This week, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nominees were announced. There were a lot of shocking artists and a couple of expected ones. Here is a breakdown on some of our favorite artists that made it onto the list this year!
Dolly Parton
For some reason, this was a shock to many, but c’mon, is it really that unexpected? Although considered more of a Country artist than Rock & Roll, Dolly Parton has achieved global success as a musician and blazed a trail for many generations of artists after her. Her career spans 6 decades, she has more than 50 studio albums, and has nearly over 3,000 songs.
Parton is a legend and a fighter for female empowerment. She is loved by her prolific body of work that extends to much more then just her music. She is a philanthropist and passionate in everything she has her name in. Dolly Parton is one of our favorite artists, and her broad discography allows for anyone and everyone to enjoy her unforgettable voice.
Rage Against the Machine
Formed in 1991, the Los Angeles quartet aimed their message toward the oppressive systems of power -- cultural, political, economic, and otherwise. Their goal was the ignite a revolution. Their sound mixes genres of hip-hop, punk, metal, funk, and rock, and according to the Rockhall site, “The band’s self-titled 1992 debut and 1996’s Evil Empire ushered rap-rock into the mainstream and established Rage Against the Machine as a powerful force that harnessed strength from defying sonic boundaries
On and off stage, the band gave voice to the powerless, always speaking out and working towards bringing awareness to global inequality and “railing against censorship”. Their songs always had meaning, and it was always important to pay attention. They are another one of our favorites because they always knew what they stood for.
Lionel Richie
The crafter of enduring love songs and joyous anthems that you just can’t get out of your head, Lionel Richie is another one of our favorites. “Richie’s effortlessly smooth voice dominated the late-1970s and 1980s, his popularity rivaled only by Michael Jackson, Madonna, and Whitney Houston. His record six Grammy nominations for Song of the Year is an achievement only matched by Paul McCartney.”
Richie’s influence in music styles can be heard in so many more recent artists, artists like Mariah Carey, Ne-Yo, and even Pharrell Williams. Catchy songs like "Say You, Say Me” are unforgettable enough that everyone should have heard at least one Lionel Richie song and know who he is.
Eminem
The man, the myth, the legend. Talented and unmatched, he is the single best-selling artist of the 2000s, a 15-time Grammy winner, and the first artist to have ten consecutive #1 debut albums on the Billboard 200. The numbers and the reputation speak for themselves.
Eminem is good at calling out our social issues in his music, from domestic abuse in “Stan” and “Love the Way You Lie” to homosexuality in the "Ken Kaniff" skits. His art stands up for itself, it makes people uncomfortable, and it reflects how powerful he is with his words. A well-deserved nomination.
Eurhythmics
Musicians that changed the game in 1980s pop-rock, employing new sounds like mechanistic funk of Krautrock, the grit off gospel, and psychedelia. Their lyrics take on all kinds of issues surrounding modern feminism and the deconstruction of sexuality and gender. Their lead vocalist Annie Lennox features with an androgynous look in their videos and live performances.
In 1983, Lennox and Dave Steward got together and produced the mega-hit we know now “Sweet Dreams”. In 1990, Euythmics went on hiatus to each go into solo careers, then coming together for an album released in 1999, Peace. After many decades, their influence and music is still present in our society and industry; not only that but their activism and charitable works has kept them in legend status.
Carly Simon
The original call-out queen. From the early-1970s, Carly Simon has been a storyteller and lyricist who broke narratives by writing exquisite songs about modern women’s lives. Her captivating voice, her melodies, and her expert balladry started a new generation of music. It was inspirational.
She started off as a folk singer with her sister, Lucy, as a duo named Simon Sisters. Later ,she made her mark in the music industry with her self-titled solo debut. From there, she won a Grammy for Best New Artist. Among her influence we got icon Taylor Swift, who performed with her in a 2013 cover of Carly classic “You’re so Vain”.
Duran Duran
Infectious pop melodies that hide the articulate musical arrangements and distorted glam rock guitar is what makes up the unforgettable music of the group.
Formed by John Taylor and Nick Rhodes in Birmingham, they named themselves after the villain of 1968 cult sci-fi film Barbarella. Later, Rodger Taylor, Andy Taylor, and Simon Le Bon joined, and the group was complete; they were known as the “Fab Five” initially by the British press. Their first album, Duran Duran, knocked open the doors to the 1980s and was followed by two hits. By the '90s, the world of rock made a shift from the synthesized sounds to more a grunge style that made artists begin to fall out; Duran Duran was one of the lucky few that survived. They continue to make music by collaborating with artists like Justin Timberlake, Tove Lo, Janelle Monáe, and many more.
Dionne Warwick
Before she became everyone's favorite Twitter queen, Dionne Warwick was an R&B superstar going all the way back to the 1960s -- she even managed to crack the UK charts in the middle of Beatlemania! She boast 12 Top Ten hits over the course of 3 decades and a whopping 40 albums, her most recent in 2019.
With a distinctive, easily recognizable voice, Ms Dionne even got a feature in the second verse of the classic superstar collab "We Are The World" in 1985. She's been around longer than the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame itself and absolutely deserves an induction.
Pat Benatar
Pat Benatar was originally trained as an opera singer but decided to lend those powerhouse pipes to rock and roll instead, and we are forever grateful for it.
Pat dominated the '80s with a slew of girlboss, fist-pumping power anthems, including "Love Is a Battlefield", "Hit Me With Your Best Shot", and "Invincible", showing the world that women can own a mic just as hardcore as the guys.
There are plenty of other iconic artists nominated as well, including A Tribe Called Quest, New York Dolls, MC5, Fela Kuti, Judas Priest, Devo, Kate Bush, and Beck.
Have a listen to all the nominees on this Spotify playlist then head over to the R&RHoF
website and chose your favorites. The inductees will be announced in May!