I'm glad SRV and Double Trouble, Bill Withers and Paul Butterfield Blues Band got in.

I'm not sure Ringo did enough as a solo act to get in.

Green Day gets in on their first ballot as they have to have a modern act in.

They are odd about when they include backing bands. I see Double Trouble and The Blackhearts get in, but Springsteen went in solo (E Street Band later), Marley went in without the Wailers.

About damn time for SRV.

Still no Deep Purple.

or Grand funk Railroad, or Ten Years after,

Michael Bloomfield finally got his due!!!!! SO HAPPY!!!!!!!!!!!

Pretty good list. First year inductees should really be reserved for rarified air like the ABB, Stones, Beatles, Zeppelin....the Mount Rushmore acts. I'm cool with Green Day, just wish it was in a later year.

Backing bands make it in only if they were credited as the artist on an album 25 years ago when their leader is inducted. SRV & Double Trouble was the artist name on albums from the outset, as was Joan Jett & The Blackhearts (though I think Joan was even more a solo act than SRV so her band getting in is "iffy" to me...but maybe I'm underestimating their contribution).

Springsteen released albums under his name until the Live 1985 album, which came out under Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band.

And I wish Chuck Leavell would make it in as a sideman (and be inducted with Lamar Williams with the Allman Brothers).

Pretty good list. First year inductees should really be reserved for rarified air like the ABB, Stones, Beatles, Zeppelin....the Mount Rushmore acts. I'm cool with Green Day, just wish it was in a later year.

Backing bands make it in only if they were credited as the artist on an album 25 years ago when their leader is inducted. SRV & Double Trouble was the artist name on albums from the outset, as was Joan Jett & The Blackhearts (though I think Joan was even more a solo act than SRV so her band getting in is "iffy" to me...but maybe I'm underestimating their contribution).

Springsteen released albums under his name until the Live 1985 album, which came out under Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band.

And I wish Chuck Leavell would make it in as a sideman (and be inducted with Lamar Williams with the Allman Brothers).

Hey Tim that is a great idea. Now let's show some love for Little Feat

Yeah, pretty good list. I have never been sure what the criteria are for getting nominated or voted in - or exactly who does said nominating and voting. Is this about sales? Popularity among chosen elite? Whatever!

There will always be disappointment, dissent and just downright bitchin' among music fans over who gets chosen and who doesn't. Every year there are a few that I absolutely adore and at least a couple that I wouldn't walk across the street to see or hear.

Maybe the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame could be more like the Academy of Motion Pictures and feature a lot of sub-sub categories. The Academy Awards start off early (a day or two before even) for awards like technical contributions (development of cameras, gear etc), animated shorts - all sorts of categories that we never see on the televised ceremony.

Sidemen, roadies ... maybe even groupies! They all get the same statue! We're only talking about a hundred dollar plaque and a photograph hanging in a museum! 😉

Big Bill Withers fan here! Glad to see him getting nominated! Ringo gets the nod not only for being a Beatle, but for turning out some really nice songs. Personally, I think "Photograph" ranks up there with a lot of the Lennon/McCartney numbers. You can give the non-prolific argument if you want.

I don't understand why the Moody Blues get no Hall of Fame love.

"Photograph" always seemed to me more like a favor from George to Ringo than a Ringo song. Ringo's performance of it is great, but I always felt it was a George song that he let Ringo have.

As far as how it goes, I'm pretty sure induction is just handled by a group of people headed up by Jann Wenner and Springsteen manager Jon Landau.

Album sales has nothing to do with it as acts like Bon Jovi and Def Leppard have never been nominated and they have tons of sales over those who are in. I don't think an actual criteria for induction has ever really been publically shared. It seems fairly random who gets nominated.

One of the strongest lists in recent years.

re: Ringo there is no way he'd get in as an individual without the Beatles on his resume. Had the good fortune to be the right guy in the right place in 1962. Everyday he gets up and recites Lou Gehrig's speech re: being the luckiest man on the face of the earth. But he is the elder statesman for the most popular band in the history of R & R. And Kudus to John, Paul & George who when they finally found a drummer who fit in (musically and personally) after years of searching made him a partner rather than a punctuation mark.

