On February 25th of this year, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame announced its 2026 finalists to be considered for induction. A whopping 17 performers were nominated this year (the most ever), spanning multiple genres and eras. The institution will select seven nominees for induction sometime in April.
In the meantime, let’s break down who’s on the ballot and what their chances are.
Before doing so, let me establish a criterion for each performer:
- Sales
- Hits
- Volume of work and longevity
- Critical acclaim
- Influence
Not every artist on the list will fill each of these buckets to the brim, but these benchmarks establish a common standard for those under consideration.
As of this moment, the fan vote is being led, somewhat surprisingly, by the vocal group New Edition. Winning the fan vote is no guarantee of induction. The Dave Matthews Band had to win the online fan vote twice before being inducted, and, rather ignominiously, Phish won the fan vote, and not only did they not get enshrined in the Rock Hall, they haven’t even been renominated.
That being said, the fan vote does carry significant weight. With that in mind, I will consider each performer’s case in the order of the current fan vote standings.
On with the show.
New Edition (first-time nominee):
It’s not surprising that the popular ‘80s vocal group would have significant support among fans, but I certainly did not expect the precursors to boy-band stars like New Kids on the Block, Backstreet Boys, and NSYNC to be running up the score.
Going by the established criteria, here is how the group rounds out in the five categories:
Sales: New Edition has sold just under ten million albums in the United States.
Hits: 19 charting singles with Hit Me Off (#3), Cool It Now (#4), I’m Still In Love With You (#7), and If It Isn’t Love (#7), being their biggest hits on the pop chart.
Works/Longevity: New Edition has produced seven full albums over 21 years (1983-2004)
Influence: There would be no NKOTB, no Backstreet’s Back, and no It’s Gonna Be Me(May) without New Edition. The vocal group bridges the gap between the Jackson 5 and the pale-faced boy bands of the aughts. It’s easy to look at the front half of that statement favorably, and the back half less so, but there can be no denying that the group’s cultural significance extends to creating a launch pad for whiter and more financially successful vocal groups to come.
Critical acclaim: New Edition was generally reviewed quite favorably (especially in the ‘80s) for their sweet, candy-coated tunes, and then their more adult turn in the ‘90s and ‘00s. Boy bands aren’t often well-reviewed, but New Edition is a notable outlier.
The assessment:
New Edition produced a succession of wondrous singles in the ‘80s and into the ‘90s. They sold a respectable number of records, and despite their on-and-off nature after the ‘80s, they found success across three different decades. They clear all hurdles, at least to some degree. Should New Edition prevail in the fan vote, that will help their chances. It’s also possible that Hall voters might see the group as lightweight in value and sporadic in output. I think they rest on the fence.
Phil Collins (first-time nominee as a solo artist):
Already a Hall member with Genesis, the relentless hit maker of the ‘80s and ‘90s gets his first shot on the Hall’s ballot as a solo artist.
Sales: Collins has sold a whopping 40 million albums in the US alone, and an astonishing 150 million worldwide.
Hits: 30 times Collins placed songs onto the singles charts, hitting number one seven times (Against All Odds, Sussudio, One More Night, Separate Lives, A Groovy Kind of Love, Two Hearts, Another Day in Paradise)
Works/Longevity: From 1981-2010, Collins produced ten solo albums of original material, all while spending time bouncing back and forth between his solo career and Genesis.
Influence: As a drummer, vocalist, and songwriter, Collins has become an uncool touchpoint for many artists, including chart-toppers such as Kanye, Adele, Lorde, Rush, Eminem, and Pharrell.
Critical acclaim: After Collins’ first two solo albums, critics began to sour on one of the most prolific hitmakers of his era. Starting with the massive success of No Jacket Required, and extending through the remainder of his recording career, Collins was often dismissed as sappy, formulaic, and too eager to please the masses who adored him.
The Assessment:
Phil Collins defined a decade of pop music. Sure, some of it was pure Velveeta, but a lot of it was choice. Throw in his prodigious skills as a drummer, his value add as a producer, and, my god, man, all of those hits, and the case should be closed. And look, if Chicago can be inducted, I don’t see any reason why Phil Collins can’t. Sure, a lot of his music plays too much like ‘70s soft rock, but there’s no denying the craftsmanship that went into all of those inescapable ballads and pop tunes. It should also be noted that Collins was an extraordinary drummer, a good producer (manning hits for David Crosby, Eric Clapton, and Agnetha Faltskog), and a distinctive vocalist. You always knew when you were hearing a new Phil Collins song. You didn’t need the DJ to tell you. Don’t discount sentiment here, either. Collins has suffered an array of cruel reviews that have turned personal. As Collins has aged and become increasingly inundated with health issues, views of him have not only mellowed but ticked upward. I think he gets in.
