After much longer delay than anticipated, I have the merit rankings up. Short and sweet, the delay is because my laptop is on the fritz, so I'm putting this together on my phone, which is much more difficult. Forgive the typos and sloppy proofreading. If anything is unclear, ask in the Comments and I'll try to clarify. As always, I'm using my I-5 system: Innovation, Influence, Impact, Intangibles, and Issues. My apologies to those who wanted mentions of biggest singles and albums artists. My research books are all in storage, and I don't have time to retrieve them. And again, two brief reminders: one, I intentionally had issues for all nominees, simply because no one nominee is going to be unanimous on every ballot turned in. However, the Issues stated are not my issues specifically. They're more often than not ones I have already seen having been stated previously, or if not, ones that could conceivably be made, even if I don't agree with them. Second, this is a ballot with fourteen incredible names on it, so being ranked low on this list is not a slight against the artist's overall worthiness of induction. You know I want bigger classes and just putting in all fourteen would be fine with me. The difference between any two spots is usually razor thin, and I made a lot of swaps and switches, so please don't take anything to mean so-and-so is unworthy. Not what I'm saying at all. Onto the hopefully objective Merits rankings.
1. WILLIE NELSON
Innovation: One of the pioneers of outlaw country, which not only changed country music, but along with southern rock, helped bring country closer in spheres of influence with the post-British Invasion rock scape.
Influence: Massively influential in country music, but also influential in rock, as especially evidenced by the variety of duets he's done.
Impact: The man could pretty much do no wrong on the country charts. Much less successful on the pop singles charts, but still a handful of showings. Additionally, his work with Farm Aid has helped make him a national treasure.
Intangibles: He's also renowned as a songwriter, and an overall heavily awarded artist. He also had a Ben & Jerry's ice cream flavor: Willie Nelson's Peach Cobbler.
Issues: Along with the argument of country being in the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, there's also the question of whether it was his music that was influential or his lifelong love affair with marijuana. Those who believe it was the latter may skip him to vote for an artist whose music changed the world, and not their tour bus.
2. IRON MAIDEN
Innovation: They didn't invent heavy metal, but they elevated it with political themes and really helped cement the imagery of heavy metal that is often remembered.
Influence: Easily one of the most influential bands in heavy metal and hard rock.
Impact: A band of mostly middling album sales and nearly non-existent singles recognition in the U.S, they were much bigger in the U.K. Plus, their tours historically sold well, resulting in incredible name recognition.
Intangibles: Though not really a band member, their mascot Eddie just seems to be an X-factor for them. Additionally, they have something of an underdog legacy, overcoming a limited airplay handicap to still be considered a major player in the pantheons of rock, even in the U.S.
Issues: They're a band many know the name of, but not a band casual listeners would instantly recognize if one of their songs came on the radio or streaming service. You've heard of them and know something about them because somebody you can tolerate in small doses is emphatic about them.
3. MISSY ELLIOTT
Innovation: Not too sure about this one. Admittedly, I'm not knowledgeable enough about hip-hop to state what makes her sound unique.
Influence: Very much yes. Via her commercial success, she opened up doors that myriads of female rappers have stormed through, and many have taken after her style, as evidenced by her many, many features.
Impact: Her lowest charting studio album peaked at #13, and between her lead and featured singles, she has charted over 40 times on the Hot 100, and that's not even getting into the R&B/rap charts.
Intangibles: While not the first female rapper to become famous to mainstream audiences, the level to which she became famous, particularly on the strength of Supa Dupa Fly, makes her a force to be reckoned with.
Issues: The "features" aspect of rap culture makes it murky to determine any given participant's strength as an artist, and she has more charted credits as a featured artist than as lead artist.
4. THE WHITE STRIPES
Innovation: While rock and roll is itself most predominantly based in the blues, they upped the bluesy level into a distortion-driven alternative rock style.
Influence: Their credit as one of the last great rock bands is partially due to the number of alternative-rock bands that took cues from them.
