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March 13, 2007

Last Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Post (Promise!): Sizing Up Next Year's Class

We know you're burned out on the music media's blanket coverage of the R&R HOF (which coincidentally is also the abbreviation for Hasselhoff Railroad), but let's have some fun with this thing before the day is over -- then we promise not to talk about it until next year when we again pose as waiters and crash the ceremony. Time to speculate about next year's class! After the jump, a list of artists who released their first recordings in '82, making them eligible for induction a year from now.

10,000 Maniacs
Adrien Belew
Afrika Bambaataa
Asia
Bad Brains
The Bangles
Beastie Boys
Big Country
Cocteau Twins
Culture Club
Dokken
Don Henley
Everything But The Girl
Falco
The Fixx
Ice-T
Janet Jackson
Jimmy Page
Kenny G
Lionel Richie
Madonna
Marillion
Marshall Crenshaw
Men At Work
Metallica
Michael McDonald
Robert Plant
The Smithereens
Sonic Youth
Steve Earle
Sting
Talk Talk
Tears For Fears
Twisted Sister
The Waterboys
Some bands kicking around that have been eligible and given the cold shoulder to consider, too, including: The Stooges, The Dave Clark Five, Chic, Joe Tex, Rush, Yes, Genesis, ELO, Joan Jett, Def Leppard, Alice Cooper, Heart, Deep Purple, Pat Benatar ... and the artist formerly known as Cat Stevens.

Now if you aren't sufficiently sated on all things Hall, head to AOL for a treasure trove of past performances and acceptance speeches, plus last night's party on demand.

So, assuming you had a vote that mattered, who are you putting in the Hall? Choose anyone! Unless it's Kenny G.

Posted at 5:08 PM
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58 Comments

Uhh.... The Stooges. The most rock n roll band in history.

Posted by: Scott at 03/13/07 5:12 PM | Reply
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Stevie Nicks. It's time.

Posted by: hype at 03/13/07 5:22 PM | Reply
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Link Wray

Posted by: Nathan at 03/13/07 5:29 PM | Reply
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Don Henley. A drummer that sings. Wow. Somewhere someone is saying...

"I'll be honest with you, I love his music, I do, I'm a Don Henley fan. For my money, I don't know if it gets any better than when he sings 'The Boys of Summer.'"

Posted by: Von Hayes at 03/13/07 5:36 PM | Reply
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Don't forget about the Cars, the Go-Go's and the B-52s. Not huge names in the "grander" scheme of things...but worth mentioning. I also wouldn't hold out much hope for any more hip hop acts until Run DMC is eligible in '09 or '10...there's no way the Beastie's can go in before them...no matter the loophole for first recordings. Also...there gonna have to give some due to some of the bridesmaids to make up for the genuine lack of bonafide inductibles coming up in the next few years...

So, '08 :

Iggy and the Stooges
Cat Stevens
Metallica
Genesis

and a wild card or two...say Chic, Dave Clark Five or maybe Todd Rundgren or Yes or something. MAYBE Afrika Bambaataa if they make a real effort to include hip hop from now on...which I doubt they will.

That's my two cents for one full year, as well...thanks.

Posted by: sh at 03/13/07 5:45 PM | Reply
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I have a few favorites on the proposed list, but none of them have a chance in Hell with an icycle shiv. The shoo-ins are Page and Plant, Henley, Michael McDonald, probably Metallica to indicate the Hall isn't thoroughly wussificated, and probably the Beasties to toss that hip-hop bone out there.

Hip-Hop fans, please don't start flamin' over that last comment. You know what I am talking about.

DwD

Posted by: Dw Dunphy at 03/13/07 5:45 PM | Reply
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RUSH. Come on. They've had 18 albums since 1974, and they're fifth behind The Beatles, Stones, KISS and Aerosmith for the most consecutive gold and platinum albums by a rock band. This is a joke.

Posted by: Geddy at 03/13/07 5:48 PM | Reply
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Technically, Metallica's first album was in 1983. All that was released prior were demos.

Posted by: Cliff Burton at 03/13/07 5:51 PM | Reply
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falco would be hilarious. and i give sonic youth a waitlisting for the next 5 years. it's bound to happen, just not this time around.

Posted by: that dude jeff at 03/13/07 6:06 PM | Reply
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It's a pipe dream, but I'd love to see Marillion go in. Just to get Fish and the boys back together for one performance.

