Assessing resumes of 2025 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nominees

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame unveiled 14 potential inductees for 2025, sparking a mix of excitement and frustration among fans as they discuss whether their beloved acts made the cut. Personally, I can’t help but wonder: Where are the Monkees?

I’ll set it aside for the moment. As it stands, this year’s nominees have eight newcomers. A simple calculation indicates that’s over half the list. Interestingly, none of these fresh faces are debutants; instead, they’ve all been recognized and overlooked for nomination previously – some for several years or even decades. This could signal a shift in RRHOF, leaning towards artists who have been unfairly overlooked in the past, perhaps implying more attention will be given to their deserving cases.

Or it may suggest that this is simply a weak year for the Hall.

Who deserves to be inducted among the 2025 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nominees?

Recently, it’s been clear that the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has been going through a period of self-reflection. Some scholars see rock & roll as a genre in decline, with its influence on the music industry waning for some time now. This trend was once more evident at this year’s Grammy Awards, where the Recording Academy bestowed major rock honors upon bands like the Beatles and the Rolling Stones – acts that were inducted into the hall before many current music enthusiasts were even born.

To maintain its significance, the Hall has expanded the criteria for selecting notable performances. In recent times, prominent hip-hop, country, and pop artists have been inducted, even though they may not have a strong link to traditional rock ‘n’ roll. This change has led some longtime supporters to question the value of being inducted into the Hall nowadays.

In the previous year, four out of the eight inductees could arguably not be considered core figures in the rock genre. Despite their distinguished careers, artists like Mary J. Blige, Cher, Kool & the Gang, and A Tribe Called Quest may have raised questions about their affiliation with rock and roll music.

To be honest, that matter has been resolved. We’re now welcoming a broader variety of artists. It’s a question of personal opinion whether this is beneficial or not.

Let’s take a look at this year’s nominees and rank them based on my personal assessment of their merit. I understand that some readers might not agree with me, but we all have different opinions. This is not an attempt to predict who will ultimately win; that may come later after we’ve had a chance to consider the buzz and analyze the trends.

While my assessment of their worthiness might be influenced by their resumes, it’s important to note that this doesn’t necessarily reflect my personal taste in music. It’s possible for artists whom I don’t particularly enjoy to have a greater degree of merit than bands I personally favor.

Enough disclaimer – on to the list. In reverse order from least-deserving to most….

Chubby Checker (1st time nominee)

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame has set up additional accolades apart from the primary “Performers” category. Chubby Checker is an ideal choice for recognition as an Early Influence. It would be inappropriate to honor him as a performer. Notably, Checker had one massive hit – “The Twist” – and a few other highly successful singles. Remarkably, “The Twist” was a Number One Billboard hit on two separate occasions, and “Pony Time” also reached the top of the charts.

60 years have passed since then, and Checker’s tenure as a prominent recording artist was brief. Despite his nostalgic appeal due to his expressed wish to be honored and being 83 years of age, his performance skills do not warrant induction.

Mana (1st time nominee)

Frankly speaking, I’m not well-versed enough about Mana or their impact to make an informed judgment regarding their prospects. They are the pioneering Spanish-speaking musical act to be nominated for induction into the Hall of Fame. Their influence in Mexico and Latin American charts is significant, but they have yet to make a substantial mark on mainstream US charts.

This seems to be the initial break in the barrier that has previously excluded Latin artists, making this nomination significant. However, I’m not convinced that this alone guarantees induction in 2025. When it becomes commonplace for reggaeton acts to be honored, Mana may receive greater recognition for their accomplishments.

The Black Crowes (1st time nominee)

I’m quite fond of The Black Crowes, boasting six albums in the top 20 and three top-five singles on their discography. Their latest album was well-received, reflecting their enduring talent. However, even with these impressive achievements, it seems they haven’t yet earned a place in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Joe Cocker (1st time nominee)

Besides Chubby Checker, no first-time nominee has had as long a career as Joe Cocker. He is one of the most revered blues singers of his time and released an album called Mad Dogs & Englishmen, which created quite a stir in 1970. However, it’s worth noting that despite releasing 22 studio albums throughout his career, Cocker never managed to reach the top ten charts in either the UK or the USA.

(or)

Joe Cocker, like Chubby Checker, is a first-time nominee who has been in the music scene for a considerable length of time. He’s known as one of the most esteemed blues vocalists of his era and released the album Mad Dogs & Englishmen, which was quite influential in 1970. However, despite recording 22 studio albums, Cocker never made it to the top ten charts in either the UK or the USA.

His most significant achievements are in Germany. However, like Checker, Cocker seems misplaced in this category. At the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (RRHOF) inductions, there’s a recognition for Musical Excellence. This award was initially designed for backing musicians, but last year, Dionne Warwick, a solo vocalist, received it. Similarly, Cocker should be granted this honor.

Bad Company (1st time nominee)

This group, Bad Company, holds a special place in my heart because I grew up with them. They were my favorites, and they were part of one of the earliest successful supergroups. Their debut album topped the charts in the U.S., and their next three albums following it were also major hits. However, despite their initial success, Bad Company started losing momentum as soon as their first album was released, and their tenure as a prominent band lasted only around five years.