P!nk (first-time nominee):
The only first-year eligible nominee on the ballot. The dynamic pop star traversed multiple genres (R&B, funk, rock, punk, and, of course, pop) to become one of the most successful pop stars of her era. Her live performances are also considered the stuff of legend.
Sales: P!nk has sold more than 20 million albums in the U.S., 60 million worldwide.
Hits: 37 times P!nk has hit the pop singles charts, with four cuts going all the way to number one (Lady Marmalade, So What!, Raise Your Glass, Just Give Me A Reason).
Works/Longevity: Between 2000 and 2023, P!nk has released nine albums, with eight of them hitting the top ten.
Influence: Cher, Sheryl Crow, Kelly Clarkson, and Tegan and Sara have all pointed to P!nk as an artist of significance. You can also hear her “tough babe” aesthetic in the recordings of Olivia Rodrigo and Gracie Abrams, among others.
The Assessment: P!nk is the one artist of the nominees who stands to benefit from recency bias. I don’t see a strong argument against her induction, but she may need to wait. Not because she isn’t worthy, but because of the Hall backlog. Something tells me that P!nk may have to wait a cycle or two before being inducted, but it’s also in her favor that she would likely be willing and able to take the stage on her own behalf and perform at a near-prime level. Does it matter to Hall voters that the inducted artists show up and play? I suspect it does. I have her on the fence.
Luther Vandross (first-time nominee):
The ultimate R&B smoothie, who cut out what seemed like a genre of his own across three decades. “Luther” was a one-name-only necessary mention throughout the ‘80s and much of the ‘90s.
Sales: Over 25 million albums sold in the U.S., 50 million worldwide.
Hits: 32 singles chart appearances, including five top tens, with his duet/cover of Endless Love (with Mariah Carey) being his biggest hit, hitting #2.
Works/Longevity: 13 albums from 1981 to 2003 (cut off by his untimely death in 2005).
Influence: You’d be hard-pressed to find an R&B singer of greater import than Luther Vandross. For extra points, Vandross was a key backup singer, vocal arranger, and co-songwriter (Fascination) on David Bowie’s classic Young Americans album.
Critical Acclaim: Luther may not have been thought of as rock and roll, or seen as an artist with an edge by the critics, but his voice, tenure, and sophistication won over many a hardened critic. In the end, once that man opened his mouth and sang, resistance was futile.
The Assessment:
Luther Vandross is the great “love man” of his era. Still, the man who got that bill in the prior era (Barry White) can’t get into the Hall without buying a ticket. Even so, Luther had a longer run of success, and unlike White, he’s not attached to disco. There are a lot of “urban” artists for Vandross to compete with in this year’s nominees, but no one else fills the “love man” role like he does. If it’s not this year, I suspect it will be soon.
Shakira (first-time nominee):
The only ESL candidate on this year’s ballot. The Colombian firework has a history of success in the U.S. and across Latin America. Her stage performances are legendary.
Sales: Shakira has sold over 17 million albums in the U.S., and over 100 million worldwide.
Hits: Shakira has placed 40 singles on the American singles chart and 60 singles on the Latin singles charts. Her biggest hit in the U.S. is Hips Don’t Lie (featuring Wyclef Jean), which went all the way to #1. She has hit #1 on the Latin singles charts 15 times.
Works/Longevity: Between 1991 and 2024, Shakira has released 12 albums of original material.
Influence: Quite possibly the most successful Latin American recording artist ever, it’s almost impossible to imagine the stateside success of Bad Bunny, Rosalia, and even Pitbull without the existence of Shakira.
Critical Acclaim: Critics have generally viewed Shakira’s English-language albums favorably, with even stronger marks for her Latin albums.
The Assessment:
Latin artists are deeply underrepresented in the Rock Hall. Only Santana, Ritchie Valens, and Linda Ronstadt (who I’m sure many don’t think of as a Latin artist) have been enshrined in the Hall. Just three others have even been nominated: Mana, Mariah Carey, and Los Lobos. Like Ronstadt, no one thinks of Carey as a Latin first artist. I’m not sure whether Shakira gets in this year, but her argument for induction is very strong and, in the long term, likely undeniable.
