmore and organist Jon Lord remain highly revered figures in British hard rock. Aside from “Smoke”, the band’s best known songs include “Hush” and “Highway Star”. The band has been eligible since 1993 and were nominated previously in 2013 and 2014.

Jon: Four words: “Smoke on the Water.”

Kevin: I’ve never heard of em either, lol.  Or I have, but not by name. Jon, what you said is familiar.

Matt: I love “Black Night.” And I remember their albums being pretty great, although I don’t know if I’d have the patience for them anymore. “Smoke on the Water” may have the most overrated guitar riff in rock history.

Ryan: I think Deep Purple in Rock and Machine Head are good albums. And “Smoke on the Water” and “Hush” are solid rock standards. I just don’t know what separates them from some of the other 70s rock giants that aren’t in yet.

Jon: They’ve had great members in their line up.

Ryan: Yeah, but so did King Crimson.

Matt: In Metal: A Headbanger’s Journey, Lemmy said they might be the first metal band.

Ryan: I suppose, but you have a few other candidates there. Like Blue Cheer. I’m not sure this is Deep Purple’s year. They might split the vote of “70’s rock heroes” with Yes. They have a name, people know them, they were successful…but that’s kept plenty of other bands out of the Hall too. Maybe if this year’s other nominees weren’t so strong i’d consider otherwise.

Jon: I feel like most people who started getting into rock got a taste of Deep Purple.

Matt: I mentioned Lemmy, so I’d say Motörhead is a metal band I see as being more worthy of the HOF than Deep Purple.

Ryan: Yeah, definitely.

Jon: Holy hell how are Motörhead not already in?!?!

Ryan: Because the Hall hates metal. I think it took Sabbath something like six nominations to actually get in. And that was Sabbath! I do love Deep Purple’s “Concerto for Group and Orchestra” though. First example of a symphony working with a rock band.

Joey Daniewicz: Honestly, I theorize that the remaining people who think Deep Purple mattered are slowly dying off. Outside of your first lessons and the denizens of your local Guitar Center, do they really seem worthy of any Hall of Fame?

JANET JACKSON

It’s about time. One of the most legendary acts in pop history who became famous on her own terms separate from her famous brothers. Her albums Control, Rhythm Nation 1814, Janet and The Velvet Rope and collaborations with Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis pushed the boundaries of R&B and are some of the best records of the past 30 years. Her many hits include “Nasty”, “Escapade” and “That’s the Way Love Goes”. Long considered one of the Hall’s biggest snubs since she was first eligible in 2007, this is her first year nominated and she’s widely tipped as a favorite.for induction.

Kevin: I remember that expensive video she made with her older bro, “Scream.”

Ryan: More than any other nominee this year, Janet Jackson is the one I want in.

Kevin: I love Janet.

Ryan: I don’t understand why it’s taken her this long to actually get nominated.

Kevin: How long ago was her first album?

Ryan: She’s been eligible since 2007, Kevin.

Kevin: JESUS.

Matt: I’ve actually just been exploring her albums for the first time. I really hate teenage me for wasting so much time trying to get Interpol instead of exploring old R&B.

Jon: I heard her new album is really good

Ryan: Her new one is great! Her records with Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis in the late 80’s and early 90’s are world conquering stuff.

Jon: I think it’d be good for her to go in. Who was the last female pop/R&B star to get in?

Ryan: Darlene Love in 2011. Unless you consider Donna Summer R&B (2013).

Matt: Donna Summer taking that long to get in is criminal.

Ryan: It took her dying to get in. The Hall does that all the time and it pisses me off.

Jon: Even Janet’s 2000 output has been solid. Every time she does something musical, it’s a major event. That equals her as a “big freakin deal.”

Ryan: I actually like Rhythm Nation 1814 more than any of her brother’s albums. Really.

Kevin: Jermaine?

Ryan: Ha! But seriously, all my music critic friends were super-excited about Janet getting a nomination. And they have every right to be. I hope she gets inducted. She’s too huge of a name on the ballot to be ignored at all. I imagine voters have been clamoring to put her in.

Jon: Definitely. Didn’t BET just give her a lifetime achievement award recently?

Ryan: I think they did Jon.

Matt: I love her singles, and it’s been fun listening to her albums finally. I wish I had more to say about her.

Ryan: I think “Escapade” is the best song of any of the nominated artists this year.

Joey:  Put her in so that CBS and the NFL can kiss her ass.

On page 3, we talk about The J.B.’s, Los Lobos, Nine Inch Nails and N.W.A.

