The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation announced its Class of 2017 nominees Tuesday. Let the grumbling begin!
As always, the first question is: Who are the shoo-ins? The obvious answer is grunge heroes Pearl Jam and hip-hop icon Tupac Shakur, both first-time nominees.
For example, it's shocking and embarrassing to all involved that the MC5, eligible since 1994, is just now getting nominated, behind many of its proud musical descendants including Green Day, Metallica, Guns N' Roses and Nirvana. The seminal 1960s activist/proto-punk group inspired countless heavy metal, punk and hard rock (and everything in between) bands and gave the world classics including Kick Out the Jams.
Perhaps when last year's disgruntled inductee Steve Miller finishes the investigation he promised to conduct, he can answer why the MC5 was ignored for so long. I'll hold my breath for that report.
Likewise-and this will be tough to admit for some-Journey, eligible since 2000, whose late 1970s and mid-1980s run of hits (you're probably hearing Steve Perry's wail in your head now, aren't you?) should have gotten them at least a nomination by now. Though the band was generally reviled and dismissed by critics, and I could happily live the rest of my life without ever hearing "Don't Stop Believin'" again, the band earned its spot long ago.
The very English Depeche Mode filled arenas and stadiums with its erudite, emotional, new wave, synth dance-pop. The band won five Grammys and is still name-checked by artists such as Arcade Fire, Nine Inch Nails, Lady Gaga and many other electronic, dance, goth and even some metal bands. It was one of the most popular bands in the world and is likely to get inducted.
It's great to see Bad Brains on the list, another seminal act whose mere presence on the scene was a bit shocking. But as the band never had anything resembling a hit, and the rock hall seems to be moving backward through time when it comes to punk and metal (see Green Day before MC5), I won't be shocked if Bad Brains doesn't get in on its first try. I hope that it will so guitarist Dr. Know, who has had some serious health issues, will be able to stand onstage and be appreciated.
Other first-timers include Jeff Lynne's Electric Light Orchestra, purveyors of a signature wall of vocal harmony and orchestral pop-rock sound with a host of radio staples including "Evil Woman," "Sweet Talkin' Woman" and "Livin' Thing." Lynne has been a longtime industry stud as a songwriter and producer, working with Tom Petty, three Beatles, Joe Walsh and Regina Spektor among others, which I think helps the band's chances.
The J. Geils Band? Sorry, guys. But, hey, don't stop believin'.
(Dang it, Steve Perry, get out of my head!)
Ms. Jackson has a better chance than Khan, as her dance-heavy videos and hit-filled albums like Rhythm Nation provided a blueprint for stars such as Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Beyonce and Nicki Minaj.
Steppenwolf arguably could be inducted for giving the world the phrase "Heavy Metal Thunder" from its era-defining hit "Born To Be Wild," but "Magic Carpet Ride" is a great song, too. Nevertheless, it won't be too surprising if both Steppenwolf and the Zombies ("She's Not There," "Time of the Season") are edged out by more contemporary acts with longer track records.
My guess for the Class of 2017: Depeche Mode, Journey, Pearl Jam, Tupac Shakur, Joan Baez and MC5. The inductees will be announced in December.