Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame: A Voter Explains Their 2022 Ballot
Last year, we had an anonymous Rock and Roll Hall of Fame voter explain their ballot to us: this person explained how s/he became a voter, who s/he voted for…
Last year, we had an anonymous Rock and Roll Hall of Fame voter explain their ballot to us: this person explained how s/he became a voter, who s/he voted for and who s/he didn't, and why.
"It's another difficult ballot this year," our voter tells us. "Of the seventeen nominees, I wish I could vote for at least thirteen of them. We only get to vote for five, so I've spent a lot of time binge-listening to entire catalogs from some of these artists. Of course, some nominees were no-brainers for me. I'll also point out that while I'm a rock fan and have worked in the rock genre on and off for years, I don't have a bias against artists that don't fit into an orthodox definition of 'rock and roll.' I always look back to the first two induction classes, from 1986 and 1987: you had Chuck Berry and Little Richard and Elvis Presley, guys who really defined 'rock and roll.' But there were also straight-up soul -- or R&B -- singers, like Aretha Franklin and Sam Cooke and Ray Charles. And you had artists that you could consider 'pop,' like the Everly Brothers and the Coasters and Ricky Nelson. You even had country: Jimmie Rodgers and Hank Williams. I think that's the spirit of rock and roll, combining all of these different types of music. I don't have any issues with hip-hop or country artists in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. I always hear people complain about that: 'But does the Country Hall of Fame induct rock artists? Would the Hip-Hop Hall of Fame induct rock artists?' I don't care about that: rock and roll's tent is wider and more diverse."
"Anyway, last year, two of the five artists I voted for were inducted: Tina Turner and the Go-Go's; in past years, the only artists that I voted for who were inducted were Depeche Mode (2020) and the Cure (2019). Hopefully this year, more of my picks will get in."
Beck: NOPE
Rock and Roll Hall of FameHere's a good example of an artist who I'm a fan of, but I can't justify voting for, at least not on this ballot. I heard Beck's "Loser" in 1994, ran to Tower Records and picked up 'Mellow Gold' and realized this guy wasn't a one-hit wonder. It's been amazing to watch his career. On the other hand, he's a bit overrated, critics drool over every single thing he does (and I have no idea how 'Morning Phase' won the Grammy for Album of the Year). I definitely think he deserves to be in the Rock Hall, but not on this ballot, and not before other '90s alt rock artists like Jane's Addiction, Soundgarden, Tori Amos, Tool, Rage Against the Machine or PJ Harvey, to name a few.
Pat Benatar: YES
Rock and Roll Hall of FameI've voted for her before; it's insane that she isn't in already. She's one of the defining voices of late '70s/early '80s rock and was one of the stars of the early MTV era. She's one of the best rock and roll singers, ever (which reminds me: it's nuts that neither Joe Cocker nor Paul Rodgers have ever been on the ballot). I think that, historically, voters didn't like "people's choice" type bands: the ones who radio embraced but who didn't have underground "cred." But they've since inducted Journey and Bon Jovi, so I really don't get why Pat hasn't gotten in yet. Hopefully this will be her year.
Kate Bush: NOPE
As I said last year, I think she deserves to be in. But in America, a lot of people really only know her because she sang with Peter Gabriel on "Don't Give Up." And the Rock Hall is very much an American institution, and that's reflected in the voting body. I don't think Kate Bush ever even toured in the U.S. She's kind of her own genre, and she's influenced a lot of great artists, from OutKast to Bjork. As I said, I weigh influence more than album sales. She deserves to be in. But I didn't vote for her this year. It's a tough ballot.
Devo: NOPE
Rock and Roll Hall of FameAs I said last year, I think that "weirdness" is an important part of rock and roll -- and particularly of rock and roll's ability to evolve and innovate. It's often the weirdos leading and everyone else following and figuring it out. And no one is weirder than Devo. They influenced a lot of amazing artists: Nirvana, Nine Inch Nails, Rage Against The Machine and Soundgarden. I once saw Pearl Jam dress up as Devo at one of their shows and play "Whip It." There are a lot of "rock" bands in the Hall of Fame that are a hell of a lot less influential than Devo. But I didn't vote Devo last year and I'm not this year. I really hope they're on the ballot again. They definitely deserve to be in. The Rock Hall has shown a willingness to induct artists who haven't been voted in, by giving them special awards: that's how Ringo Starr, Chic, LL Cool J and Kraftwerk have gotten in. I think they should consider that for Devo, along with a few other artists on this ballot.
Duran Duran: YES
Another bias from the Rock Hall voters: they seem to not take artists from the first few years of MTV very seriously. Obviously, there are exceptions for superstars like Michael Jackson, Prince, Madonna and U2. Last year, the Go-Go's seemed to crack that glass ceiling, and Duran Duran should follow. Their impact was huge, and that was an era where MTV and the colorful acts that they promoted hooked a new generation on rock and roll, at a time when radio may not have had a hold on the younger audience (with all due respect). I'd love to see a few others from that era, like Cyndi Lauper, on the ballot in the future; also the original MTV VJs should be inducted as "non-performers." They were absolute icons to a generation.
