Rock Hall Induction Ceremony: Fantasy Booking Inductors, Performances

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Gerard Way of My Chemical Romance is certainly an artist who has been influenced by Trent Reznor’s dark lyrics and his sonic ambition. Another good choice is Dave Grohl. Nirvana and Nine Inch Nails were both huge bands in the early ‘90s who brought music that had previously been thought of as uncommercial to radio and MTV. Grohl and Reznor have also worked together: Grohl played drums on much of Nine Inch Nails’ 2005 album, ‘With Teeth.

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Reznor has said that Nine Inch Nails would perform at the ceremony. Last year, the Cure played five songs, so it’s only fair that NIN gets five. Their biggest hit – “Closer” – is kind of a given, as is “Hurt.” Ditto for their breakout song, “Head Like A Hole.” The anthemic “We’re In This Together” and “The Hand That Feeds” would be great, too. But it wouldn’t be surprising to hear something even more recent, like “She’s Gone Away,” from 2016’s ‘Not The Actual Events’ EP.

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Robert Smith of the Cure would be a great choice. The Cure was, of course, inducted last year, and the Cure and Depeche Mode were two of the most popular bands of the British post-punk era (and both of them still are arena headliners). Plus, the Cure has covered Depeche Mode’s “World In My Eyes.”

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There are so many songs to choose from, but “Personal Jesus,” “Enjoy The Silence,” “Never Let Me Down Again” and “Everything Counts.” “Just Can’t Get Enough” would be a great moment, as would the more recent “Where’s The Revolution.”

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It’s pretty clear that his friend and mentor, Sean “Diddy” Combs should do the honors.

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Diddy will surely put something together with some of artists from B.I.G.’s life, including Faith Evans, Lil’ Kim, collaborators like Mase, 112 and Method Man and maybe some other artists who have been influenced by him, like Rick Ross.

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T. Rex aren’t as well-remembered in the United States as they should be, and a huge star like Elton John can explain what everyone has been missing. He was friends with the band – surely you’ve seen him “playing” piano in the “Bang A Gong” video – and he’s going to be on the upcoming T. Rex tribute album.

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The Struts – the closest thing to an heir apparent to the glam rock throne as we’ve seen in decades -- with Elton John; of course, they’d play “Bang a Gong (Get It On),” but also “20th Century Boy” and “Jeepster.” If they are fortunate to get a fourth song, “Children of the Revolution” would be a great pick.

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Pretty much every R&B and pop singer of the past few decades owes a debt to Whitney, but Jennifer Hudson’s jaw-dropping performance of “I Will Always Love You” at the 2012 GRAMMYs, the day after Houston died, was an incredible moment, no matter what kind of music you listen to. She should do the speech and perform Houston’s songs. Hudson’s ‘Dreamgirls’ castmate Beyonce would also be a good choice for a speech or performance.

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Dave Matthews is another guy whose band plays musically adventurous good-time jams that dominated the radio during their era.

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Give us the hits, and take advantage of the fact that Michael McDonald is back in the fold! “Long Time Runnin’,” “What A Fool Belives,” “Black Water,” “Takin’ It To The Streets,” “China Grove” and of course, “Listen To The Music.”