Impact: Three Top Ten albums and eleven charted singles on the Alternative Rock Charts (in the States)
Intangibles: Jack's continued career as a producer and solo artist has only heightened the production values and musicianship of the duo's catalog.
Issues: Relatively limited catalog, due to breaking up near the height of their powers, so not a lot of longevity.
5. A TRIBE CALLED QUEST
Innovation: When you talk about about formative acts of the sound of '90s hip-hop, this outfit is near the top of the list.
Influence: Their influence on hip-hop and rappers to come, as well as on their contemporaries was massive. Widely influential.
Impact: A handful or two of charted singles. Albums charts, four top ten albums with a fifth that is critically well-regarded.
Intangibles: With their level of artistry, and renown of the individual members, they're a synergy, so much more than the sum of the parts.
Issues: You've heard of them if you're a music lover, especially of hip-hop. If you're a casual pop music fan, the name "A Tribe Called Quest" probably sounds like the name of a video game.
6. GEORGE MICHAEL
Innovation: Seemingly little, though his British take on new jack swing in a few of his records was novel.
Influence: Larger than expected, even namechecked by inductees in the past couple of induction ceremonies.
Impact: Possibly the biggest pop singles act on this ballot, with multiple #1 hits, and even bigger in his home country of the United Kingdom.
Intangibles: Incredible versatility, he could go from new jack swing to ballads to dance songs. His voice could adapt incredibly well to what the song required.
Issues: Big Hall versus Small Hall debates might involve debates about why there isn't a joint nomination for the Wham era, and an exclusion of Andrew Ridgeley. If Joy Division and New Order can be combined, why not Wham and George Michael solo? This may cause a detraction of votes.
7. JOY DIVISION / NEW ORDER
Innovation: Early post-punk band that helped define the style and on the ground floor for a lot of the synth-pop dance sounds of the '80s.
Influence: Both incarnations were influential in their respective styles that they helped pioneer, often namechecked as influences.
Impact: Two major albums from Joy Division, more from New Order, whereas New Order had more albums and a few charted singles on the pop charts, and much more a force to be reckoned with on the dance charts.
Intangibles: The ubiquity of the album cover for Unknown Pleasures gives them a cultural presence outside of the music itself.
Issues: They've got a few. The infamy of Ian Curtis's death almost outstrips the legacy of Joy Division's music. The stylistic differences between Joy Division's catalog and New Order's are pretty significant, and New Order formed too quickly, relatively speaking, for that difference in styles to be a natural evolution of Joy Division's sound--when put together, it speaks to argue against the joint nomination. Additionally, the fact that both band names have had to be repeatedly defended against allegations of ties to white nationalism doesn't help all that much.
8. SOUNDGARDEN
Innovation: Despite spending more years paying their dues, they were one of the first on the scene to help define the sound of grunge.
Influence: While not as big as a few of the major grunge bands, they were an incredibly influential band, due in part to their being among the first grunge acts.
Impact: They had a serious string of hits on the Album/Mainstream Rock and Modern/Alternative Rock charts.
Intangibles: As another band with a mythos surrounding their lead singer, it helps elevate their legacy.
Issues: They're not Nirvana. Or Pearl Jam. They will always pale in comparison to those two, and maybe even next to Alice In Chains, and that will make them look less worthy, perhaps unfairly.
9. RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE
Innovation: Among the pioneers of nu metal, combining punk, rap, metal, and even elements of reggae, and brought it as close to the mainstream as can reasonably be expected.
Influence: Because their scene was more underground, it's a little harder to measure, but a lot of the nu metal bands took their lead from this band.
Impact: A few charted songs on the Album and Modern Rock charts, and a couple charted albums.
Intangibles: There is a sense of authenticity to them, and congruity with their name, their music, and their image offstage.
Issues: Their lyrics are often incomprehensible, so you don't know what they're saying, only that they're angry. Additionally, not big on longevity.
