And Another Thing (3)

Either Kiss fans have complained so loudly that they’ve finally worn down Rock and Roll Hall of Fame voters, or the music industry insiders who choose each year’s class of nominees are pulling a cruel prank on one of the biggest rock ’n’ roll bands of the ’70s.

Up until the September announcement that Kiss had finally made the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ballot, the omission of the makeup-wearing, fire-breathing, fake-blood-spurting, arena-rock act had been a point of contention with the group’s diehard fan base, known as the Kiss Army. Fans even staged a protest outside the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum three years ago (“Kissed Off,” August 2006).

But making the ballot is only the first step to getting inducted (just ask seminal ’70s punk act the Stooges — but more on that later).

If you ask us, Kiss should be voted in immediately not only because of the band’s undeniable influence and popularity, but also because the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is a lot more fun with them than without them.

Here are the five acts we think Rock Hall voters should honor this spring. Inductees will be announced in January.

KISS
Has there been a more original-looking rock band than the Demon, Spaceman, Catman and Starchild?

ABBA
You may not admit it in front of other people, but you like this Swedish pop group’s music, even if you hate Mamma Mia!

GENESIS
Fronted early by Peter Gabriel and later by Phil Collins, the progressive-rock act is an obvious first-ballot choice.

DONNA SUMMER
You may snicker, but really where would Beyonce be today without the Queen of Disco?

THE STOOGES
After years of eligibility and getting overlooked in 2009, Iggy Pop’s punk-rock prototype deserves its due.