The 2016 inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame were announced last week, including such acts as Deep Purple, Cheap Trick, Chicago, Steve Miller, and N.W.A.
A majority of people will diminish the importance of the Hall of Fame, since the Hall now allows more than just “rock and roll” artists, expanding the scope to (basically) all genres from pop to rap to any forms of rock music, and because they often ignore prominent artists for extended periods of time. This is why this year is curious.
It’s important to note that most of these bands have been waiting several years for induction, with the shortest time span being three years for N.W.A, and Deep Purple and Steve Miller waiting the longest (22 years of eligibility, with three nominations in those years for Deep Purple and only one for Steve Miller).
This is in contrast to the last few years, when bands like Green Day, Nirvana, Public Enemy, or Guns 'n' Roses have been inducted in their first years of eligibility. This is not to take away from those talented and respected artists, but there is still a long list of bands and artists that are just as talented or influential that have yet to be inducted.
Some artists, like Janet Jackson, The Smiths, Los Lobos, Nine Inch Nails, The Cars, and Yes, were all nominated this year but were not selected for induction this year.
Here are some bands that I think should be inducted next year:
Nine Inch Nails: I’ve mentioned them already in this article, but I am a big fan of theirs, and their influence on contemporary metal and the evolution of industrial metal, as well as electronic music, is unique and changed music genres forever. I highly doubt they will be kept out of the Hall, and they will more than likely be inducted within the next few years.
The Smiths: Seriously, how have these guys not been inducted yet? They are the golden boys of alternative rock and the most influential alternative band not named The Police or Nirvana. They also fall into the “it's gunna happen one day” category, and I shouldn’t worry, but it’s a crime they haven’t been inducted yet.
Sting: Speaking of The Police, this is a guy who has had a great solo career, and deserves at the very least a nomination. "Fields of Gold," anyone?
The Sugarhill Gang: No delight for these Rappers (zing!), who have yet to be nominated for induction into the Hall. With Public Enemy and N.W.A. now in the Hall (and rightfully so), the founders of hip hop deserve consideration.
Judas Priest or Iron Maiden: Either of these groups, really. I mean, Metallica is in; why not the groups that inspired them? I think with Deep Purple finally getting in, heavy metal will start to be accepted within the Hall for bands not called Black Sabbath or Led Zeppelin (although those bands are great too, don’t get me wrong).
T. Rex: Another classic rock band that has yet to be inducted despite two decades of eligibility. With bands like Oasis and The Smiths claiming influence by T. Rex, the band should get more attention as these bands get closer to induction. (Fun fact: Oasis becomes eligible in 2019. Do you think if they get first-year induction, the Gallagher brothers will reunite? Or do you think the sun will envelop the Earth before then?)
Chubby Checker: How? How?! How is Chubby Checker not in the Hall of Fame? I don’t even have anything to say about this.
Those are the biggest names that jump out to me, but who do you think belongs in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame that isn’t yet?
Electric Light Orchestra?
Jethro Tull?
The Scorpions?
Weird Al Yankovic?
Let me know in the comments down below!