Posted by: JT at 03/13/07 6:27 PM | Reply
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Marshall Crenshaw!! I know not of people listened to him, and he was considered a mildly played "one hit wonder" with his first album, but he has released so many great and evolving albums over the years. There's no way he's getting in next year, but I hope some day in the future he will be recognized.

Posted by: Lowden at 03/13/07 6:47 PM | Reply
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Can someone start the Falco petition?

Posted by: scott at 03/13/07 6:53 PM | Reply
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Hello? Where's Depeche Mode, The Jam, The Cure, Joy Division, New Order? A lot of today's bands owe a debt of gratitude to these legends. Why aren't they in the hall?

Posted by: nycgirllms at 03/13/07 6:55 PM | Reply
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Tears For Fears!

Posted by: Austin at 03/13/07 6:56 PM | Reply
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Wow, it seems so rediculous that The Stooges aren't in there already. I'm personally a bigger fan of New Order, but I think Joy Division might have a chance next year. As for the new guys, since Sonic Youth are the only one's still making relevant music (and to a lesser extent Madonna) I'd go for them.

Oh, and has Dave Brubeck ever been inducted? I think he'd be a fine addition.

Posted by: Adam at 03/13/07 7:01 PM | Reply
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Metallica, Beastie Boys, Madonna, Sonic Youth

Posted by: zensay at 03/13/07 7:10 PM | Reply
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i have a feeling todd rundgren pissed off jann wenner many, many years ago. if you piss off jann, you have no chance of ever getting into the hall -- even if you accomplished more in the first 5 years of your career then most nominees do in 20. hell, todd should get in for his producing credits (ny dolls, patti smith, meatloaf, the tubes, xtc) if for nothing else.

Posted by: krup at 03/13/07 7:35 PM | Reply
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I second Zensay's line of SY, B-Boys, Madonna, and Metallica. In a perfect world, they'd be accompanied by Bad Brains and Iggy and the Stooges. In a realistic world, they'll be accompanied by Def Leppard and Rush - record sales definitely count for the hall.

Posted by: someoldbullshit at 03/13/07 8:19 PM | Reply
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Madonna, Beastie Boys, Metallica. No SY, no one gives a shit about them

Posted by: gofuckmyself at 03/13/07 8:27 PM | Reply
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Madonna, Beastie Boys, Sonic Youth, and The Stooges.

Posted by: caitlin at 03/13/07 8:44 PM | Reply
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umm, dave brubeck plays JAZZ piano.

and no one in their right mind is ever gonna invite HR to the HOF, for fear of his mic-swinging rasta ways. FIYA PON DEM!

Posted by: kevin r hollo at 03/13/07 9:11 PM | Reply
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The David Hasslehof railroad is actually called "The Hasselhofbahnhof". BAD BRAINS!

Posted by: Matt Jones at 03/13/07 9:17 PM | Reply
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"Metallica, Beastie Boys, Madonna, Sonic Youth"

+ stooges, abba, kraftwerk, roxy music, t. rex

Posted by: scott at 03/13/07 9:50 PM | Reply
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Well considering a lot of it is Jann Wenner and he basically stopped listening to music after 1980, I'm gonna say Genesis, ELO, Heart, Lionel Richie and maybe Beastie Boys for street cred. Maybe Robert Plant posthumously wedged in there somewhere.

Posted by: Stephen at 03/13/07 10:12 PM | Reply
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I believe that only 5 get in each year...right?

My votes would be:
Sonic Youth
Madonna (Can't say i like her but she deserves it)
Joan Jett
Beastie Boys
Metallica (Once again, even though i dont like them)

I did see a poll about whether or not rap artists shouldbe in the rock n roll hall of fame and the results were an OVERWHELMING no. I personally think thats ridiculous and that grandmaster flash should have gotten either van halen's or the ronettes place this year.

Bands on that list with pretty much no chance:
10,000 Maniacs
Adrien Belew
Afrika Bambaataa
Asia
Big Country
Cocteau Twins
Dokken
Don Henley
Everything But The Girl
Falco
The Fixx
Ice-T
Kenny G
Marillion
Marshall Crenshaw
Men At Work
The Smithereens
Steve Earle
Talk Talk
Twisted Sister
The Waterboys
Joe Tex
Rush
Yes
Genesis


im not saying that none of them deserve it but do you really see FALCO going in when joan jett cant get in?

and frankly, i think that jimmy page and robert plant will get in despite the fact that most people cant name a single song from their solo careers. theyll get in simply because theyre the guys from led zepplin.

Posted by: annie onymous at 03/13/07 10:35 PM | Reply
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and it was just pointed out to me that grandmaster flash DID make it in this year. i guess i missed that one...good pick.

