The nominees for the 2024 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. It’s a sad list. Here are my comments

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame gave up any pretense of being about rock and roll long ago. Now they twist themselves into all kinds of knots in order to justify who is eligible and who should be voted in. This year’s list of nominees is no different.

In fact, it’s sadder than most, maybe of all time. When I first looked at it, I thought it was a hoax. Apparently not.

• Mary J. Blige: A fine singer but known for being a soulful hip-hop artist.
• Cher: Seriously?
• Mariah Carey: JESUS CHRIST! WHO ALLOWED THIS TO HAPPEN?
• Dave Matthews Band: Sure. Not a jam band fan, but okay.
• Eric B & Rakim: I’m a fan but again we have those who argue that this kind of hip-hop embodies the same spirit as rock.
• Foreigner: If you grew up in the 70s and 80s, you’ll be okay with this.
• Peter Frampton: Ditto.
• Jane’s Addiction: They haven’t got a hope in hell with the committee voting, but I’m all for it.
• Kool and the Gang: Nothing says “rock” like the band behind “Celebration,” one of the biggest wedding receiption songs ever.
• Lenny Kravitz: I’m good with this.
• Oasis: I’m good with this, too, although you know how tough it is for a British band to get votes from the American committee.
• Sinead O’Connor: 100% yes.
• Ozzy Osbourne: Do you even have to ask?
• Sade: I‘m confused. Great singer but is really known for just one album back in the 80s. And it was not rock.
• A Tribe Called Quest: Same as Eric B and Rakim

Again, the voting will be done by the ~900 official Rock and Roll Hall of Fame voters. There’s the fan voting component, too. Whoever wins that will recieve one (1) vote towards the final result.

Whoever makes it in–and we’ll know by early summer–no one is going to be happy.