THE ROCK HALL ANNOUNCE POSSIBLE 2019 INDUCTEES: DEF LEPPARD. RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE, RADIOHEAD, STEVIE NICKS AND OTHERS, BUT NO JUDAS PRIEST

It’s that time again, the Rock N’ Roll Hall of Fame have announced their lead nominees for class of 2019.

On the list: Radiohead, Def Leppard, Stevie Nicks, Rage Against the Machine, the Cure, Devo, Janet Jackson, Kraftwerk, LL Cool J, Roxy Music, Todd Rundgren, John Prine, MC5, Rufus featuring Chaka Khan and the Zombies.

The top vote-getters will be announced in December and inducted March 29th, 2019 at a ceremony at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center. HBO will broadcast the event later next year.

To be eligible for this year’s ballot, each nominee’s first single or album had to released in 1993 or earlier. Several of the nominees have appeared on previous ballots, but this is first appearance for Def Leppard, Devo, Prine, Roxy Music, Nicks and Rundgren. Radiohead and Rage Against the Machine both made their debut appearance last year in their first period of eligibility. This is the fifth appearance for Kraftwerk and LL Cool J, the fourth for the Zombies, the third for Janet Jackson and Rufus featuring Chaka Khan and the second for the Cure.

A voting pool of more than 1,000 artists, historians, journalists and members of the music industry will select the new class, and once again fans will have a chance to be a part of the process. They can vote on the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s website or visit the museum in Cleveland and make a selection at an interactive kiosk.

As in recent years, the Hall of Fame has announced the individual members of each band that will be inducted. The current lineup of Def Leppard is listed along with the late Steve Clark and original guitarist Pete Willis.

additional source: rollingstone.com

86 Responses

    1. From Wikipedia: “The track is the album’s only song that was neither written nor co-written by Nicks.”

      Listen to Keith Urban and Carrie Underwood do it, I don’t care for the song, but vocally, they do it a million times better. Also, on a superficial note they are way more beautiful to look at too, but again, it’s all subjective.

    2. The song was written by the late, great Tom Petty, and Mike Campbell. Besides the lyrics, and the music, what makes that song so great, is the incredible vocal performance by Tom Petty AND Stevie Nicks, who Petty and Campbell wrote the song for in the first place. Nobody delivered a duet with such perfection the way Nicks & Petty did on that song. Best duet ever, in my opinion.

    4. I am sure she does, but that doesn’t sway my opinion. 🙂 There are many students who far surpass their masters.

      But just in case you care, which you may not 🙂 , I admit that I am partial to male vocalists, so my ear tends to be a bit more critical with female singers.

      So here are some of the female singers that I love (this represents their voices/tone quality only, not their material):

      Whitney Houston (in her prime, one of the greatest, if not the greatest, voices EVER), Christina Aguilera, Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Jennifer Nettles, KD Lang, Joan Jett, Lita Ford, Melissa Etheridge (for the smoky rasp) and even though I cannot stand Lady Gaga, I saw her sing Jazz with Tony Bennett and she was excellent.

      I also love classic Madonna and Janet Jackson, but would consider them entertainers far more than vocalists, especially Madonna.

      One of the things all these women do have in common? No goat vibrato. 😉

    5. Completely agree Big Bro. No matter how often I’ve heard it, I always stop what I’m doing and listen to it. It is sheer perfection and encapsulates two lovers in crisis. I’m going to listen to it now.

    6. Bro, I know the feeling, it’s one of those songs that no matter how many times you’ve heard it or whatever you are doing, you have to just stop what you’re doing and listen to it again. Great song by 2 great artists. And the sequel to “Stop Dragging My Heart Around,” – “I Will Run To You” from WILD HEART is also another great duo by Nicks & Petty! Very underrated song.

    7. Well, I don’t think Nicks sounds like a goat…lol….or even a sheep or any species that isn’t human…I tell ya, I love Kim Carnes, what a talented lady and she sings like Bob Dylan and has a voice similar to Rod Stewart’s and others who have that rasp; I think she made fantastic records. Other female singers I like are Grace Slick, she just has this attitude, she’s a force on the mic, and I like the way gives an edge to a sweet melody…Nicks had a lot of attitude too, and I just can’t imagine the music scene without her in it…there would be a void there…I think she’s a formidable artist…Madonna is entertaining but she’s so narcissistic up there I just tune her out….Prince was in love with himself too but he had a lot more in his arsenal than Madonna. Then there’s Heart who made some good records maybe not quite great but really good, I thought it was good when they worked with outside writers…Ann Wilson was an excellent singer, could really bring the songs to life much like Brian Johnson did.

    8. Although they were lacking in some aspects, I think the Go-Go’s were far more influential then some of the artists you mentioned. BTW, I happen to love the Go-Go’s.

      As for not hearing Nicks sounding like a goat, it is all a matter of ones ear and how the waves vibrate in the canal. I respect my fiancee’s opinion highly, he is a recording engineer/editor/mixer, and if I was wrong in any way, he would have no problem correcting me. Again, to each their own.