Billy Idol (1st time nominee)

This hits harder than Bad Company, as I was an even bigger fan of Billy Idol. I’m still fond of him today, and I think the rock star commercials he does now are exceptional. However, similar to Bad Company, Idol’s career as a prominent artist may have reached its peak. If we factor in his time with punk pioneers Generation X (and taking the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame into account), his body of work gains a bit more credibility. But is a couple of hit albums and numerous top singles in the mid-’80s truly enough?

Cyndi Lauper (2nd-time nominee)

2023 saw Lauper being nominated, but unfortunately, she didn’t make it to the final round of induction. Similar to Billy Idol, Lauper had several significant hits in the mid-80s and significantly contributed to the evolution of music videos during that era. Post her initial success, she continued to release music and even enjoyed a bit of a comeback in recent years. I believe that as pop music gains more recognition in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (RRHOF), Lauper is likely to be inducted one day. However, this year, she may face an obstacle from another popular female artist vying for the same spot.

Phish (1st time nominee)

Phish shares some similarities with Mana, as both bands are somewhat exempt from conventional judging based on traditional metrics like chart performance or mainstream popularity. While Phish has consistently ranked high on alternative charts, their mainstream success is minimal to nonexistent.

Despite being one of the most beloved and prosperous live bands globally with a highly dedicated fanbase, their extensive collection of live music is astounding. While it’s debatable whether Phish has enough diverse backing to secure their entry, ideally, they would eventually be honored.

Soundgarden (3rd time nominee)

If history repeats itself, we’re looking at a section of the list that typically includes artists who are strong contenders for induction this year. Personally, Soundgarden is my top pick from this year’s nominees, and I must confess that my preference might be influencing me. Their discography only consists of six studio albums, with the initial two leaning more towards post-punk, which was a relatively niche genre at the time.

Without doubt, no band emerging from the northwest music scene during the early ’90s held as much influence as Nirvana and Pearl Jam did. This influential period was substantial enough to warrant numerous bands’ induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Led by Chris Cornell, a vocalist whose talent graced rock & roll during his time, and Kim Thayil, a shrewd guitarist who negotiated his contract with indie label SST wisely, they were a force to be reckoned with.

Soundgarden’s approach to kick-starting their career, which was exceptionally effective, makes a strong case for their inclusion. Their music not only meets but surpasses expectations.

The White Stripes (2nd time nominee)

It’s more convincing to argue for Jack White’s individual induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame than it is for his band, the White Stripes. Combining his solo career and various collaborations, there seems little reason why he shouldn’t already be included. However, due to their significant impact on contemporary rock music, the White Stripes – a group formed with his wife Meg White – warrant induction, despite having a relatively smaller body of work.

Joy Division/New Order (2nd time nominee)

In 2023, these two musical groups found themselves side by side in nominations. They share a connection as New Order emerged from Joy Division following the demise of its lead vocalist, Ian Curtis, in 1980. While I personally haven’t been deeply invested in either version, their influence is undeniable.

The primary point of contention against their inclusion could be that they were significantly more popular in the United Kingdom compared to the United States. While this might not necessarily sway voters, it’s hard to predict. However, it doesn’t imply New Order had no influence in the USA. In fact, they made a considerable impact on Dance charts there. Yet, they were truly colossal in the UK.

Outkast (1st time nominee)

Last year, the musical group A Tribe Called Quest, along with Mary J. Blige who blends rap into her neo-soul style, were inducted into the Hall of Fame. Going forward, the Hall plans to induct more hip-hop artists. Although I was hoping to see Wu-Tang Clan on this list, Outkast is equally deserving.

Although their partnership didn’t last too long, giving them a relatively short resume, over a decade they were undoubtedly influential figures in Atlanta hip-hop, with five back-to-back albums reaching either the top spot or the second position on the U.S. album chart.

Oasis (2nd time nominee)

Last year, I had expected Oasis to secure a spot, given they were first-time nominees. Similar to Joy Division/New Order, their main flaw is their significantly larger popularity in the UK compared to the USA. However, with the Gallagher brothers, other issues frequently arise. Notably, lead singer Liam Gallagher has been quite vocal about his views on the Hall of Fame.

In simpler terms, he essentially labeled them as “rude or foolish people.” The band Oasis was always a subject of controversy but they had an exceptional reign on the UK charts and many international markets for nearly a decade from the mid-90s to the mid-2000s, which is rare among rock bands. It seems they deserve induction, but it’s uncertain if they will be.

Mariah Carey (2nd time nominee)

Firstly, let’s clear up a point. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (RRHOF) inducted Madonna in 2008, followed by ABBA, Donna Summer, Janet Jackson, Whitney Houston, and Cher. With such a lineup, it becomes challenging to justify excluding Mariah Carey, as she outshines all these artists in terms of success, with a significant margin.

It’s possible to argue that her type of pop music is more distinct from rock and roll than the other popular acts. Last year’s absence from induction might imply agreement from others, but it seems like a minor point. This year’s nominees appear weaker compared to previous ones, so I anticipate she will be inducted eventually.

Although the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame hasn’t disclosed the exact date for announcing the 2025 inductees, it’s expected that the announcement will be made sometime around late April.

2025-02-14 14:02