Yes, it's that time again. Last week, the nominees for this years Hall of Fame class were announced. Let's look at em shall we? (And celebrate that I started this blog with a similar post just last year!)
Guns 'n Roses: Probably a shoo in for this year's class. Guns 'n Roses defined the gritty edge of loud guitar rock in the late 80s, with "Appetite for Destruction" being one of the biggest selling albums of all time. The band's fortune's lately have been pretty sad lately, but their early work is career and genre defining. The drama behind the band should make an interesting induction speech too.
The Beastie Boys: They were nominated last year and missed out, but this year should be their year to get in. The Beastie Boys had a unique style that combined rock and hip-hop, then moved away from that formula and created some of the most innovative hip hop albums through the 90s. Someone from the rap field is going in this year, it should be the Beasties.
The Cure: A fascinating choice for the Hall. The Cure were part of the second big British Invasion during the 80s and had a unique style to their music, combining synth pop, new romanticism and, yes, goth into their sound. The Cure deserve to be in the Hall, but I think will be passed over this year.
Joan Jett and the Blackhearts: Interestingly, Joan Jett's first band, The Runaways, aren't in the Hall. Joan Jett's work with her second band, The Blackhearts, was gritty, biker bar style rock and roll. They were undoubtedly influential, but The Runaways deserve to be in the Hall before the Blackhearts. Without the Runaways, there would be no Blackhearts.
Heart: Seattle mainstream rock mainstays Heart are still recording today and have been a very successful band, stringing together hits since the late 70s into the early 90s. Nancy Wilson's skill as a guitarist is notable as well. I think they'll get in this year.
Donna Summer: Re-nominated this year, Donna Summer was a huge star in the late 70s as a disco singer, then had a few hits in the 80s as a pop singer. Her work is genre defining for disco. She's a dark horse in my books, but may get in this year.
Red Hot Chili Peppers: Starting as a goofy punk/funk band, RHCP have come to represent mainstream radio rock in their later years. While their earlier work was sometimes laughably bad, the band hit their stride in the late 80s and never looked back. I think it's a bit too soon to put them into the Hall, maybe next year.
Rufus and Chaka Khan: Most of you might think of Chaka Khan for the mid 80s hit "I Feel for You", but Rufus and Chaka Khan were a huge band in the soul/disco scene of the 70s. I figure some disco band will go in this year. I think Donna Summer has a better shot.
The Spinners: There's always a classic band that's been overlooked that gets into the Hall and there's usually three or four candidates. You can't go wrong with inducting The Spinners.
Laura Nyro: She was nominated last year and is still an intriguing pick for the Hall. Nyro's work isn't well known, but her influence to other musicians is huge, especially in folk, singer/songwriter and jazz. I'd love to see her in the Hall, but it likely won't happen for a while.
Eric B. and Rakim: If the Beasties don't get in, then Eric B and Rakim will. Rakim was one of the smoothest lyricists in rap and widely held up as a true poet. Eric B, his DJ, was a groundbreaking DJ, using samples from all over the world to use as backdrops for Rakim's rhymes. Check this out:
http://youtu.be/E7t8eoA_1jQ
Freddie King: The late Freddie King was one of the best blues guitarists of all time, mentioned in the same breath as B.B. King and Albert King. He's also known for his soulful vocals. Probably get bumped aside for the Spinners, but he'll get in someday.
Donovan Leitch: Donovan defined the folk and hippie music scene of the 60s. His clear tones while singing were breathtaking. He had a string of hits through the 60s and 70s, then disappeared as the folk style's popularity wound done. This won't be his year, but he'll get into the Hall eventually.
The Faces: Formed out of the ashes of seminal UK band The Small Faces, The Faces kickstarted the careers of vocalist Rod Steward and guitarist Ronnie Wood, both formerly of Jeff Beck's band. The band will probably be best known as a footnote in musical history rather than a Hall of Fame entrant.
War: California's War made some great funk and soul based rock through the 70s, and are best known for the tracks "Why Can't We Be Friends" and "Low Rider". They deserve to be in the Hall, might be an outside chance of that happening this year.
Predictions to get into the Hall: Guns 'n Roses, The Beastie Boys, The Spinners, Donna Summer, Heart.
No comments:
Post a Comment