2020 Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Nominations

We're getting pretty close to the knowing the 2020 RRHOF nominees, last year's announcment came October 9th.

Now, I'm not going to speculated who they'll nominate, but here's a list of 5 performers who I'd like to see added:

1)  Doobie Brothers.
 As others have noted:  "With more than 48 million albums sold, a laundry list of accolades and a legacy as one of the great vocal-harmony groups, the Doobie Brothers seemingly check every box necessary for Rock Hall induction.".  Eight (8) Top 10 albums in 7 years (US charts).  Sixteen (16) Top 40 hits.  Still a successful touring act. The sound of the Doobies drove the mid 70's.

2) Weird Al Yankovic
He's sold more albums than any comedy act in history, and is one of only 3 artists to have Top 40 hits in every decade since the 80's (with Michael Jackson and Madonna, both member of RRHOF).  There used to be a saying  that "you know you've made it when Weird Al parodies you".  He helped pioneer the music video industry, including contributions like the movie UHF.  And still touring.

3) The Monkees
The made for TV band that confounded their keepers by becoming actual music stars.  Their first 4 albums hit #1, their first 5 were Platinum.  11 Top 40 hits, all in less than 2 years.  Still relevant with their 2016 release that reached #14 on the charts, with contributions from Rivers Cuomo, Andy Partridge, Ben Gibbard, Noel Gallagher and Paul Weller.  The Monkees helped give starts to great songwriters like Neil Diamond,  Harry Nilsson, David Gates (Bread), Michael Martin Murphy, John Stewart...  They were part of a ground breaking TV show with cameos from folk like Frank Zappa...   and one of the wildest movies (Head) of the late 60's.

4)  Joe Osborn
Sideman.  Joe Osborn was one of the great session bass players of the 60's, 70's, and 80s,  playing on dozens of top hits.  Osborn was a member of the Wrecking Crew, 2 of whom are already inducted.  Let's show the bass player some love!

5) J.J. Cale
Another contributor, J.J. Cale wrote songs made famous by folks like Eric Clapton (After Midnight, Cocaine) and Lynyrd Skynyrd (Call Me The Breeze).  With other songs recorded by everybody from Santana to Kansas to Poco to Waylon Jennings.  And more.  As Clapton himself put it:  "one of the most important artists in the history of rock, quietly representing the greatest asset his country has ever had."


Sadly, I expect all 5 of these would be long shots.  The Doobies may get a nomination, simply because they're running out of bands from the classic era of rock.  Weird Al and the Monkees are too much "fun", not nearly cool enough.  Joe Osborn is a bass player, 'nuff said.  JJ Cale's only shot would be if folks like Clapton lobbied from behind the scenes.  Maybe id Eric suggested leading a medley of JJ Cale songs for the ceremony?