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Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame 2023 Nominees

February 2, 2023 by A.S. Van Dorston

First time nominees are Cyndi Lauper, George Michael, Joy Division/New Order, Missy Elliott, Sheryl Crow, Warren Zevon, the White Stripes, and Willie Nelson. Plus Kate Bush, Iron Maiden and Soundgarden.

14 artists have been nominated this year as opposed to 17 last year. Apart from Kate Bush and A Tribe Called Quest, none of the nominees who weren’t inducted last year, MC5, New York Dolls, Fela Kuti and Devo, are on the ballot this year. The fan ballot is open, where fans can vote once a day for their top five.

I have to say, while the ballot is loaded with great options like Kate Bush, Joy Division/New Order, Iron Maiden, Soundgarden and White Stripes, I don’t hold out much hope, given what a shit show 2022 was. They insultingly gave Judas Priest some kind of booby prize in a made-up category that’s not part of the core inductees. But Rob Halford graciously accepted, I suspect mainly so he could have the opportunity to be on stage with Dolly Parton. Admittedly it was a treat seeing him enthusiastically cozying up to her while he took his turn on “Jolene.” Not something anyone would have predicted for the Metal God 30 years ago. The other inductees were Eminem (what a stupid speech — he said he almost died of OD but no regrets cuz drugs were “fucking delicious”), Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo, Duran Duran, Eurythmics, Lionel Richie, and Carly Simon in probably the least rock ‘n’ roll induction ceremony ever.

Iron Maiden have been in my short wishlist of artists most deserving recognition along with Motorhead, Ronnie James Dio, Scorpions, Slayer, Bad Brains, Dead Kennedys, MC5, New York Dolls, King Crimson, Free and Thin Lizzy. It’s possible they could win the fan vote if the three million people who bought tickets for their Legacy of the Beast tour did some voting. And if Kate Bush can’t finally get in with her fourth nomination, after “Running Up That Hill” hit #1 via Stranger Things, then the whole thing is broken.

Willie Nelson, Warren Zevon, The Spinners, Cyndi Lauper, Missy Elliott and George Michael would be fine if they ran out of actual rock ‘n’ roll artists. But, please for the ghosts of Lemmy and Dio, at least don’t induct Sheryl Crow.

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