INXS (first-time nominee):
For a significant period of time, one of the biggest bands in the world and relentless bare-bones hitmakers.
Sales: Over 15 million albums sold in the U.S., and 50 million worldwide.
Hits: 18 singles placed on the pop charts, the biggest of which was Need You Tonight, which went all the way to number one.
Works/Longevity: Ten albums between 1980 and 1997, five of which went multi-platinum, platinum, or gold.
Influence: U2, Michael Stipe, P!nk, The Killers, and No Doubt have named INXS as a touchpoint. At the peak of their powers, Rolling Stone Keith Richards also spoke of them fondly.
Critical Acclaim: INXS generally received good-to-strong reviews from the rock-critic cognoscenti. While they weren’t taken as seriously as some of their peers (particularly U2), their music has aged well, as has the slinky voice of their frontman, Michael Hutchence.
The Assessment:
In a year where true rock and roll artists are in short supply, they have a legit chance. Considering there are only two Australian acts in the Rock Hall (AC/DC and The Bee Gees) from that music-rich country, it would seem like INXS would be the natural third choice. I must admit that I am biased here. I cut out on my own high school graduation party to see the band on their Kick tour in 1988. I have zero regrets.
Sade (second nomination):
Ah, the silky chanteuse who was a style and genre all of her own. Sade may have been a band, but Sade Adu was the selling point.
Sales: 25 million albums sold in the U.S., over 50 million worldwide.
Hits: Nine singles chart entries, with Smooth Operator and The Sweetest Taboo being the biggest hits, both peaking at #5.
Works/Longevity: Six albums between 1984 and 2010.
Influence: Sade is a neo-soul touchpoint name-checked by modern artists such as Drake, The Weeknd, and Frank Ocean as an inspiration.
Critical Acclaim: Sade may have produced only six albums, but critics of the time and in revision have found her output to be choice and distinctive. While many artists may have been influenced by or taken their cues from Sade, her blend of soul, jazz, quiet storm, and calypso was all of her own. In her genre…well, Sade is her genre.
The Assessment:
Well, she/they damn well oughta should get in. If there has ever been a cooler artist than Sade, I know not their name. I remember thinking when George Michael was inducted: how great would it be if she came out and sang Careless Whisper on his behalf? That may not have happened, but I sure would be down with Sade Adu turning up later this year to sing Smooth Operator on her own damn behalf.
Wu-Tang Clan (first-time nominee):
The gnarliest hip-hop band from Staten Island or anywhere else. At full strength, the Wu had more MCs than you could fit on a stage, more grimy beats than a record could hold, and a lingering fascination that holds true to this day.
Sales: Over 6 million albums sold in the U.S., and another 10 worldwide.
Hits: While not really a singles artists, the Wu saw 13 tracks place on the Hot 100 and/or R&B singles charts.
Works/Longevity: From 1993 to 2025, the Wu has released 7 proper albums and 5 compilations containing new material, but not necessarily input from all members.
Influence: The Wu have sold plenty of records, have a smattering of hits, and have been active for parts of four decades. That’s all well and good, but it is the area of influence where the group stands out most. Not many artists can claim to have “changed the game,” but the Wu certainly can. Their story is the ultimate in DIY ingenuity. Aside from creating great records as a group, every band member has made an impact on hip-hop outside of the group (often with the production guidance of founding member, The RZA). The Wu broke the conventional record deal for new artists by forcing Virgin to allow each band member to sign solo contracts with other labels. They are also a force in fashion, iconography, and film.
Critical Acclaim: While the first two Wu-Tang Clan albums are considered classics, their remaining output has received mostly strong reviews, but with some variance. Even so, the Wu is one of the most acclaimed hip-hop artists in the genre.
The Assessment:
I think the Wu gains purchase with the Rock Hall this year. There’s only one other hip-hop artist on the ballot, Lauryn Hill (more on her later), and the Rock Hall has inducted at least one performer from the genre in each of the last six years. The Wu-Tang Clan has an incredibly strong resume and strikes me as the closest thing to a sure thing in this very unclear year. Extra points for having an excellent documentary series (Of Mics & Men) and a popular narrative series (Wu-Tang: An American Saga) in recent years. And man, just imagine if all the living MCs (RIP ODB) make it onto the stage. It will be bedlam.
