Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Names Nominees for 2025

I think we've all come to realize the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is problematic: Jann Wenner's outsize influence; who decides what is and isn't rock 'n' roll?; decades of misogyny; etc.

Vote HERE.

But if there's going to be one, I definitely want to see my favorite artists inducted. (Even Chrissie Hynde thought better of snubbing the honor, knowing how much it meant to her elderly parents.) 

So three cheers, and hopefully many more votes, for Joy Division/New Order and Cyndi Lauper -- and obviously Chubby Checker, Mariah Carey and Joe Cocker belong in a music hall of fame. 

And here's hoping the Bangles and B-52's finally get the recognition they so richly deserve. Anyone else you're rooting for? 

UPDATE:

OK, you caught me. I fan voted and couldn't not include Billy "Hot in the City" Idol! 

The Bowery Boys Strike Again

This Lego set featuring the Ramones standing outside CBGB's has to be the best thing ever. The legendary bar (1973-2006) where many of New York's best-known acts got their start has been on my mind a lot lately since the death of Tom Verlaine. The Television singer/songwriter/guitarist may be getting praise heaped on him in death, but not from Blondie keyboardist Jimmy Destri. (How do you say "meow" in punk?)

For the record, Verlaine certainly wasn't the only one in that scene -- or elsewhere -- who sold Blondie short.

And speaking of music, what do we make of this year's Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nominees? 

Was tickled to see Joy Division/New Order got a nod, but disappointed to see the B-52s weren't included. 

Carly Simon, Pat Benatar, Dolly Parton and Eurythmics Among Inductees Into Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

I have been on tenterhooks since the nominations were announced -- Joni Mitchell, Linda Ronstadt and Carole King are already in -- so let me be the first to say congratulations to my girl Carly Simon on her long-overdue induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, along with other KIT212 faves Pat Benatar, Eurythmics, Dolly Parton and Duran Duran! 

The Wall Street Journal reports:

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame announced its latest inductees on Wednesday: Eminem, Dolly Parton, Duran Duran, Eurythmics, Carly Simon, Lionel Richie and Pat Benatar will join the Cleveland institution’s pantheon at its 37th annual ceremony, scheduled for Nov. 5 in Los Angeles. 

The class of 2022 embraces the musical diversity of pop, including artists that span many decades and genres, from rap to country. Eminem, a protégé of Dr. Dre, was the first rapper in U.S. history to release a year’s best-selling album (“The Eminem Show,” in 2002).

Ms. Parton is a godmother of modern country music, whose songwriting reflects her hardscrabble roots in East Tennessee. Carly Simon, famous for chart-topper “You’re So Vain” and other hits, is one of the most popular singer-songwriters of the early 1970s. 

This year’s batch of inductees also nods to the 1980s. Duran Duran rode a new wave of dance-friendly, synthesized pop to global success, thanks partly to the fledgling MTV. The melodic new-wave duo Eurythmics (Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart) became karaoke fixtures with international hits like “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This).” 

Pat Benatar combined arena rock and pop hooks on the soaring anthem “Hit Me with Your Best Shot.” Five of this year’s seven inductees were nominated for the first time: Eminem, Duran Duran, Mr. Richie, Ms. Simon and Ms. Parton. Ms. Parton had initially rebuffed the nomination process -- saying she hadn’t earned it -- but recently changed her mind.

Read the incredible tale of Carly's Bond theme, with a dark twist HERE.

Song of the Day: 'Le Bel Age' by Pat Benatar

Was tickled to see Mrs. Pat Giraldo got nominated by the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame yesterday, even if another five women -- Charlotte, Belinda, Gina, Jane and Kathy -- were shamelessly overlooked yet again. Got me thinking about how many great songs Pat has, including this underappreciated gem from "Seven the Hard Way," which was near the end of her incredible string of hit albums throughout the '80s.

Vote HERE.

Song of the Day: 'Boys Don't Cry' by the Cure

I realize none of us is getting any younger or better looking. But some Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductions are a little harder on this New Wave geek than others. In fairness, Robert Smith's red-carpet interview in Cleveland was the stuff legends are made of -- and the hair and makeup still work pretty well on stage. :-)

Remains of the Day (07/23)

New York Post: Porn star gives quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo rave reviews

GMA: As I've said a thousand times, so-called "stand your ground" law embolden people to pick fights they normally wouldn't have, often with deadly consequences

Towleroad: Sexy Instagram star and model Derek Chadwick comes out as gay

Reuters: New York Daily News guts newsroom

TPM: White House threatens to strip security clearances from ex-officials critical of Trump

Mr. Man: A tantalizing offer for a lifetime subscription to the nude-celebrity site

Facebook: Help finally get the Go-Go's inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Baseline: The Top 5 active players who are borderline Hall of Famers

Boy Culture: Top 10 hottest actors 30 and under who bare it all on screen

Back2Stonewall: Read the first four issues of the Gay Liberation Front magazine "Come Out" (1969-1970) 

The WoW Report: All those "Democrats" who walked away from the party are actually stock photos, including the hot ginger with the beard and tattoos

Sun Sentinel: Teen who survived brain-eating amoeba says sickness gave him more positive outlook

Them: A friend writes: The wokest of the woke. I'm basically hate-following Them now 😖🔫 It's like "We interviewed 3 trans people under 22, and they agree: all cis men are pigs!"

TV Line: Everyone's favorite babysitter (Elisabeth Shue) to play corrupt former beauty queen in TNT pilot

The Washington Post: Accidentally released emails show Trump officials dismissed benefits of protected public land in favor of logging, drilling

HuffPost: McDonald's franchise trolls Chick-fil-A by vowing to "Welcome Everyone"

Jeremiah's Vanishing New: The East Village is unofficially "over" thanks to a new Target ... with a nod to CBGB's

Daily Intel: Crazy Donald threatens Iran in ALL CAPS on Twitter

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2017 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductees Named

It's starting to look like just about everyone -- except the Go-Go's -- is being inducted in Cleveland these days. Anyone else think they need to cut back on the number artists who get in each year, TV telecast be damned? Read HERE.

New Wavers Highlight 2016 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Nominees

This year's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nominees are Janet Jackson, N.W.A, Nine Inch Nails, Chicago, the Smiths, Cheap Trick, Chic, Deep Purple, Chaka Khan, Yes, The J.B.'s, Los Lobos, Steve Miller, The Spinners and The Cars. Especially rooting for The Smiths, Cheap Trick, The Cars and Chic, which has now been tapped 10 times without yet having been inducted.

Still waiting for Kraftwerk, the Marvelettes, Big Star, Squeeze, New York Dolls, Pat Benatar and the Go-Go's to get their due.

Green Day, Lou Reed, Joan Jett, Ringo Starr Lead 2015 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Bill Withers, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble, Paul Butterfield Blues Band will also be inducted next April -- but all I can think about is JOAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Read about her reaction to the big news HERE.

I Can Go for That

Happy to see Hall and Oates among the 2014 inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the day after one of my (vile) neighbors opened one of the duo's CDs I had bought on Amazon and then left it in the lobby when they didn't like what they saw. Nirvana, Linda Ronstadt, Cat Stevens, Peter Gabriel and KISS were also selectedd. The ceremony will be held at the Brooklyn Barclays Center in Brooklyn on Thursday, April 10 -- and will be open to the public.

Song of the Day: 'I Want Your Love' by Chic

Anyone who knows anything about music knows Chic -- aka Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards -- were two of the industry's most talented and influential artists of all time. Still, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has never quite been able to make up its mind if it wants to hold true to the "rock and roll" part of its moniker, or if it's an all-enclusive MUSIC hall of fame. Donna Summer got in posthumously last year, which makes me think Chic will finally get over the hurdle this time around. (Yesterday was their eighth nomination, and boy do they deserve to be in.) Sadly, Edwards died in 1996 -- but will hopefully celebrate his big moment with Donna in that big disco in the sky.