CLEVELAND, Ohio - The one thing you can predict about the annual list of nominees for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is just how unpredictable it is.
For a while there, it seemed the Nominating Committee was intent on pushing artists with multiple nominations on voters until they were inducted. But that changed a few years ago.
The recent inductions of artists like Steve Miller, Chicago, Journey, Cheap Trick, Joan Baez and Electric Light Orchestra - all nominated for the first time after years of being snubbed - means all bets are off.
That makes this year's list of nominees, which will be announced in October, one of the most unpredictable ever. That should make for some fun when the annual Induction Ceremony comes to Cleveland in April.
Still, there is at least one obvious choice. Radiohead's resume is as solid as any newly eligible act of the past decade. Just like Pearl Jam, Nirvana and Green Day, Thom Yorke and company will make the ballot and (should) easily walk in (Even if they don't care about it).
There are other standout acts eligible for the first time. But the only other artist you can count on making the ballot is Rage Against the Machine.
Last year's ballot went 19 acts deep. So you can expect some carry over. It feels like The Cars keep getting lost in the shuffle. But they're always a threat to sneak in. As is Kraftwerk.
The nominations of Steppenwolf and MC5 were well-received last year, even if they didn't get inducted. Meanwhile, The Zombies have a new exhibit in the Rock Hall.
Is this Janet Jackson's year? Possibly, considering Joan Baez's induction might have been what kept Jackson out last year. Her only competition for the Class of 2018 (in terms of solo women) may be Chaka Khan.
Speaking of women, this could be the year we see the Eurythmics. It gives the Committee a new wave act, a la Depeche Mode last year, and some more girl-power on the ballot.
It still feels like J. Geils Band is a ways away from induction. But Steven Van Zandt refuses to stop pushing for them.
War and Link Wray are other previously nominated artists that remain on the Nominating Committee's radar, especially with the latter being featured in the critically acclaimed documentary "The Indians Who Rocked the World."
Who is this year's Journey or Chicago? My guess is it's either Bad Company or Boston, or both. The Rock Hall has gone with big name snubs as of late and those two fit the bill nicely. But lookout for others like the Doobie Brothers, Jethro Tull or The Moody Blues (Yes' induction could make room for someone else).
Speaking of longtime snubs, this could be the year we see someone like Peter Frampton or Todd Rundgren earn a nomination. It would fit the trend of recent nominees like Baez, Steve Miller and Sting.
Another solo act that fits a trend would be someone like Donny Hathaway. Previously nominated R&B acts like The Spinners or Mary Wells (or even Nina Simone) might be a safer pick. But the Rock Hall likes surprising us when it comes to R&B (See: Bill Withers and Bobby Womack).
That brings us to this year's hip-hop act. Newly eligible artists like Wu-Tang Clan and Dr. Dre are enticing. But Dre just got in with N.W.A. and the Wu is pretty hardcore for the Nominating Committee. A Tribe Called Quest is a threat. But LL Cool J was just a Kennedy Center Honoree.
If there are 19 nominees again, let's include Nine Inch Nails. Trent Reznor and company have been busy, which could bring them back to the ballot. I don't think Bad Brains makes it on there again. So there's room for a pioneering act from an offbeat genre.
To recap my predictions for this year's Rock Hall Nominees (sure to be wrong):
- Bad Company
- Boston
- Chaka Khan
- Donny Hathaway
- Eurythmics
- J. Geils Band
- Janet Jackson
- Kraftwerk
- Link Wray
- LL Cool J
- MC5
- Nine Inch Nails
- Peter Frampton
- Radiohead
- Rage Against The Machine
- Steppenwolf
- The Cars
- The Zombies
- War