By: Erin Jones
Earlier this week, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame released this year’s nominees for possible induction. This list of 14 nominees will be voted on by the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame voting panel, and the official 2025 inductee class will be revealed in April.
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, located in Cleveland, Ohio, has been inducting members since 1986. To qualify for a nomination, an artist’s first release must have been out for at least 25 years. While the hall originally only inducted traditional rock ‘n’ roll artists, it has expanded its definition of rock ‘n’ roll to include artists who have made an impact on music and culture, even if their sound isn’t necessarily “rock ‘n’ roll.”
Even though 14 artists are nominated, it doesn’t mean they have officially secured their spot in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame just yet. After the panel’s vote, about half will actually be inducted into the hall. While some artists get inducted after their first nomination, other artists aren’t as lucky, having to be nominated several times before being selected for induction. Some artists have been nominated repeatedly, but have not yet made it into the hall. For example, the disco band Chic has received 11 nominations for possible induction, but still has not been chosen for induction.
The 14 artists nominated this year are Bad Company, The Black Crowes, Mariah Carey, Chubby Checker, Joe Cocker, Billy Idol, Joy Division/New Order, Cyndi Lauper, Maná, Oasis, Outkast, Phish, Soundgarden and The White Stripes.
Bad Company
Rock group Bad Company formed in 1973. Its original members were Paul Rodgers and Simon Kirke from Free, Mick Ralphs from Mott the Hoople and Raymond “Boz” Burrell from King Crimson. Bad Company is known for their defiant and larger-than-life sound, with some of their most notable songs being “Bad Company,” “Can’t Get Enough” and “Feel Like Makin’ Love.” The group was nominated for the Grammy for Best New Artist of the Year in 1974. This is the first time Bad Company has been nominated for possible induction.
The Black Crowes
In 1984, brothers Chris Robinson and Rich Robinson formed the band Mr. Crowe’s Garden while they were in high school. After various member changes, they found consistency with Steve Gorman, Johnny Colt and Jeff Cease. In 1990, the band changed their name to The Black Crowes. Known for their unique sound, which is a blend of country and alternative, the group would go on to release popular songs like “She Talks to Angels,” “Hard to Handle” and “Remedy.” The Black Crowes have two Grammy Award nominations and have sold more than 30 million albums. This is The Black Crowes’ first Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nomination.
Mariah Carey
Mariah Carey released her self-titled debut album in 1990, and since then, has been known as a pop superstar. Carey is known for her wide vocal range and her impressive ability to hit whistle notes. She holds the title of “Queen of Christmas,” due to the massive success of her 1994 single “All I Want for Christmas Is You.” Carey isn’t only popular in December, however, as her songs such as “Always Be My Baby,” “Emotions” and “Fantasy” are hits all-year-round. Carey has received various awards, including six Grammy Awards and 20 Billboard Music Awards. This is Carey’s second Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nomination, being nominated for the first time in 2024.
Chubby Checker
Chubby Checker’s career began after he released his first single, “The Class,” in 1959. Checker is the voice of many of the 1960s’ popular dance songs, including “The Twist,” “Let’s Twist Again” and “Pony Time.” Checker’s voice is graceful and melodic. When it’s paired with vibrant instrumentation and lively backing vocals, the result is a song you won’t be able to stop yourself from dancing along to. In 2008, “The Twist” was named the biggest chart hit by Billboard magazine. He was given the Sandy Hosey Lifetime Achievement Award in 2013. This is Checker’s first nomination for possible induction.
Joe Cocker
After being a band member of Vance Arnold and the Avengers and then forming the Grease Band, Joe Cocker began his solo career in 1968. He gained popularity with a slowed down cover of The Beatles’ “With a Little Help from My Friends,” which would later become the theme song for “The Wonder Years.” Cocker’s musical career spanned over 60 years, where his releases like “Feelin’ Alright,” “Up Where We Belong” and “You Are So Beautiful” became hits because of his alluring, soulful voice. Joe Cocker’s many accolades include a Grammy Award for Best Rock Vocal Performance, Male and the Order of the British Empire. This is Cocker’s first Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nomination.
Billy Idol
Billy Idol got his start in the music industry as a member of Generation X before he began his solo career in 1981. The punk rocker has many notable hits, including “Dancing with Myself,” “Rebel Yell” and “Eyes Without a Face.” Idol’s solo career launched around the same time as MTV, giving his music videos a huge, new platform. Idol was a pioneer of the “Second British Invasion,” and both his sound and style are bold and charismatic. Idol boasts three Grammy nominations, 10 MTV Video Music Award nominations and the MTV Video Music Award for Best Video from a Film in 1990 for “Cradle of Love.” This is the first time Idol has received a nomination for possible induction.
Joy Division/New Order
In 1976, Ian Curtis, Bernard Sumner, Peter Hook and Stephen Morris created the rock band Joy Division. The new wave group saw success with songs like “Shadowplay” and “Love Will Tear Us Apart.” However, after Curtis died by suicide in 1980, Joy Division’s remaining members reformed into New Order, adding Gillian Gilbert as their fourth member. The group traded in their brooding punk sound for upbeat synths, creating hits like “Blue Monday” and “Bizarre Love Triangle.” New Order has one Grammy Award nomination, one Billboard Music Award, one International Dance Music Award and the Rolling Stone UK’s The Icon Award. This is the second time Joy Division/New Order have been nominated for possible induction, the first time being in 2023.
