Like most, I started paying attention to music when my age hit double digits. It’s those years between the ages of 11-21 that I define as my “sweet spot” for music. It’s music from that era that brings back the best memories. You probably have your own era that you consider the most special when it comes to music.
This isn’t to say I stopped listening to music at 21. That would have been tough as I have worked in radio since 1981 – even teaching it for over 30 years. One of the classes that I was lucky enough to teach was Popular Music and Society. It was part music history and part music research.
The major assignment for the students was simple; identify an artist or group that has not been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and construct an argument why they deserve to be enshrined.
Students had to use the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s criteria for induction to support their opinion. The first condition for induction is the simplest; the artist needs to have released their first single at least 25 years ago. Then, there are four categories that honour musical pioneers, each with their own specific criteria:
The student lead discussions was always lively. Over the years, singers that students were passionate about inducting would eventually find their way in to the Rock Hall – Chicago, Dolly Parton, Rage Against the Machine, Journey, Kate Bush, George Michael, Jay-Z, Rush, Carole King (as a songwriter), Tina Turner (solo) and Eminem to name a few.
In early February, the Hall of Fame released the names of 15 diverse artists that are under consideration in the Performer’s Category.
Based on what I’ve learned from my students over the years, I have no problem with any of the nominees this year – each of them was the subject of student projects over the years. This is especially true for Ozzy, Cher, Foreigner, Mariah Carey, Oasis and Mary J. Blige.
IF I had a ballot (and I don’t), these would be the five that would be on my short list: Cher, Foreigner, Peter Frampton, Sade, and Kool and the Gang. To no one’s surprise, four of my five picks come from my musical “sweet spot.” I became a fan of Sade during those early days of Much Music here in Canada – I loved their videos.
This isn’t to say that I’m not without my own opinions of who should be in the Rock Hall – and currently is not. I think a strong case could be made for musicians like Dick Dale, The Marvelettes, Daft Punk, The Runaways, Iron Maiden, Cyndi Lauper, Brian Eno, Supertramp and Tommy James. From a Canadian perspective, The Guess Who, Alanis Morrisette, Paul Anka, and Blood, Sweat and Tears should receive consideration for induction.
You can add your voice to the The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame also has the Fans Ballot where you can vote for up to seven of the nominees that are up for induction.
In late April, the Rock Hall will release the names of the Class of 2024 in the Performers Category, as well as announce the inductees in the other three categories.
John Goehrke, the Rock Hall’s Director of Fan Engagement and On-Stage Experience, joined me on Oldies Without Borders and had a conversation about this years’ nominees for induction. 10 of the 15 on this year’s list are first time nominees.
Enjoy!
Copyright Peter J. Maurin, The Vinyl Professor. Published under Creative Commons License: Attribution/Non-Commercial Use.
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