Jamaican artists Peter Tosh and Grace Jones are once again snubbed by the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame. The organization released their list of acts that will be considered for nomination and then voted on by a panel for induction and notably missing are the influential Jamaican stars.
Tosh, born Winston Hubert McIntosh, was an original member of the Wailer Bands with Bob Marley and became eligible in 2001, but he is yet to be nominated.
Bob Marley was inducted posthumously into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame by Bono of U2. Dr Jimmy Cliff, OM, became the second Jamaican musician to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York on March 15, 2010. Island Records founder Chris Blackwell was also previously inducted.
Both Jones and Tosh are on the list of artists who ‘have been discussed’ but never received nominations from the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame. Peter Tosh started his career with Bob as a member of the Wailers alongside Bunny Wailer.
Kingsley Cooper of Pulse Investments, a Jamaica Stock Exchange company where the Peter Tosh museum operates said, “Peter has always been the radical revolutionary and that has not always sat well with the establishment, his career was as much about activism, equal rights and justice, anti-apartheid, legalization or Marijuana and similar issues as it was about music.”
“Could it be that this is the reason why he has not been recognized as he truly deserves to be by an induction into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame?” the curator of Peter Tosh Museum said.
Tosh was a self-taught guitarist and keyboardist who played a significant role in shaping the band’s sound. After leaving the Wailers due to disputes with their record label, Tosh pursued a successful solo career, releasing albums like “Legalize It” and “Equal Rights.” He was an advocate for Rastafari and cannabis legalization. Tosh’s life was tragically cut short in 1987 when he was murdered during a home invasion. He left a lasting legacy in reggae music and is remembered for his activism and musical contributions.
While Grace Jones, the Dance Music diva known for her eccentric style and iconic album covers, such as “Island Life” ranked No. 27 on Billboard’s list of The 100 Best Album Covers of All Time became eligible for the Rock Hall nomination in 2000.
She achieved her first RIAA Gold single certification in the U.S. last year with her feature on Beyoncé’s track “Move,” also featuring Nigerian singer Tems. The song has sold 500,000 units in streams and sales. “Move” marked Jones’ highest chart debut in the U.S., entering the Billboard Hot 100 at No. 54 in August 2022. Recorded at the Jamaican Sound System studio in Ocho Rios, Jamaica, Jones’ verse for “Move” appears on Beyoncé’s Renaissance album and has surpassed 66 million streams on Spotify.
Born on May 19, 1948, the songwriter, model, and actress began her career as a model in New York and Paris, working with prominent fashion houses and photographers like Yves St. Laurent and Helmut Newton. In 1977, Jones transitioned into music, signing with Island Records under the guidance of Chris Blackwell and becoming a prominent figure in New York City’s disco scene. Throughout the 1980s, Jones explored new wave music styles, collaborating with artists like Jean-Paul Goude and Sly & Robbie.
Jones gained international recognition with albums like “Warm Leatherette” (1980), “Nightclubbing” (1981), and “Slave to the Rhythm” (1985). She also ventured into acting, starring in films such as “Conan the Destroyer ” (1984) and “A View to a Kill” (1985). Jones’s provocative live performances earned her the title “Queen of the Gay Discos,” and she became a symbol of empowerment for the LGBTQ+ community.
Despite facing challenges and controversy throughout her career, Jones continued to push boundaries and inspire artists across genres. Her influence on fashion, music, and entertainment has left a lasting legacy, with artists like Lady Gaga, Rihanna, and Annie Lennox citing her as an inspiration. Jones’s impact on popular culture was recognized by VH1, Billboard, and other media outlets, solidifying her status as an icon in the music industry.
Over the years, celebrities like Amber Rose have attempted to emulate Jones’ poses, with Kanye West involved in a Complex Magazine shoot inspired by Jones’ imagery.
Regarding the homage, Jones remarked that Kanye had been borrowing from her and Goude’s work for some time.“Kanye has been ripping off stuff from me and Jean-Paul Goude for a long time, so it was no surprise to me,” she said.
This year Sinéad O’Connor is being considered posthumously for the 2024 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame! The singer who passed away at age 56 last year is a first time nominee although she first became eligible for the award in 2012.
O’Connor left behind a rich musical legacy characterized by her distinctive voice and profound songwriting.
There are fifteen nominated musical luminaries, ranging from hip-hop pioneers to pop icons.
Notably, two-thirds of the names on the 2024 ballot are first-timers, including long-overdue nominees such as Cher, Frampton, and Foreigner. This marks the second nomination for Mary J. Blige, Eric B. & Rakim, Jane’s Addiction, Dave Matthews Band, and the third for A Tribe Called Quest.
Singer-songwriter Mariah Carey, whose vocal prowess and chart-topping is also on this year’s shortlist.
Surprisingly also absent from this year’s ballot are The White Stripes, who raised eyebrows with their exclusion after appearing on the 2023 ballot. Similarly, Cyndi Lauper, another name from the 2023 ballot, is not up for induction this year.
Artists become eligible 25 years after they first release music according to the organization’s website and the nominees will be decided by a voting body of over 1,000 “artists, historians, and members of the music industry,” with the Class of 2024 set to be announced in late April. The 2024 induction ceremony is slated for fall in Cleveland.
See full 2024 Rock & Roll artist for consideration below
- Mary J. Blige
- Mariah Carey
- Cher
- Dave Matthews Band
- Eric B. & Rakim
- Foreigner
- Peter Frampton
- Jane’s Addiction
- Kool & the Gang
- Lenny Kravitz
- Oasis
- Sinéad O’Connor
- Ozzy Osbourne
- Sade
- A Tribe Called Quest
