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Duran Duran amongst ‘Class of 22’ Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nominees

Who else is in this year’s list?

By Paul Sinclair

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56

Duran Duran have been announced as nominees for induction into the 2022 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Riding high on the back of the well-received Future Past, and celebrating 40 years together, this is the first time the group have been nominated.

Speaking on the news today, Simon Le Bon said: “Just to make it onto the nominations list is an honour that I never expected to experience… But for sure, this distinction is due in large part to the fact that we have an army of fans around the world who have unwaveringly supported us for the past four decades. We are extremely grateful to all of you for making this happen.”

“Just to make it onto the nominations list is an honour”

Simon Le Bon

Also on the list of nominees are Eurythmics, who were first nominated back in 2018 but failed to be voted through to become fully-fledged inductees, despite a fairly high profile campaign with Dave Stewart and Annie Lennox clearly delighted at having been recognised. Annie told SDE that when they were nominated “Sony suddenly woke up to our previous existence and wanted to create something for their ‘Legacy’ department!!” which is why those vinyl reissues happened. Does this mean we will see more ‘activity’ in 2022? Time will tell.

Kate Bush was nominated in last year and in 2018 so it is third time lucky for Ms Bush who, one assumes, couldn’t give two hoots. As far as SDE can recall she made no comment at all on either of the previous occasions never mind getting involved in anything as unsavoury as actively ‘campaigning’ to be inducted.

Beck is also in this year’s list, as is Carly Simon, Pat Benetar and Rage Against The Machine (their fourth nomination in five years!).

You can vote here and the voting deadline is the 29 April 2022. It’s early days, but current standings suggest Kate Bush isn’t going to be any luckier this year that she was previously!

The full list for 2022

  • Beck
  • Pat Benatar
  • Kate Bush
  • Devo
  • Duran Duran
  • Dolly Parton
  • Eminem
  • Eurythmics
  • Judas Priest
  • Fela Kuti
  • MC5
  • New York Dolls
  • Lionel Richie
  • A Tribe Called Quest
  • Rage Against the Machine
  • Carly Simon
  • Dionne Warwick

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56 Comments

56 thoughts on “Duran Duran amongst ‘Class of 22’ Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nominees”

  1. It looks like Duran Duran will hit the top spot in around three weeks time (not that that means very much in terms of being inducted). They are currently gaining on Eminem by approximately 1,000 votes per day.

  2. Out of interest I thought I would have a look at the voting and how to vote. What kind of nonsense is this, you can vote for five nominees per day, everyday up until 29th April. Why not just keep it to one vote or maybe five but once only. So if you happen to be a fanboy you can spend everyday voting to get your favourite into the top five. I wonder if we should use a similar process in a General Election. All seems a bit bizarre to me as really, only the music counts and as we all like different kinds does it really matter. What about the ‘Brits’ then, no second thoughts lets not go there.

      1. Hi Paul
        Just thought I would cut and paste the voting as it comes up on HOF.

        ‘CAST YOUR OFFICIAL FAN VOTE 2022 BALLOTYour vote, your voice. It’s time for you to support your favorite Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2022 Nominees and help them reach the top 5 of the official Fan’s Ballot. You can select up to 5 Nominees daily and submit your vote. Share your ballot, spread the word and rock the vote now until April 29th!’

        Am I reading this right?

  3. Although I understand people wanting Kate Bush to be inducted, the reality is that the HOF is, in the end, an American institution. Kate never had the popularity in the USA as she does in England. I wouldn’t hold out too much hope that she will ever be inducted. (And that’s no slight on her musical contributions.) The Smiths will probably never be inducted, either. Popularity and sales seem to generally drive who is/is not inducted. That’s the American way!

  4. Duran Duran is gaining on the top spot. We have to keep voting each day till 29 April 2022. We’re not having so much luck with Kate Bush though.