Billy Idol (second nomination):
The pop/punk sneer master is back again after being nominated last year. Idol was a staple of MTV in the ‘80s, an underrated songwriter, and a hell of a lot of fun.
Sales: 7 million albums in the U.S., 40 million worldwide.
Hits: Idol hit the pop singles chart 15 times, with his biggest hit being Mony Mony, his cover of the Tommy James & the Shondells chestnut. It went all the way to number one.
Works/Longevity: From 1982 to 2025, Idol has released 9 albums, with 5 reaching platinum status.
Influence: Billy Idol is the defining figure of the pop-punk genre. There is no way to listen to Blink-182, Fall Out Boy, Green Day, Paramore, Panic at the Disco, and many more without hearing his influence. Idol melded punk with pop melodies like few others, and never lost credibility with his punk base.
Critical Acclaim: Billy Idol’s records have outlasted most of the critics who slighted him for being more style than substance during his ‘80s heyday. Eyes Without a Face, White Wedding, and Rebel Yell are deathless bangers that make all critical resistance futile. In modern times, his output has been reassessed favorably.
The Assessment:
So many of the nominated artists are on the fence this year. There is no sure thing among them. Idol, being a true rock-and-roll artist with a strong fan following, gives him a real shot. And man, would it ever be great to hear that growl and scream on the Rock Hall stage. Extra points for leading the ‘70s punk band Generation X and for his Oscar-shortlisted documentary from last year, Billy Idol Should Be Dead.
Mariah Carey (third nomination):
Along with Whitney Houston and Celine Dion, Carey was the most successful vocalist of the big-belter, mall-ballad era. Carey had vocal chops and more hits than you can shake a stick at. This is Carey’s third straight nomination (2024-2026).
Sales: Carey has sold a staggering 70 million albums in the U.S., and more than 200 million worldwide.
Hits: Carey boasts 48 charting singles, with 18 going all the way to number one.
Works/Longevity: Between 1990 and 2025, Carey has released 16 albums of original material.
Influence: Have you ever heard of American Idol? The Voice? Singing competition shows? Well, Carey has had an indirect impact on all of them. The queen of the glory note that makes dogs from miles around howl at the moon has had an overwhelming impact on popular music, particularly female vocalists.
Critical Acclaim: Many of Carey’s singles have received glowing reviews, but I know of no album of hers that is considered a true classic. For all the sales and hits, Carey does not have a defining long player. There is no Like A Virgin, Purple Rain, Thriller, or Born in the USA in her catalog. It says something that with all her massive success, she still hasn’t been inducted. She’s seen as a great vocalist, but not a great artist.
The Assessment:
Well, no one has sold more records than Carey among her fellow nominees. The success has been incredible, but the quality of much of her output has always been up for debate. Carey writes most of her own songs, but they are all so generic that most of them seem like any song doctor could have written. And yeah, it doesn’t get much less rock and roll than Mariah. Still, Whitney got in, and they went toe-to-toe during their era. Maybe the third time’s the charm? Or, maybe Mariah Carey becomes the Susan Lucci of Rock Hall nominees. I suspect she will get in one day. Maybe this is the year.
Lauryn Hill (first-time nominee):
After leaving The Fugees, Hill delivered one of the greatest R&B/hip-hop albums ever with The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. Hell, it’s one of the greatest albums ever, genre be damned.
Sales: 10 million albums sold in the U.S., over 20 million worldwide as a solo artist. Another 7 million domestic as a member of The Fugees, and an additional 20 million worldwide as a member of the group.
Hits: 7 as a solo artist, with Doo-Wop peaking at #1, and 7 more with The Fugees (Killing Me Softly being the most successful).
Works/Longevity: As a solo artist, Hill released one album in 1998, the instant classic The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. With The Fugees, Hill made two albums from 1994 to 1996, including the hip-hop/soul masterpiece, The Score.
Influence: Artists ranging from SZA to Amy Winehouse, Beyoncé, H.E.R., Adele, and Cardi B are just a few of the classy names that point to Hill as a major source of inspiration.
Critical Acclaim: As mentioned before, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill is considered one of the greatest LPs ever pressed to wax. The Fugees’ The Score isn’t far behind.
The Assessment:
Lauryn Hill (along with another candidate I’ll be getting to) presents a true conundrum to Rock Hall voters. It’s not that her output isn’t choice, it’s just that there’s so little of it. Voters may give Hill extra credit for her output with The Fugees, but she is nominated as a solo artist on this ballot. Meaning, any extra credit given for being a member of The Fugees will be “off book,” so to speak. At the same time, there is a precedent for an artist with such a modest number of recordings getting inducted. The Sex Pistols also released only one proper album but were enshrined in 2006, despite a similar level of output. For Hill, her reputation, influence, and the power of that one album will have to carry the day. I think she has a chance.
Iron Maiden (third nomination):
One of the last remaining British metalheads of their era worthy of consideration (raise your fist for Motörhead, too).
Sales: Iron Maiden has sold about 7 million albums in the U.S., and a staggering 130 million worldwide.
Hits: While Iron Maiden has never tallied a charting single in the States, they had 20 top 40 hits in the U.K., with Bring Your Daughter to the Slaughter landing at #1.
Works/Longevity: Between 1980 and 2021, Iron Maiden has released 17 albums.
Influence: Pretty much every metal band that followed Iron Maiden would name the East London band as an inspiration. Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth, Anthrax, the list is endless.
Critical Acclaim: Like many metal bands that debuted in the ‘80s, Iron Maiden was seldom met with good reviews. However, as the heavy metal genre became more accepted, so did the output of Iron Maiden. They are now seen as one of the most significant bands of their kind.
The Assessment:
Iron Maiden may be at a bit of a tipping point. This is their third nomination; they have solid fan support, but their U.S. success pales in comparison to their esteem abroad. In the States, Maiden is a bit of a cult band that never received airplay on domestic radio. At the same time, if Judas Priest is worthy (and they have been enshrined), it would seem odd that Iron Maiden wouldn’t follow suit.
Melissa Etheridge (first-time nominee):
Sales: Etheridge has sold over 13 million albums in the U.S., and 25 million worldwide.
Hits: Melissa Etheridge has charted 16 times in the U.S., hitting the top ten once with I’m The Only One (#8).
Works/Longevity: Between 1988 and 2026, Melissa Etheridge has released 17 albums.
Influence: A true and brave standard-bearer for LGBTQ+ artists and for people defining themselves as such, in general. One of the better rock and roll voices of her generation.
Critical Acclaim: Pretty modest. I know of no Etheridge album that is considered a true classic. She’s never on any short or long lists of best albums. Respected, to a point, but revered by few.
The Assessment:
Etheridge strikes me as a fringe nominee. She’s got some hits, she’s sold some records, and she’s definitely respected as a vocalist and as a female rock and roller. I just can’t think of any reason why anyone would consider her truly great. If there were a Hall of Very Good, she would surely be in it. There are worse artists in the Rock Hall, but if she were to make it, she would clearly be a lower third inductee.
The Black Crowes (second nomination):
For two albums, the Crowes appeared to be a natural to take on the mantle of The Rolling Stones (by way of Lynyrd Skynyrd), or at least the Rod Stewart era Faces.
Sales: The brothers Robinson have sold 8 million albums in the U.S. and over 30 million worldwide.
Hits: The Crowes have scored 12 hits (most on rock radio), with their highest charting Hot 100 single being their cover of Otis Redding’s Hard to Handle (#26).
Works/Longevity: Between 1990 and 2026, The Black Crowes have released 11 albums, with three of those making the top ten, and one (The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion) topping the Billboard 200 in 1992.
Influence: The Crowes are a band that wore their influences on their sleeves and never moved beyond their Stonesy, southern-rock baseline. It’s exceedingly rare to hear of any band pointing to the band as a point of stylistic reference.
The Assessment:
The Black Crowes came out blazing hot with their first two albums, but after that, both quality and significance waxed and waned. Chris and Rich Robinson have carved out a career to be proud of, but not one that places them among the all-time greats.
Oasis (third nomination):
The warring Gallagher Brothers created the biggest worldwide British band since The Beatles.
Sales: Oasis has sold more than 7 million albums in the U.S., and more than 100 million worldwide.
Hits: Oasis has had more than 30 singles hit the U.S. and U.K. charts, with Wonderwall their biggest hit in the U.S. (#8), and 8 of their singles reaching number one in the U.K.
Works/Longevity: Between 1994 and 2008, Oasis released 7 albums of original material.
Influence: A touchpoint for nearly every Britrock band that followed them, as well as non-UK acts like The Killers and Snail Mail.
