The Rock and Roll Futures (301)
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.
With a name like “Calexico”, you would expect to hear a Tex Man/Alternative Country Sound, and damned if that is not what you get! The band may be one of the best mosaics of the American Southwest in a long time, but without a major hit and without Alt Country pioneers in the Hall of Fame, there is little reason to suggest that this critical darling…
Although they flew the Grunge flag and came from Seattle, Candlebox was not a critical darling, nor were they really respected among hardcore flannel and goatee wearers. Regardless, Candlebox found solid radio airplay with their debut album, and looking back their effort may have been more rooted in traditional Rock and Roll than their Washington State brethren.
A Celtic infused Adult Alternative group, Carbon Leaf may very well be one of the most technically proficient bands that you never heard of. They have recently managed to gather more attention, but they have a long way to go to even be remotely considered for any kind Hall of Fame, let alone the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
The stage name of Chan Marshall, Cat Power is a talented minimalist Singer/Songwriter whose songs are among the most introspective of this or any other time. Perhaps, Cat Power could be too introspective as she has been known to just break down in concert with long soliloquies about her life. Her style is certainly a unique one and with each concert bringing a different performance she…
Here is another interesting one. Cee Lo Green has done very well in various groups and as a solo performer in the R&B and Soul genre. His work with Gnarls Barkley and the Goodie Mob cemented him as a star but he also as a music connoisseur. Somehow, CeeLo should enter Cleveland, but this is still a hard row to tow as there are 70’s and…
A band that is constantly compared to (or in the shadow of) Tool, Chicago’s Chevelle was a decent Hard Rock band in their own right. Dark and brooding, though very talented, the band also has been compared to by Helmet (by themselves too) and with constant comparisons to those two higher profile acts, it is next to impossible to see them inducted.
Heavy Metal and well-rounded general don’t go together, but there is a strong case that can be made for the Finnish group, Children of Bodom, who string together the various elements of the hard hitting genre with ease. Lately, they have slowly begun making inroads to the United States, but as we constantly say about Metal acts in regards to Cleveland…...
We think it is a safe assumption that those looking at this page would agree that Chris Cornell best chance (and the most appropriate) for induction would be as a member of Soundgarden. With that statement aside, Chris Cornell does have a few good solo albums under his belt but we doubt that Cornell is a potential double induction candidate
A somewhat polarizing band, CKY (Camp Kill Yourself) has managed to find a level of success with their version of Alternative Metal. They have a very rabid fan base, but as it is relatively small (as evidenced by their record sales, and past positions in music festivals) does not exactly equate to a Hall of Fame birth.
Best described as an Art Punk quartet, Clinic put out a few acclaimed albums in the early 2000’s and put out a sound that just seemed to be faster than anyone else. This was a good band, but there were many other U.K. Indie bands that garnered more attention than they did.
A Hip Hop duo who achieved modest success, Clipse continued the East Coast Gangsta Rap scene. Thus far they are reasonably known in the Rap community, but not anywhere else. Rappers are (and will continue to enter the Hall) but those that do must have some level of crossover success; which Clipse has yet to do.
With a very passionate fan base, Maryland’s Clutch was another that was pegged as the next “it” band and though that never happened, ask their devoted fans if they care? They were part Grunge, part Metal, part Led Zeppelin, part Punk, part Jam Band and other Alternative based seasonings to make what many just viewed as a kick ass band. Unfortunately for them, without the album…
There are many who have suggested that Coheed and Cambria have mastered the hard rock concept album and arguably they have done that better than anyone. With a progressive metal style covered in intelligent lyrics, Coheed and Cambria certainly created their only little niche in the music world. That is good news and bad news in the world of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame…
Another Indie Rock band from the province of Ontario, the Constantines were able to secure a nomination for the best Alternative Album in the early 2000’s, and land opening gigs for bigger Canadian bands. They were respected in the Canadian Indie community, but that is not exactly a resume that will get you to Cleveland.
Best known for the international smash, “Gangsta’s Paradise”, Coolio may have been from Compton, but was at his best with fun loving Raps with a Funk overtone. He did so without losing his Hip Hop credibility and a look at some of the music he did, makes you wonder why he was not more popular in the mainstream than he already was.
If unique hybrids are what it takes to get into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, than England’s Cornershop could receive a look. Their blend of Dance, Indie Rock and Indian music created a different sound. They were somewhat controversial and would not shy away from political or racial issues. Their career deserves some kind of footnote, but they would be hard pressed to enter…
Moving effortlessly from Alternative Country to Alternative Pop, Cracker had a decent run in the early 90’s. However like many bands that flirted with the Alternative scene (regardless of what it was), Cracker was not able to keep their momentum in the last half of the decade and essentially faded away. With that said, they have announced a return and you never know what it is…
D’Angelo was at the forefront of what was called the Neo-Soul movement, which was basically inputting the Classic Soul sound into modern R&B and Hip Hop. D’Angelo was a throwback in many ways as he was a true artist who sang and penned his own material. The issue here is that in the last fifteen years he has done very much. With only two albums and…
Eminem should be a very strong contender for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, so much so that he might already be inducted when his Rap Group project, D12 is elligible. Fronted by the real Slim Shady, D12 had a few hits and though they were not exactly critical darlings (unlike Eminem himself), they achieved more than many others who are eligible in 2026. Still,…
Cutting his musical teeth in the 1990’s with the Indie Rock band, Juniper, Damien Rice struck out on his own with a Singer/Songwriter style that fans flocked for its earthy and cerebral nature. Perhaps saying flocks are inaccurate, as Rice was successful in Ireland, a bit in the U.K., but not much else.