This week, one of the coolest, and most controversial annual events in the world of music took place.

The release of the potential inductees into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

There are 16 acts on the ballot for the Class of 2021, including seven first-time nominees*:

  • Mary J. Blige
  • Kate Bush
  • Devo
  • Foo Fighters*
  • The Go-Go's*
  • Chaka Khan
  • Carole King
  • Fela Kuti*
  • Iron Maiden*
  • New York Dolls
  • Jay-Z*
  • LL Cool J
  • Rage Against the Machine
  • Todd Rundgren
  • Tina Turner*
  • Dionne Warwick*

What a great moment for all of those on this list and their fans around the world.

But, seeing names like Kate Bush, Chaka Kahn, Jay-Z, LL Cool J, and Dionne Warwick on the list ignites the same debate that surrounds the hall every year: who exactly belongs in an institution supposedly devoted to rock and roll?

Keep in mind, artists like Abba, Louis Armstrong, Johnny Cash, Nat 'King' Cole, Neil Diamond, the Bee Gees, Brenda Lee, Cat Stevens, and Donna Summer are already enshrined in Cleveland.

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That debate inevitably leads into another heated topic: if all of those non-rockers are in the hall, how is it that there are so many legendary artists that squarely fit the rock genre aren't?

Here are the ten that I think deserve a place alongside the greats of Rock & Roll music:

ACTS THAT BELONG IN THE ROCK & ROLL HALL OF FAME

You can be part of the selection process by taking part in the fan voting, which is open through April 30.

The Class of 2021 will be announced in May, with the induction ceremony later this fall.

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