Sonic adventurer Todd Rundgren, Brit psychedelic-pop stars the Zombies, Motor City madmen MC5 and German art rockers Kraftwerk light up the short list for induction into the 2019 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Other key nominees include the Cure, Radiohead, Rage Against the Machine, Devo, John Prine and Roxy Music.
Update: The 2019 inductees are the Zombies, the Cure, Stevie Nicks, Def Leppard, Janet Jackson, Roxy Music and Radiohead. /update
Todd Rundgren (pictured, top) grabbed his first nomination for 2019, despite his protestations that he would not accept a Rock Hall nod — if it ever came. The veteran rock star and producer’s career highlights include the psychedelic masterpiece “A Wizard, a True Star” and the pop powerhouse “Something/Anything?” Over the years he has recorded in genres including electronica, hip-hop, heavy metal, experimental and blues. He recently reunited his psychedelic and new wave outfit Utopia. Rundgren’s hits include “Hello It’s Me,” “I Saw the Light” and “Bang the Drum All Day.” The Rock Hall said: “You can hear Todd Rundgren’s influence in everyone from Prince, Hall & Oates, Bjork and Daft Punk.” Rundgren, just turned 70, continues to tour and record.
The Zombies are up for the Hall for a fourth time. They found their greatest fame as the band was breaking up. The British band’s second and final album, “Odessey And Oracle,” proved an enduring part of the psychedelic era. Rod Argent and Colin Blunstone’s hits with the Zombies include “Time of the Season” and “She’s Not There.” The band, part of the original British Invasion, still tours under direction of its two leaders.
MC5 also are four-time nominees. The Michigan band dished out hard-left politics and even harder rock, establishing a template for punk rock. Their biggest hit was “Kick Out the Jams,” an often-censored live number from the 1969 debut album. Founder Wayne Kramer currently is celebrating that album’s half-century mark with the MC50 tour, backed by younger alternative rock stars.
Kraftwerk have booked five nominations, dating back to 2003. The electronic-rock pioneers have proved deeply influential across a sea of subgenres, including techo and ambient. The group evolved out of Germany’s experimental krautrock scene, fronted by Ralf Hütter and Florian Schneider. Their best-known albums include “Autobahn,” “Trans-Europe Express” and “The Man-Machine.” The band continues to tour under the direction of Hütter.
Other nominees for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame are Stevie Nicks, Def Leppard, Janet Jackson, LL Cool J and Rufus Featuring Chaka Khan.
Winners will be hailed at a March 29 ceremony in Brooklyn, at Barclays Center.