THE J.B.’s

Widely named as the most unusual choice of the nominees, The J.B.’s  were James Brown’s backing group in the 70s, and performed on legendary cuts like “Sex Machine” and “Super Bad.” The group is also where such instrumental titans as bassist Bootsy Collins, trombonist Fred Wesley and saxophonist Maceo Parker got their start. In addition to their tenure backing Brown, the group also recorded several iconic instrumental cuts on their own, such as “The Grunt” and “Doing it to Death”. This is the first time they have been nominated, and had long been tipped for induction for the now deprecated sidemen category.

Matt Rice: “The Grunt” is an incredible instrumental.

Ryan Gibbs: Why are they in the main performer category? i’m guessing because the sidemen category doesn’t exist anymore?  I love these guys, but i’m just not sure if they belong here If they get in, it will make Bootsy Collins a double-inductee though, I suppose

Matt: They released an brilliant instrumental that was sampled on three tracks on one of the greatest hip-hop albums ever.

Ryan: I don’t hate this pick – It’s a bit esoteric and they deserve to be recognized by the Hall somehow, but The Meters or The Bar-Kays would have been a better choice for this spot.

Matt: But if they deserve to be in the HOF, what about The Famous Flames?

Ryan: The Famous Flames actually did get in. They inducted a bunch of side bands a few years ago. Including Bill Haley’s Comets and Buddy Holly’s Crickets, who weren’t in already. And a few years after that, they put the E Street Band in.

Matt: Oh, I didn’t realize that.

Ryan: I guess we don’t have much to say about these guys do we?

Kevin Montes: No.

Jon Winkler: Just love for Bootsy, baby.

Ryan: But yeah. Interesting pick, but I don’t think they’re getting in…unless the Hall sneaks them in after using a separate category. They’ve done that before.

LOS LOBOS

Veterans of the East L.A. rock scene, Los Lobos scored a number one single in 1987 with a cover of Ritchie Valens’ arrangement of “La Bamba” from the film of the same name. This had been preceded by years of solid albums in which the versatile band often explored fusions of traditional Mexican music with rock styles such as blues rock and cowpunk, most notably on their critically acclaimed 1984 album How Will the Wolf Survive? The band’s solid journeyman career and critical adoration have led to them being considered a sleeper pick this year. Although eligible since 2003, this is their first nomination.

Kevin: OOOOOOHHHHH.

Matt: Love them.

Joey Daniewicz:  Finally, a band to rival Chic in the category of best band that truly has no chance.

Kevin: I’m so excited that they are nominated. Made some of my favorite covers/film records of all time.

Ryan: This was the most surprising pick of the pack. They had a great, underrated career. Deserve more love.

Kevin: Desperado is what introduced me to them.

Ryan: I think “Will the Wolf Survive?” is one of the most underrated rock songs of the 80s.

Kevin: How Will the Wolf Survive? is a great album!

Ryan: It is!

Kevin: Los Lobos have definitely been underrated I agree.

Ryan: Arguably their work on the La Bamba soundtrack helped get Ritchie Valens into the Hall.

Kevin: Exactly.

Ryan: I’m not sure they’ll get in, but they were a pleasant surprise to see.

Kevin: I hope they do.

Matt: Colossal Head is so underrated.

Ryan: If you’re gonna put a band that more or less had a journeyman career, you could make a worse choice than Los Lobos. I’d love it if they got in.

NINE INCH NAILS

The liner notes for Nine Inch Nails albums famously read “Nine Inch Nails is Trent Reznor” and if they get in, he’ll likely be standing at the podium alone. The one man industrial icon has brought some of the most abrasive styles of rock music into the mainstream whether they liked it or not. Reznor and his project produced several well selling and critically adored albums that have seen him to the present day, even with his career as an Oscar winning film composer. Best known for hits like “Head Like a Hole” and “Closer”, Nine Inch Nails were first nominated last year in their first year of eligibility.

Joey: And you thought Green Day already getting nominated felt jarring.

Jon: Definitely the oddball choice in my opinion.

Matt: I tried way too hard to like them in high school.

Kevin: I like NIN, but I could never get past what I knew.

Ryan: I mean, the Hall has been kinda fickle with American alternative bands of the 80s, so it’s really unusual that NIN got two straight nominations.

Kevin: I find Trent Reznor to be a competent film scorer though.

Ryan: Although they were big right out of the gate, I remember hearing an anecdote that the “Down In It” single was, at one point, outselling the Pretty Hate Machine album and should have by all rights made the Hot 100 through sales alone (but didn’t).

Matt: I think Pretty Hate Machine is the best-sounding NIN album, but God, those lyrics.

