# 2020 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nominations

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-rock-and-roll-hall-of-fame-nominations/841811>\
**Category:** Cafe Society\
**Created:** [October 15, 2019, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-rock-and-roll-hall-of-fame-nominations/841811 "2019-10-15T18:56:59Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 20\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\
**Post date:** [October 16, 2019, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-rock-and-roll-hall-of-fame-nominations/841811/21 "2019-10-16T03:47:21Z")

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> [@bmoak](#):
>
> Tull made the nomination list last year. In last year’s RnR Hall nominees thread, there were a few comments on who besides Ian Anderson would get inducted.

I stand corrected, and I plead bad information. The Wikipedia article on RRHOF inductees includes [a list of those who have been nominated at least once, but not selected](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Rock_and_Roll_Hall_of_Fame_inductees#Nominated_artists), and Tull is missing from that list.

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**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\
**Post date:** [October 16, 2019, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-rock-and-roll-hall-of-fame-nominations/841811/22 "2019-10-16T18:54:19Z")

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Dave Fuckin’ Matthews? 😕

Todd isn’t in already???

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**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\
**Post date:** [October 16, 2019, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-rock-and-roll-hall-of-fame-nominations/841811/23 "2019-10-16T19:02:15Z")

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Still no Color Me Badd? My Hall boycott continues.

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**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\
**Post date:** [October 16, 2019, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-rock-and-roll-hall-of-fame-nominations/841811/24 "2019-10-16T19:51:41Z")

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> [@nightshadea](#):
>
> is it me or is their lists finally leaving the 60’s and 70’s i mean only 4 or 5 are before 1980…and of those the 80s were when they became popular …

No, it’s not just you.

At this point, while there are still a few performers from the 1960s and 1970s who aren’t in the Hall, and who have arguable cases to be included (see the mentions above on Jethro Tull and Todd Rundgren), I think it’s pretty safe to say that most of the performers from that era who are generally believed to be Hall-worthy are already in.

I do think it’s likely that a few more from those decades will make it in, in the years to come, and at least some of those may get in through the special committees, rather than the general ballot. Nile Rodgers is probably an example here – his band Chic has been nominated repeatedly, but is still on the outside; at this point, I think it more likely that Rodgers gets in by himself, and as a producer as much as a performer.

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**Author:** ![Ponch8](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ponch8/32/9883_2.png) [@Ponch8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ponch8)\
**Post date:** [October 16, 2019, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-rock-and-roll-hall-of-fame-nominations/841811/25 "2019-10-16T19:54:09Z")

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> [@Gatopescado](#):
>
> Dave Fuckin’ Matthews? 😕

I agree, and hope that the selection committee doesn’t bend to the will of 1990s-era frat boys.

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**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\
**Post date:** [October 16, 2019, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-rock-and-roll-hall-of-fame-nominations/841811/26 "2019-10-16T22:45:01Z")

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> [@kenobi\_65](#):
>
> while there are still a few performers from the 1960s and 1970s who aren’t in the Hall, and who have arguable cases to be included (see the mentions above on Jethro Tull and Todd Rundgren), I think it’s pretty safe to say that most of the performers from that era who are generally believed to be Hall-worthy are already in.

Johnny Rivers, though.

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**Author:** ![Personal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b9bd4f/32.png) [@Personal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Personal)\
**Post date:** [October 17, 2019, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-rock-and-roll-hall-of-fame-nominations/841811/27 "2019-10-17T00:51:20Z")

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I have a soft spot for Pat Benatar, but that’s a purely sentimental selection. None are HOF material.

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**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\
**Post date:** [October 17, 2019, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-rock-and-roll-hall-of-fame-nominations/841811/28 "2019-10-17T00:53:47Z")

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Man, I hate all those guys.

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**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\
**Post date:** [October 17, 2019, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-rock-and-roll-hall-of-fame-nominations/841811/29 "2019-10-17T02:00:33Z")

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> [@Typo\_Negative](#):
>
> Whitney Houston.
> 
> Seriously??

That’s why it’s called the Pop Hall of Fame.

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**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\
**Post date:** [October 17, 2019, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-rock-and-roll-hall-of-fame-nominations/841811/30 "2019-10-17T02:24:57Z")

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I think we’re really getting down to seeds and stems at this point. The overall list of members is so watered down it’s hardly much of an honor to be inducted.

That said, the fact that Jethro Tull is not in is an outrageous oversight.

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**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\
**Post date:** [October 17, 2019, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-rock-and-roll-hall-of-fame-nominations/841811/31 "2019-10-17T02:33:38Z")

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> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#):
>
> I think we’re really getting down to seeds and stems at this point. The overall list of members is so watered down it’s hardly much of an honor to be inducted.
> 
> That said, the fact that Jethro Tull is not in is an outrageous oversight.

Tull should definitely be in.

What started off as a great idea has turned into a cluster fuck of anyone who sold a bunch of records over a period of time.

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**Author:** ![Thing\_Fish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecb155/32.png) [@Thing\_Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thing_Fish)\
**Post date:** [October 17, 2019, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-rock-and-roll-hall-of-fame-nominations/841811/32 "2019-10-17T02:38:35Z")

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The only true no brainer here is Motörhead. If you were only going to have ONE metal band in the hall, it should be Motörhead. OTOH, if Thin Lizzy is in the conversation, you’ve already got too many. Once Motörhead are in, Priest can be next in line.

