We've entered an era where a new list of Rock Hall nominees is simply another chance for millennials to feel old.
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation released its crop of potential inductees over the weekend, and it's full of '90s icons, including Tribe Called Quest, Dave Matthews Band, Lenny Kravitz, Mariah Carey, Sinead O'Conner and Oasis. To be eligible, an act must have released their first commercial recording more than 25 years ago (don't remind us).
The list also features longtime legends still fighting to get in like Peter Frampton, Cher and — SOMEHOW?! — Ozzy Osbourne. These acts now need to win a vote from a body of 1,000 industry professionals as well as a fan vote.
“This remarkable list of Nominees reflects the diverse artists and music that the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame honors and celebrates,” wrote John Sykes, chairman of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation, wrote in a press release. “Continuing in the true spirit of Rock & Roll, these artists have created their own sounds that have impacted generations and influenced countless others that have followed in their footsteps.”
In addition to righting wrongs and ushering a new generation of rock gods, this is an important year because the induction ceremony is back in Cleveland. So, this voting body decides who we'll see when the event comes to town later this year. The date, time and location of that event has not been announced yet, but it's sure to be huge.
There are a few bands in this lineup that fans love to hate. Over the years, some seem to have soured on Oasis and Dave Matthews Band, especially. Let me remind you of Oasis' Definitely, Maybe, What's the Story (Morning Glory) and The Masterplan — all certified bangers. Let me remind you of the British bands' shows at Knebworth in 1996, where 500,000 packed a festival ground for two nights of shows. Meanwhile, Dave Matthews Band dominated airwaves and music video channels with "Crash (Into Me)" and others. But beyond the hits, the blend of funk, jazz, folk and more grew from a loyal underground following in Charlottesville, Virginia, to the soundtrack of many people's summers, with shows like the mostly annual one here at Blossom Music Center helping the band become one of the 20 highest grossing live acts of all time.
Both bands deserve to get in in my mind. Other shoe-ins to me include A Tribe Called Quest, Sinead O'Conner, Peter Frampton and Cher. Of course, there is sure to be an uproar once again over acts like Mary J. Blidge and Mariah Carey being "too-pop" for the Rock Hall. We'll leave those tired arguments behind.
But the biggest no-brainer I see here is Ozzy Osbourne. I honestly wouldn't have guessed he wasn't in already. But it did take 20 years for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame to recognize Black Sabbath. After all, Rolling Stone magazine, which drove the Rock Hall inductions until its longtime editor was ousted last year, never liked Black Sabbath, even giving their self-titled album negative reviews — ya know the one that is now considered the birth of heavy metal. All it did was create a genre — one that the singer continued to define throughout his long solo career. Give Ozzy his due!
No matter what you think of this year's inductees, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation wants to hear from you with its annual fan vote, so don't forget to make your voice heard. We'd also like to know what you think of this year's nominees. Send us a message at conversation@clevelandmagazine.com
Here's the full list of nominees.
- Mary J. Blige
- Mariah Carey
- Cher
- Dave Matthews Band
- Eric B. and Rakim
- Foreigner
- Peter Frampton
- Jane's Addiction
- Kool and the Gang
- Lenny Kravitz
- Oasis
- Sinead O'Conner
- Ozzy Osbourne
- Sade
- A Tribe Called Quest
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