The 2025 Rock Hall Of Fame Nominees & Our Ballot – An Interesting Class This Year
*Image taken from the internet and likely copyrighted
I’ve been grousing about this time of year recently (Playlist: Winter Blues) and wondering what to do with my free time now that football season is over, when the annual Rock N Roll Hall of Fame list of Nominees came out. I’ve often said out loud that perhaps it’s time to rename the Rock Hall the Pop Music Hall of Fame as the genre’s included in the Hall have expanded over the years. I think that’s a good thing. I mean, it was never purely rock n roll. There were a lot of soul and blues artists and now Hip Hop artists inducted. Progress is positive folks. Open your minds.
I will admit, on the downside, ever since the Rock Hall failed to induct Warren Zevon, who absolutely should be in, I thought I’d given up on this ridiculous thing. But for one reason or another, just when I think I’m out, “they pull me back in.” For reasons unclear I still pay attention to the list of nominees every year. I will say, I found this year’s nominees to be quite interesting. Perhaps the influence of Jann Wenner who was expelled from the Board for being an idiot has finally waned. Here is this year’s list of nominees
- Bad Company
- The Black Crowes
- Mariah Carey
- Chubby Checker
- Joe Cocker
- Billy Idol
- Cyndi Lauper
- Joy Division/New Order
- Maná
- Oasis
- OutKast
- Phish
- Soundgarden
- The White Stripes
Obviously, the White Stripes, Oasis and Soundgarden were all on the ballot last year. I’m still stunned none of those bands were inducted already. I mean, they inducted Cher. If you’re having a bad day and you want to clear out the cobwebs and negative thoughts while blasting the car stereo, speeding down the highway, who you gonna turn to, Cher or Soundgarden? With all deference to Cher and her legions of fans like my friend James. If you’re gonna call yourself the “Rock” Hall, induct some rock n roll.
As I mentioned, I do think this is a solid ballot this year. There are a lot of bands I dig. I think this is a first time nomination for both Bad Company, who I love and Phish. OutKast is a cool pick. Joe Cocker probably deserves to be in the Hall. I’m only allowed 7 votes and here’s how I voted. I think you can vote once a day or something like that, but I only vote once as a symbolic gesture. I will add, if you’ve never been to the Rock Hall in Cleveland, it’s definitely worth the trip. It’s pretty damn cool and there might even be some live music scheduled when you visit. Our ballot:
- Bad Company – I was delighted to see these guys on the ballot. Formed from the ashes of Free, Paul Rodgers (vocals) and Simon Kirke (drums) were joined by Mick Ralphs (guitar) formerly of Mott The Hoople and Boz Burrell (bass) formerly of King Krimson to form one of rock’s notorious supergroups. My first album from them was the then current Desolation Angels, which I still love. Great, solid, meat & potatoes rock band.
- The Black Crowes – Fresh off their fabulous comeback album from last year Happiness Bastards, how can you not vote for these guys? Their first two albums, Shake Your Money Maker and Southern Harmony and Musical Companion, are enough to induct them but they’ve put out some additional great music over the years. They’re like a poor man’s Stones.
- Billy Idol – I saw Billy a little over a year ago and he was awesome. He’s been putting out some great EPs of late including The Cage and had that great song “Bitter Taste” prior to that. Obviously his second album, Rebel Yell, is a classic and should punch his ticket to the Hall.
- Cyndi Lauper – This might be my curve ball vote here. She was pretty much pop, I thought of her as quirky Madonna, but I think she’s earned her spot in the Hall.
- Oasis – If I don’t vote for Oasis the Rock Chick would disown me… I’m actually more of a fan of Liam’s solo work including last year’s sensational Liam Gallagher John Squire album.
- Soundgarden – I saw them two nights before we lost Chris Cornell and it was a sensational show. These guys were like the Grunge era Black Sabbath, big huge and heavy riffs with an operatic lead vocalist. They belong in the Hall, if just for Chris.
- The White Stripes – Jack White is a genius and Meg White is a stellar, primal drummer. They made a lot of fabulous racket for just two people. I had the honor of seeing them twice. Jack’s latest album, No Name, is the closest you’ll get to hearing these guys today. Meg, come home, we miss you!
That’s our vote. Sure, I could have gone with Joe Cocker, the venerable singer who John Belushi used to imitate on SNL. I could have gone with Joy Division/New Order but I was never cool enough to be a fan. I might have gone with OutKast because I like them – my daughter was a huge fan. Chubby Checker was a one-hit wonder in my mind. I have no idea who Mana is, never heard or heard of them. I despise Mariah Carey because of well, Xmas. Phish is a jam band and I’ve only just recently become a Dead Head, so give me time on those guys.
It may seem ridiculous, and maybe the nominees aren’t strictly “rock” any more but why not go out at least once and vote? I mean, what else are you gonna do? It’s too cold to go outside. There’s no football on… At least we have rock n roll to listen to…
Cheers! Take care of each other out there… things are getting weird. It’s easy to succumb to The Fear. Don’t let the bastards drag you down.
My dad was a big Checker fan… yeah he had a hit… but people lost their goddam minds over that song/dance. I’m actually surprised he wasn’t already in the HoF. I’m doing the twist right now.
lol! Yeah I think my dad had that record as well. He had a stack of old 45s. I may run out in the snow and show the neighbors my version of the twist!