Handicapping The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Nominations: Don’t Get Ready To Pucker Up Just Yet

Kiss, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and LL Cool J lead this year’s roster of first-time nominees for Jann Wenner’s shrine to his concept of “rock and roll,” the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. This year’s nominations total 12, with returnees like the Stooges, ABBA, and Donna Summer competing with the aforementioned newbies. Which nominees are the most likely to pass muster with the shadowy group who decides these sorts of things? Our odds after the jump. ABBA: Could this be the year that some of the best pop music ever made gets some modicum of respect from the stuffy old fogies who vote on the Rock Hall inductions? Despite the Jonas Brothers being on the cover of Rolling Stone multiple times in the past year, I’m gonna say “no.” 18-1. The Chantels: On the ballot since 2001. Maybe they’ll get their shot in 2011, but not now. 10-1. Jimmy Cliff: He’s a first-time nominee, and kind of a titan. If the Red Hot Chili Peppers get in before he does, I kind of give up. 3-1. Genesis: EVEN The Hollies: A first-time nominee with Graham Nash connections? Duh. EVEN KISS: Sure, it’s the Ace Frehley/Peter Criss lineup that’s up for consideration, and yes, the Eagles have shown that Wal-Mart isn’t a dirty word, but come on, this nomination was solely for bloggability purposes. 25-1. LL Cool J: Sure, his recent musical output has been sorta unfortunate (NCIS tie-in songs? Oh, honey) but the Rock Hall voters probably love the MTV Unplugged version of “Mama Said Knock You Out” that’ll inevitably be trotted out at the induction. 2-1. Darlene Love: Should make it in solely on the strength of “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home),” but will probably get overlooked in favor of some dude. 10-1. Laura Nyro: My pick for the “sneaking in ahead of a bigger name like Kiss” crown. 5-1. Red Hot Chili Peppers: How many times have they graced RS‘ cover? 7-5. The Stooges: You’d think that with them playing at the damn thing, they’d get sort of a jump on the curve. And yet. 8-1. Donna Summer: I bet you at least 50% of the people making up the voting bloc have made a “Disco Sucks” joke in the past year. 10-1. And yes, Rush was robbed yet again—as were Slayer, the Cure, and the Smiths. Kiss, Genesis, Chili Peppers Among Nominees For Rock Hall Of Fame [Billboard]