      Finally, go know being critical of Stevie Nicks on a hard rock/heavy metal site would have started such a s-storm-LOL!!!!!!!! I think we have officially turned into rollingstone.com…UGH.

    9. Ok, but influential doesn’t mean quality; we shouldn’t conflate those should we? The Go Go’s were pretty good but if I want that experience I put on my Knack records.

    10. Nile Rodgers was a musical genius! I don’t think Duran Duran would have had the level of success they enjoyed without him.

  3. Dana,
    I think from a marketing standpoint Rock and Roll Hall of Fame sounds a lot better than Music Hall of Fame. Since many genres of music have elements of rhythm and blues and traditional country, it seems natural to have an Aretha Franklin along side KISS or Madonna next to Deep Purple. But, I do believe 80’s rock/Metal is SEVERELY under represented. Until Eddie Trunnk is on the main decision making board, many of our favorite artists from the 70’s – 80’s will only get in piecemeal.

    1. I understand what you are saying, but I don’t see Rap artists being inducted along side rock artists, other than the fact that they sample from them, ad nauseum, just ask Billy Squier.

      Additionally, I can see someone like Prince existing along side bands like Van Halen, but Madonna? I really liked her back in the day, but no. Just my humble opinion.

  4. Dana,

    “My knowledge of her music is, thankfully, severely restricted”?!?!?!? Then how can you make any judgement on Stevie Nicks?!?!?

    Stevie Nicks came to prominence at a time when there were no major female figures in rock (Janis Joplin had died five or six years previous). She (along with Lindsey Buckingham) helped to skyrocket a fading English blues band into pop/rock superstardom. Stevie opened the doors for Heart, Blondie, Chrissie Hynde, Pat Benatar, Patty Smythe, Sheryl Crow, Dixie Chicks, Florence Welch, Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood, etc., etc. Ask all those artists what they think of Stevie Nicks and whether she was a massive influence on them. She may not have a voice that can shatter glass or ride a Harley onstage or call herself “Metal God,” but none of those are prerequisites for deserving a place in the RRHoF. Also, “they (Keith Urban and Carrie Underwood” are way more beautiful to look at” is utterly irrelevant and insulting to both Stevie and any female artist who aspires to be taken seriously as a singer/songwriter.

    If you’re looking at (colossal) album sales, longevity, and lasting wide-reaching (not just in one particular genre) influence – all actual criteria for the RRHoF – Stevie Nicks is absolutely deserving of a place in the RRHoF as a solo artist.

    2. Well, how you feel about Madonna is how I feel about Nicks.

      Madonna, for better or worse, was a trend setter and an entertainer. Talk about someone who was constantly changing her sound and image, she was the ultimate chameleon (could give Priest a major run for their money). Have you ever been to one of her shows? I doubt it. It is a full on experience. She was probably doing what Marilyn Manson does, but DECADES ago.

      Sorry, I guess being able to have hit after hit song, dance, choreograph, conceptualize videos, image, fashion, etc, cannot compete with wearing a black lace doily and dancing around with a tambourine. Want me to start to list all the people Madonna has influenced? Lady Gaga probably being the most obvious.

      FYI, not that I agree with it at all, but Madonna was inducted into the Rock Hall in 2008, 10 years before Nicks was even a consideration.

      BTW, I bet Doug R. likes Madonna too. He used to be a DJ, ask him how many requests he got to play Madonna versus Nicks-LOL!!!

      Again, to each their own.

    3. Are you Stevie Nicks? Sheesh, take a chill pill.

      Firstly, it’s an OPINION, and I am entitled to it, whether you agree with it or not. Just as you feel your opinion is valid, someone else may disagree. Additionally, my comment on my lack of knowledge on Stevie Nicks, was semi sarcastic. I know enough about her, her music and whom she has influenced and still do not find her worthy of induction over some other rock artists. I don’t care for her voice, find it irritating and hence my comment about being “severely restricted” in my knowledge. My fiancee, who works in the music industry, coined her singing as “goat vibrato,” and I would say that is a pretty fair assessment. You don’t have agree, that is your privilege.

      Secondly, I admitted that my comment regarding Underwood and Urban’a appearance was superficial, BIG DEAL. The point is, it is an added bonus to their talent. My favorite band does not happen to be one of the most attractive in the world, so you cannot accuse me of choosing style over substance. I also don’t see it as a crime that I happen to find Keith and Carrie far more attractive than Nicks and Petty. If you are going to discuss how influential Nicks is, her appearance played a HUGE part in contributing to her success. I have heard enough interviews from both musicians, and journalists, who cite her physical attributes as being an important key to her rise to fame. So, if her success has been measured by her beauty in the past (as it has been for eons) for many singers and actors, there is no crime in the comment I made, except that it seemed to bother you, which I find odd.

      FYI, Christie McVie was also in Fleetwood Mac, so there was another “female rock singer” in that band.

    4. But looks will only get you and take you so far, without the talent to back it up, you don’t have a very successful career for 43 years.