10. THE SPINNERS
Innovation: Despite not really inventing Philly soul, their style was more rhythmically driven, funkier even, than several of their contemporaries, making it something unique that they brought to the table.
Influence: The genre of soul greatly shifted while they were at the height of their powers, but there is some influence upon the likes of Daryl Hall And John Oates, as well as subsequent musicians.
Impact: They paid their dues and still had some chart action in the '60s, then became huge in the '70s and continued into the early '80s with the hits.
Intangibles: Though not their biggest success, they were on Motown, which the Hall has a great respect for; then they were one of the biggest acts in the style of Philly soul, which appears to need more representation in the Hall.
Issues: Phil Spector famously fought against the inductions of the Ronettes and Darlene Love, believing that he was the real artist, and the singers were essentially as much session musicians as the Wrecking Crew. Some feel that way about Philly soul, that producer Thom Bell deserves all the accolades, and the artists were inconsequential.
11. KATE BUSH
Innovation: Her sound is incredibly unique to her that it cannot be called anything but groundbreaking. Her infusion of Celtic, Bohemian, and so many other influences is just staggering.
Influence: Big Boi from Outkast is a noted fan who took songwriting cues from her, as do a lot of singers and songwriters. The most direct descendants of her sounds would be artists like Tori Amos, Dido, and Annie Lennox.
Impact: She's much more commercially successful in her native United Kingdom, but even in the States, she had several charted albums and songs on the Mainstream Rock charts. And the resurgence she's had because of "Stranger Things" has caused her music to be rediscovered.
Intangibles: Her performances pioneered the usage of headset microphones. More importantly, her overall level of artistry, particularly by Western standards, is extremely high.
Issues: Her self-imposed decisions regarding her output and public appearances in general, let alone touring, have diminished her ability to reach larger audiences and reach superstar level.
12. WARREN ZEVON
Innovation: Even though he's one of several singer/songwriters from the '70s, his style is a little different, in a way that isn't quite "coffeehouse," but has a little more infusion of different styles, making something a bit different.
Influence: His strongest category, he has been a very influential figure, especially among other singer/songwriters.
Impact: A smattering of charted albums, only two Hot 100 hits, but thanks to David Letterman, and a ubiquity for the one big hit, his is a name whose name has traveled a little further than may have been expected.
Intangibles: An artist's artist, a songwriter's songwriter, a critic's wet dream.
Issues: From a technical standpoint, he's not that great of a singer, and many would be hard-pressed to know him for anything beyond the familiar "Ah-ooooo!" song.
13. SHERYL CROW
Innovation: I give her credit for bringing an updated and maybe even alternative feel to a pop sound that has a very "beach music" feel.
Influence: Not a particularly strong category for her. Probably some artists that are just not coming to mind right now.
Impact: A fairly respectable run of charting singles, and her albums do well.
Intangibles: An in-demand duet partner, indicating some level of musical versatility.
Issues: "Picture." Also, her music has a tendency to be labeled "safe" which hurts her rock cred.
14. CYNDI LAUPER
Innovation: Not a strong category for her.
Influence: More so for her style than the music, perhaps, but her brand of pop has had ripples that still continue to reach.
Impact: Several Top Ten hits, with some additional hits on top of that. Plus, she's a name that keeps coming up, whether it's her songwriting or her part in Cosentyx commercials, she keeps resurfacing.
Intangibles: Her songs have aged better than a lot of songs from the '80s, she is a heavily awarded artist, and some may have even forgotten that she duetted with none other than Frank Sinatra. Even if it is a Christmas song, that's not a gig one could have landed without being incredibly talented.
Issues: Those less prone to carefully compare and contrast might dismiss her as a K-Mart brand Madonna. Additionally, there's a difference between being a song interpreter and being a songbook interpreter, and some may feel she became the latter after having too short-lived a prime period.
So there it is. My rankings. Break out the tar and feathers. Or just write your thoughts in the Comments below. Enjoy!
