02/11/2024
Today is the day that they announced the nominees for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2024! Five of these fifteen acts have been nominated before, but the other ten have never once been nominated! Some are so shocking that it will make you think, "They have never been nominated?" There are no country acts or first-time eligible acts nominated this year. Three of the five acts that I personally voted for last year got inducted (George Michael, Rage Against the Machine, and Missy Elliot; the other two that I voted for and didn't get in were Soundgarden and Iron Maiden), but my predictions of who would be inducted were almost spot on (I predicted Kate Bush, Missy, George, and Willie Nelson; the only act out of my predictions that didn't get in was Soundgarden). Like last year, I will reveal the nominees by giving you the first year that they were eligible, how many times they have been nominated, my favorite song from them, my prediction on their chances of getting in, and if I've ever played them at a gig. Let's get to the nominees!
A Tribe Called Quest
Eligible since: 2015
Nominated in: 2022, 2023, and 2024
My favorite song: "I Left My Wallet in El Segundo"
Chances of induction: Slim
Have I played this artist at a gig: Rarely
This is a legendary rap group, but beyond maybe "Can I Kick It?", I don't know if many people know their songs.
Mary J. Blige
Eligible since: 2018
Nominated in: 2021 and 2024
My favorite song: "Real Love"
Chances of induction: Slim
Have I played this artist at a gig: Many times
Mary was dubbed the "Queen of Hip-Hop Soul" and earned that title. Unfortunately, there are a few divas nominated on this list who have a better chance of being nominated this year.
Cher
Eligible since: 1991
Nominated in: 2024
My favorite song: "Just Like Jesse James"
Chances of induction: Good
Have I played this artist at a gig: Many times
Cher is one of those divas who has a better chance than Mary. Even though this is her first nomination, she is a legend who has waited longer than any of the other nominees on this list. Plus, she is in fifth place in the fan vote as of this writing.
The Dave Matthews Band
Eligible since: 2019
Nominated in: 2020 and 2024
My favorite song: "Don't Drink the Water"
Chances of induction: Decent
Have I played this artist at a gig: Rarely
I absolutely hate this band, so picking out a "favorite" song of his took a while. People do actually like this band though. When he was on the ballot in 2020, he won the fan vote. Unfortunately (for him), he didn't get inducted. When the fan vote started in 2012, the winner has always been inducted, except when DMB won. As much as I don't like them, I think that they should have gotten in. I don't want the winner of the fan vote in the future to be an artist that I do like and not have them get inducted, so they should always induct the winner because otherwise, the fan vote is pointless. As of this writing, they are in fourth place.
Eric B. & Rakim
Eligible since: 2012
Nominated in: 2012 and 2024
My favorite song: "Don't Sweat the Technique"
Chances of induction: Slim
Have I played this artist at a gig: Rarely
This rap duo has so many great, bass-heavy songs, but I don't think that I've ever played them at a gig. Like Tribe, this is a legendary rap group that doesn't have a whole lot of songs that casual listeners would know. The only song that I can think of might be "Microphone Fiend", but that's only because RRHOF inductees Rage Against the Machine covered it on their Renegades album.
Foreigner
Eligible since: 2003
Nominated in: 2024
My favorite song: "Juke Box Hero"
Chances of induction: Good
Have I played this artist at a gig: Many times (mostly their slower songs)
This is a band that I thought would never get nominated, but they have such a large fan base (including me) who like them, I think that they will get in the way Journey got in. As of this writing, they are in third place in the fan vote.
Peter Frampton
Eligible since: 1998
Nominated in: 2024
My favorite song: "Do You Feel Like We Do (live version)"
Chances of induction: Decent
Have I played this artist at a gig: Just the singles occasionally from Frampton Comes Alive!
Even though his biggest hit was "I'm in You" (Billboard Hot 100 #2), the only songs that most know of him are from his live album Frampton Comes Alive! I remember the quote from Wayne's World 2 where Wayne tells Cassandra, "Frampton Comes Alive? Everybody in the world has Frampton Comes Alive. If you lived in the suburbs you were issued it. It came in the mail with samples of Tide". He made a splash at last year's ceremony by playing guitar with Sheryl Crow, so the Rock Hall must have taken notice. I just don't know if one mega-selling live album is going to get him inducted. He is in second place on the fan vote as of this writing though.