Ringo is not getting in as a solo artist. Why is everyone thinking that? He is getting an award

Ringo is not getting in as a solo artist. Why is everyone thinking that? He is getting an award

Thanks for clearing that up!

" ... The Beatles' Ringo Starr will also be honored at the 2015 induction ceremony with the award for musical excellence, while R&B quintet The "5" Royales will be recognized for their early influence. ... "

Ringo is not getting in as a solo artist. Why is everyone thinking that? He is getting an award

Thanks for clearing that up!

" ... The Beatles' Ringo Starr will also be honored at the 2015 induction ceremony with the award for musical excellence, while R&B quintet The "5" Royales will be recognized for their early influence. ... "

OK - without the Beatles on his resume Ringo would never get the award for "musical excellence" whatever that means

OK - without the Beatles on his resume Ringo would never get the award for "musical excellence" whatever that means

Agreed 100%. I saw Ringo Starr's All-Star Band in 1997...........he was cringeworthy, let me tell you. It was great when Jack Bruce, Gary Brooker and Peter Frampton got their two tunes each. But "No - No - No - No, I don't (SNIFF) no more"...............GGRRRRGGHHHHH. Ringo as a front man........OUCH. I kept thinking, PLEASE, get back behind the drums and SHUT UP. And the only Beatles tunes they did were ones that Ringo sang..........not exactly cream of the crop Beatles material. Ringo got in on name only.

Ringo is not getting in as a solo artist. Why is everyone thinking that? He is getting an award

It's the same award that Leon Russell and The E Street Band which replaced the sideman induction that Little Walter & Spooner Oldham were inducted as. It is treated as an induction at the awards ceremony. It's just a way to get someone in the hall without putting them going through the nomination process.

[Edited on 12/16/2014 by WarEagleRK]

Hey Tim that is a great idea. Now let's show some love for Little Feat

And I should have included Delaney and Bonnie

Although it was a shoo-in, I'm glad my man Lou is getting in!! Talk about someone who deserves it!!

one of the better lists in years

I'm pleasantly surprised that the Paul Butterfield Blues Band got in

one of the better lists

I agree - a solid list. Also agree Green Day as a "frist timer" is maybe a stretch, but they are a good band. I would trade them for a Deep Purple or Little Feat hands down, but none the less a good group of deserving rock and rollers!

You can say what you want about Ringo's "musical excellence" but he has an excellent taste in women:

You can say what you want about Ringo's "musical excellence" but he has an excellent taste in women:

Ringo gets an award - he's already got himself a fine trophy! 😉

I saw a Ringo's All Star's show about 2 years ago (Todd Rundgren, Steve Lukather, Greg Rolle et al) and found it to be thoroughly enjoyable! It was exactly what I thought it would be (Ringo songs - everybody else getting a tune or two) and it was a great show! One of my favorite shows of 2012!

Ringo-anything any Beatle wins is good.....

heck he's a Beatle which is good enough for me,and I happen to enjoy his solo albums and tours as well...

Butterfield-awesome...I'm particularly happy for his family...

Withers,SRV,Lou...all great picks too.

Jan Wenner is the only reason a slew of prog bands - Deep Purple, ELP, Moody Blues, Jethro Tull, Yes, King Crimson, Brand X, Dixie Dregs, Gentle Giant - that deserve to be in infinitely more than a lot of bands/musicians that are. He HATES prog bands & has just about single-handedly has decided which bands get nominated. Many of those bands have had shitloads of album sales for 45 years & far more than many of the bands that have gotten in, including most of this year's. Little Feat, J Geils Band, Ten Years After, Phish & Panic certainly deserve to be in as well. Rush only got in because they opened some of the voting to the public.

Finally, a list that actually references rock music to a significant degree... ; )

But as PhotoRon Ron said still no Deep Purple which is still a travesty

I'm still gunning for my two yearly longshots Rory Gallagher and Warren Zevon...

I guess I dont get Joan Jett. Nothing wrong with her and her music....but is it Hall Of Fame material? RNHOF is watered down. Not elite by any means.

best list in a long time

Still no Warren Zevon.

Hopefully Chris Layton and Tommy Shannon will be there to celebrate the life of SRV during the induction.