For the first time in years, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has a list of induction nominees that I mostly agree with. That’s because year’s list includes deserving artists like Cher, Peter Frampton, Mariah Carey and the Dave Matthews Band. On the other hand, for some reason, many others are still being left out, such as those from my February 2023 story. While Cher is finally a nominee and Link Wray got in last year, others like Dionne Warwick, Jethro Tull and Johnny Winter are still missing. Therefore, I am adding to my 2023 list even more artists that deserve consideration into the RRHOF in Cleveland.
Newest Suggestions for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
The Association
One American band that might not ever become a nominee but certainly should be is The Association. While you might argue that they’re a second tier pop group and not in the same league as The Beatles or Rolling Stones, think again. Despite not achieving the mega-success, The Association sold over 30 million records, including seven gold and two platinum records. Furthermore, at the height of their career, they were among the most popular bands, with some of the most memorable songs of the late ‘60s. Take for instance, “Cherish”, “Windy”, “Never My Love” and my own personal favorite, “Along Comes Mary”. That’s not to mention others like “Everything That Touches You” and “Time for Living”. If that’s still not enough, The Association was the first band to appear at the legendary 1967 Monterey Pop Festival.
Related: 2024 Guide to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
(credit: Bad Company)
Bad Company
There are many similarities between Bad Company and one of this year’s nominees Foreigner. Both bands were immensely popular in the ‘70s, sold millions of records and featured incredible lead singers. In spite of this, there may be a reason why Bad Company is still on the outside looking into the Rock Hall. That reason might be lead singer Paul Rodgers, who reportedly refused a Rock Hall invitation by its founder Ahmet Ertegun. Indeed, Rodgers probably should already be in the RRHOF, as the frontman for Free, Bad Company, The Firm and Queen. Alas, there may be a time when Rodgers relents and accepts the invitation as an inductee. As for listening suggestions for Bad Company, try “Feel Like Makin’ Love”, “Can’t Get Enough” and of course, “Bad Company”.
The Commodores
Having sold over 70 million records, you would think that the Commodores were already in the RRHOF. On the contrary, this popular funk-soul band has never been nominated despite being eligible since 2000. During the late ‘70s to early ‘80s, the Commodores released several hit records, including Three Times a Lady and Still. That’s not to mention other hits like “Easy”, “Lady (You Bring Me Up)”, “Brick House” and “Sail On”. In 2022, Commodores founding member and co-lead singer Lionel Richie was inducted into the RRHOF. Perhaps time is due for the rest of the band to get the same distinction.
Edgar Winter
In my story from 2023, one artist I highlighted that is clearly deserving for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is Johnny Winter. However, his younger brother Edgar is also worthy of mention as a Rock Hall inductee. In fact, his Edgar Winter Group was quite popular in the early ‘70s, with hits like “Free Ride” and “Frankenstein”. What’s more, that band included other rock stars like Ronnie Montrose, Rick Derringer and Dan Hartman. While I think his late brother Johnny should be nominated ahead of him, Edgar sold far more records. More recently, Edgar Winter has been a member of Ringo Starr’s All Star Band for four tours. So tell me, why hasn’t either one of the Winter brothers ever been considered for the RRHOF?
(credit: Emerson, Lake and Palmer)
Emerson, Lake & Palmer
One of the pioneers of progressive rock, Emerson, Lake and Palmer have never been nominated for Rock Hall induction. To me, this is somewhat surprising, especially since this British supergroup is mentioned in the Hall’s story on Progressive Rock Highlight. While there are some prog rock band already in the RRHOF like Yes and Pink Floyd, ELP deserves to be in the conversation. In fact, ELP were among the most successful of its genre, selling 48 million records, including nine gold record albums. However, they never had a No. 1 record although their fusion of classical, jazz and modern rock was immensely popular. Furthermore, their best known songs, “Lucky Man” and “In the Beginning” never ranked high on the charts. Be that as it may, Greg Lake, Carl Palmer and particularly keyboard player Keith Emerson are probably more deserving than some 2024 nominees.
