Originally posted Tuesday, October 15, 2019 by RODNEY HO/rho@ajc.com on Melissa Ruggieri’s AJC Music Scene blog
Melissa is on vacation so I’m covering for her on this.
The 16 2020 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nominees this year covers R&B, rap, hard rock, new wave, ‘90s alt rock, classic rock and electronic music.
Whitney Houston, the Dave Matthews Band, Depeche Mode, Soundgarden and the Doobie Brothers are among the nominees.
Others who made the nominee list: Pat Benatar, Notorious B.I.G., T. Rex, Motorhead, Judas Priest, Todd Rundgren, Thin Lizzy, Rufus featuring Chaka Khan, Nine Inch Nails, Kraftwerk and MC5.
Typically about six or seven acts make the final cut.
The top vote-getters from a panel of 1,000 experts and the public will be announced in January. The induction is set for May 2, 2020 at the Hall of Fame in Cleveland.
Eligible acts must have released their first major album or single in 1994 or earlier.
Nine acts are appearing on the ballot for the first time: Dave Matthews Band, the Doobie Brothers, Motörhead, The Notorious B.I.G., Benatar, Soundgarden, T. Rex, Thin Lizzy and Houston.
Kraftwerk, a groundbreaking electronic music band from the 1970s, is on the ballot for the sixth time without getting in. MC5, a short-lived but well-respected rock band from 1969 to 1972, is on a fifth time. R&B/funk band Rufus featuring Chaka Khan is on the ballot a fourth time. 1990s alt-rock band Nine Inch Nails and 1980s new wave band Depeche Mode are both on a third time. For heavy metal band Judas Priest and 1970s rocker Todd Rundgren are on for the second time.
UntilJanuary 10, 2020, fans can go to Google and search "Vote Rock Hall 2020" or any nominee name.
The Dave Matthews Band will probably get the fan vote given how fervent their fan base is.
Houston, who passed in 2012, is the act with the most Atlanta ties, having lived in the area for many years.
Chris Cornell, lead singer of Soundgarden, died in 2017.
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