Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Announces 2011 Nominees

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has announced the list of nominees for possible induction in 2011, and there are notable omissions once again.

Here are the nominees: Alice Cooper; Beastie Boys; Bon Jovi; Chic; Neil Diamond; Donovan; Dr. John; J. Geils Band; LL Cool J; Darlene Love; Laura Nyro; Donna Summer; Joe Tex; Tom Waits; and Chuck Willis.

Rush and KISS both were left off the list for reasons that can't be explained except that the 500 people who make the decision don't know what rock and roll is. The nomination process requires the following:

Artists become eligible for induction 25 years after the release of their first record. Criteria include the influence and significance of the artists’ contributions to the development and perpetuation of rock and roll.

The Foundation’s nominating committee, composed of rock and roll historians, selects nominees each year in the Performer category. Ballots are then sent to an international voting body of more than 500 rock experts. Those performers who receive the highest number of votes - and more than 50 percent of the vote - are inducted. The Foundation generally inducts five to seven performers each year.

Both groups easily fulfill all the necessary criteria having been around since the late 1960s. Both groups have a devoted following. Rush is known the world over for being one of the few true power-trios that can rock with the best the world has to offer. In fact, all three members of Rush are known for their sterling musical abilities. It's a multi-platinum selling group, and more than a few artists can trace their interest in music and style to listening to Rush albums.

KISS is one of the biggest selling rock groups of all time and has mastered the stadium show format, but can also belt out sweet ballads like Beth. Its influence can be felt in hard rock and heavy metal, having inspired groups like Metallica (which is already in the hall of fame).

Neither group has been rocked by scandals or taken actions that would antagonize the industry, so I just don't get why they haven't gotten in by now. The only thing that I can think of that has kept these two groups out of the Hall of Fame is that they both toured together at one point and therefore their fates are tied to each other.

Seeing Bon Jovi get nominated while Rush and KISS both get left on the sidelines is a travesty.

You just have to shake your head in amazement that these two groups got screwed again.