  5. I would think the Hall wouldn’t like Kate elected in (even though she’s more than deserving) as if there is anyone on that list likely to pull a ‘Knopfler’ it would be Kate

  6. Of course all the obvious choices Beatles/Stones and more obviously rock or rock n roll acts would have been picked early one. The idea that DD or Eurythmics are nominees or Depeche who won last year would probably have been scoffed at all that not long ago. It feels the Hall of Fame is a bit old hat and suggests some prejudice against acts that don’t fit the classic rock/rock n roll mould as it’s taken ages to feature. They may as well just put Ed Sheeran and Adele in now rather than wait for them to reach whatever “classic” status they reach. Not that I think of them that way – just a very safe prediction that they’ll win anyway at some point. Why not just be done with it?

    As for Kate Bush I don’t think it’s something she needs to speak about or feels gratification from the nomination.

  7. I would imagine that for most musicians being asked to join the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame would be akin to being asked to join BJ’s Tory party gang.
    Apart from the sheer gall to call it ‘rock and roll’ Hall of Fame who seriously wants to be in that club, hardly a rock n roll band in it. I mean just look at the nominees for this year, just three bands that you could call a ‘rock n’ roll’ band (Priest, MC5 and New York Dolls). I have nothing against the other artists as you will find many of them amongst my collection but the whole thing needs a new name, maybe the Music Hall of Fame.

  9. IMHO, Fela Kuti should be in before anyone else on the list. Anyone who disagrees absolutely needs to listen to ‘Best of the Black President’ volumes 1 and 2 for a cursory primer. Pure bliss!

    1. Possibly the most deserving person on the list by a country mile. He had the same influence on his home turf (and, in this case, his home continent) that The Beatles, Bob Marley, ABBA, and Eagles did on theirs.

      1. Thanks for the reply! Totally agree with you on the other bands. Except Eagles. Was a fan at one time, but actively avoid them now. Although I give props to Don Henley’s second and third albums. I’d rather hear ‘Boys of Summer’ or ‘End of the Innocence’ before hearing ‘Hotel California’ for the 8 millionth time. The phrase “ad nauseam” truly applies here, and I find myself wondering why I ever wanted to buy ANY Eagles product. Wish I could listen to them without that perspective. Well, ‘Take It To The Limit’ is an exception. Always had a soft spot for that one.

        1. Like you, I’m not a huge fan, but they are the USA’s most successful homegrown band, they’re responsible for the best-selling ensemble album in history, and they’re one of the few that appeal to both the coastal cities and the heartland.

  10. I visited the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame twice, in 2001 and 2008. I won’t be back again. I give up. I can’t take it seriously. Why?
    Here’s a personal list of bands, groups and recording artists, NOT in this Cleveland location:
    Ah-ha
    Alphaville
    The Associates
    John Cale
    Cilla Black
    Chad & Jeremy
    The Chantels
    Chaka Khan
    The Chiffons
    China Crisis
    The Church
    Petula Clark
    Nick Drake
    Duran Duran
    Echo And The Bunnymen
    Eurythmics
    The Exciters
    Marianne Faithfull
    Brenda Holloway
    Japan
    Joy Division
    Bettye LaVette
    Lulu
    The Marvelettes
    The Motels
    Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark
    New Order
    Nico
    Pet Shop Boys
    Peter & Gordon
    The Pretty Things
    Procol Harum
    Reparata & The Delrons
    Romeo Void
    Sandie Shaw
    Siouxsie & The Banshees
    Supertramp
    Ultravox
    The Velvelettes
    Scott Walker
    The Walker Brothers
    Mary Wells
    Kim Weston

    When I consider the fact that all of these listed names have been ignored for decades, I find the purpose of the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame to be insulting. I know there are people I forgot, that remain close to my heart and memory. This list is a reminder of so many music legends that remain forgotten in Cleveland.

  11. I love Duran Duran, but every year I am puzzled as to why so many people care about this self proclaimed “hall of fame”. I mean, so what? Will they get to hang a few pieces of memorabilia up in Cleveland? Will it be next to Def Leopard’s leather pants? Will they be down the hall from Whitney Houston’s old shoes?

