Rock Hall 2010: Kiss, ABBA on the ballot, but is there a noticeable omission?

Will tongues be wagging at next year’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony? Specifically, the prodigious one that belongs to Gene Simmons of Kiss, one of a dozen acts that are on the final ballot from which five 2010 honorees will be chosen?

Along with Kiss on the ballot for the first time are the Red Hot Chili Peppers, LL Cool J, Laura Nyro, Jimmy Cliff, the Hollies and Genesis. Returning for another shot at induction this year are the Stooges (whose lead guitarist, Ron Asheton, died in January), Donna Summer, ABBA, Darlene Love and the Chantels.

Noticeably missing from the list is Sting, whose first solo album, "The Dream of the Blue Turtles," came out in 1985. He made it to the hall in 2003 with the induction of the Police, but would seem a strong candidate for recognition of his solo career.

Others among the missing this year are critically acclaimed figures whose records have not been huge commercial hits such as Randy Newman, Tom Waits, Gram Parsons and X. Newman, for instance, was first eligible for induction in 1993. In a 1995 interview I did with the esteemed singer, songwriter, composer and arranger, he quipped:  “I’m already bitter that I’m not in it. It’s a Hall of Shame.”

Musicians are eligible for Rock Hall consideration 25 years after their first recording was released. The inductees are expected to be announced in December, and the winners will be recognized at the 25th annual Rock Hall induction ceremony scheduled for March 15 in New York City.

-- Randy Lewis

Photo: Gene Simmons of Kiss. Credit: Associated Press

Comments

[Confused]

So they induct one-hitters (I am not calling them 'wonders' for I am not trying to be mean-spirited)...LL Cool J, Grandmaster Flash? All those doo-woppers from the 50s?

And still...The Cure is missing?!?! A band who has been making great records and putting on the best live show you have ever seen for OVER 30 YEARS can't even get nominated?

I say they induct Right Said Fred and the Fine Young Cannibals and just stick a fork in it.

[Susan]

I can't believe KISS is not already in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. KISS is Rock 'N Roll! LL Cool J - why would he even be nominated?

[KISS RULES]

KISS finally on the ballot!

Now we need the members to vote them in!

Aerosmith, AC/DC, Metallica, Black Sabbath, and the others already in...

Please vote for KISS!

[Jordan Catalano]

Stooges. Period. They all but created the punk ethos back in the '60s. The rest of this year's nominees pale in comparison.

And if KISS gets in, I sincerely hope Ace Frehley gets on stage and takes a swing at Gene Simmons, who has effectively destroyed the band's legacy by being such a douche bag. "Rocket Ride," "Shock Me" -- "Space Ace" rules forever!!!

[Tony F.]

Induct Tom Waits, you bastards!

[John Rosenfelder]

no sonic youth or yes.

[Floyd]

It doesn't matter. KISS is the most deserving, though. It will get the original KISS back together, briefly. KISS' new album is excellent, but I don't think Tommy & Eric will be invited. Would be nice if everyone ever a member of KISS was there.

[ZappaRappa]

Where's Alice?????????

GEEZE who did he piss off? how in the world is Alice Cooper still looking from the outside?

[John]

The Stooges have been overlooked and are most deserving. They should have been inducted while Ron was alive. Long overdue groups that should already be in are the MC5, Roxy Music, Jethro Tull, Alice Cooper, Grand Funk and and Ted Nugent. Something is seriously wrong when ABBA is even considered.

[Vilos Cohaagen]

Those that pay the piper, pay the piper much more than any piper is legitimately worth.

[Mike]

What about Rush? LL Cool J ? WTF?

[Porkspam]

While I do think that LL cool J was a great contributer to the world of hip hop and to the art of rap music, I believe that place is called the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Not Music Museum of popular music, or some gibberish.
Personally I hope Iggy and the Stooges and well as the RHCP's make it in. Anthony and Iggy do rather look alike, both also being detroit boys. Maybe they can kill 2 birds with one stone and have one play the role of both.. Seriously though, Kiss while certainly a monster in the marketability of oneself in music, Gene probably would try and make the whole evening about himself and on a lesser level Kiss. But then again that is to be expected.

[Jeff]

Where's Connie Francis and some of the idols of the 50's and 60's?

[Laughing]

Why aren't The Guess Who and Bachman Turner Overdrive in along with Burton Cummings for his solo career??

[STEVEN]

LINDA RONSTADT WAS THE #1 FEMALE ROCK ARTIST OF THE 70'S. SHE BEGAN HER RECORDING CAREER IN 1967 FRONTING THE BAND, THE STONE PONEYS. SHE HAS ALSO RACKED UP MORE GRAMMY AWARDS IN DIFFERENT CATEGORIES RANGING FROM ROCK TO POP TO LATIN TO TRADITIONAL TO COUNTRY, ETC.

THAT, MY FRIENDS, IS A GLARING OMISSION!

SHE

[Harry George]

I would think KISS should be put into the marketing hall of fame before the RHOF. Putting KISS in the RHOF suggests the Monkees are shoe in. Before you get upset, I suggest a battle of the concert "board" tapes.

[Philip]

If Sting's first release was in 1985, he'll be eligible for consideration in 2010, meaning his first possible ballot appearance would be for the Class of 2011. Short answer: he's not eligible until next year's ballot. To be considered in 2009 for the Class of 2010, your first release must have been no later than 1984.

[Philip]

It would, however, appear that Sting's first solo release was back in the early 80s. So he is eligible. Who knows? I would think he'll get in as a soloist eventually.

[Noe]

What about Cyndi Lauper? 1984, She's So Unusual, was a landmark album with four top five hits, a first for a woman and a debut album. Girls Just Want To Have Fun and Time After Time are classic songs that are still relevant today. Time After Time alone has been covered by over 100 acts. Her subsequent material was a mix of critical acclaim and average to poor sales, but songs like True Colors and I Drove All Night are standout songs of the 1980's. She is an iconic figure of the 1980's both culturally and musically, it is disappointing that she has been passed over for a second straight year.

[kassie]

i hope the paul and gene show featuring fake ace and fake peter dont get in

[Oh Well]

I'm no fan of Kiss. But I'm not outraged that they are nominated. Yes they may be a bit of a gimmick, but so were the Sex Pistols, they were nominated in and refused induction to garner more attention with the media which leads to more album sales.
Both are money making gimmicks, one is glam the other is Malcom McClaren's gimmick.
The Pistols opened the floodgates, if they can get in so should Kiss, the Monkey's, the Archies etc.

[Moorawr]

Alice Cooper?
Deep Purple?

Gawd, Madonna got in first.
What's wrong with this place?

[longshot7]

What I want to know is why they limit the nominees to 12 - shouldn't there by hundreds?

And who votes for this? RNRHOF, open up this process!

[Rob]

still no Cheap Trick....sigh.

[David]

So happy to see Laura Nyro back in the group of potentials. Totally underrated and totally made her mark on every female singer/songwriter to follow.