The Rock and Roll Futures (257)
As we intend to make this website a constant work in process, we though it would be useful to discuss the future bands/artists who will become eligible for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Many of these artists are still recording and/or performing and thus adding to their impending legacy. They will be in our future lists so please feel free to vote so that we can rank them accordingly when they become eligible.
The rapid fire Indie Rock band from Scotland, Idlewild, made a decent dent in the U.K. music, scene in the mid 00’s. Seemingly playing with a faster pace than their contemporaries, the group was a very good Post-Grunge band that sounded different enough to make them stand out from the pack. Alas, we know the drill for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame; a band…
Very respected either as a solo or with her partner in Frou Frou, Imogen Heap is a Grammy Award winning artist who may not have a lot of popularity in the United States, though is beloved by the music writers. Heap’s blend of Alternative and Electronica is the perfect mix for her embracement of technology and visual aspects to her performances. She isn’t likely to receive…
Although Incubus has achieved their share of hits and acquired a solid fan base, Incubus has always been a little disrespected. Rarely, has their albums been considered mandatory by the critics and though they have performed well they have had a bad reputation in some circles; well, mainly because they were able to sell albums. Regardles, of the criticism, Incubus is a very capable Alternative Metal…
India.Arie may not have made the impact in the Neo-Soul genre that many expected when she debuted in the early 2000’s, but she was able to secure a solid place in the music world. India.Arie was able to land multiple Grammy Awards, sell a few albums, but in the world of Neo-Soul, we suspect that the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame will look for a…
Does being a superstar on the Indie Rock circuit for a few years make a Hall of Fame band? Probably not, but for Interpol, they were very successful in their niche which realistically speaking is something that most bands can never claim. Still, if a Post Punk Revival band ever enters the Hall, they could do far worse than Interpol. The Bullet Points:Eligible Since: 2025 Country…
Beloved in his circle, Iron and Wine (essentially the one man Folk Band, of Samuel Bean) put out some of the sweetest and soothing sounding Indie Folk music in years. The critics have gushed over Bean (as they should have) and commercially he has not done badly, but Folk music may have reached a certain quota in Cleveland and has a long line ahead of him.
Although Ja Rule was one of the most successful Rappers in terms of sales in the first half of the 00’s, he is probably best known for the feuds he has had with Hip Hop stars of even greater stature (and we aren’t just making a pun about his height). As long as this stays the case, and until the first thing you think of with…
Jack Johnson was at one time a competitive surfer and based on the music he did, he did his best channel Pop/Rock meets the beach. Johnson would become classified as a Soft Rock superstar and one that has a sizable niche in that field. Multiple Singer/Songwriters have entered the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and though he has sold a lot of records, is he…
Although Gospel influenced singers have penetrated the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Christian Rock seems very far away from reaching the Hall. An interesting future candidate is Jars of Clay, who were able to secure mainstream attention in the mid 90’s as their music was a rich and textured blend of current Alternative trends. Many people got into the band before they realized that the…
From the San Diego coffee houses to the mainstream pop world, Jason Mraz utilizes a slew of influences from Folk, Alt Rock, Reggae and Blue Eyed Soul to crate his own style of melodic pop music. Mraz is often lumped in with John Mayer) though his body of work differs from him greatly. He did have respectable album sales and love from the Grammys but is…
As much as we generally try to keep objective with these (and we admit to only being moderately successful at that) but in the case of Jessica Simpson and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, all we can say is “Dear God…NO!” The Bullet Points:Eligible Since: 2024 Country of Origin: U.S.A. (Abilene, Texas) NIHOF’s Favorite Album: We Don’t Have One NIHOF’s Favorite Song: We Don’t…
Another polarizing artist, John Mayer has a legion of female fans that seem to swoon at every word he sings. As such, he is subject to a bit of a backlash from men and generally the Rock and Roll set. He is a talented Singer/Songwriter but ironically his mass popularity may work against him as Hall of Fame seems to like their songwriters somewhat tortured. Considering…
How is it possible for a white teenager from North Dakota become a Blues Guitar prodigy? Regardless of the bizarre demographic, Jonny Lang became such a prodigy and was considered a Blues guitar wizard while still in his early teens. The most accomplished Blues men regardless of generation praise him and his name remains synonymous with quality Blues. Having said that, there are many Blues great…
It can be argued that Josh Groban has one of the most incredible voices ever heard. That being said, does being an Adult Contemporary star, even one with a voice as strong as his, make one a Rock and Roll Hall of Famer? No, probably not.
A major player in the Alternative Hip Hop in the late 90’s, Jurassic 5 was one of the critical favorites of their day, although not a commercial one. It was not for a lack of effort as they had a major label and played festivals that should have expanded their audience, but for whatever reason they never had that breakthrough the mass populace. Long since disbanded,…
We don’t think that anyone who was listening to N*Sync really thought of them as Rock and Roll Hall of Famers, but those that heard them knew that Justin Timberlake was the real talent. As it turns out, he might be one of the greatest musical talents of his generation.
With Rap beginning to enter the Hall, a question will soon be asked the same of traditional Rock bands as to whether solid and consistent acts can get in without having a period of dominance. Juvenile falls into the former as he has had a wide amount of successful albums in the Gangsta Rap genre, he did not exactly break new ground. Gangsta Rap may find…
Keane has been called that Alternative Rock band with “no guitars”, and they are also known as a very competent outfit that has been very successful without selling out. Although their sound is piano driven, they have a diverse sound and are equally capable of “rocking out” as well as dancing on the mellow side of the Rock rainbow. As they have had albums that have…
Although we are not sure how many boys to the yard her milkshake brought, Kelis did gain International attention with it. Actually more successful in England, Kelis is a decent R&B artist who deserves to be reflected on more than that one hit…or her tumultuous career outside of her music. With that said, we don’t Cleveland is in her yard. The Bullet Points:Eligible Since: 2024 Country…
There are many who are eagerly awaiting the induction of Stevie Ray Vaughan in to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Should Vaugahan get in, it could squeak the door open a bit for Kenny Wayne Shepherd who was able to pick up the mantle of modern Blues Rock in the 90’s. Shepherd has managed to gain the respect of the Blues commuinty but without…