Oh ffs
...where's
SZilla at? Thoughts on this list buddy .......can they let in Oasis for 1994-95 and have the rest killed (if living, RIP Sinead)? Grrrrrrr
Perhaps the biggest reasoning behind this particular set of nominees is that last year's ceremony had remarkably low ticket sales. So the hall, never one for purity of its concept, is going all out on mostly super popular acts. There's
no alternative/new wave/punk acts this go-around, I wonder why? These nominees lists are also going to consistently become more female driven due to 1.) online demand and 2.) as a reverse course to former chairman Jann Wenner's comments about there being no "female geniuses in rock" or whatever it was he said that got him the big boot.
Anyway, let's get to the nitty gritty:
Cher - A shoo-in, frankly, even if she was negative about the hall in the past. While I can't really call myself a fan, per say, I understand that she scratches that same Dolly Parton itch that the hall is craving - mega popular female superstar. She should probably even be a 2-time inductee and get in with Sonny, as they're probably the most iconic musical duo since the age of Rock 'n' Roll.
Foreigner - This is a big F you to the now completely ousted Jann Wenner, who hated them and said they'd get in over his dead body and honestly, screw Jann Wenner, so I hope they make it in. They have little competition in regards to the rest of the nominees this year.
Peter Frampton - He's as pure a rock act as can be on this ballot, but I think he's borderline at best in the grand scheme of things. Two MASSIVE hits, but after that...not much.
Lenny Kravitz - Kravitz is fine but its a bit insane which '90s acts are getting the nom and which aren't. You're telling me Kravitz is more significant to the entirety of rock 'n' roll over acts like the never nominated Smashing Pumpkins, Sonic Youth, or Pixies? Or hell, even Weezer?
Kool & the Gang - I think they have a good shot to get in and fit in that P-Funk/Earth, Wind, & Fire slot. If I had a ballot I'd probably include them.
Mariah Carey - Most likely another shoo-in, but every argument I see in her favor is about how many hit singles she has, but these same people then turn around and poo-poo on some "classic rawk" acts who's biggest claim is the same. The hall shouldn't (and has even said so in the past) how its not about the amount of hits one has, but how influential and innovative they were (with commercial success and longevity taken into account). Whatever, I guess she's more influential to rock and roll than the White Stripes, right?!?!?!
Oasis - Hell yeah, get 'em in. One of the most significant acts of the '90s, but again, you can say the same thing about Beck who was nominated once and then forgotten about. Oasis would be the first act representing the Britpop movement of the '90s, but let's be serious, after them, Blur maybe has a
slight chance and there's no way the Hall would even remember names like Suede, Pulp, Manic Street Preachers, or Happy Mondays (even though they
should.) I was about to go into a huge fit over Paul McGuigan and Alan White being left off the nominated members list, but its since been corrected.
Sinead O'Connor - This feels very much like a pity nomination over her death. Her career got nuked very early on (whether you feel its fairly or not). Truthfully, I don't really know a lot about her career except for 1.) Nothing Compares 2 U, 2.) her SNL incident, and 3.) her f-ed up childhood. But again, is she really the most significant name here when Bjork, Tori Amos, PJ Harvey, Fiona Apple, and Alanis Morissette are all already eligible?
Ozzy Osbourne - I do think his solo career is worthy, but my hopes for metal with this voting block is slim to none. Iron Maiden & Motorhead can't pass and threshold of induction and Judas Priest required a sleazy backdoor entry. Black Sabbath themselves took EIGHT nominations over ten years to get in. Come on.
Sade - Watching the Smooth Operator music video at a young age was one of those "awakening" moments for young SZilla, but this also reeks of "we want to nominate more female artists," which is cool and all, but why nominate Sade (1 female & 3 male) when the Runaways are still on the outside looking in?
Mary J. Blige - Twice nominated now, I truthfully know little about her career. Just not my style at all. But she's one that'll get in eventually because they
want her in.
Dave Matthews Band - You're telling me Phish can't get a nomination but you can nominate Dave twice now?
Eric B. & Rakim - Don't Sweat the Technique is cool. Idk, definitely worthy of a Hip Hop Hall of fame.
Jane's Addiction - Sure, worthy I guess, but again, not over the likes of the Replacements, the Smiths, Sonic Youth, Pixies, Dinosaur Jr., Smashing Pumpkins, Husker Du, and on and on.
A Tribe Called Quest - I like them a lot actually and again with how things have worked out, with hip hop getting consistently inducted, Tribe probably belongs alongside the inducted hip hop acts.