Glen Campbell
It’s hard to explain why Glen Campbell hasn’t been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. For one, he was a member of the legendary Wrecking Crew, the group of musicians who appeared on several hit records. Then there was that time he briefly was a touring member of the Beach Boys, replacing Brian Wilson no less. Yet, his greater fame came later as a solo artist, with hits like “By the Time I Get to Phoenix” and “Wichita Lineman”. Along with those two written by Jimmy Webb were other hits like “Gentle On My Mind”, “Rhinestone Cowboy” and “Galveston’. In all, he released 82 singles, including nine that went to No. 1 on one of the Billboard Charts. Additionally, Glen Campbell has earned six Grammy Awards and inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Gloria Estefan
A member of the Songwriters Hall of Fame and Kennedy Center honoree, Gloria Estefan is not in the Rock Hall. However, she deserves to be on a short list of artists who should eventually get a Hall nomination. In detail, she has sold over 100 million records, earned eight Grammy Awards and 38 No. 1 hits. What’s more, Gloria Estefan has been named one of the Top 100 Artists of All Time by Billboard and VH1. In case you need a refresher on her Latin-infused music, listen to “Conga” and “Rhythm is Gonna Get You”. In addition to her hits with Miami Sound Machine, her solo work includes “Don’t Wanna Lose You” and “Coming Out of the Dark”.
The Guess Who
If Foreigner gets a nomination, then why not The Guess Who? In the first place, The Guess Who like Foreigner had a string of hits, like “These Eyes”, “No Time” and “American Woman”. Not only did this Canadian band earn 14 singles in the Top 40, they had 15 albums on the Billboard 200. Despite never having won a Grammy, The Guess Who won two Juno Awards and the Governor General’s Performing Arts Award. The latter is the highest honor of its kind in Canada. That’s not to mention inclusion in the Canadian Music Hall of Fame. In light of this, The Guess Who, including Burton Cummings and Randy Bachman, deserve one of rock music’s top honors.
(credit: Josh R.)
Humble Pie
I was pleasantly surprised to see that Peter Frampton was among this year’s nominees for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. After all, during the mid ‘70s, he was one of the biggest stars on the planet while selling out stadium concerts everywhere he went. Yet if he is nominated, why hasn’t his former band Humble Pie ever gotten a mention? This British rock band didn’t gain the same fame as Frampton did as a solo artist. However, Humble Pie were among the best of its era and acclaimed for their live performances. If Frampton gets in, he will join Humble Pie co-founder Steve Marriott into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Marriott got into the RRHOF as a member of the Small Faces, best known for its hit single, “Itchycoo Park”. Among Humble Pie songs to listen to are “30 Days in the Hole”, “I Don’t Need No Doctor, “Rock On” and “Stone Cold Fever”.
Petula Clark
Despite being eligible for over 30 years, Petula Clark has never been considered as a nominee for the RRHOF. Known as the First Lady of the British Invasion, Petula Clark is best known for her songs from the ‘60s, especially her signature song “Downtown”. But there were many more familiar songs in collaboration with Tony Hatch, like “I Know a Place” and “Don’t Sleep in the Subway”. Of course, I have my own personal favorite “I Couldn’t Live Without Your Love”. In all, Ms. Clark sold over 68 million records, which is more than Rock inductees like Aretha Franklin, Prince, Santana and Journey. The winner of three Grammys, including the Grammy Hall of Fame, she is also the recipient of Britain’s Commander of the British Empire (CBE).
Related: American Music Museums to Visit
About the Author
Randy Yagi is an award-winning freelance writer who served as the National Travel Writer for CBS from 2012-2019. More than 900 of his stories still appear in syndication across 23 CBS websites, including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and San Francisco. During his peak years with CBS, Randy had a reported digital audience reach of 489 million and 5.5 million monthly visitors. Additionally, his stories have appeared in the Daily Meal, CBS News, CBS Radio, Engadget, NBC.com, NJ.com and Radio.com. He earned a Media Fellowship from Stanford University.
