The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum has announced the nominees for the Class of 2015. The list includes the Paul Butterfield Blues Band, Chic, Green Day, Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, Kraftwerk. the Marvelettes, N.W.A., Nine Inch Nails, Lou Reed, the Smiths, the Spinners, Sting, Stevie Ray Vaughan, War and Bill Withers. Arguably the most popular pop-punk band of all time, Green Day, nominated in its first year of eligibility, appears to be a lock at getting inducted. Industrial rockers Nine Inch Nails deserve to be inducted just on account of seminal albums such as The Downward Spiral but frontman Trent Reznor has recently padded his resume by working on the soundtracks to films such as The Social Network and Gone Girl. Given the band’s Cleveland roots, it would be great if it were inducted when the ceremony takes place in town.

“We are pleased to present this group of nominees, as they represent the myriad places where rock and roll converges with blues, electronic, dance, Motown, R&B, funk and other genres,” says Joel Peresman, President and CEO of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation, in a press release. “Rock and roll incorporates the styles of so many different kinds of music and that’s what makes this group of nominees – and this art form – so powerful and unique.” As has been the case for the past couple of inductions, the public can cast a vote at the Rock Hall’s website. The top five vote getters will make up a fans’ ballot, which counts as a single vote.The induction ceremony will be held here on April 18. Tickets have not yet gone on sale.

This article appears in Oct 8-14, 2014.

Jeff has been covering the Cleveland music scene for more than 25 years now. On a regular basis, he tries to talk to whatever big acts are coming through town. And if you're in a local band that he needs to hear, email him at jniesel@clevescene.com.

11 replies on “Rock Hall Announces Nominees for Class of 2015”

  7. Perhaps the whole thing is a sham if they just induce anybody. perhaps a year goes by when non are worthy. I would say NWA has a place in music, maybe not ‘rock’ and SRV has a place but played the guitar when playing the guitar was not the ‘thing’ I agree that Kraftwerk had an influence on music as a whole, but rock? Deep purple is the soul of metal, trumped only by ozzy and Sabbath. somebody has to be second, cry me a river.

    Mr. Jovi…..really? he might be a good person, i don’t deny that, but Rock hall material?

    on the other hand Mr. Reed has a voice in this conversation as far as i’m concerned.

  8. They should just call it the Pop Hall of Fame and be done with it. Chic? Oh please. NWA is cool but not rock. Joan Jett? Ok but not HOF material. This list gets lamer every year. And yet influential bands like Deep Purple and the Moody Blues are ignored for crap like “Le Freak”.

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