The nominees for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s Class of 2022 have been revealed as a total of 17 artists will be vying for induction. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame CEO Greg Harris joined Audacy’s Carlota to discuss this year’s nominees, how the nominees get chosen, and what’s next.
LISTEN NOW: Greg Harris talks with Audacy's Carlota
Much like their 2021 class, the Rock Hall shared a diverse list of artists that make up their 2022 nominees. Harris noted that of the seventeen nominees this year, seven are first time nominees. “It’s a wonderful, diverse class. There’s artists here for every single person, no matter what genre you like,” he said.
Artists up for induction this year include Eminem, Duran Duran, Pat Benatar, Beck, Dolly Parton, Lionel Richie, Carly Simon, Rage Against the Machine, DEVO, Dionne Warwick, Eurythmics, A Tribe Called Quest, Kate Bush, Judas Priest, Fela Kuti, MC5, and the New York Dolls.
Harris pointed out this year’s list of nominees features the second-most female artists, coming just behind last year, which was the most in the Rock Hall’s history.
Related
It takes a lot of work to establish the final list of nominees before it’s sent out to the public. Harris gave us a peek at the process, which is spearheaded by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation.
The foundation holds a meeting, which Harris estimated 28 people attend, as each person nominates two artists and spends some time discussing their nominee. “You work with those in the room,” Harris said. “It’s other musicians, it’s some inductees, it’s music historians, some music industry people. That group [then] votes in a series of votes.”
Harris said the meeting lasts around four hours until the ballot becomes manageable, but the process doesn’t stop there. “This ballot goes out to a voting body of about a thousand, which is all the other living inductees,” he said.
“James Hetfield votes, Smokey Robinson votes, Bruce Springsteen votes, the guys in Def Leppard vote, and when it comes back, the top five vote getters are elected to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.”
Related
In recent years, the Rock Hall has opened its doors and nominated numerous artists that don’t fall under the traditional lens of Rock. There’s one thing Harris notes to those that argue against having artists that aren’t traditionally labeled “Rock artists” included in the nominees list. “Rock and Roll is a big tent,” he said.
“Some people tend to get stuck on this idea that Rock and Roll is their definition of Rock and Roll.”
Go back to where it all began and listen to the artists that shaped Rock ‘N’ Roll on The Roots of Rock
“I know the bands that drove me and they may have been four guys with guitars, but that’s not the only thing that’s Rock and Roll,” he continued. Harris noted how genres like Soul, Rockabilly, Psychedelic, Funk, Industrial, New Wave, Southern Rock, and others co-existed at the same time and in the same sphere.
“That’s all Rock and Roll,” he says, “when you embrace it that way, it’s all Rock and Roll. That’s where we’re at.”
Fan voting is open now as the Class of 2022 is set to be revealed this May. While you’re getting your ballots in order, be sure to check out Audacy’s extensive list of stations featuring music from this year’s nominees. Listen to Eminem Radio, Rage Against The Machine Radio, Dolly Parton Radio, and more!
LISTEN on the Audacy App
Sign up and follow Audacy
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram