Historically, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has been negligent in inducting female artists - at least until the past few years (with a wave of overdue additions, from Carly Simon to Joan Baez). Here are my recommendations for some important musicians they should consider:
Dionne Warwick (eligible since 1987). 100 million records sold, received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, is in the Grammy Hall of Fame, and Kennedy Center Honoree.
Bjork (eligible since 2002). 22 million records sold, Polar Music Award Winner, critically acclaimed genre-fusion pop culture icon.
X-Ray Spex (Poly Styrene) (eligible since 2002). One of the foremost female-led punk groups, Germfree Adolescents has become an iconic 70s recording.
Queen Latifah (eligible since 2003). Grammy Award Winner, Kennedy Center Honoree, All Hail the Queen is in the National Recording Registry.
Tori Amos (eligible since 2005). Critically acclaimed, and perennial awards nominee, singer-songwriter of the 90s, particularly renowned for Little Earthquakes.
Cyndi Lauper (eligible since 2008). 50 million albums sold, Grammy and Tony winner, She’s So Unusual has become regarded as an 80s masterpiece, and is in the National Recording Registry.
Sinead O’Connor (eligible since 2012). Grammy Award Winner, I Do Not Want What I Haven’t Got became a landmark album of the 90s, and catapulted O’Connor to stardom.
PJ Harvey (eligible since 2016). Critically acclaimed, and perennial awards nominee, essential singer-songwriter of the 90s.
Alanis Morissette (eligible since 2016). 75 million records sold, Grammy Award winner, iconic 90s alt-rock star, Jagged Little Pill also inspired a Tony-winning musical.
Mary J. Blige (eligible since 2017). Grammy Award Winner, her blending of hip-hop and soul music in the 90s was incredibly influential, with one of the most successful Billboard songs of all-time.
Sleater-Kinney (eligible since 2019). An influential riot grrrl band, they later transitioned to prominence in the indie rock world, with their albums receiving critical praise.
Erykah Badu (eligible since 2021). Grammy Award winner, neo soul pioneer, Baduizm was particularly critically acclaimed.
Fiona Apple (eligible since 2021). Grammy Award winner, and critically acclaimed singer-songwriter who has put out classic albums across three decades.
Lauryn Hill
(eligible in 2023). Record-breaking Grammy Award winner, 90s hip-hop star, The
Miseducation of Lauryn Hill is in the National Recording Registry.
Musical Influence
‘Big
Mama’ Thornton (eligible since 1986). A gender nonconforming R&B pioneer
who made the first recordings of songs like 'Hound Dog,' which is in the
National Recording Registry.