Posted by: annie onymous at 03/13/07 11:23 PM | Reply
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Metallica should definately make it next year. Out of all the ones that are eligible, I think they are the best.

Posted by: Gary Gross at 03/13/07 11:43 PM | Reply
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whenever the falco petition starts, could someone post my name on it?
thanks.

Posted by: Corey at 03/13/07 11:49 PM | Reply
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Robert Plant? "Posthumously"? Oh...unless you mean, like, once he dies? Either way, I don't think he or Page have the merits to go as solo artists...

Also? Run DMC's first record = 1984. Beasties' = 1986. No way the Beasties go in first.

Posted by: dead zeppelin? at 03/13/07 11:56 PM | Reply
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tears for freaking fears, man.

Posted by: jill at 03/13/07 11:59 PM | Reply
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Why would Genesis not get in? If there's a chance they could reunite the band with Peter Gabriel on national TV, they'll take it. Phil Collins and Peter Gabriel for the price of one? Aamer Haleem is creaming his pants just thinking about it.

Posted by: Stephen at 03/14/07 1:00 AM | Reply
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Oops, I read that as Robert Palmer. Or maybe I didn't?

Posted by: Stephen at 03/14/07 1:04 AM | Reply
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They'll give it to D.M.C. before the Beasties. What would it say if one of the first hip-hop inductees were white?

Also, what was the person who mentioned Brubek thinking?

Posted by: Martin at 03/14/07 1:19 AM | Reply
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Fuck Metallica, man... just, fuck Metallica. That's alls I'm saying.

Posted by: Matthew at 03/14/07 1:22 AM | Reply
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'08 will be all about Madonna.

Posted by: stacy at 03/14/07 1:26 AM | Reply
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Not yet for Sonic Youth, though they may be the most deserving. Where are the Jam in all this? I'm guessing they'll finally let the Stooges in and Madonna's a lock. Probably Metallica too.

Posted by: pat at 03/14/07 1:32 AM | Reply
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THE FIXX IN '06! shit, that doesn't work...

Posted by: Christopher at 03/14/07 2:18 AM | Reply
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They'll give it to D.M.C. before the Beasties. What would it say if one of the first hip-hop inductees were white?

Also, what was the person who mentioned Brubek thinking?

Posted by: Martin at 03/14/07 2:37 AM | Reply
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TOM WAITS!!!!!!!!!!!!! Every year he gets snubbed for shit acts like Van Halen. I'm sure next year will be no different. Dokken will probably get in first.

Posted by: Adam at 03/14/07 9:17 AM | Reply
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Bobby Womack- long overdue

Posted by: yerma at 03/14/07 9:34 AM | Reply
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Madonna's the only lock in this bunch. Metallica and Beastie Boys will make it eventually, but it all depends on how their eligibility is considered for next year (since Metallica's true debut was later, and the Beasties didn't have their breakthrough until much later). Page and Plant are already in for Zeppelin, and it's not like either one has had McCartney or Lennon level success as solo artists. Sting's a much likelier candidate in this sense.

There are still plenty of eligible candidates from previous years (Stooges, Tom Waits, Joy Division, KISS, Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, Genesis, Thin Lizzy, Black Flag, Rush, etc.), so I suspect that, Madonna aside, it will be something of a catch-up year.

Posted by: d at 03/14/07 9:58 AM | Reply
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minutemen

Posted by: JimH at 03/14/07 11:50 AM | Reply
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The Bay City Rollers

Posted by: Adam at 03/14/07 12:03 PM | Reply
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NRBQ.

Posted by: Lawrence Miles at 03/14/07 12:51 PM | Reply
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Dire Straits?

Posted by: tk. at 03/14/07 1:06 PM | Reply
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i second TOM WAITS

Posted by: matt at 03/14/07 1:17 PM | Reply
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Big Star
Television
The Replacements
THE FACES!!!!!!!!
KISS

and because I love them so much...

MY MORNING JACKET.

Posted by: matt at 03/14/07 2:03 PM | Reply
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All respect for Madonna, but... what does she have to do with Rock & Roll? Seriously.

Posted by: Jerry Colvin at 03/14/07 3:33 PM | Reply
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Beastie Boys
Metallica
Jimmy Page

I personally did not like Daydream Nation. It would be great to see Robert Smith or Tears for Fears get acknowledged.

Posted by: Finchmeister at 03/14/07 7:37 PM | Reply
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Run DMC, Tom Waits, Madonna, The Stooges, Television.

