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Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Announces Class of 2025 Nominees

The list of nominees for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’s Class of 2025 has been unveiled, featuring an intriguing mix of artists. Among the eight first-time nominees are arena-rock group Bad Company, Southern rock band the Black Crowes, rock legend Chubby Checker, blues-rock vocalist Joe Cocker, punk icon Billy Idol, Latin pop/rock group Maná, hip-hop innovators Outkast, and jam band Phish.

One of the more unexpected nominations is Chubby Checker. Despite being eligible for induction for years, this recognition comes as the Hall has increasingly turned its focus away from earlier musical eras. Similarly, Maná’s nomination is notable, considering the Hall’s historical inclination to overlook artists whose primary language is not English, despite the band’s significant accomplishments in Latin music.

This year, the list reveals a deficiency of women artists, a shift from the previously observed trend toward greater inclusion. Among the 14 nominees, only Cyndi Lauper and Mariah Carey stand out as female representatives. Lauper and Carey were also nominated in previous years but did not secure induction. Additionally, Gillian Gilbert from New Order and Meg White from The White Stripes are included, while only four artists of color feature on this year’s ballot. The list is predominantly filled with rock nominees, with a growing emphasis on traditional rock representation, as noted by the limited inclusion of other genres like hip-hop and R&B.

Highlighting the ’90s rock scene are nominees such as Britpop favorites Oasis, who were nominated last year and appear to have improved odds this time around, alongside Soundgarden and The White Stripes. Moreover, the post-punk group Joy Division has received its second dual nomination, honoring the legacy of the band’s late frontman, Ian Curtis.

Some significant omissions from this year’s nomination list include previous nominees such as Devo, Eric B. & Rakim, Iron Maiden, and Sinéad O’Connor. Other anticipated first-time nominees, including Coldplay, Garth Brooks, the B-52’s, and Dr. Dre, were also overlooked.

The voting process will involve an international panel of over 1,200 artists, historians, and music industry professionals receiving ballots digitally for the first time. Fans will also have the opportunity to cast their votes online or in person at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Museum located in Cleveland. The inductees for the Class of 2025 will be revealed in late April, with the induction ceremony scheduled to occur in Los Angeles later this fall.

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