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…

- MARIAH CAREY -

 

She is one of the best-selling female vocalists of all-time. Few singers can match her five-octave range. Mariah Carey is definitely worthy of inclusion in the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame.

The Yuletide season is now unimaginable without her modern- day perennial classic “All I Want For Christmas Is You”. Every December, the song becomes so ubiquitous that it storms the charts around the world.

Carey broke through in 1990, achieving a continuous string of 5 US number ones, starting with “Vision Of Love” through to “Emotions” in 1991. Since that impressive debut, she has returned to the top with an additional 14 singles.

 

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:

DONNY HATHAWAY

Highly regarded by some of the best soul artists, Hathaway’s vocal skill has influenced some of the genre’s best. As a soloist, he delivered tender ballads and civil rights anthems such as “Someday We’ll All Be Free”. With Roberta Flack, he recorded immaculate duets including “Where Is The Love”. Hathaway deserves to join Flack in the Hall Of Fame.  

 

SALT-N-PEPA

The Hall Of Fame was slow to acknowledge the impact of hip-hop. It has been even slower in recognizing the females in this genre. Missy Elliott has made it through. But as yet, there has been no induction for the likes of Mary J. Blige (nominated in 2024), Queen Latifah, TLC, En Vogue and Salt-N-Pepa. The latter did much to address the domination of males in hip-hop. This reduced the incidence of misogyny, violence and homophobia. The duo helped spread the message about safe sex when A.I.D.S. was claiming scores of lives.

 

CLIFF RICHARD / THE SHADOWS

In Britain, Cliff Richard is a veteran of the music industry. Scoring his first hit “Move It” back in 1958, he became the UK’s answer to Elvis Presley. His chart success pre-dates The Beatles and continues to extend decades after The Fab Four split. Among his signature songs in the 1960s are: “The Young Ones”, “Summer Holiday” and “Bachelor Boy”. Over subsequent decades he continued to be a chart presence in Britain (and often in other markets) with singles such as “We Don’t Talk Anymore”, “Devil Woman”, “Carrie” and “Mistletoe And Wine”. 

The Shadows (originally recording as The Drifters) was Richard’s backing band. The group also scored several hits in its own right, including “Apache”, “Wonderful Land” and “Kon-Tiki”. Guitarist Hank B. Marvin inspired many imitators. The fact that these two acts are absent in the Hall Of Fame, is another example of it being too US-focused.

 

 

AMERICA

Few bands epitomize the sound of American Soft Rock (and Yacht Rock) better than America. In the 1970s, the group served up fine examples of this sub-genre, including “A Horse With No Name”, “Sister Golden Hair” and “Ventura Highway”. There is no denying the band’s impact on the West Coast sound. America deserves a place alongside The Doobie Brothers and Eagles.