The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has included rock sub-genres for years now, so it is only natural they further that expansion by including artists almost undeniably outside the realm of traditional rock. This years list includes some fantastic artists.
Deep Purple: I have long stood by the idea that Deep Purple wrote the first full-fledged breakthrough heavy metal song (that song is ‘Hush’ for those curious). Their inclusion into the Hall of Fame isn’t quite long overdue, but it is absolutely deserved.
Donna Summer: Summer’s contributions to the disco phenomena is worthy in itself, but her pop song formula was perfectly devised and influential. Her inclusion is questionable (and a stretch, to be quite fair) but not completely unjustified.
Kraftwerk: my personal number one pick for inclusion. Their influences in electronic music are nearly unrivaled, as they ushered in a whole new wave of electronic experimentation. They are 50/50.
N.W.A.: A part of me teases the idea of Dr. Dre being inducted as a solo artist, but N.W.A. have always been the underground hip-hop pioneers. I would doubt they would be included in the final listing, but weirder things have happened.
Rush: The rock group Rush are a shoe-in for inclusion. They have been tossed around as possible inclusions for just about a decade, spurring controversy in recent years by the Halls ignorance of their musical canon. If they did not make it, I would be stunned.
The nomination list is rounded out by
Paul Butterfield Blues Band
Procol Harum
Public Enemy
Joan Jett and the Blackhearts
Randy Newman
Heart
Albert King
Chic
The nominees are now open to public voting for the first time in history, and voting is allowed until December 3rd. All public votes will tally together to count the top 5 vote-earners, and make for one ballet among 600 will be formerly counted for the 2013 Hall, including votes by industry veterans, historians, and renowned musicians.
