Voting for who should be elected for induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is determined by an international voting body of more than 1000 artists, historians and members of the music industry.
One of those who is eligible to vote is Paul McCartney -- a two-time inductee (The Beatles and solo) -- and, if a short video posted on Foreigner's socials is any indication, they may have his vote.
Shown sitting in a car, McCartney asks, "Foreigner. Not in the Hall of Fame? What the [hell]?"
The video was done as a favor to producer Mark Ronson, stepson of Foreigner founder and guitarist Mick Jones, who gathered a group of artists to drum up support for Foreigner via video. Among those who participated are Dave Grohl, Chad Smith, Jack Black and Slash.
Ronson, one of the producers on McCartney's 2013 album, New, showed the clip Monday on The Tonight Show, telling Jimmy Fallon, "I’ve never heard Paul McCartney curse. He’s a knight! I don’t want to be the first person to ever post a video of Paul McCartney dropping the f-bomb.”
Despite being eligible for nomination since 2002, this is the first time Foreigner have been nominated.
This year's other nominees are:
- Mary J. Blige - second nomination
- Mariah Carey - first nomination
- Cher - first nomination
- Dave Matthews Band - second nomination
- Eric B. & Rakim - first nomination
- Foreigner - first nomination
- Peter Frampton - first nomination
- Jane's Addiction - second nomination
- Kool & the Gang - first nomination
- Lenny Kravitz - first nomination
- Oasis - first nomination
- Sinéad O'Connor - first nomination
- Ozzy Osbourne - first nomination
- Sade - first nomination
- A Tribe Called Quest - third nomination
You can also vote for up to seven artists a day through April 26th at Vote.RockHall.com. The Top 5 artists selected by the public will comprise a “fans’ ballot” that will be tallied along with the other ballots to determine the 2024 Inductees.
Inductees will be announced at the end of April. The Induction Ceremony will take place this fall in Cleveland with the date and venue to be announced.
Warning! Video is NSFW! Contains adult language.
Also....
Original Foreigner singer Lou Gramm has reacted to the video of Paul McCartney saying he can't believe that Foreigner is not in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Writing on X, he says, "Paul, I think your reaction is the same as a lot of Rock fans. They can't believe we are not in the Rock Hall, and, since our nomination, we are doing everything we can [to get the vote out]. Let's take this thing over the goal line!
"I have fond memories of Mick Jones and I going to a Wings show in Madison Square Garden. Meeting you backstage is one of my fondest memories.
"Thank you."