RADIOHEAD, RAGE PACE R&RHOF NOMINEES

This just in: Radiohead and Rage Against the Machine are the only acts nominated for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in their first year of eligibility. The other first-time nominees are Kate Bush, Dire Straits, Eurythmics, Judas Priest, The Moody Blues, Nina Simone and Sister Rosetta Tharpe.

Making repeat appearances are Bon Jovi, Judas Priest, The Cars, Depeche Mode, J. Geils Band, LL Cool J, MC5, The Meters, Rufus Featuring Chaka Khan, Link Wray and The Zombies. It’s the fifth go-round for J. Geils, the fourth time for LL Cool J and The Meters; and the third for The Cars, MC5 and The Zombies.

Those of us who’d hoped to be surprised to find the names of long-shunned greats like Harry Nilsson and Todd Rundgren on the list will once again be disappointed.

The top vote-getters will be announced in December. The induction ceremony is scheduled for 4/14 at Cleveland’s Public Hall. HBO will once again air the event at a later date.

Anyone can vote for up to five nominees at www.rockhall.com/fan-vote/2018-fan-vote through 12/5. The top five fan-voted acts will comprise a “fan's ballot,” which will have the same value as each of the ballots submitted by the roughly 800 musicians, critics and music bizzers who make up the R&RHOF voting body.

For the second year, band politics has been thrust into the picture, as the Rock Hall chooses the individual band members in each case—a tricky matter with acts with ever-shifting lineups like Judas Priest and Dire Straits.

Some nominees are more thrilled than others, with Radiohead’s Ed O’Brien on the low end of the scale. “I don't want to be rude about the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame because for a lot of people it means something, but culturally I don't understand it,” the guitarist told Rolling Stone. “But if you ask me what I'd rather be doing that night, I'd rather be sitting at home in front of the fire or going to a gig.”