The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame announced the nominees for the 2017 induction this week, and while Pearl Jam, Journey, Yes and many others made the short list, there are quite a few artists out there who should be in the Hall but didn’t make the cut this year.
Musicians are eligible for induction 25 years after the release of their debut album, and it seems many have been overlooked. Here are 15 that are overdue for induction:
1. Iron Maiden: The British rockers are one of the biggest bands out there and yet, for 13 years now, the heavy metal greats have missed out on nominations.
2. Judas Priest: Any band led by a Rock God should be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, yet 18 years after they’ve been eligible, Rob Halford and Priest haven’t even been nominated once.
3. Bon Jovi: Love ‘em or hate ‘em, the Jersey rockers have sold more records than most groups, have had a slew of hits and left a mark on younger pop and rock groups, yet they haven’t been inducted.
4. The Moody Blues: One of the most influential groups not in the Rock Hall, the “Nights in White Satin” rockers have decades of experience under their belts and to this day still tour.
5. Pat Benatar: Few women have a voice as strong as Pat’s. With hits like “Love is a Battlefield,” “We Belong” and “Heartbreaker” that have inspired many of today’s female artists, Pat belongs in the Rock Hall.
6. Duran Duran: You can’t think of '80s music without thinking of Duran Duran. The band’s influence can be heard today in rock, pop, electronic and other genres.
7. Soundgarden: Soundgarden was really the first grunge band to make it big, blazing a trail for groups like Nirvana and Pearl Jam.
8. The Cure: While their music might’ve been sad, The Cure was hugely influential to groups like Smashing Pumpkins and My Chemical Romance, and with an impact like that, they deserve to be in the Hall.
9. New York Dolls: While punk royalty like The Stooges and Velvet Underground have been inducted, the equally important New York Dolls haven’t been.
10. Scorpions: The German rockers are international all-stars, having played in most of the countries out there and still going strong. Really, a band with a hit like “Rock You Like a Hurricane” needs to be included in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
11. Def Leppard: Def Leppard has sold 65 million albums worldwide, so clearly they are loved, but they aren’t yet in the Rock Hall after 13 years of eligibility. In fact, they haven’t even been nominated for induction.
12. Twisted Sister: For a group to dress like Twisted Sister and still be wildly successful is a feat that merits induction into the Rock Hall.
13. Motley Crue: The band pioneered glam metal and, in doing so, sold 100 million records worldwide, yet after over a decade of eligibility, they haven’t even gotten a nomination.
14. Nine Inch Nails: While the band was nominated last year and the year before, their first two years of eligibility, they didn’t make the final cut and now, they missed out on being nominated. Having paved the way for industrial rock, there is no doubt a place for them in the Hall.
15. Motorhead: Sadly, Lemmy Kilmister won’t be around for this well deserved honor, but with the “Ace of Spades” band’s unique sound and energy, and in their 15th year of eligibility, a nomination has to be in the cards.
Maybe next year guys!
Original article by Dave Basner at iHeartRadio.