The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has put forth one of the most diverse group of nominees for the Class of 2023, and let’s get right into who they have nominated:
A Tribe Called Quest is nominated for the first time, and should the Alternative Hip-Hop group get in, it would open the doors for many of their ilk.
Cyndi Lauper receives her first nomination since being eligible in 2009. With a barrage of 80s hits, and an activist legacy that plays well to the voter base, this is a great ballot for her, as only Kate Bush falls close to her category.
Iron Maiden collects a second nomination, but the Heavy Metal gods face an uphill climb as the voters have shown that they do not care for their genre.
Joy Division/New Order are in for a combined nomination, which greatly improves the chances for all parties in question. This is not unprecedented, as the Hall previous nominated and inducted, as the Small Faces and Faces were put forth together. Neither group has been nominated before, and this first nomination could be their only one as this is a very strong candidate.
Kate Bush earned her fourth nomination, and no artist has enjoyed more of an interest in her music over the past twelve months with her song, “Running Up That Hill” featured on Stranger Things. Cyndi’s appearance on this ballot, could delay Bush one more time.
George Michael receives his first nomination after being eligible since 2010. The mastermind behind Wham!, had a monstrous solo career generating five number ones as a solo, and two more as a duet (one with Aretha Franklin and one with Elton John). This would be a posthumous induction, as Michael passed away on Christmas Day, 2016 from heart disease.
Missy Elliot is nominated in her first year on the ballot, and should she get in, she will be the first female rapper inducted. Generally, we try not to equate everything to gender, but the above fact makes her a near-lock for induction, but we have had similar thoughts before.
Rage Against the Machine received a fifth nomination, and now fifth in the last six years. Will RATM get in this year, or does Soundgarden siphon off some of their votes?
Sheryl Crow is also a first-time nominee. Eligible since 2019, Crow was very successful in the 1990s with many hits, but she may not have the influence factor to get over some of the other artists here.
Soundgarden is now a two-time nominee, the first coming in 2020. The Seattle group could cancel out RATM, and arguably this is a bad ballot for both.
The Spinners return with another nomination, their fourth overall and first since 2016. Could the Philly Soul pioneers play spoiler?
Warren Zevon is nominated for the first time after being eligible since 1995, and it a long time coming for the acclaimed Singer/Songwriter. We have seen before how the voting body reacts to a first-time nominee who has eligible for 20 years, but he is not the only one with that credential here.
The White Stripes are in the same camp as Missy Elliot, as they are nominated on their first year. This is the type of group that the Hall drools over; successful, influential, a tad eccentric and polotically in tune with their ideals.
Willie Nelson finally got his first nomination after decades of eligibility, and following Dolly Parton last year, does this not feel like Willie is getting in?
The Class will be announced on a date yet to be determined.
We would like to congratulate the 2023 nominees for making it to this step.
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