Cyndi Lauper
Cyndi Lauper began her music career in 1983, and since then, has made her mark on the music industry with her signature spunk and femininity. Some of her most well known songs include “Girls Just Want to Have Fun,” “Time After Time” and “True Colors.” Lauper’s many accolades include two Grammy Awards, one Tony Award, one Emmy Award and one MTV Video Music Award. She also has a spot on the Library of Congress’ National Recording Registry and is a member of the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Lauper has devoted her career to LGBTQ+ activism, dedicating multiple tours to different gay rights charities. This is Lauper’s second Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nomination, as she received her first nomination in 2023.
Maná
Maná is a Mexican rock band that consists of Fher Olvera, Alex González, Sergio Vallín and Juan Calleros. The band, whose original name was Sombrero Verde, formed in 1981. Their most popular songs include “Oye Mi Amor,” “Mariposa Traicionera” and “Labios Compartidos.” Their 1992 album, “¿Dónde Jugarán Los Niños?,” holds the title of being the best-selling Spanish-language rock album. Maná’s various awards include 23 Billboard Latin Music Awards, four Grammy Awards, nine Latin Grammy Awards and two World Music Awards. This is Maná’s first time being nominated for possible induction. They are the first Spanish-language band to receive a nomination.
Oasis
In 1991, Liam Gallagher, Noel Gallagher, Paul “Bonehead” Arthurs, Paul “Guigsy” McGuigan and Tony McCarroll joined to form the Britpop band Oasis. The band released their first album in 1994, and would go on to create hits like “Wonderwall,” “Champagne Supernova” and “Don’t Look Back In Anger.” As original members of the band left, Gem Arthurs, Andy Bell and Alan White became signature members of Oasis. Oasis split in 2009 when Noel Gallagher left the band, only recently reforming in 2024. Oasis has six Brit Awards, 18 Brit Award nominations and two Grammy Award nominations. This is Oasis’ second nomination for possible induction, as their first nomination came in 2024.
Outkast
André 3000 and Big Boi joined forces as high schoolers to create Outkast. The hip hop duo has produced many hits, such as “Ms. Jackson,” “The Way You Move (feat. Sleepy Brown)” and “Hey Ya!” Outkast’s sound is defined by the duo’s experimentation with blending different genres and their catchy lyrics. In 2007, André 3000 and Big Boi split Outkast so they could work on their own solo projects. Outkast has won six Grammy Awards, including the Grammy Award for Album of the Year in 2004 for “Speakerboxxx/The Love Below.” Outkast’s other awards include four American Music Awards, six Black Entertainment Television Awards and five MTV Video Music Awards. This is Outkast’s first Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nomination.
Phish
After forming at the University of Vermont in 1983, Phish released their first studio album in 1989. The band, whose members are Trey Anastasio, Jon Fishman, Mike Gordon and Page McConnell, created popular hits such as “Bouncing Around the Room,” “Sample in a Jar” and “You Enjoy Myself.” The jam-band is known for their unique, improvisational performances, and for their loyal fanbase of Phish Heads. Phish has one Grammy Award nomination and was named “the most important band of the ‘90s” by the Rolling Stone. This is Phish’s first time being nominated for possible induction.
Soundgarden
In 1984, Chris Cornell, Kim Thayil and Hiro Yamamoto created the rock band Soundgarden. The Seattle-based trio, who would later add Matt Cameron as a drummer and Ben Shepherd to replace Yamamoto on bass, created anthemic songs like “Black Hole Sun,” “Spoonman” and “Fell On Black Days.” A contributor to the rise of grunge music, Soundgarden split in 1997, but reunited in 2010 and stayed together until 2017. Soundgarden has two Grammy Awards, one MTV Video Music Award and seven Northwest Area Music Awards. This is Soundgarden’s third Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nomination, the most of any artist that was nominated this year. Soundgarden’s other nominations were in 2020 and 2023.
The White Stripes
Jack White and Meg White formed the rock band The White Stripes in 1997. The duo’s many notable songs include “Seven Nation Army,” “Icky Thump” and “Fell In Love With a Girl.” Known for their rebellious sound and enigmatic black, white and red style, The White Stripes saw commercial success until they split in 2011. Jack White went on to have a flourishing solo career, his most recent album releasing in 2024. While Meg White isn’t currently creating music, she is revered for her unique and skillful drumming ability. The White Stripes have six Grammy Awards, five MTV Video Music Awards and one Brit Award. This the second time The White Stripes have received a nomination for possible induction. They were nominated for the first time in 2023.
The list of 2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nominees is filled with pioneers, trailblazers and creatives who have not only impacted the music industry, but culture as a whole. It will be an exciting race for fans to follow as they see which artists will get the votes to earn a coveted spot in this year’s induction class. While I feel that all 14 nominees are great options for induction, I’m predicting that this year’s inductees will be Mariah Carey, Chubby Checker, Billy Idol, Cyndi Lauper, Oasis, Outkast, Phish and Soundgarden.
The 2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee class will be announced towards the end of April. In the meantime, fans can participate in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Fan Vote and vote seven times per day on which nominee they want to be inducted. The winner of the fan vote will earn one vote towards possible induction.
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