The 2025 nominees for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame were announced last week, as always it’s quite the mix of genres, eras, and trends. This year, there’s the first early 60s artist in some time, and the selections stretch to a band who had most of their hits in the 2000s.
As always, I look at the Rock Hall in a particular way, and I will repeat what I said in last year’s write-up.
When I talk about the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and nominees in particular, I do not put much thought into who is and is not “rock and roll”. Since its foundation, the Hall has always inducted artists in genres like R&B, country, hip hop, jazz and other styles that are not guitar based rock. The Hall’s definition of rock and roll is more of an era than a strict style definition: It specifically hones in on popular music from the mid 1950s onwards. “The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame” is also a better and more marketable name, when it comes down to those things.
It’s hard to delineate any boundary for any genre, especially when such things are subjective. If you have a narrow definition of what kinds of artists the Hall should be inducting that is limited to just guitar based rock music, you’re probably not going to like my analysis very much. This column by music chart expert Chris Molanphy for NPR covers some of the arguments that have become somewhat tedious when it comes to discussing the Rock Hall, and you should keep it in mind as you read my analysis.
After I go through all 14 names, I’ll share who I’d vote for and who I think will be announced for induction this spring.
Bad Company
Eligible since: 2000
Previous nominations: 0
Studio albums: 12
Chart stats: 9 top 40 hits
Most played song on Spotify: “Feel Like Makin’ Love” (195 million streams)
Best-selling album: Bad Company (1974, 5x platinum)
Acclaimed Music artist rank: #875
The nomination and induction of Foreigner and Peter Frampton last year signals that the Hall is looking to induct a certain strand of 70s arena rockers. That is, groups that have a bunch of big hits and a couple important albums, but are perhaps not carried in the same esteem as Led Zeppelin or Pink Floyd. The next stop on that list is Bad Company, an early supergroup consisting of members of Free, King Crimson, and Mott the Hoople, and led by powerhouse singer Paul Rodgers.
Bad Company were consistent hitmakers and a concert draw throughout the 70s and even had a comeback in the ‘90s. While the band were never a critical favorite, they have the name recognition and the esteem of Paul Rodgers that make them very likely to get in the Hall this year. To some voters and fans, bands like Bad Company are what the Hall of Fame should be about, and that line of thinking will also help them as well.
Chances: High
The Black Crowes
Eligible since: 2016
Previous nominations: 0
Studio albums: 9
Chart stats: 2 top 40 hits
Most played song on Spotify: “Hard to Handle” (251 million streams)
Best-selling album: Shake Your Money Maker (1990, 5x platinum)
Acclaimed Music artist rank: #661
The Black Crowes were a decent band who had a nice run at the start of the ‘90s, but faded in prominence by the middle of the decade. While their time in the sun was short, some of their hits remain in rock radio rotation, and their first album in 14 years was nominated for a Grammy earlier this year. Their bluesy Southern rock sound also has some influence on the current crop of country stars. However, their legacy is modest at best and their chances at Hall enshrinement are unlikely.
The Black Crowes are going to have a hard time on the ballot with other hard or jammy rock bands in their “lane” and their lack of staying power.
The Crowes have not been a band that regularly shows up on lists of potential Hall prospects. As a result, they’re one of the most surprising choices on the ballot, particularly since they’re here over other ’90s rock bands that seemed more likely. They’re an interesting choice, but they might be the kind of artist who gets one nomination and never appears on the ballot again.
Chances: Low
Mariah Carey
Eligible since: 2016
Previous nominations: 1 (2024)
Studio albums: 15
Chart stats: 34 top 40 hits, including 19 number ones
Most played song on Spotify: “All I Want for Christmas is You” (2.1 billion streams)
Best-selling album: Daydream (1995, #11x platinum)
Acclaimed Music artist rank: #818
By far the biggest star on the ballot this year, Carey was nominated last year but apparently was a hard sell to some voters and was not inducted. Last year, she complained that her lawyer, Allen Grubman, was inducted before her in 2022.
While it’s strange that the Rock Hall is even inducting lawyers, Carey’s snub last year was just as peculiar. She has so many of the credentials the Hall is looking for in an inductee: hits, cross generational appeal, recognizably, and she wrote most of her hits. But there are voters out there who are reluctant to vote for anything that isn’t guitar rock, or had other problems with her nomination, or couldn’t find room for her on a crowded ballot last year.
I thought that Mariah was a lock last year, but I am less sure now on her second ballot. Make no mistake, she belongs in, but it seems like she has a tougher road ahead of her than I assumed.
