40. Devo

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How much chance does a band have to get into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame if they are best known for wearing funny hats? To many, Devo was just a one hit wonder who looked like they wore garbage bags and had flower pots on their heads. Of course, their fans knew they were much more.

Devo might be the most misunderstood group on our list. The American New Wave group based their name on the idea of “de-evolution”; basically that mankind was devolving instead of evolving. They wanted their music to reflect that and with their abrupt synthesized rhythm, strange lyrics combined with the use of the growing video medium they developed quite a cult following. Despite being known primarily for their weird costumes, they were far more influential in the New Wave world than they were given credit for, though it is likely not enough to get them inducted in Cleveland.

www.clubdevo.com

Should Devo be in the Hall of Fame?

Definitely put them in! - 87.6%

Maybe, but others deserve it first. - 3.3%

Probably not, but it wouldn't be the end of the world. - 2.7%

No opinion. - 0.6%

No way! - 5.7%

The Bullet Points

Previous Rank: 2011: #117
2012: #112
2013: #95
2014: #88
2015: #86
2016: #89
Eligible Since: Wednesday, 01 January 2003
Country of Origin: U.S.A. (Akron, OH)
Why they will get in: They are one of the key American New Wave bands. Should the genre get some love, they could sneak in.
Why they won't get in: Nominated three times, and the voting body didn't bite.
Nominated in: 2019, 2021 & 2022
Essential Albums: Question: Are We Not Men? Answer: We Are Devo! (1978)
Duty Now For the Future (1979)
Freedom of Choice (1980)
New Traditionalists (1981)
Our Five Favorite Songs as Chosen by Each Member of the NIHOF Committee: Mongoloid (From Question: Are We Not Men? Answer: We Are Devo!, 1978)
Jocko Homo (From Question: Are We Not Men? Answer: We Are Devo!, 1978)
Working in a Coalmine (From The Heavy Metal Soundtrack, 1980)
Whip It (From Freedom of Choice, 1980)
Freedom of Choice (From Freedom of Choice, 1980)