Top 5: Acts that deserve Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction

The nominees for the 2013 class of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame includes first-timers Albert King, the Paul Butterfield Blues Band, Public Enemy, N.W.A., the Marvelettes, the Meters, Deep Purple and Rush.

The returnees are Heart, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, Randy Newman, Kraftwerk, Donna Summer and Chic.

Yeah, not exactly thrilling, or exactly rock and roll, but there are five acts that should have a permanent presence in the Cleveland campus. 
 
Here are my choices:

1. Public Enemy: One of the most important rap acts of all time. 

2. N.W.A.: The group launched the careers of Dr. Dre, Ice Cube and Eazy-E as well as the entire gangsta rap movement. 

3. Kraftwerk: We pretty much have them to thank (or blame) for all things techno/EDM.

4. The Meters: New Orleans funk architects responsible for the unstoppable "Sissy Strut" and "Hey Pocky Way" backed everyone from Dr. John to Paul McCartney and provided the beats for numerous hip-hop hits.

5. Randy Newman: One of the greatest living songwriters, he's the compsoer of the classic ballads "Louisiana 1927" and "I Think It's Going to Rain Today," Three Dog Night's No. 1 hit "Mama Told Me (Not to Come)," his highly unlikely and misunderstood 1978 hit "Short People" and the sports arena smash  "I Love L.A." (send-up of 1980s materialism) as well as the strip club anthem "You Can Leave Your Hat On."

For the first time, the top five artists voted on by fans at http://rockhall.com/vote will make up a "fans' ballot" that will be counted with the 600 ballots from Rock Hall Foundation voters.

The April 18 induction ceremony will be held in Los Angeles and later broadcast later on HBO. 

FILE PHOTO - In this June 12, 2009 file photo, Flavor Flav of Public Enemy performs during the Bonnaroo Arts and Music Festival in Manchester, Tenn. Public Enemy is nominated for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2013. DAVE MARTIN, FILE — AP Photo