Since 1986, The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame has been inducting those who have made an impression on the evermore detailed map of pop and rock music. And yeah, the ceremony might be a little chintzy, and some may consider the whole think a giant joke, and the whole argument of contemporary relevance is all but hurled out the the window, and the fact that ABBA is in there and Brian Eno isn’t is enough to set yourself on fire — but it beats the living hell out of any other televised American music awards show, and usually the ceremony ekes some gnarly performances out of the inductees. This year, 15 nominees were selected, and on average, five to seven of those nominees will be selected. So, without further ado, here are your 2011 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Performer Nominees. Who do you think should make the cut?
Alice Cooper
The original rock nemesis Alice Cooper, along with lead guitarist Glen Buxton, rhythm guitarist Michael Bruce, bass player Dennis Dunaway and drummer Neal Smith, paved the way for future harbingers of shock heavy metal. In addition to his box-office record-breaking live show in the 70s, The Coop continued to rock well into the 90s and, sure, 2010. If ABBA’s already in the R&RHoF, it’d be a shame for Cooper not to make it this year. Take a chance on him.
Beastie Boys
Now here’s a little story I’ve got to tell about three bad brothers you know so well. Mike D, Ad-Rock, and MCA have kicked out the jams for years, pioneering hip-hop, sampling, production, and white-boy fashion since the 80s. If inducted, Beastie Boys would be the third hip-hop group in the hall of fame, alongside Grandmaster Flash and Run DMC. You got a long wait ahead of you, Weezy.
Bon Jovi
If The Bon misses out this year, I at least think it’s about time for his ripped, acid-washed jeans to garner a glass case in the Smithsonian. Not quite hair metal New Jersey blue-collar rockers are a household name for pretty much everyone in America who’s been to a bar at least once in their life. Jon can steal your heart with those steely blue eyes of his, and define a rock song. Does it get more real than “Bed Of Roses”? That’s a man who knows what rock & roll love is.
Chic
Chic are probably best known for “Le Freak”, but they assisted the hip-hop movement in a major way with their increasingly funkier disco sounds. More soul and less….ABBA…. meant Sugar Hill Gang could totally start copping their stuff. Band members also went on to produce albums for Madonna, Mick Jagger, and David Bowie.
Neil Diamond
If his half-decade of amazing songs doesn’t get him in, maybe they should just show the selection committee this clip. Diamond can do anything.
Donovan
World music connoisseur Donovan explored the globe to find his sounds. But before Donovan got trippy and jazzy, he wrote some beautiful folk songs that paved the way for Brit-folk in the 60s. We can also credit him for Nick Drake, Belle & Sebastian, and being at the center of The Beatles pilgrimage to the Maharishi’s ashram in 1968, thus teaching Paul and George how to finger pick the guitar, thus allowing “Dear Prudence” and “Blackbird” to exist. Shoe-in?
Dr. John
This New Orleans staple has been culling the feelings of the city for years and perpetuating Cajun stereotypes for years. Yeah, he’s mighty talented, but I prefer his alter-ego.
J. Giels Band
The only two things I’ve learned from these guys it that, truthfully, love stinks, and that he’s actually not Robert Palmer.
LL Cool J
Now we’re talking: Ladies Love Cool James himself up against the boys from Brooklyn. Obviously, only one hip-hop artists can make it in (blame whitey), but how awesome would it be if they did a performance together? “Going Back To Cali/No Sleep Til Brooklyn” would be the shit.
Darlene Love
Singer for 60s pop group The Blossoms, 72-year old Darelene Love has been singing professionally since being a sophomore in high school. Since then, she’s worked with Phil Spektor, U2, and Danny Glover. She played his wife in all four Lethal Weapon movies. Career versatility: 5 points.
Laura Nyro
Posthumous nominee and folk prodigy Laura Nyro recorded with David Geffen and Columbia Records for 25 years starting at the ripe age of 19. Her songs were performed by Fifth Dimension, Three Dog Night, and Barbra Streisand and, rather unfortunately, not all at the same time. Elton John said of her: “The soul, the passion, the out-and-out audacity of her rhythmic and melody changes was like nothing I’d ever heard before.”
Donna Summer
My mom played Donna Summer a lot when I was a kid, and I think I heard “Love To Love You Baby” a little too young. Things have been really messed up for me since then. But she’s stayed fresh and in the mainstream since as she starred as Steve Urkel’s Aunt Oona in 1994 and again in 1997 (I’m sensing a trend…)
Joe Tex
You know how Ronnie James Dio claimed he invented the devil horn hand gesture? Well, Joe Tex coined the term “rap”. At age 31, the southern-soul singer had two dozen consecutive R&B/pop crossover hits in rotation, including the song “I Ain’t Gonna Bump No More With No Big Fat Woman”. That title alone gets him a ticket in. And whoa! Label-mate James Brown shot at him in a night club!
Tom Waits
I’ll redirect you to our article on Mr. Tom Waits, which will expound on his defense on getting into the hall of fame. Suffice it to say, if I could use all my votes for one man, it would be him. The breadth of his career, his growth as a songwriter, his talent as a producer earns him a spot in the Hall of Fame.
Chuck Willis
’50s pop singer Chuck Willis, known as “The King of the Stroll”, is a testament to roots of rock & roll. Unfortunately , he was recording 50 years before today, so I’m clearly not a big fan of his oeuvre, nor one who understands his importance. But because I’m a logical person, I logically see his reason for being on the list. Another case of “If it wasn’t for Chuck Willis…” Elvis Presley, Otis Redding, and Kanye West samples would never exist. May logic prevail!