    5. I wish I could agree with your statement, but it is simply not true. I could give you hundreds of examples from music to movie stars, but I would be here all day. But here is a VERY SIGNIFICANT one: The Kardashians!

      BTW, this applies the other way as well, there are MANY talented and very ATTRACTIVE people that are highly under appreciated as well, hello, John Sykes. In his prime, he had everything and should have been huge.

    6. Dana, I’m only speaking about real musicians, not fake, phony, plastic Hollywood robots. I know you’ll probably disagree with this as well, but IMO, and many others, Stevie Nicks would’ve been just as successful no matter what she looked like, for the most part. Not everybody cares more about looks as much as or even more than talent, that bullsh-t might work in the fake world, but not in the real world. When it comes to music, I listen first, and look second, if at all.

    7. Doug R.,

      Here are a few current artists whose are style over substance : BEYONCE, Justin Beiber, Taylor Swift, Katy Perry (although I will admit Hot and Cold and California Girls are cute and catchy songs, but she did NOT write them), Miley Cyrus, etc, etc.

      As for Nicks, you’re right I don’t agree, I think her looks helped A LOT. Her voice is an acquired taste, and if she didn’t have long blonde hair, small features and a hippy white witch vibe (BTW, she is also considered a fashion icon (although, I take exception to that, as well)), I don’t think she would have went anywhere, especially as a solo artist. Maybe, she would have been successful writing for others but, I just don’t see it otherwise, again, JMO.

      Finally, KD Lang has a GORGEOUS voice with a rich, buttery tone and I definitely believe her appearance has had a definite effect on her level success.

    8. I can’t speak for everyone, but most people I know listen to, bought, and love Fleetwood Mac’s and Stevie Nicks’ music because of what they heard with their ears, not what they saw with their eyes. Nicks had worked with dozens of engineers/editors/mixers who’s careers were made because of working with her. Not made with money, but made with respect.
      BTW, I love the GO GO’s too! Who doesn’t love “We Got Big Feet?!” Actually, of course it’s “We Got The Beat!” 😉

    12. Well, obviously Madonna and Stevie Nicks were very different, Madonna was more of an entertainer, and Nicks was/is more of a musician. Of course I got a lot more requests for Madonna, especially “Holiday,” “Everybody,” “Into The Groove,” etc., But depending on what kind of event it was, I also got a lot of requests for Mac and Nicks, “Don’t Stop,” “Gypsy,” “Stand Back,” and so on. Yes, I absolutely liked Madonna back in the 80’s, and I will still occasionally listen to her music from the 80’s, and even some from the 90’s, but that’s it, as far as I’m concerned her relevance ended in the late 90’s. Now, Mac and Nicks? Endless relevance!

    13. I only own three Madonna albums, one which is a best of, and various singles. The last album I bought was Ray Of Light, which was produced by William Orbit, and has a very trippy, EDM feel. Again, she was way ahead of her time, because Ray Of Light was out in ’98, and EDM is HUGE now.

      FYI, every guy I ever knew who like Nicks, or Mac, admitted it was cause Stevie was “hot” and not because they liked the music. On the flip side, they all said they LOVED Benatar for her voice, and songs.

    14. Wow, we must really come from different worlds, even though we come from the same city! Different people see, and hear different things in different people. I’m not blind, yes Nicks was very “hot” back in the day, (hasn’t changed much, even in 2018!) But I’m all about the music, if she wasn’t a great artist, she would’ve been just another pretty face.

    18. Madonna is just too much of her own biggest fan for me to care about her. I watched that movie she made in the early 90’s and I felt sorry for everyone who worked with her. She worked with Nile Rogers right? I am a fan of Rogers; he produced Bowie, Duran Duran (who made some great records too, they did), and his band Chic had some great music. Madonna had some really good songs with Rogers but I just don’t think she would suffer for her art and Nicks would….there’s a humanity in Nicks and her hippie vibe is genuine….really they are so different you can’t compare them. Not saying that I have a clue as to who Nicks is as a person.

      RT mentioned Aretha up there and she’s in a class all by herself; Who’s Zoomin Who is a great record…she’s Priest and Madonna is Krokus there. 🙂

    19. Madonna did pay her dues. She danced with the Alvin Ailey company to make ends meet and would then go to all the clubs at night to try and get her music played. Also, as Doug R. said, she used her feminine wiles to help her get a head.

      There is no doubt that she is a narcissist, and a control freak, but she is an innovator and was a muti media, and multi hyphenate, artist three decades before it became mainstream. If social media existed back in the ’80s, one can only imagine how she would have used it.

      She did work with Nile Rodgers on her, Like A Virgin, album, but the Minnie Mouse helium vocals (which Britney Spears later used to create a whole career) never appealed to me, so I skipped it.

      However, I agree with you about Duran Duran. They were so cool and, Hungry Like A Wolf, is still a great song.

  5. Brother Doug R! You need to move here to the San Diego area. We don’t have hurricanes over here, our average weather temp. is 71 degrees, and our humidity level is around 70%. Plus, we no longer have a professional football team! :o)

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