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The Doobie Brothers have long been the most glaring and puzzling Bay Area omission from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
The San Jose band’s credentials are beyond reproach, so much so that they arguably eclipse those of a number of acts who have already been enshrined in the Rock Hall.
Simply put, the band deserves to be in there, next to such all-time greats as Pink Floyd, Bob Dylan, Public Enemy and Nina Simone.
And, thankfully, that could indeed happen very soon, given that the Doobie Brothers were among the 16 nominees announced today (Oct. 14). If selected, the Doobies would be inducted into the Rock Hall in May 2020.
The others competing for enshrinement are Pat Benatar, Dave Matthews Band, Depeche Mode, Whitney Houston, Judas Priest, Kraftwerk, MC5, Motörhead, Nine Inch Nails, The Notorious B.I.G., Rufus featuring Chaka Khan, Todd Rundgren, Soundgarden, T.Rex and Thin Lizzy.
So, will the Doobies make the final cut when the inductees are announced in January?
It’s really hard to say. They are facing stiff competition in the race. It’s tough to argue against any of the 16 nominees. And voters will likely only select six or seven acts for induction. (Seven was the magic number that made it into the Rock Hall as the Class of 2019.)
But it’s a great sign that the Doobies are finally being nominated for the Rock Hall.
Yes, that’s right. The Doobies have never been previously nominated, despite the fact that the band has been eligible for induction since the mid-’90s.
That’s pretty hard for fans to wrap their heads around, given all that the band has accomplished over the years — including releasing eight gold/platinum-selling studio albums as well as a “best of” collection that achieved the rare “diamond” certification, denoting 10-million-plus in sales.
Then there’s all the songs, which have been a part of the soundtracks to millions of lives over the decades. We’re talking about such classic-rock staples as “Listen to the Music,” “Jesus Is Just Alright,” “China Grove,” “Black Water” and “Take Me In Your Arms (Rock Me)” as well as such Top 40 pop-rock nuggets as “What a Fool Believes” and “Minute by MInute.”
Yes, that’s a catalog that definitely needs to be represented in the Rock Hall.
But what I really thinks pushes the Doobies over the edge and gives them an advantage in this race is longevity. The group got its start in San Jose in 1970 and is still a popular concert attraction in 2019.
Notice anything interesting about those dates? Yes, the Doobies are set to celebrate their 50th anniversary in 2020, which I think could turn out to be the difference maker in the voting. The timing for the induction would just be perfect, as the voters honor a half century of music from one of the greatest Bay Area bands of all time.
So, yes, my money is on the Doobies being inducted next year.
Here’s who has the best chance of joining them in the Class of 2020. We’ll start with the most likely and work our way down.
Pat Benatar
It’s hard to believe that Benatar — one of the most powerful rock vocalists of the last 40 years — has never been previously nominated. She should have been enshrined at least a decade ago.
Depeche Mode
The Rock Hall is finally paying attention to the giants/forefathers of modern rock, having belatedly inducted both The Cure and Roxy Music last year. Depeche Mode needs to join the party as well.
Whitney Houston
Forget the genre stuff, and the silly debate about whether the Rock Hall should honor R&B/pop/rap. Houston had a one-in-a-billion voice and she deserves to be stand alongside Nina Simone, Aretha Franklin and other great singers in the hall.
Todd Rundgren
An influential, pioneering talent, Rundgren received his first nomination last year and came up empty handed. Look for him to complete the mission in 2020.
Nine Inch Nails
The third time nominated could prove the charm for Trent Reznor’s troupe, which ranks as one of the most influential acts to come out of the ’90s alt-rock explosion.
Dave Matthews Band
DMB might seem like a slam dunk, and there’s little doubt that Matthews and company gets in there sooner or later. But the group is anything but a critical favorite, which might keep it out for a year or two. Let’s say DMB gets into the Hall in 2023.
Soundgarden
Rock Hall voters seem to like to space things out when it comes to inducting acts from different rock subgenres, time periods, etc. So, if they go NIN’s direction, it could mean that the very deserving Soundgarden might not make it on its first nomination.
The Notorious B.I.G.
It’s the first nomination for Biggie, a transcendent talent by any measure of the term. But the Rock Hall doesn’t have a great track record when it comes to honoring hip-hop. Thus, it might take a second nomination — like it did with N.W.A. — for him to make it in.
Kraftwerk
Roxy Music’s induction last year definitely seems to open the door for this equally adventurous and influential act.
T. Rex
The strength of its early ’70s output should get the band in at some point. But probably not on its first nomination.
Judas Priest
The Rock Hall has been very tough on metal, so it’s hard seeing Judas Priest making the cut this time around, despite being one of the genre’s all-time greats.
Rufus featuring Chaka Khan
The popular funk act has been nominated for induction on multiple occasions, but the competition just seems too stiff for them to get in this time. But there should be more chances down the road.
Thin Lizzy
Again, just too crowded a field for these hard rockers to make it on their first nomination.
Motörhead
See Judas Priest.
MC5
It’s really saying something about the quality of contenders that this great garage-rock act appears to be the least likely inductee for 2020.