Jane's Addiction
Eligible since: 2013
Nominated in: 2017 and 2024
My favorite song: "Stop!"
Chances of induction: Decent
Have I played this artist at a gig: Rarely
I think that they might get in because no one on this list fits the alt-rock slot. They would get in like Rage got in. Unfortunately like a lot of the nominated artists this year, not many people can name a Jane's Addiction song, except for maybe "Been Caught Stealing" or "Jane Says". Also, they are important because lead singer Perry Farrell created Lollapalooza, the touring festival where many people got to see alternative acts all in one place.
Kool & The Gang
Eligible since: 1995
Nominated in: 2024
My favorite song: "Jungle Boogie"
Chances of induction: Excellent
Have I played this artist at a gig: Many times
You don't know how many times I've played "Ladies' Night," "Get Down on It," and especially "Celebration" (that one is a wedding staple!) With so many danceable hits from a band that's been around for 55 years is amazing that this is their first nomination. There's a party going on right here, and it will be when Kool & The Gang get inducted.
Lenny Kravitz
Eligible since: 2015
Nominated in: 2024
My favorite song: "Are You Gonna Go My Way"
Chances of induction: Decent
Have I played this artist at a gig: Occasionally
Lenny has so many recognizable hits from the '90s and early '00s that he might possibly get in, but I have a feeling it won't be this year (maybe).
Oasis
Eligible since: 2020
Nominated in: 2024
My favorite song: "Morning Glory"
Chances of induction: Unlikely
Have I played this artist at a gig: Only "Wonderwall" occasionally
Like DMB, I struggled to find a song from Oasis that was my "favorite". I prefer their Britpop rivals Blur. While they had almost Beatlesque popularity in the '90s and '00s in England (including eight #1 hits), they are a one-hit wonder in the USA (their only Billboard Hot 100 top 40 hit was "Wonderwall," which peaked at #8). For that reason, I believe that they won't get in this year. Once they have been waiting awhile, they might consider it.
Sinéad O'Connor
Eligible since: 2013
Nominated in: 2024
My favorite song: "Fire on Babylon"
Chances of induction: Slim
Have I played this artist at a gig: Just "Nothing Compares 2 U"
This was a shocking nomination. I guess America has forgiven her for the "Saturday Night Live" protest where she ripped up a photo of Pope John Paul II to protest the publicly acknowledged child sexual abuse in the Catholic Church. To this day, like Oasis, she remains a one-hit wonder in the USA ("Nothing Compares 2 U" peaked at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, and stayed there for four weeks). My guess is that her death last July put her name back in the nominee committees' heads, but I don't think that she will get in this year.
Ozzy Osbourne
Eligible since: 2006
Nominated in: 2024
My favorite song: "No More Tears"
Chances of induction: Possible
Have I played this artist at a gig: Rarely
Ozzy is a metal legend, but the Hall in the past has not been kind to metal. Judas Priest through their "Musical Excellence" side category, and if he gets in, it will probably be that way. Although, as of this writing, he is winning the fan vote.
Sade
Eligible since: 2010
Nominated in: 2024
My favorite song: No Ordinary Love
Chances of induction: Little chance
Have I played this artist at a gig: Occasionally
Just to let you know...Sade is a group, not a person. The group is named after its lead singer Sade Adu. Also, it's pronounced SHAW-day. Anyway...I love this nomination. Their smooth, sexy, jazzy sounds are perfect for intimate times with your loved one. As far as them getting in...I don't think that they will get in this year. They are going against Cher, Mariah Carey, and Mary J. Blige.
On the fan vote, I voted for Mariah, Cher, Sade, Ozzy, and Foreigner. Who I think will be inducted will be Mariah, Cher, DMB, Ozzy, and Kool & The Gang. Tell me what you think about who got nominated and who you think will get inducted.