Posted by: maria at 03/14/07 9:01 PM | Reply
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I vote for the Replacements and Husker Du--not as many record sales, but at least as influential on the next wave of '90s rock bands as R.E.M., probably more so.

Will they ever actually get in? Probably not.

Posted by: Michael at 03/14/07 9:36 PM | Reply
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Damn, Thin Lizzy, good call. Phil Lynott is no longer with us, but I bet we could get some sweet cover versions. Golden Smog doing Cowboy Song and Mountain Goats (or Jon Brion) doing Boys Are Back in Town too much to ask?

Posted by: Stephen at 03/14/07 11:56 PM | Reply
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Heart (ground-breaking female-led group that succeeded in the 70s and 80s)
Alice Cooper (invented shock rock and influenced metal, punk, et cetera
Beastie Boys (only credible and successful white rap group)
Metallica (most commercially successful metal group of all time)
Madonna (The Queen of Pop)

Posted by: Evan at 03/16/07 4:06 PM | Reply
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If we're talking about acts not listed above, how about Kraftwerk? Pioneered electronic and progressive rock.

Posted by: Evan at 03/16/07 4:09 PM | Reply
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Im a metalhead so where the f539 is
iron maiden
judas
priest
def leppard
motorhead
deep purple
alice cooper

& im also a prog rock fans so why isnt
Rush
Genesis
king crimson'
jethro tull

In the bloody rock hall

so far the only hard rock artist inducted are: led zeppelin, Queen, Aerosmith, Black Sabbath, Neil Young, ZZ Top, Janis Joplin, The Doors, Cream, Jimi Hendrix, The Who, The Kinks & just yesterday Van Halen

& the only prog rock bands inducted are: Pink Floyd, Frank Zappa, Queen,Traffic, David Bowie & John Lennon

the people who vote in the rock hall just a bunch of reporter, journalist etc. they never listen to the public.

I sent in a petition to get duran duran (i had 250 sigs) & they didnt pick em

I even wrote to the hall for the induction of Pat Benetar & they didn't pick her.

the bands don't give a shit if they are in or not they say its a high honor.

But if you ask me the fans will. the kiss army have protested the snub of Kiss & they hall voters won't listen

these bands are innovating, influential & memorable So to induct someone like Percy sledge or the ronettes over rush is just bloody stupid

These bands have done better shit than Fred durst, or stupid britney spears or Olivia "I'm a loser cause Madonna & kylie dethroned me" newton-john

But in the next few years the world be seeing metallica, anthrax, slayer, megadeth & pantera (rip dimebag) get inducted (later on NIN & flameing lips & powerhouse grunge acts)

& i would like to see some of those prog rock/metal bands get inducted in the new few years. Tull & genesis have been worthy since 1993 & judas priest since 1999

And god forbid the rock hall does not induct artist like: Samantha fox, mariah carey, Cher, limp Bizkit, tiffany or milli Vanlli otherwise ill be kicking more wood than Bruce lee ever did

Posted by: martin at 03/23/07 7:17 AM | Reply
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I think Thin Lizzy should be voted into the Rock Hall of fame.
They were an incredible band.
They were fronted by the Charasmatic Phil Lynott.
They had cool lead guiterists and a fantastic drummer Brian Downey.
They were fantastic live.
They released 13 great albums and had many hits like The Boys are Back In Town, Don't Believe a Word, Dancing In The Moonlight, Whiskey In The jar, Sarah Waiting For an Alibi, Do Anything You want too and others.
I would vote for them.
They have also played in the same concerts as Australian power houses Ac/Dc.
I wonder what Angus and Malcolm Young thaught of Thin Lizzy.
Thin are long over due.
Thin Lizzy Rocks!

Posted by: Rowan Campbell at 03/31/07 3:41 PM | Reply
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They should vote Falco, Sonic Youth and maybe Metallica into Rock Hall Of Fame.

Falco has been one of the first white rappers in history. He's been a great artist with a lot of talent. He lived his life like a very view did it.

Sonic Youth are one of the most influential Art-Rock Bands there's ever been.

Still this list sucks. There are better artists out there who should be added at the Hall Of Fame long before.

Nothing against the nominated acts, they all had an influence on music but there are bands out there who where much more successful and who did very good music.

Posted by: Pipo at 05/28/08 4:42 PM | Reply
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We are talking rock n roll here folks. I love...say, Genesis, but they are not a rockn roll band.

Longevity, innovation, rock n roll.
Give me Todd Rundgren

Posted by: majoriot at 06/14/08 9:29 AM | Reply
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