Taking a moment to quickly throw out some predictions for the 2023 ballot for the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. Hopefully not as lengthy as the usual post, so here are some thoughts on who might make the ballot.
First off, while there is no sure thing to predict, I'm going to predict three newly eligibles for the ballot. First, is Missy Elliott. Regarded as the most worthy newly eligible act, as well as the most likely first female rapper to be inducted, this is someone that the community has been talking about and keeping an eye on, hoping to manifest this one into happening. Second is going to be Destiny's Child. The induction of Dolly Parton this past year is evidence of what I call the Hall's "relevance through reactionism. Dolly's status as a national treasure got too big for the Hall not to try and induct her (not that she wasn't deserving, though), and even though Beyonce's solo career is much, much bigger and more legendary, the Hall almost certainly is not going to pass on the opportunity to make Queen Bey a double first year eligible inductee. They want names to pack the house, and hers is a lock to do so. The Hall loves big names like hers, and I have to believe they'll want to make that happen. But whom do they love even more? Their own people, such as Dave Grohl. It might be too big of a stretch to imagine he'd be included, but if they want a second three-time inductee, they might just go for Queens Of The Stone Age. It's a stretch, but what the hell? The Hall does crazy things sometimes.
Next up will be the return nominees. With a new chair of the NomComm, it's possible last year's nominees including so many repeats may have been a last ditch attempt by the old guard. Then again, maybe not. Stranger Things have happened, which is why everyone including me is predicting Kate Bush to return to the ballot. But I also think Dionne Warwick and Devo have a chance to return. Crazy as it may sound, I think a third consecutive nomination may also be in the cards for Fela Kuti.. And of course, loving their own means it'll probably spell a return for Rage Against The Machine too.
Who's been eligible but will just be appearing for the first time? Well, keeping in a somewhat traditional rock vein, look for INXS to possibly be a priority. If the Hall's feeling particularly populist, it could finally be good news for Motley Crue as well. And if they want to go with names of the nineties, then No Doubt is a name that might come up as well. Of course, it's also only a matter of time before Outkast bursts onto the ballot. And when it comes to playing ball with the Hall, you need to keep Sheryl Crow in the conversation as well. If the Hall is not done with classic rock though, it could be time for Bad Company to be nominated. And if Rick Krim joined the NomComm to push for more prog, Jethro Tull seems to be the currently priority in that column. I'll go for a ballot of seventeen as well, and say George Michael is due up as well, mainly because he's been namechecked in some acceptance speeches recently. And from the video packages, let's go ahead and grab Mariah Carey.
So that's a quickly whipped up batch of nominees. Sadly, it is largely mainstream, but after what we saw with this year's class, that's the way to skew. Am I right? Am I wrong? We'll know very soon.
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