    1. Not too excited about the RRHOF itself, but it may gain some momentum for the band and their record company to finally do something with that back catalogue in terms of reissues. And I am sure Andy turning up will be more likely than Warren being there … But who knows?

      2. Yeah they would definitely include Andy and Warren. I don’t even think that is a question. I do not think we would get Sterling Campbell in though for being a member on their least loved album. But Warren was their lead guitarist for like 14 years.

  14. If Duran Duran get in before Kate Bush, the Hall of Fame should be bulldozed.
    It would be like Freddie and the Dreamers getting in before Bob Dylan.

    1. their fame, success, record sales, and the fact that they still sell out arenas and release albums of original music 40+ years into their career makes them the obvious pick over most of the other nominees. You are letting your personal tastes get in the way of common sense.

      1. Iron Maiden sell out far bigger venues and sell loads more records, not to mention new albums 40 years into their career and they never get a sniff. I actually don’t mind Duran at all.
        It’s a rather silly institution at the end of the day. There’s not a hope in hell that Kate Bush would turn up anyway.

  15. I was surprised to see that the fan vote only counts for one vote, so its just a publicity stunt to whip up enthusiasm about it. I never know what to think about it but when I see the list of people yet to be inducted (I mean, c’mon Kate Bush, really?) I do think there is a strong hint of ‘world series’ bias to it.

  16. I’ve just voted, but find it is strange that we have to keep voting every day for a couple of months. It would be fairer (less crazy) if they counted one vote per person.

  17. WTF Rock N Roll Hall of Fame – why they got it wrong again in 2022.

    Coming from the USA, the Rock n Roll hall of fame’s list is off again.  In 2021, due to BLM knee-jerk reaction they nominated an overwhelming amount of Blacks.  Dionne Warwick? Mary J. Blige?  Further, they jumped over most ’80s artistes to indoctrinate ’90s artistes such as Jay-Z and Foo Fighters…Again in 2022, repeating the same mistake, they jumped to Beck, A Tribe Called Quest, Eminen, Rage Against the Machine. Ugh.

    During the ‘80s American Radio was dominated by British Singers and Groups.  More than 60% airplay came from the UK and Ireland.  Music changed.  Some say that’s why it’s called New Wave. So it’s sad to see so many British (and Euro) artists like Tears for Fears,Sinéad O’Connor, Kim Wilde, Bananarama, Gary Numan, Propaganda, Thompson Twins, Cocteau Twins, Spandau Ballet, The Style Council, and even American Jodi Watley passed over.

    The Rock Hall ALSO has a problem with their board being mostly men, straight white and jewish blokes who tend to vote for their gender.  Only 7-8% of those indoctrinated are women.  That’s as we say here in the USA is “A Damn Shame”.

    Daily I will vote for: Kate Bush, Eurythmics, Duran Duran, NY Dolls, Pat Benatar, Dolly Parton, and Devo. Maximum is 5 votes is allowed, but I use two different email accounts.  Kate, Eurythmics & Duran Duran will get my 2x vote.

    This was long.  Thanks for reading.

      2. Rock and Roll has many influences. R&B is black. Jazz is black. Those are not the only influences in Rock music. European folk music, classical music, sea shanties, drinking songs and hymns are also influences in rock music, and are not black. It depends on the band/artist.

        1. No. “Rock ‘n’ Roll” was African-American slang for sex. It is, literally, slang for sex music, made by black Americans. If your record has drums on it, it has its roots in black America. That’s it.

  18. How is it that Tommy James is not in the Hall of Fame? He qualifies on any account you can think of. Lots of big hits, plays rock and roll, wrote great songs, and influenced many other artists who covered his songs.

  19. Now that my 2 favorite bands ELO and Yes are in the Rock Hall (Duran is my 3rd favorite), I’m fully on-board with the Hall and hope to visit one day. I see in the current fan voting tally Duran has surged past Dolly Parton to 2nd place! Kate Bush is showing weak support, far down the list.

  20. It’s all a bit of fun.
    I voted Kate Bush. She is just awesome and I will never tire of her first 6 albums, and particularly the 9th Wave.
    Duran Duran and Eurythmics would be just as deserving though. And Fela Kuti!! How can he be languishing in last place.
    They probably all deserve it.