Hard to keep Kraftwerk out if you’re letting any other synth band in. Once they’re in, I guess Depeche Mode become acceptable. MC5 were hella “influential” but obscure and honestly not all that good.

Is Whitney Houston “rock”? If so, she’s obviously in, but it’s a debatable proposition to say the least.

Hard no on the Doobies. All the worthwhile bands of the classic era are already in. Let last year’s selection of the Zombies remain the bottom of the barrel from that group.

Pat Benatar was a fairly major figure in 80s rock. Her induction wouldn’t lower the standards.

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**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\
**Post date:** [October 17, 2019, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-rock-and-roll-hall-of-fame-nominations/841811/33 "2019-10-17T02:43:47Z")

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> [@Enright3](#):
>
> I had to look up who MC5 was.

IMO, the MC5 are the most deserving band on the list.

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**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\
**Post date:** [October 17, 2019, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-rock-and-roll-hall-of-fame-nominations/841811/34 "2019-10-17T02:57:46Z")

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> [@Smapti](#):
>
> IMO, the MC5 are the most deserving band on the list.

I’m another one who doesn’t know who they are.

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**Author:** ![Dag\_Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@Dag\_Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dag_Otto)\
**Post date:** [October 17, 2019, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-rock-and-roll-hall-of-fame-nominations/841811/35 "2019-10-17T03:25:47Z")

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> [@Gatopescado](#):
>
> Dave Fuckin’ Matthews? 😕

I think SiriusXM is the only thing still playing Dave Fucking Matthews. He must own the company.

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**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\
**Post date:** [October 17, 2019, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-rock-and-roll-hall-of-fame-nominations/841811/36 "2019-10-17T03:32:41Z")

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> [@Leaffan](#):
>
> I’m another one who doesn’t know who they are.

MC5 were a hard rock / garage rock band in the late 1960s, from Detroit. They weren’t around for very long (only three albums during their original run), and weren’t particularly commercially successful, but they’re seen as being a big influence for what later became punk rock. (TBH, I had never heard of them, either, until the past few years, when they started showing up on the RRHOF nomination ballot.)

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**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\
**Post date:** [October 17, 2019, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-rock-and-roll-hall-of-fame-nominations/841811/37 "2019-10-17T03:39:05Z")

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> [@Thing\_Fish](#):
>
> The only true no brainer here is Motörhead. If you were only going to have ONE metal band in the hall, it should be Motörhead. OTOH, if Thin Lizzy is in the conversation, you’ve already got too many. Once Motörhead are in, Priest can be next in line.
> 
> Hard to keep Kraftwerk out if you’re letting any other synth band in. Once they’re in, I guess Depeche Mode become acceptable. MC5 were hella “influential” but obscure and honestly not all that good.
> 
> Is Whitney Houston “rock”? If so, she’s obviously in, but it’s a debatable proposition to say the least.
> 
> Hard no on the Doobies. All the worthwhile bands of the classic era are already in. Let last year’s selection of the Zombies remain the bottom of the barrel from that group.
> 
> Pat Benatar was a fairly major figure in 80s rock. Her induction wouldn’t lower the standards.

I agree with all of this except the Zombies comment. They are probably my third favorite 60s band behind the Beatles and the Kinks and deserve to be more recognized and respected.

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**Author:** ![LLCoolL](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/llcooll/32/3596_2.png) [@LLCoolL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LLCoolL)\
**Post date:** [October 17, 2019, 10:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-rock-and-roll-hall-of-fame-nominations/841811/38 "2019-10-17T10:10:16Z")

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A number of these artists have a case as important pioneers or huge early stars in their genre or niche:  
[ul]  
[li]Pat Benatar as a female rocker[/li][li]Kraftwerk – electronica[/li][li]Biggie – rap[/li][li]MC5 – punk[/li][li]Depeche Mode – synth pop[/li][li]Soundgarden – grunge[/li][/ul]  
If you ask young female pop singers today who were their heroes and influences, the same three names come up over and over again: Celine Dion, Mariah Carey, and Whitney Houston. You can dismiss all of them by dissing the genre, but that would be as dumb as dismissing, say, prog rock or hip hop. Whitney would’ve been better served artistically if she’d gone in a more Aretha Franklin direction. But she wanted to get mega-rich, so she stuck with syrupy, mainstream pop. That’s on her as an artist, but no one can credibly deny her vocal talent or her influence on the industry.

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**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\
**Post date:** [October 17, 2019, 11:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-rock-and-roll-hall-of-fame-nominations/841811/39 "2019-10-17T11:13:16Z")

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> [@Leaffan](#):
>
> I’m another one who doesn’t know who they are.

“Kick out the Jams” is one of the best live albums ever recorded, and their sound was one of the building blocks of what would come to be known as punk. To put it one way, they were alternative before there was anything to be the alternative to, and they easily belong in the HOF by virtue of how many bands were influenced by their sound.

[Here’s the title track (explicit lyrics).](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yvJGQ_piwI0)

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**Author:** ![KarlGauss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/karlgauss/32/3713_2.png) [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\
**Post date:** [October 17, 2019, 12:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2020-rock-and-roll-hall-of-fame-nominations/841811/40 "2019-10-17T12:33:48Z")

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I hated MC5 when they arrived on the scene. I still don’t care for their sound. That said, it is obvious that they were highly influential (as noted above) and for that reason alone they deserve consideration.

Jethro Tull not being in is a travesty.

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