Before the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame fan voting online began months ago, I predicted Def Leppard would win that vote and cruise into the RNR HOF, like the past few top fan vote-getters: Bon Jovi, Journey and Cheap Trick. And that formula played out again this year.
Def Leppard and Stevie Nicks finished first and second, respectively, in the online fan vote that wrapped up this week. Today, the Hall of Fame announced that those two will be inducted in the HOF as part of a lackluster (in my opinion) 2019 class . Def Leppard, Stevie Nicks and Roxy Music (8th in the fan vote) were on the ballot for the first time. Todd Rundgren finished third in the fan vote, but didn’t get in.
Stevie was inducted as a Fleetwood Mac member already back in 1998 – my only knock against her entering again. She’s the 23rd artist to be inducted more than once, but the only woman in that select group of two-timers. Nicks put out a statement today, saying, “I have a lot to say about this, but I will save those words for later. For now I will just say, I have been in a band since 1968. To be recognized for my solo work makes me take a deep breath and smile. It’s a glorious feeling.”
Others in the 2019 class include: The Cure (a Doc favorite), Radiohead (WTF???), The Zombies and Janet Jackson, a hit maker, but certainly not a rocker. Janet is the sixth Jackson family member to enter the Hall of Fame, joining her five brothers. Michael is also in there as a solo artist.
The induction ceremony takes place in Brooklyn, March 29.
Doc Watson