  22. It is kind of refreshing to have a music awards where I have actually heard of almost all of the artists !

    The one that I had not heard of is the only one guaranteed to not accept or collect the award in person.

  25. The fact that neither Kate Bush nor Pat Benatar have already been inducted says it all really….is it a big deal over in the USA, as it doesn’t seem to be here in the UK?….

    1. As a U.S. citizen and resident for my entire life, I can honestly say that I could care less about who is nominated and who is a member. It’s nice to see certain artists recognized and I’m sure the inductees are happy to be in, but it really means nothing to me, personally, in the end. I’m not even sure of the status of certain bands. Are the Kinks in? The Who? Black Sabbath? U2? Tull? I’d have to look it up.

      Also, having actually been to the Rock Hall, I can say that it is kind of cool to see, but I wouldn’t go out of my way to visit again. Visiting Sun Studios and Graceland was far more impressive and meaningful for me. (By the way, many SDE readers probably live in houses that are far larger than Graceland. The main house is not as big as you might think!)

  26. I am still trying to understand how Foo Fighters got in. I am not saying they may not eventually be HOF-worthy, but at this point in their career it is hard to justify their inclusion when there are many, many influential and important artists who are not in, and Foo Fighters are currently not influential or important in the big picture of popular music.

    1. I agree a talking head never misses a documentary on music ! A toothy grin staring at you from every magazine cover!!
      And watch his performance with the Heartbreakers tried to steal the show from Tom all the viewer could focus on was him!!
      He was no Stan lynch,,don’t think Tom asked him back,,I really don’t like Dave grohl!!!

      1. According to Dave Grohl, Petty wanted him to either join or tour with the Heartbreakers, but Grohl turned him down. (Sorry if I sound like a Grohl apologist. I’m not a fawning fan, but no matter what you think of him now, remember how awesome his drumming for Nirvana was? Hard to deny that.)

    3. One could argue the same for many people who are in the Rock Hall, I would presume. Foo Fighters may not be seen as influential or important to you (or me), but others may disagree. I could make an argument that Pat Benetar shouldn’t be nominated, but she is. It’s all about history and, especially, revisionist history. I mean, Journey is in. (I looked it up.) Hmm, let’s see … Foo Fighters, Journey, Foo Fighters, Journey. Journey sold a boatload of records. They were critically derided, yet they remain a (guilty?) pleasure for many. Foo Fighters? Sell a boatload of records. Big live draw. Critically accepted. Are a (guilty?) pleasure for many. And, most importantly for the Rock Hall, released their first music 25+ years ago. Yup, 25+ years of success. Major success. Still together as a band. Not dead. Still releasing new music. New music still being played on major market radio. First album released 27 years ago. (The Kinks had a gap of 29 years between first and last albums to put that in perspective. F’n hell, time flies.) I don’t know, I’m not really a FF fan, but their accomplishments certainly look good on paper – or the screen!

  27. Good publicity but does it actually mean anything? I mean they got a Brit award when they got back together but the Brit Awards are more corrupt than FIFA!!

  28. Such a honour, a very respected, fair and just institution, not driven by money or anything related to that. Also, what would we do without the RHOF? Society would crumble if they disappear.

    2. In the mid 90’s I found myself in downtown Cleveland, Ohio on a damp winter midweek day, and there was literally nothing to do other than eat in a horrible shopping mall or visit the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. It was like a vast Trump-esque pyramid on an otherwise delapidated lakeshore, but despite my initial reservations, I really enjoyed it – it is exactly what the Americans do well, and in places it was quite moving. I did not truly get how big The Beatles were in the US until I visited.

      How good was it? Shortly after leaving I was nearly killed by a a huge icicle falling from the top of a skyscraper, and that was only marginally more dramatic.

      1. “How good was it? Shortly after leaving I was nearly killed by a a huge icicle falling from the top of a skyscraper, and that was only marginally more dramatic.”

        Good one!

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