The Rock and Roll Futures (248)
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.
For a hot minute in 2004, the Von Bondies were the “band du jour”, but like so many who wore that label, they were gone as fast as they arrived. Whether or not they receive any attention from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame remains to be seen, but history will have to shine a VERY bright light on that moment when they were in…
The Walkmen personified Indie Rock and Garage Rock exceptionally well but like any band that has an “Indie” label associated with it you can expect that they did not sell that many records. That may be true, but this was a very good band that was excellent for what it was.
For what it is worth, Theory of A Deadman would become the first signee on Chad Kroeger’s 604 Label. Oh, you’re right, that doesn’t mean that much does it?
A very poppish Post-Grunge band that may have leaned more towards Adult Contemporary than Adult Alternative, Third Eye Blind, had a very successful debut album, but like so many has watched every effort since then decline in record sales and critical respect. There is only so far you can go for Rock and Roll Hall of Fame consideration with this as your resume.
A lot of people will look at this entry and automatically crap on 30 Seconds to Mars as just another celebrity band. However this Jared Leto fronted group actually has a lot of fans, decent reviews and a place in the modern Alt Rock canon. That being said, we aren’t going to hedge our bets on Leto adding Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee to…
Right after the Three 6 Mafia won the Academy Award for Best Song from a Motion Picture in 2005, host Jon Stewart famously quipped “Three 6 Mafia 1, Marin Scorsese 0”. It was a somewhat unlikely run, but it was the first time that many truly realized how far Rap had reached the mainstream. Three 6 Mafia did not reach their heights by selling out, but…
Emerging from the post-Hardcore world, Southern California’s Thrice, had a very good run with their brand of “Sreamo” music. Thrice, and perhaps it is because of their respective genre, never seemed to get the credit they probably deserved in regards to the varying textures and complexity in their music, and we suspect that this will continue when they become Rock and Roll Hall of Fame eligible.
A very highly respected DJ from the Netherlands, Tiesto carved out a very good career as one of the foremost leader of Trance music in the world. What does that have to do with the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame? We are guessing, not a whole hell of a lot.
Realistically, not a threat as a performer, Timbaland is making a solid stake for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a Producer or a Songwriter. The list of hits that he has been a part of seems to be endless, and is continuing to grow. Again, the odds of us ranking him as a performer seems remote, but she would ever do a non-performer…
The start of the millennium was great for the Rock group, Train as they won Grammys, sold albums and hat a plethora of hits; and then it stopped…and then it started up again a decade later. That may be a good thing for as successful as they were at their career’s beginning, Train is not exactly a band that considered an influential act, and likely one…
Taking and Rock and Roll and the Symphony to the next level, the Trans-Siberian Orchestra is not known for their albums (although they have sold millions) but for their brilliant concerts that transcends generations. This isn’t exactly a Hall of Fame entity, but there should be some Hall reserved for this type of brilliant fusion. We just aren’t sure what it is.
Trapt is not one of those bands that you immediately think of when you discuss the post nu-metal bands of the 2000’s, but the California band sold more records than you probably think. They also had a number one song (on the U.S. Alternative and U.S. Hard Rock), with their first single, Headstrong, though realistically, that could be pegged as their apex of their career as…
One of the more beautiful sounding of the BritPop acts (and we mean this in the nicest way), Scotland’s Travis had a bona fide ten year run of decent hits in the U.K. As successful as they were however, Travis never had a major smash and had to be content with always being on the fringe of superstardom, which was still a decent place to be,…
Generally we don’t think to mention Christian bands, but Florida’s UnderOath did receive a bit of mainstream attention due to their Hard Rock/Post Punk musical style and have had two albums reach the Billboard Top Ten. UndeOath may lyrically sing about Christian matters but they are a very accomplished group, which explains their crossover success.
A very eclectic Electronic band, England’s UNKLE went through multiple lineups but always remained acclaimed. Going from Trip Hop, to Acid Jazz to Ambient influences, UNKLE always seemed to be slightly ahead of the curve and will likely be held in higher regard in the future than they are right now. They will have to be to get a shot for the Hall of Fame.
The early 2000’s saw a plethora of American female Singer/Songwriters emerge of which Vanessa Carlton was one of them. She came out with a top five hit with “A Thousand Miles” in 2002 and looked to be poised for a major career. It didn’t happen, and though she put out multiple albums after her breakthrough she did not come close to duplicating that success again.
With millions of records sold in Europe, and the unofficial status of being the top Boy Band East of the Atlantic, Westlife was a monstrous force for over a decade. Of course, two major things work against them in relation to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. First, they are relatively unknown in the United States, and second they are a Boy Band! Enough said.
If it only takes critical love from music magazines to get into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame we can sign Wilco up in 2020. This group rose from the demise of Alt Country band, Uncle Tupelo and raised the bar thereafter for Alt Country and Alternative music in general. It isn’t just critics who love them as Wilco has developed a very sizable core…
Massively successful as an actor, it is forgotten sometimes that Will Smith had a fruitful career as a solo artist. His music was a little more serious than with the D.J. Jazzy Jeff and more R&B oriented, but still essentially Pop in orientation. Smith’s music may have been fun, but there is only so far in a Hall of Fame that can go.
Perhaps best known for his work with the Black Eyed Peas, former front man, will.i.am. managed to certify a decent career in the world of popular music. Whether or not will.i.am, or for that matter the Black Eyed Peas deserves a Rock and Roll HOF nomination remains to be seen.