Musical longevity tough to find

What will classic rock radio sound like two decades from now? Probably a lot like it does today. Why? Well, how many bands can you name that have debuted in the past 10 years that will have the longevity of bands like Led Zeppelin or The Doors?

What got me thinking of this was the recent announcement of this year's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nominees. Who from the '00s might make it in one day? Let's assess the odds.

Kanye West

Pros: Both as a producer and lyricist, West has pushed the envelope in mainstream hip-hop with his equally soulful, sensitive and cerebral output.

Cons: Your average herpes outbreak is more likable. And really, if West's ego got any bigger, the sheer weight of it could cause the Earth to spin off its axis and fly into the sun. Would you want to be responsible for the fiery death of humankind? Odds: 20 to 1

Arcade Fire

Pros: Broadened the possibilities of indie rock with their sweeping, near-symphonic albums, which have won the band big name boosters such as Bono and Bruce Springsteen.

Cons: Despite notching a No. 1 record, they're still not a household name, and the Rock Hall does tilt toward commercial success. How else would you explain that LL Cool J nomination? Odds: 100 to 1

The Strokes

Pros: They reinvigorated New York City cool with their bayonet-sharp guitars, lyrical disaffection and dirty hair. And we all know how the Rock Hall loves the Big Apple: This is where they hold their annual induction ceremony instead of Cleveland, you know, where it's actually located.

Cons: The start of their career was as hot as the title of their second LP, "Room on Fire," suggested, but since then, they've only been active sporadically. Will they still feel relevant six albums in? Will they even make it that far? Odds: 500 to 1

Daft Punk

Pros: They'd be the face of electronica if we ever saw their faces. Still, these two robot-masked Parisians took dance music to the masses by being one of the few acts of their ilk to be able to draw and move huge festival-sized crowds.

Cons: Not a lot of mainstream awareness for the duo, and their discography has been a little hit or miss. Guess they are human, after all. Odds: 750 to 1

Mastodon

Pros: Mastodon deserves serious consideration here by making highly technical and dense, labyrinthine jams palatable to more than just heavy metal Hessians.

Cons: Metal dudes don't get any more love from the Rock Hall than they do from college admission boards. Odds: 1,000 to 1

Contact reporter Jason Bracelin at jbracelin@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0476.