By now you may have heard, Sinéad O'Connor, Lenny Kravitz, Mariah Carey, Erik B. & Rakim, Jane's Addiction and Oasis were not chosen for induction to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Some will say they were snubbed and will complain endlessly about how Rock Hall voters messed up, are out of touch and have no clue. It seems to happen every year.
Hard to say if this year's outcry will be as loud as the previous years, but I've got a message for those who are upset -- the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is an imperfect organization with voters that are only human. There are no right or wrong choices. The induction process is based on the opinions of the voters. Sure, the artists' album sales and chart performance might be considered, but that's one small factor mixed with other aspects that can't be measured - cultural impact, historical significance, influence, innovation and more.
That's why I don't get worked up in a tizzy over who gets inducted and who doesn't make it. I watch on the sidelines with bemusement at those who do. I understand being passionate about music, but frankly I don't need the Rock Hall to validate my favorite artists, though I'm happy if they do.
Then there are those who cry loudly when any act that doesn't fall within their narrow view of "rock 'n' roll" is nominated and inducted into the Rock and Roll Halll of Fame. I don't want to speak for Rock Hall executives and voters, but I think they expanded the definition to include acts that embody the spirit of rock 'n' roll, but maybe don't fit in that tightly defined genre. I'm fine with that. Such a parochial definition of rock 'n' roll would make the Rock Hall a bore. Besides, some of the most exciting music in recent decades has come from genres outside of rock 'n' roll.
With that said, just for kicks, let's look at the artists that were nominated but not inducted this time around.
Sinéad O'Connor - Should be in. Sure, some may think of her as a one-hit wonder known primarily for her incredible chart-topping version of Prince's "Nothing Compares 2 U," (which was released before Prince's take, though his proteges the Family released a version before O'Connor.) But before that hit, Sinéad released The Lion and the Cobra, her stunning 1987 debut album. She worked with such notable artists as the Edge, the late Karl Wallinger of World Party, Marco Pirroni of Adam & the Ants and Andy Rourke of The Smiths. O'Connor is also known for her famous act of defiance - ripping up a photo of the Pope on Saturday Night Live, which deeply offended some folks. As my colleague Lyndsey Parker pointed out on a recent staff Zoom, this was probably O'Connor's shot to get in, following her death last July and the release of the 2022 documentary Nothing Compares.
Oasis - Should be in. They've got memorable songs and the rock 'n' roll attitude. Frontman Liam Gallagher even took to X/Twitter to dismiss the Rock Hall and their nomination. They were huge in the U.K., but not quite as big in the U.S., so that may be why they were skipped over.
Mariah Carey - Pass. She's got the hits, an incredible voice, and a glamorous persona, but what Mimi is missing is that rock 'n' roll attitude. Not to sound like one of those rock 'n' roll purists I dismissed above, but Mariah just isn't a good fit in the Rock Hall. Then again, Whitney Houston is in.
Lenny Kravitz - Fine either way. Kravitz has scored plenty of hits and he's definitely got the rock star aesthetic going for him. Give him extra points for being a person of Black and Jewish heritage playing rock 'n' roll, but he's not terribly innovative. Then again, if Foreigner got in this year, it's not out of the question to induct Kravitz down the road.
Jane's Addiction - Pass -- but give Perry Farrell a special award. Jane's Addiction was a perfectly fine alternative rock band from Los Angeles, that grew on to gain a wider following, but not sure they made a huge impact beyond that. Frontman Farrell, however, is an important figure for founding Lollapalooza and helping to revive festivals. Give him a Musical Influence Award. Besides he's the only rock star I've ever interviewed who signed off with the words, "Take care my Jewish brother!"
Eric B. & Rakim - Pass, but not because they're a hip-hop act. Full disclosure - I'm not a hip-hop expert and I was never really into this duo. I acknowledge that their 1987 single "Paid in Full" is a classic, but I don't think they've quite had the impact of other hip-hop Rock Hall of Famers like Run-DMC, the Beastie Boys, N.W.A, Grandmaster Flash and LL Cool J. They might be worthy of a special Musical Influence Award in lieu of the regular induction.
