The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame has quickly become a catchall for meaningful and impactful artists, rock and beyond. Recently, rap artists have been making room in the halls with acts like Tupac and N.W.A. both being inducted into the revered institution. Now, the Hall of Fame is gearing up for its 2018 induction, revealing next year’s nominees.
The two most notable acts are Radiohead and Rage Against the Machine, both receiving nominations in their first year of eligibility (the first official recordings were released in 1992). Along with the two newcomers, a slew of other artists also received nominations. Kate Bush, Nina Simone, Eurtyhmics, Judas Priest, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Dire Straits and Moody Blues also received their first ever nominations. Nominees of years past including Depecehe Mode, LL Cool J, MC5, the Zombies, the Meters, the Cars, Link Wray, Bon Jovi, Rufus with Chaka Khan, and J. Geils, are back again for a chance to be inducted.
While RATM and Radiohead are clear favorites to get in, Radiohead appears less than excited about the nomination. Jonny Greenwood gave a less-than-enthusiastic answer. “I don’t care,” Greenwood said to Rolling Stone. “Maybe it’s a cultural thing that I really don’t understand. I mean from the outside it looks like…it’s quite a self-regarding profession anyway. And anything that heightens that just makes me feel even more uncomfortable.”
Fellow band members Thom Yorke, Philip Selway, and Ed O’Brien also seemed uninterested in the news. However Colin Greenwood shared a slightly different response. “I’d be grateful if we got in,” he said.
Last year’s inductees were Pearl Jam, Tupac, Journey, Yes and Nile Rodgers. Kraftwerk, Bad Brains, Jane’s Addiction, Nine Inch Nails, the Smiths and Janet Jackson, all artists who received previous nominations, were left off this year’s list.
Fans can vote on the future inductees on the Rock Hall’s official website tomorrow, and the final results be will revealed in December.
Radiohead recently released a collab effort with Hans Zimmer of all people, and were in a bit of controversy with their Israeli concert. While Rage Against the Machine reuniting seems unlikely, former members including Tom Morello have been heavily active in the new supergroup Prophets of Rage, which recently dropped their debut effort.
Photo Credit: Raymond Flotat