Earlier this week, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame announced the nominees for next year’s induction ceremony, and there are some pretty fun bands on the list this go around: there’s Alice Cooper, the Beastie Boys, Neil Diamond, J. Geils Band, LL Cool J, and one of my all-time favorite rock bands, Bon Jovi.  Then you have some pretty influential artists like Donovan, Dr. John, and Tom Waits, a few obscure singers and songwriters from way back when, and two disco acts, Chic and Donna Summer.  Shudder…

It will be interesting to see how ends up being inducted.  The Hall usually serves up a nice mix of contemporary and old school acts, popular names, and artists only music snobs will really get excited about.  Obviously, I am pulling for Bon Jovi to get in – these guys were pioneers of 80’s hair rock, and have continued to evolve and make relevant music ever since, while many of their peers have fallen by the wayside.  I might not have been blown away by The Circle, but I still think they deserve a spot in the Hall.

The Beastie Boys have transcended genres, so that makes them a pretty safe bet.  J. Geils seems like a bit of a stretch, at least for the first time they’re on the ballot, although the band did make some pretty great music besides their smash hit “Centerfold.”  And it is pretty surprising that Neil Diamond are not yet in there – how can the man behind Sweet Caroline not be a Hall of Famer while the group that sang Dancing Queen is??  Where’s the justice in that?