On February 1 the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame released the names of finalists for induction into the Hall of Fame for 2023. Again this year the list includes artists from rock, country, R&B, and Hip-Hop from both sides of the Atlantic.
An artist or band becomes eligible for the Hall of Fame 25 years after their first recording release.
The 2023 class of Hall of Famers will be chosen from the 14 finalists…
Missy Elliot,
Willie Nelson
Kate Bush
Iron Maiden
Cyndi Lauper
Soundgarden
Sheryl Crow
The Spinners
Rage Against the Machine
A Tribe Called Quest
The White Stripes
Warren Zavon
Joy Division/New Order
and George Michael
If Missy Elliott gets elected to the Hall of Fame, then she will be the first female Hip-Hop artist into The Hall.
Over half of this year’s nominees are first times on the ballot – Missy Elliott, Joy Division/New Order, Cyndi Lauper, George Michael, Willie Nelson, Sheryl Crow, The White Stripes, and Warren Zevon. It is also the first year of eligibility for Elliott and The White Stripes.
Kate Bush and A Tribe Called Quest return to the list for the second year in a row.
Elliott spoke on the nomination via a statement saying, “this is an incredible honor. I’m so humbled and grateful to be counted amongst all the incredible honorees. I’ve spent my career making the kind of music I love and it means so much to know that I have touched others as well.”
In her statement Cyndi Lauper said, “seeing my name on this year’s ballot with so many talents that I admire means so much to me. It has been a lifetime privilege to reach so many different kinds of fans with a message of following your own path (and having fun along the way, too.”
Chair of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation John Sykes spoke on the list of nominees saying, “this remarkable list of nominees reflects the diverse artists and music that the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame honors and celebrates. These artists have created their own sounds that have impacted generations and influenced countless others that have followed in their footsteps.”
New Hall of Fame members will be selected by over 1,000 artists, historians, and music industry personnel; plus a single vote will be awarded for the fan vote for the top five artists.
The new Hall of Fame members will be announced n May with the official induction ceremony being held in the fall.
Meet the 2023 class of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nominees:
A Tribe Called Quest changed the landscape of Hip-Hop and continues to influence the younger generations of artists.
Kate Busch is seeing a resurgence after her music has appeared on the television series “Stranger Things”. She is a ground breaking artist who used experimentation and theatrics to captivate her audiences.
Sheryl Crow is an American artist whose music encompasses numerous varieties of musical styles.
Hip-Hop artist Missy Elliott is a musical pioneer who has crossed barriers by collaborating with and performing with fellow Hip-Hop artists on the Super Bowl, and broke the barrier that let women into the genre.
Metalheads Iron Maiden created the blueprint for heavy metal music. The rockers also have their very own jet – Ed Force One (a retired Air Force One) flown by one of the band’s own members.
Joy Division and New Order are two bands with one story by influencing future artists…not once, but twice. They are Gothic rockers turned electronic dance floor pioneers.
Cyndi Lauper burst on the scene touting that “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun”. With a powerful four octave voice, Lauper has topped the music charts and conquered Broadway.
While still in his teens, George Michael burst on to the British music scene as one half of the duo Wham. As a solo artist, his immediately recognizable voice has filled the radio airwaves with chart topping hits that has made him one of the best selling artists of all time.
Pushing 90, Willie Nelson has been making rock and country music for over 60 years. Nelson is as well known for his political and cannabis advocacy as his music.
Rockers Rage Against the Machine have shaken up the world of rock and roll with their use of punk, hip-hop, metal, and funk in their rock music; along with their politically charged lyrics that take aim at the power hungry.
Grunge music pioneers Soundgarden brought a new element to rock and roll with their northwestern U.S. sound. The sound changed the face of rock and roll…and fans a sense of belonging.
R&B icons The Spinners have been a part of Motown and later the Philadelphia sound for over 50 years. And they are still out on the road performing and entertaining audiences.
The White Stripes have reinvented the garage and punk rock sound for a new generation of music fans. Their stripped down sound provides a freedom of sound.
Warren Zevon was viewed as one of the most talented artists in the seventies. His lyrics were frequently offbeat, dark, and had a twisted energy.