Chances: Medium
Chubby Checker
Eligible since: 1986
Previous nominations: 0
Studio albums: 16
Chart stats: 22 top 40 hits, including 2 number ones
Most played song on Spotify: “Let’s Twist Again” (167 million streams)
Best-selling album: unclear
Acclaimed Music artist rank: unranked
Huh.
My main question with the nomination of Chubby Checker is why now? Why not 20 years ago? Or 30? What has changed that allowed the early ‘60s star, famous for “The Twist”, to get the nomination he’s desired for as long as the Hall has existed in 2025?
Checker may be one of the last pre-Beatles stars to wind up on the ballot as opposed to being inducted in a side category. Technically, he was honored already by the Hall, when “The Twist” was inducted in the short-lived singles category in 2018, but that category has been abandoned and forgotten. Link Wray was honored that way too, but was inducted through the influence category in 2023. Checker’s career is dominated by “The Twist”, one of the biggest hits of all time and still well remembered to this day.
Much of the rest of his career was dominated either by derivatives of “The Twist”, from “Let’s Twist Again” to “Slow Twistin’”, but he also had non-Twist dance craze hits like “Limbo Rock” and the #1 “Pony Time”. He already didn’t come off as a particularly deep musician during his hit making period, and after it, he embarrassed himself with trend-jumping choices like a lousy psychedelic rock album in the ’70s and working with the novelty rap group The Fat Boys in the ‘80s.
And yet, the guy’s stuck around. People know the name and the song. If Checker only recorded “The Twist” and then disappeared, he’d still be important to the history of rock, which you cannot write without that song. He might not have much in the way of memorable music outside of it, but “The Twist” is all Chubby Checker needs. Now that he’s on the ballot at long last, I expect him to have no problem getting in.
Chances: High
Joe Cocker
Eligible since: 1995
Previous nominations: 0
Studio albums: 22
Chart stats: 9 top 40 hits, including 1 number one
Most played song on Spotify: “Up Where We Belong” (350 million streams)
Last.fm scrobbles: 16.9 million
Best-selling album: With a Little Help from My Friends (1969), Joe Cocker! (1969), and Mad Dogs & Englishmen (1970) (all Gold)
Acclaimed Music artist rank: #495
Joe Cocker should have been in the Hall decades ago, especially before his 2014 while he was still alive to enjoy the honor. Like Checker, there is a bit of a “why now?” argument to make with Cocker, as he’s been worthy and eligible for so long. Most of Cocker’s biggest hits – “With a Little Help from My Friends”, “The Letter”, “You Are So Beautiful”, “Feelin’ Alright”, even “Up Where We Belong” – were not penned by him. But rock and roll is full of interpreters of others’ music; Elvis wasn’t a songwriter after all.
Cocker was also a famed live performer, particularly his live-wire performance at Woodstock that made him a star. Cocker may be less of a priority than Checker because he’s no longer here to celebrate his induction, but like Checker, he’s going to pick up a lot of support from voters surprised he isn’t in already.
Chances: medium high
Billy Idol
Eligible since: 2007
Previous nominations: 0
Studio albums: 8
Chart stats: 9 top 40 hits, including 1 number one
Most played song on Spotify: “Rebel Yell” (482 million streams)
Best-selling album: Rebel Yell (1983, 2x platinum)
Acclaimed Music artist rank: #976
Billy Idol performed during Ozzy Osbourne’s induction at last year’s ceremony, and some Hall watchers rightly predicted he’d be nominated in due time. Sure enough, here he is. Idol’s mixture of hard rock and punk made him an MTV and ‘80s icon. He’s still very well remembered and has a ton of songs that still get radio play.
Idol kind of the platonic idol of a Rock Hall nominee from the 80s era, and all he’s missing is the critical respect, and he didn’t have much success in the ‘90s. But he’s never gone away, and he continues to be a top draw live performer. He may play a lot of ‘80s nostalgia festivals, but he’s usually the headliner and top draw, and that has to amount to something. If Idol doesn’t get in this year, I expect him to be a name that keeps showing up on the ballot. However, there’s a good likelihood that he’s in right away.
Chances: Medium high
Joy Division / New Order
Eligible since: 2004 / 2007
Previous nominations: 1 (2023)
Studio albums: 2 / 10
Chart stats: 0 top 40 singles / 2 top 40 singles
Most played song on Spotify: “Love Will Tear Us Apart” (450 million streams) / “Blue Monday” (450 million plays)
Best-selling album: Substance 1987 (1987, platinum)
Acclaimed Music artist rank: #72 / #76
This nomination offers two important bands for the price of one. Joy Division helped codify post-punk and gothic rock before the untimely death of lead singer Ian Curtis. The remaining three members added keyboardist Gillian Gilbert and reconvened as New Order, becoming an important electronic and alternative band in their own right, recording several new wave classics, including a few American Top 40 hits. Both bands have an argument for induction apart, but together they’re a can’t miss proposition and the next British alternative band in line after The Cure and Depeche Mode. They didn’t get in on their first appearance in 2023, but they might have a better chance this year without anyone in their way in the 80s alternative lane with no INXS or B-52’s on the ballot.
Chances: Medium
Cyndi Lauper
Eligible since: 2009
Previous nominations: 1 (2023)
Studio albums: 12
Chart stats: 10 top 40 hits, including 2 number ones
Most played song on Spotify: “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” (1.3 billion streams)
Best-selling album: She’s So Unusual (1983, 7x platinum)
Acclaimed Music artist rank: #375
Cyndi Lauper is another well-remembered MTV icon on the ballot. Like Billy Idol, she also appeared during the ceremony last year, although in a pre-recorded commercial for the museum. Like Billy Idol, Lauper’s musical success didn’t last past the 80s, although her 90s records are intriguing and she kept a high profile through television and the Broadway stage. If only one can get in, I’d give the edge to Lauper over Idol, although I could very easily see both of them going in this year.
This isn’t the only Hall of Fame that Lauper belongs in but is instead on the outside looking in, and maybe the WWE can fix that omission one day too. One of the most impactful moments of Lauper’s career was when she helped get the then-WWF on MTV through her involvement with wrestlers Wendi Richter and Captain Lou Albano, and perhaps Wrestlemania doesn’t happen without her getting the company that nationwide spotlight.
Chances: High
Maná
Eligible since: 2013
Previous nominations: 0
Studio albums: 9
Chart stats: 0 top 40 hits
Most played song on Spotify: “Oye Mi Amor” (547 million streams)
Best-selling album: Amar es Combatir (2006, 16x platinum – Latin)
Acclaimed Music artist rank: unranked
Mana are the first artist to record primarily in Spanish to be nominated for the Hall, Maná are also likely to be the least familiar name to American fans who come across their name in the nominees list. The Mexican rockers have a few low charting Hot 100 hits, but nothing that entirely crossed over. They are one of the most successful bands in Latin America, but they don’t seem to exactly have the coolest reputation, especially when compared to the much admired Argentine alt-rock trio Soda Stereo.
That being said, Maná are a unique inclusion on the ballot that hopefully points towards more international artists being recognized by the Hall. That is something I’ve written about before and the Hall should consider. Maná is unlikely to get in when the voter base is primarily American and they aren’t as well know with critics like Fela Kuti was, and he didn’t even get inducted. They may well be a “wait and see” induction once more voters reveal their ballots.
Chances: Low
Oasis
Eligible since: 2020
Previous nominations: 1 (2024)
Studio albums: 7
Chart stats: 1 top 40 hit (plus 3 airplay top 40 hits)
Most played song on Spotify: “Wonderwall” (2.2 billion streams)
Best-selling album: (What’s the Story) Morning Glory? (1995, 4x platinum)
Acclaimed Music artist rank: #59
Between their last nomination and this ballot, Oasis announced a long awaited reunion that should boost their possibility of an induction this year. They are still very popular, especially in the UK, and those shows had an enormous demand. However, the band will be playing concerts around the time the Rock Hall induction usually is, and the Gallagher brothers don’t seem particularly interested or impressed by the honor. That stuff shouldn’t matter, but it does. Liam said he may show up, but he just as easily may not. Perhaps the voters don’t want the “Will they or won’t they?” drama and pass them up.
That Oasis reunion was a worldwide story that proved how colossal they remain 30 years after (What’s the Story) Morning Glory?. Despite the tabloid antics of the Gallagher brothers, Oasis remain a well respected and influential band. But if they won’t be showing up, it will probably hurt their chances on the ballot. I think they’re very likely, but they have less of a chance than Outkast or Cyndi Lauper. I am less sure about them getting in then I was last year before the reunion was announce. We’ll have to wait and see what happens with them.
Chances: Medium
Outkast
Eligible since: 2019
Previous nominations: 0
Studio albums: 6
Chart stats: 9 top 40 hits, including 3 number ones
Most played song on Spotify: “Hey Ya!” (1.5 billion streams)
Best-selling album: Speakerboxx/The Love Below (2003, #13x platinum)
Acclaimed Music artist rank: #64
At last, OutKast got a nomination for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. They should’ve been on the ballot and in right away when they were first eligible in 2019, but better late than never, and I was wondering when they ‘d be finally showing up. They have everything you could possibly want from an inductee. At their height they were not only one of the most popular musical acts in the world, but one of the most acclaimed.
I think Outkast are shoe-ins this year. As one of the most popular musical acts of the past 25 years, it would be a shock if they didn’t get in right away on their first ballot appearance.. The Hall has been inducting hip hop acts for almost 20 years now, as one of the biggest acts that the genre has ever produced, Outkast should waltz right into the Hall no problem. I consider them to be a lock.
Chances: Lock
Phish
Eligible since: 2014
Previous nominations: 0
Studio albums: 16
Chart stats: 0 top 40 hits
Most played song on Spotify: “Farmhouse” (26 million streams)
Best-selling album: Junta (1989) and A Live One (1995) (both platinum)
Acclaimed Music artist rank: unranked
Phish are one of my favorite bands, and I better have a good argument for them, huh?
Phish are an interesting band to talk about from a Rock Hall perspective, because so many of the regular qualifiers don’t really apply to them. They have no hit singles, no albums that are certified higher than platinum, and their name means nothing outside of the US. And yet, they can headline and sell out Madison Square Garden every New Year’s Eve. Their festivals in the 90s directly inspired the likes of Bonnaroo and other modern music festivals.
If you follow music news, they reliably show up in the news cycle a couple times a year, and they are one of the consistently highest grossing concert acts in the US. They have a lot of influence on later bands – from obvious descendants like Jack Johnson to less obvious cases like Vampire Weekend. They are one of the biggest cult bands in history, and they had one of the first fandoms that grew and cultivated online in the mid 1990s.
Phish are currently dominating the Fan Vote, but the results from that only add up to one ballot among hundreds, and does not guarantee their induction. Typically, the winner of the fan vote also just so happens to be inducted that year, but that is a coincidence. Dave Matthews Band in 2020 were the one exception, and they got in the second time they made the ballot. I have a feeling that exact situation will happen with Phish. If 2025 isn’t their year, the next time they show up will be. I have no idea how well Phish will do on the ballot. Voters may recognize their long run and cult following or pass on them for the lack of recognizable material. Even if this is their only trip on the ballot, it’s good to see them considered at all.
Chances: Medium
Soundgarden
Eligible since: 2012
Previous nominations: 2 (2020, 2023)
Studio albums: 6
Chart stats: 3 top 40 airplay hits
Most played song on Spotify: “Black Hole Sun” (786 million plays)
Best-selling album: Superunknown (1994, 6x platinum)
Acclaimed Music artist rank: #266
Soundgarden have appeared on two previous ballots, but are still on the inside looking out despite their importance to ’90s alternative rock. They were the first of the Seattle grunge bands to be signed to a major label, and they were the most metallic of the major bands in that scene. Soundgarden were a major influence on later heavy alternative bands, and the low reputation of some of those bands were not held against Nirvana and Pearl Jam, who were inducted right away. While they had some other hard rock competition on other ballots, this time they are the sole heavy band this year, which makes them stand out from their other alt rock competition. This is probably the best chance Soundgarden has had yet, and I think they will make it into the Hall this time.
Chances: High
The White Stripes
Eligible since: 2023
Previous nominations: 1 (2023)
Studio albums: 6
Chart stats: 1 top 40 hit
Most played song on Spotify: “Seven Nation Army” (1.8 billion streams)
Best-selling album: Elephant (2003, platinum)
Acclaimed Music artist rank: #78
While there are some artists on the ballot who had success in the 2000s (OutKast, Mariah, and Phish in particular), The White Stripes are the only act who had almost all of their popular run in the decade. They are being nominated specifically for their 00s work, when they were one of the most popular alternative bands in a decade where the style was starting to fade from popular view. They ended their career at the height of their fame, Jack White has gone on to a long solo career, and Meg White has been very important to female instrumentalists who followed her.
The White Stripes didn’t get in right away in 2023, which was a surprise considering how influential they are and all they accomplished in the 2000s. Maybe things will be better for them this time. I think they have a decent chance to make it in, but they are not the sure thing I thought they’d be when they first showed up on the ballot.
Chances: Medium
Who I’d vote for if I had a ballot:
Mariah Carey
Joy Division/New Order
Cyndi Lauper
Outkast
Phish
Soundgarden
The White Stripes
On the bubble: Joe Cocker, Oasis
Who I think will be inducted:
Bad Company
Chubby Checker
Joe Cocker
Billy Idol
Cyndi Lauper
OutKast
Soundgarden
On the bubble: Oasis, The White Stripes
Featured image courtesy of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame press room.
No Comments