Eminem: NOPE
Rock and Roll Hall of FameThis was an easy "no" for me. There's no questioning his greatness as an MC, and certainly no questioning his impact. But he shouldn't get in before other hip-hop artists: Ice-T, the Wu-Tang Clan, Queen Latifah, Eric B & Rakim and the Roots all come to mind. I don't think even Eminem wants to get in before those acts.
Eurythmics - NOPE
Rock and Roll Hall of FameIf I had six votes instead of five, they would have made my ballot; it was tough to choose between them and Duran Duran. They were incredibly original, massively influential and had tons of hits. And Annie Lennox is one of the greatest singers of the past few decades. I definitely hope that if they don't get in, they're on the ballot again. Like Duran Duran, they're one of the most important artists of the early MTV era.
Judas Priest - YES
Rock and Roll Hall of FameIf I could only vote for one artist on the ballot, it would Judas Pries, hands down. The Rock Hall has inducted a lot of hard rock bands. but when it comes to metal, it's really just Black Sabbath, Metallica and, as of last year, Randy Rhoads. After Black Sabbath, Judas Priest are THE most influential metal band ever, and that needs to be recognized. From the operatic vocals to the two guitar attack to the leather and studs visuals, Priest was an absolute game changer. Even as a proud voter, without Priest, the Rock Hall loses a lot of credibility with me. Let's vote them in so we can move on to Motorhead, Iron Maiden and Dio.
Fela Anikulapo Kuti - NOPE
Rock and Roll Hall of FameSome people take issue with his very inclusion on the ballot. I don't. Honestly, I was shocked to see him on the ballot last year and again this year and I'd love to see him inducted. He's a huge influence on the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and he and James Brown influenced each other. He did a great live album with Ginger Baker of Cream; I think he's awesome. But I don't think he stands much of a chance of being voted in. Even if I didn't care about strategic voting, I wouldn't vote for him over the five artists who I'm voting for this year.
MC5 - NOPE
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame"Kick Out The Jams" is one of the greatest songs of all time, and the MC5 absolutely should have been inducted years ago. I would vote for them, but -- again -- I don't think they have a shot at getting in. They're definitely a band who should get in via a special award, a la Kraftwerk. They are similarly influential but will probably never have the support of the voting body.
The New York Dolls - NOPE
Rock and Roll Hall of FameJust like the MC5, they should have been in a long time ago; they also don't really have a great shot at being voted in. You may know this story: in 2004, Morrissey organized a reunion of the New York Dolls, and Izzy Stradlin' nearly came out of retirement to play in their live band. Can you think of any other artist to so profoundly affect members of the Smiths *and* Guns N Roses? If you're not familiar with the New York Dolls, all you really need to check out is their self-titled debut from 1973. And I hope more people do check it out!
Dolly Parton - NOPE
Rock and Roll Hall of FameCountry music is a big influence on rock and roll, and it's surprising that there aren't that many country acts in the Rock Hall: it's only Johnny Cash, Jimmie Rogers, Hank Williams and a few others. In my mind, Dolly is one of a handful of artists who should be considered, along with Willie Nelson, Loretta Lynn, Merle Haggard, Waylon Jennings and Kris Kristofferson. But I can't vote for her on this ballot over the other choices. And it does feel like her nomination is partially driven by the fact that she's become such a beloved cultural figure in recent years. But just listen to the White Stripes' cover of "Jolene," and you'll hear her influence on rock and roll.
Rage Against the Machine - YES
Rock and Roll Hall of FameI voted for them last year and I'll vote for them every time they're on the ballot. If you saw them back in the '90s, you know that RATM was one of the most powerful live shows you could ever experience. Zack de la Rocha is one of greatest frontmen ever -- and as an MC could go toe-to-toe with most of hip-hop's greatest. Tim Commerford and Brad Wilk were about as tight of a rhythm section as you'll ever see and Tom Morello is the last guitar hero (or one of the last, Jack White might be the last). Their three albums are nearly perfect and airtight and are all among the best albums of the 1990s Lollapalooza era, which was -- let's be real -- a fantastic era for rock music. And just when you thought there weren't many (or any) new sounds to be mined in rock, Rage Against The Machine came along and sounded unlike anything we'd ever heard before.
Lionel Richie - NOPE
Rock and Roll Hall of FameI like his voice, and some of his songs. But I'm not in favor of such middle-of-the-road artists -- no matter how talented -- being inducted. I was against Neil Diamond being inducted, I was against Whitney Houston (who is one of the greatest singers of all time) and I can't get with Lionel either.
Carly Simon - NOPE
As with Lionel Richie, I like Carly Simon's songs, and she's got a great voice. But she just doesn't feel like a Rock and Roll Hall of Famer to me. I also would not have voted for her ex-husband, James Taylor.
A Tribe Called Quest - YES
Rock and Roll Hall of FameAgain, if you don't think hip-hop belongs in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, we can just agree to disagree. Tribe's originality and creativity felt very "rock and roll" to me when I first heard them in 1990 on their "People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm" album, and they only got better from there. Their first three albums are absolute classics.
Dionne Warwick - NOPE
I grew up watching her host a TV show called "Solid Gold," and her music was prevalent on the radio during that era. Like everyone else, I've gotten a huge kick out of seeing her on Twitter. And like anyone else with ears, I can recognize that she's an incredible singer. But I had an easy time not voting for her.
