Future Rock Legends predicts the 2009
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nominees

Future Rock Legends forecasts which of today's artists will be the next generation's Rock & Roll Hall of Famers by using a combination of historically predictive criteria, user votes, and nomination patterns. The official 2009 nominations are determined by the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation's 32-member Nominating Committee and typically are finalized in mid-September.

Last year, Future Rock Legends correctly predicted seven of the nine nominees.


Future Rock Legends predicts the following nine eligible artists will be on the 2009 ballot:
  • The Stooges - Although the Stooges didn't even get nominated last year (for the first time since 2003), they still managed to steal the show at the 2008 Rock Hall Induction Ceremony by performing in place of Madonna.
    Current Induction Chances: 65%

  • Chic - Chic have been nominated in 2003, 2006, 2007 and again in 2008, but have never gotten enough votes for induction. Interestingly, Chic's co-founder and guitarist, Nile Rodgers, was one of 10 early members of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's nominating committee (five of whom have since been inducted).
    Current Induction Chances: 47%

  • Metallica - After first becoming eligible last year (and being promptly snubbed), look for Metallica to get a nod this year on the heels of a new album.
    Current Induction Chances: 80%

  • Stevie Ray Vaughan - Since Future Rock Legends's inception, Stevie Ray Vaughan fans have been the most passionate advocates and consistent voters of any artist. Vaughan's untimely death 18 years ago cut short a brilliant career, but he should soon be immortalized in Cleveland.
    Current Induction Chances: 52%

  • The Hollies - The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Nominating Committee is still dominated by baby boomers who had their music awakening during the 1960's. Many of these committee members aren't shy about expressing their love for the Hollies. They should receive their first nomination after waiting 19 years.
    Current Induction Chances: 50%

  • Beastie Boys - The Beastie Boys were nominated in their first year of eligibility last year, but didn't get inducted. We always thought it would be strange if they got in before Run-DMC anyway.
    Current Induction Chances: 80%

  • Run-DMC - The whole "rap question" has been settled as far as the Rock Hall is concerned, so now it's just a matter of lining up the legends as they become eligible. With the amount of hip-hop experts on the Nominating Committee, it would be stunning if Run-DMC weren't nominated this year.
    Current Induction Chances: 64%

  • Kraftwerk - Kraftwerk were nominated back in 2003, but haven't received much attention since then. With the rumored focus on rock sub-genres this year, Kraftwerk might get back on the ballot.
    Current Induction Chances: 60%

  • Donna Summer - Donna Summer received her first nomination in 2008, and should be back again in 2009 (keep in mind that the Rock Hall always nominates at least one woman or woman-fronted band).
    Current Induction Chances: 56%

The "Current Induction Chances" represent the artist's odds of ever being inducted into the Hall of Fame, as calculated by Future Rock Legends and its users.

Bubbling Under

If we're going to be wrong, it will probably be because one of these artists made it to the ballot:

  • Bon Jovi - One of the few artists eligible who are still capable of filling stadiums. Also, Jon Bon Jovi is friendly with Jann Wenner, and that never hurts.
    Current Induction Chances: 49%

  • Afrika Bambaataa - The only nominee from last year that we're predicting won't make the ballot again in 2009.
    Current Induction Chances: 40%

  • Wanda Jackson - Wanda Jackson has received a good deal of publicity regarding her Rock Hall absence after a new documentary about her debuted this year. Elvis Costello is one of the rockers openly lobbying for her induction. Jackson was previously nominated in 2005.
    Current Induction Chances: 34%

  • Sonic Youth - Sonic Youth deserve to be mentioned in this space every year until they're inducted.
    Current Induction Chances: 69%

  • Tom Waits - Waits has been eligible for a decade now, and the Rock Hall could use a (non-conventional) singer-songwriter on the ballot.
    Current Induction Chances: 62%

  • Def Leppard - Nominating Committee member David Fricke actually wrote a book on Def Leppard.
    Current Induction Chances: 46%

  • Rush - It's all about the Colbert Bump. Also, the rumored focus on various sub-genres could really help Rush.
    Current Induction Chances: 61%

  • Joy Division - There are a lot of movies about Joy Division that have come out recently which highlight their continued influence.