Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation Announces Nominees for 2021 Induction and the Fan Vote is now officially open from today through April 30
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has just announced 16 potential candidates for induction in 2021 and there are a few punk and rock stalwarts in the running!
This is by far the most diverse and adventurous slate of nominees in recent memory, probably in response to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame being hauled over the coals for often overlooking women and persons of colour in the music industry.
“This remarkable ballot reflects the diversity and depth of the artists and music the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame celebrates,” Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation Chairman John Sykes says in a statement. “These nominees have left an indelible impact on the sonic landscape of the world and influenced countless artists that have followed them.”
This year seven of the 16 nominated acts are women and nine of the 16 nominees feature people of colour.
One of the female nominations is a band with punk roots and many of the women nominated are long overdue for recognition. And only the churlish will baulk at the idea of nominating hip-hop stars.
In the coming weeks, a voting committee will trim the roster to half dozen inductees -and the artists will be announced in May. Planners are looking to stage a live induction ceremony in late October or early November – all depending of course on the pandemic!
Per the tradition of the past few years, the Hall of Fame named the individual band members that will enter should their group get inducted.
SO.. the nominees are….
THE GO-GOs
Appearing on the ballot for the first time, the Go-Go’s are probably the artist whose previous omission has sparked the most consternation and controversy in the rock community.
They were formed as a punk band and had roots in the L.A. punk scene They shared a rehearsal space with the Motels. The band began playing gigs at punk venues such as The Masque and the Whisky a Go Go in LA and alongside bands such as X, Fear, the Plugz and the Controllers.
Their recent Showtime documentary and bassist Kathy Valentine’s new memoir also underline how much sexism they endured/defeated, and how much their songs and attitude have influenced younger musicians.
In an interview last year in Variety, members of the Go-Go’s revealed varying attitudes about the group’s curious exclusion from contention through 15 years of eligibility up to that point.
Singer Belinda Carlisle seemed to have hardened her heart against the ongoing slight: “At this point, to be 150 percent honest with you, I could give a fuck!” she said. “I mean, it would be nice, but … I know what we accomplished, and I’m really, really proud of that, and I don’t need the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s validation for that.”
But, said Kathy Valentine in the same story: “Some people in the band don’t care at all. I care. I’m a rock ‘n’ roll musician. I would love that. I think it’ll happen. It’s just a matter of time. Because it’s going to be weird to put in some other women from the ’90s and beyond, without acknowledging us.” Valentine also lamented that ’70s rockers Suzi Quatro and the Runaways have never been nominated.
DEVO
The classic Seventies/early Eighties lineup of Mark Mothersbaugh, bassist/singer Gerald Casale, drummer Alan Myers, keyboardist/guitarist Bob Casale, and guitarist Bob Mothersbaugh has been nominated for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
The band had a No. 14 Billboard chart hit in 1980 with the single “Whip It”, the song that gave the band mainstream popularity.
Devo is known for their music and stage shows mingling science fiction themes, deadpan surrealist humour and satirical social commentary.
NEW YORK DOLLS
The New York Dolls, line up of frontman David Johansen, bassist Arthur “Killer” Kane, guitarists Johnny Thunders and Sylvain Sylvain, and drummers Jerry Nolan and Billy Murcia have been nominated as inductees. Johansen is the sole living New York Doll after the recent death of Sylvain Sylvain.
RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE
Rage Against The Machine hope to make it third tie lucky this year have been nominated for a third time having been previously nominated in 2016 and 2019.
Their groundbreaking blend of rap, hard-rock, punk and politics made them perhaps the most important rock band of the ’90s after Nirvana.
CAST YOUR OFFICIAL FAN VOTE 2021 BALLOT
You can support your favourite Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2021 Nominees and help them reach the top 5 of the official Fan’s Ballot. You can select up to five Nominees daily and submit your vote. Share your ballot, spread the word and rock the vote now until April 30!
The other nominees are:
IRON MAIDEN
FOO FIGHTERS
TODD RUNDGREN
TINA TURNER
DIONNE WARWICK
JAY-Z
CHAKA KHAN
CAROLE KING
FELA KUTI
LL COOL J
MARY J BLIGE
KATE BUSH
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