Each year when the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame announces its list of nominees, it spurs a vitriolic debate, not unlike something from the political arena. In fact, many detractors even claim the considered artists are picked solely for political reasons. I don't want to go down that road with this blog post. I just want to take a look at the official list and share who interests me in an observational manner. Strictly my opinion and in no particular order.

The New York Dolls, Foo Fighters, Iron Maiden, and Rage Against The Machine stand out for me from the rockier side of the genre and any of those bands are induction worthy. From the "why aren't they in already" file comes Carole King, Tina Turner, and of course...Todd Rundgren. Devo? Sure!! The others I've not mentioned get a shrug from me because their art doesn't speak to me as much as it does to others. I do want to give Kate Bush an honorable mention here because I've always liked her stuff and she was somewhat discovered by Pink Floyd's David Gilmour, a man whose opinion I trust.

I admit it will be difficult to whittle these down to my personal top five so I'm going to chew on it for a while and do a follow-up in a later blog but you can let your voice be heard! Here's a link to the Rock Hall's Fan Vote page. You can vote once daily through the end of April. We'll find out who this year's inductees will be in early May. 

Keep Calm & Rock On!

(Image courtesy of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame)