2025 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Nominees

Not a bad crop this year – except, as usual, for women. There are only two lead nominees, both of which should be inducted:

Mariah Carey – an undeniable vocal talent, and

Cyndi Lauper – an 80s icon, who has won all the awards

Really? No 90s women? Alanis Morissette, Liz Phair, Fiona Apple, PJ Harvey, Sleater Kinney… Ridiculous. Anyway, then, like Foreigner and Peter Frampton being inducted last year, you have the Oldies rock staples, who’ve sold well, whose songs you know, and who are totally fine:

Bad Company – I guess they’re fine

Joe Cocker – Had some big hits

Billy Idol – punk!

Chubby Checker – Sure, why not! Other inductees from the early days of rock aren’t as deserving, so Checker is fine by me.

The 90s get some love, too:

Soundgarden – perennial nominees at this point, a fine grunge band

Oasis – having a moment, kinda like they did in the 90s

The Black Crowes – Never a huge band, not really sure why they’re on here…

There are a few offbeat acts thrown in, for good measure:

Phish – I like their ice cream

Mana – a top-selling Mexican rock band. So far Richie Valens and Santana are the only Spanish-language inductees. So this would be the first rock band inducted from a non-English-speaking country. Which opens an interesting can of worms. A few years back Fela Kuti was nominated a couple of times, but didn’t get in. If you’re in the Hall of Fame, and not American, you’re from Canada, the UK, Ireland, or Australia. So, if Mana makes it, then things may begin to change. Whether that’s good or bad is difficult to say, but I lean towards good.

Then we have the real stars, the pioneers and innovators:

The White Stripes – one of the best rock bands in the past 25 years

Joy Division / New Order – been arguing for them for ages

Finally rap gets a single shout-out:

Outkast – Totally, this is deserved

Top Picks:

Cyndi Lauper

Mariah Carey

The White Stripes

Joy Division / New Order

Outkast

Good Alternatives:

Chubby Checker

Billy Idol

Phish

Joe Cocker

Not Great, But Fine:

Bad Company

Soundgarden

Oasis

Mana

Best Not:

The Black Crowes