Ryan: They’re very late 80’s goth, huh?

Matt: Very ’80s goth. Even when I thought The Smiths were one of the five best bands of all time, though, I thought “Something I Can Never Have” was awful.

Ryan: I like NIN, and Trent’s had an excellent, solid career. And honestly their chances are very up in the air. Apparently they did very well last year out of the bands that didn’t get in. As much as I like them, I still this this spot should’ve gone to Kraftwerk.

Jon: If they get in, it’ll be interesting to hear Trent’s speech if he even makes one.

Ryan: He will. And the performance should wonderfully ruin the Hall of Fame’s pricey dinner, ha ha.

N.W.A.

Gangsta rap architects N.W.A. have been nominated every year since 2013, but with the success of the Straight Outta Compton film, this might be the year they finally get in. The group included three of the most vital rappers in the genre’s history in Dr. Dre, Ice Cube and Eazy-E and released the iconic Straight Outta Compton album in 1988, which brought the gangsta rap genre to the mainstream. The group is best known for tracks like “Express Yourself” and “100 Miles and Runnin’”

Ryan: So next we got who I bet Kevin was waiting for.

Kevin: Eh. I’m glad to see them, but they’ve got the first eligibility nom cause of the momentum.

Ryan: Actually, this is their fourth nomination.

Kevin: Really? I heard somewhere it was their first year nominated.

Matt: I love a lot of Straight Outta Compton, but “I Ain’t Tha 1” is atrocious.

Kevin: “A Bitch iz a Bitch” is one of my faves. So is “Gangsta Gangsta.”

Ryan: This is going to be NWA’s year. Because of the movie and the resurgence of interest. Which has been so big that this year, the song “Straight Outta Compton” became their first ever Top 40 hit.

Kevin: Yeah. Honestly, I’m more excited for Dre being eligible as a solo artist. And I’m waiting for Eazy’s solo nomination too!

Ryan: In general, the Hall has been very slow, almost fickle, to warm up to hip hop. There are only four rap artists in right now – Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five, Run DMC, The Beastie Boys and Public Enemy

Kevin: Four very typical with only three correct choices. I think Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five was a safe choice

Ryan: No Eric B & Rakim and no LL Cool J, despite past nods for both.

Kevin: Eric B & Rakim deserves it more.

Jon: Agreed.

Ryan: Honestly, the lack of interest might not bode well for Biggie, Tupac, Jay-Z and Nas, all of whom are getting close to being eligible.

Kevin: I can see Jay-Z being the one they’d pick outta the four.

Matt: They should give Roxanne Shante some love.

Ryan: or Salt-N-Pepa.

Matt: Yup. Or Funky Four Plus One (okay, that probably won’t happen).

Kevin: Kurtis Blow?

Ryan: Possibly too late for him, especially considering the other old school rappers who have been passed by and who they still need catching up on. I think NWA will finally get in this year. And that might make it easier for the bigger acts coming up to get in. As more of the 90s become eligible, you simply cannot ignore hip hop.

Kevin: But they are forgetting pioneers like The Last Poets.

Ryan: Apparently they’ve been discussed before. As has Gil Scott-Heron.

Kevin: Gil has been earned that, but he hasn’t gotten it. If NWA gets in, who do you think will do the induction speech?

Ryan: Kendrick or Snoop.

Kevin: I’d like to see both of them do it.

Ryan: It’s weird that NWA that has been shut out for three years in the past and now we’re talking like they’re a sure thing. That’s a good thing honestly.

Kevin: MC Ren and Yella better have something to say if they get in because they were really shut out this year

Ryan: And what about Arabian Prince? Do you think he’ll get inducted with them? The Hall has a history of not inducting “less important” members that were actually significant, like Bob Welch in Fleetwood Mac or, heck, Gram Parsons in The Byrds.

Kevin: He won’t. Arabian Prince did almost close to nothing except few polishes. He left I think it was before the release of the album, or a lil after.

Joey: I can’t tell if I don’t want them in because they hate women, or if I want them in because the Hall hates black people.

On page 4, we talk about The Smiths, The Spinners, Steve Miller and Yes, and give our picks on who we think should get in.

THE SMITHS

In a career that lasted just five years, The Smiths took the British music scene by storm, leaving four highly rated albums and a string of classic singles in their wake. Lead singer Morrissey remains a revered figure in indie rock and Johnny Marr’s chiming guitar style influenced a whole generation of kids to pick up the instrument. Nearly 30 years after their split, the band remains figureheads in indie rock. The band, whose best known songs include “How Soon is Now?” and “This Charming Man”, have been eligible since 2008 and were first nominated last year.

