ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME 2024 NOMINATED INDUCTEES. Continues tomorrow.

Caffè Lattè examines this year’s 15 Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame contenders:

THE CLASS OF

2024

We argue the case for each of 2024’s 15 nominees for induction into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame…

- SADE -

 

The group Sade formed in 1982 in London, England. Lead singer Sade Adu was born in Nigeria and moved to the UK with her family at the age of four.

Decades later, Adu and her band were charting hits around the world. With its unique blend of jazz, soul and pop, Sade scored hits with tracks that included “Smooth Operator”, “Your Love Is King”, “The Sweetest Taboo”, “Never As Good As The First Time” and “No Ordinary Love”.

The group would be a welcome addition to the Hall Of Fame, reflecting the scope of what is described today as “rock”.

 

WHO IS STILL NOT IN THE HALL OF FAME?*

               *Excludes acts nominated for induction in 2024.

Despite being eligible, the following acts are 60 glaring omissions that are yet to be inducted:

DON McLEAN

He wrote one of rock music’s most iconic songs. Since its arrival in the early 1970s, the lyrics to “American Pie” have been studied. Its composer Don McLean created a timeless signature tune. The singer / songwriter also penned other beautiful tracks, including his tribute to Vincent Van Gogh: “Vincent”, "Castles In The Air", "And I Love You So" and "If We Try".

 

DEVO

Devo served as a bridge between new wave and synth pop. Wrapped in a zany and outlandish presentation, the group delivered some memorable moments that included “Whip It”, “Freedom Of Choice” and “Beautiful Day”.

 

 

JOHN DENVER

County artists seem to have had mixed success with the Hall Of Fame. On the one hand, it has inducted Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson and Johnny Cash. For some reason, however, it has closed its doors to other noteworthy country / rock legends such as Patsy Cline, Kris Kristofferson, Waylon Jennings and Kenny Rogers. John Denver was a very popular country / rock crossover act especially in the 1970s. His signature songs were all over the radio. These hits included “Annie’s Song”, “Take Me Home, Country Roads”, “Sunshine On My Shoulder”, “Rocky Mountain High” and “Calypso”. Denver’s sales and appeal ought to serve as key factors behind his induction.

 

GERRY & THE PACEMAKERS

The Hall Of Fame has a definite American perspective. Many of the British Invasion acts that dominated radio and charts in the 1960s are absent. Gerry & The Pacemakers had already scored its first hit prior to the eruption of Beatlemania. The group served up a string of Merseybeat gems that included “You’ll Never Walk Alone”, “Ferry Cross The Mersey”, “How Do You Do It?” and “I Like It”. Gerry & The Pacemakers deserve to be included as has been the case for contemporary British groups such as The Hollies, The Animals, Donovan and Dusty Springfield.