Ryan Gibbs: One of my favorite bands of all time, no question.

Kevin Montes: I like the Smiths, though I have no opinion on Morrissey

Matt Rice: I was actually just listening to them yesterday for the first time in months.

Jon Winkler: The Smiths are responsible for sooo many great 90s/00s bands

Ryan: Massively important in the history of indie and alternative music.You cannot write the history of rock & roll in the 1980s without mentioning that band, regardless of their relative lack of success in the US.

Matt: They were a very important band for me. “There Is a Light That Never Goes Out” is an all-time fave easily.

Ryan: Me too. There was a good year where I practically listened to nothing else but The Smiths. Johnny Marr is such an innovative guitarist and Morrissey was an amazing lyricist and emotive singer. And not a lot of people mention Mike Joyce and Andy Rourke, but they were a formidable rhythm section, especially on those Peel Sessions recordings.

Matt: I was like the stereotypical “no one understands me, I’m going to die alone” Smiths fan.

Jon: “This Charming Man” is my favorite. It’s amazing how well their music holds up today.

Kevin: The Queen is Dead is my favorite of theirs

Ryan: Not only is their stuff so great, but pretty much all the stuff that’s happened in British music after them is from their legacy And you can hear British musicians talk about The Smiths the same way Americans do about REM. They were life changing. I think this is their year. They have a groundswell of support that’s much deserved. I’d give them my vote.

Jon: If they go in, Morrissey will be a no show, right?

Ryan: Of course he won’t. If we’re lucky we get just Marr. And that’s not a bad deal, to be honest.

Matt: Marr is who I mainly listen for now anyway.

Jon: Same. He’s got a solid solo career.

Ryan: Me too. I love a lot of Morrissey’s solo stuff, but he’s become so….Morrissey at this point that he’s kind of hard to take all at once.And his new novel is apparently fucking dreadful.

THE SPINNERS

Also known as The Detroit Spinners, the vocal quartet started on Motown in the mid-60s, but did not start having major success until the early 70s. Their singles such as “The Rubberband Man” and “It’s a Shame” kept soul on the charts throughout the decade. They were previously nominated in 2012 and this past year.

Matt: The Spinners are great.

Ryan: I honestly haven’t spent much time on The Spinners aside from the big hits like “The Rubberband Man” and “Working My Way Back to You.” They kind of had an uphill battle as a vocal group whose hitmaking career was mostly in the 70s.

Matt: So many of their ’70s singles are so good. “Could it Be I’m Falling in Love” and “It’s a Shame” stand out, though.

Ryan: I do hope they get a nudge, but I’m not sure if they’ll get in. If they do, it would be much deserved “The Rubberband Man” is a great song. Really unique 70s soul.

STEVE MILLER (BAND)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DzSC2__LXk4

The Steve Miller Band were consistent AOR hitmakers throughout the 70s, starting shortly after singer Boz Scaggs left for a solo career and namesake guitarist Steve Miller took up the microphone. Their greatest hits album remains one of the best selling albums of all time. thanks to hit singles like “The Joker” and “Rock’n Me”.  It has been noted that it is highly unusual that only Steve Miller has been nominated and not his band, who were credited on all of his hits. This is the first time Miller or his band have been nominated, despite having been eligible since 1993.

Ryan: Notably Steve Miller is being nominated just by himself. No Steve Miller Band. Which makes no sense whatsoever and I suspect they might change that.

Kevin: I don’t know much of his solo career.

Ryan: That’s because there was no solo career aside from one album from 1988 that no one cares about. That’s why it makes no sense.

Kevin: Oh haha.

Ryan: Let’s just imagine that this was the Steve Miller Band being nominated. Again, and much more loudly than Deep Purple: why them out of all 70’s rock giants, and more importantly why now?

Matt: I’d rather they induct the Steve Miller Band cover band The Abracadabblers (from Bob’s Burgers).

Ryan: Excellent reference.

Matt: Has anyone here heard Sugar Ray’s cover of “Abracadabra?”

Ryan: Is that something I want to hear? “Abracadabra” is a terrible song though.

Matt: Probably not. That’s just the only bit of nostalgia I have for Steve Miller Band. Apart from the time my uncle sang that he was going to “fry up an eagle” to the tune of “Fly Like an Eagle.”

Ryan: I don’t hate any of the nominees this year, but Steve Miller (Band) was a surprise.They check a lot of boxes: they had the hits that have endured, they have the influence, they had a good career. They spun off Boz Scaggs’ equally okay career. But again, why them? Compared to The Doobie Brothers or Boston? (other than I subjectively like and appreciate both of those bands way more)

Matt: How is Boston not in yet?

Ryan: Because the Hall hates arena rock. It’s why Journey isn’t in either.

Matt: I do too for the most part, but it’s Boston.

Ryan: I wonder if having their career dwarfed by one colossal album hurt Boston’s chances.

Matt: I wouldn’t take a Dave Marsh-on-KISS stance on Journey, since major bands should probably be in there, but I really hate them.

Ryan: I don’t totally hate Journey. Especially their singles. They’re okay. But I argue they belong in the Hall more than Steve Miller. Steve Miller (Band) is exactly the kind of inductee that the Hall would actually put in. I wouldn’t hate it if he (they) got in, particularly if they remembered to induct Boz Scaggs too, but it just seems like a safe AOR pick. I told myself when I started this that I wouldn’t whine about who did not get nominated when we had such a strong nomination class for once, but this was the one that kind got to me.

YES

Prog rock hasn’t fared well in the Hall, despite many of the biggest names in rock in the 70s being tied to the genre. Even so, Yes is probably one of the stronger candidates out of the many eligible bands in the genre, having had several hit singles and maintaining their success into the 80s, even with repeat lineup changes. Yes is best known for songs like “Roundabout” and “Owner of a Lonely Heart”. They have been eligible since 1994, but this is only the second time they have been nominated.

Ryan: I actually like Yes a lot. I know that’s weird coming out of someone who just went in on Steve Miller Band for being a safe AOR pick, but I love quite a few of the big prog bands. Yes put out a bunch of records I like. And also Tales of Topographic Oceans which is just as bloated as its reputation leads it to be.

Matt: I don’t have the patience for a lot of prog rock. Still, better Yes than Emerson, Lake, & Palmer

Ryan: I worry that they only got nominated – and possibly inducted – this year because of the death of Chris Squire. If they do get in, picking which members they’re gonna induct is gonna be a bit of a headache. Obviously the classic members get in, but do they also induct both Buggles? It would be weird if Trevor Horn, one of the most important people in music in the 80s, got into the Hall through one (very good and underrated, natch) Yes album. They’d have my vote if I had one though.

Final Thoughts

Ryan: What did you think of this year’s choices, overall?

Kevin: I liked them. A Tribe Called Quest’s snub made me a piss bitch.

Ryan: I like Tribe, but i didn’t expect them to make it. Out of all the artists that didn’t get a nomination, I thought Harry Nilsson had a shot. He had a big grassroots campaign this year.

Matt: I like the picks for the most part. A few really great artists, and Chicago is the only one that pisses me off.

Ryan: More than Steve Miller?

Matt: A lot more. I at least love “The Joker.”

Ryan: I mean I like a lot of Chicago’s “good stuff” but I get you.

Jon: It’s a solid list. Missing Joy Division/New Order and more metal.

Ryan: Joy Division/New Order, I guess, has been a problem with the Hall for a while. Putting them in together makes a more than worthy candidate, but is that really the way they should go in?

Jon: I think putting one in before the other doesn’t make sense to me.

Ryan: True. And they inducted the Small Faces and Faces the same way.

Jon: Right, so the same should apply.

Ryan: I thought this was a solid nomination class. Hopefully, they don’t mess this up.

Jon: Yeah same. All the people on the list deserve to go in

Joey Daniewicz: Was there anyone expected to be nominated that got shorted or anything like that? The slate seemed mostly pretty expected.

Ryan: Kraftwerk? War?

Joey: If Kraftwerk have been on in past years but got passed up to include stuff like freaking Steve Miller then what’s the freaking point? Other than that, mostly expected, thank god Chic is back again and isn’t going away. Hopefully we can get done with NWA so we can get to some OTHER hip hop, too.

Ryan: And remember, Steve Miller is on without the band for some weird reason

Joey: What a bunch of, wait for it, jokers!

Who we would pick:

Joey Daniewicz: The Cars, Cheap Trick, Chic, Janet Jackson, Los Lobos, The Smiths

Ryan Gibbs: Cheap Trick, Chic, Janet Jackson, NWA, The Smiths, Yes

Kevin Montes: Cheap Trick, Janet Jackson, Los Lobos, NWA, The Smiths, Steve Miller

Matt Rice: Chic, Janet Jackson, Los Lobos, NWA, The Smiths, The Spinners

Jon Winkler: Cheap Trick, Chic, Deep Purple, Janet Jackson, NWA, The Smiths

Which nominees do you think should get into the Hall of Fame this year? Let us know in the comments!

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