Critical Acclaim: The first two Oasis albums (Definitely Maybe and What’s The Story Morning Glory) are considered to be two of the greatest rock albums to ever come out of the United Kingdom. While reviews of the remainder of their catalog didn’t scrape such starry heights, they’ve been reassessed in an upward direction in recent years.
The Assessment:
The only reason Oasis isn’t already in the Rock Hall is due to the American bias of the institution’s voting bloc. Oasis was, without much question, the biggest band in the world for a decade and a half (just not the biggest band in America). As if to prove the point, the band’s recent reunion tour sold out stadiums all over the globe. It’s literally dumb that this is even a conversation.
Joy Division + New Order (third nomination):
In a move similar to that of Faces and The Small Faces, the Hall has deemed it appropriate to combine the CVs of these two cornerstone UK bands. For those not in the know, Joy Division became New Order after their legendary frontman Ian Curtis took his own life.
Sales: Precise numbers are hard to come by because the record label both bands were on (Factory) was not known for keeping accurate sales records (which added to the bands’ mystique). A conservative estimate would be at least 10 million worldwide.
Hits: More than 30 between the U.S. and the U.K., with New Order’s Regret being the biggest stateside hit (#28), Blue Monday their biggest worldwide single, and Joy Division’s Love Will Tear Us Apart, the two bands’ most covered song.
Works/Longevity: Joy Division released two albums total (1979 and 1980). Between 1981 and 2015, New Order released 10 albums.
Influence: Nearly immeasurable. The Cure, U2, Nine Inch Nails, The Killers, Radiohead, Moby, LCD Soundsystem, Pet Shop Boys, Chvrches, and Interpol are just a few of a remarkably incomplete list of artists who have tipped their hat to both Joy Division and New Order.
Critical Acclaim: Off the charts. Both Joy Division albums are considered drop-dead classics, and arguably half of New Order’s output is held in similar esteem.
The Assessment:
One of the greatest Rock Hall travesties is the lack of inclusion of Joy Division and New Order. Not only should the combined resumes of the two linked bands be more than enough for their induction, but their individual track records deserve the distinction. Sure, one could argue that Joy Division’s two albums (and numerous non-album singles) are slight in volume, but it’s worth noting that The Sex Pistols are in the Hall on the strength of just one proper album. Joy Division + New Order are essential to goth, new wave, synth pop, and the entire history of so-called alternative rock and roll.
Jeff Buckley (first nomination):
The singer/songwriter/angelic crooner released one of the greatest debut albums in the history of popular music, with 1994’s Grace.
Sales: Buckley has sold over 1 million albums in the U.S. and more than 2 million worldwide.
Hits: While not really a singles artist, Buckley’s version of Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah is considered definitive, and Lover You Should Have Come Over hit the Hot 100 this year, over 30 years after its release.
Works/Longevity: Grace is Jeff Buckley’s only proper album. Buckley accidentally drowned in 1997 while working on his sophomore long player.
Influence: Radiohead, Muse, Adele, Lana Del Ray, Coldplay, Bon Iver, and pretty much any singer of the last 30-plus years who has attempted an operatic high note.
Critical Acclaim: Don’t take my word or the words of critics that Grace is one of the greatest rock albums ever; just read the words of David Bowie, who said, “Grace is the one album I would take with me to a desert island.”
The Assessment:
Like Lauryn Hill, Buckley’s biggest issue is the fact that he had only one completed album to his name. But my goodness, what an album. Again, The Sex Pistols got in on the same volume.
The “Musical Excellence” wildcard:
While no one in the performer category will be eligible as a “Musical Excellence” candidate, there will likely be 2-3 inductees from that category. Just what is the “Musical Excellence” category? Formerly, the “Sideman” category for musicians like Ozzy Osbourne’s guitarist Randy Rhoads, or Springsteen’s E Street Band. By changing the category name, “Musical Excellence” now serves as a backdoor path to induction for artists like Nile Rodgers, Warren Zevon, and Jimmy Buffett (god help us). I would expect that some of those who are not inducted on this year’s ballot will find their way into the Hall through this mechanism.
Prediction:
This is absolutely a brutal year to make a bet. There are a lot of strong candidates, but no obvious slam dunks (although Joy Division + New Order should be). It’s important to take note of genres and the diversity of candidates. I would anticipate at least one urban artist being inducted, 1-2 female performers, and perhaps most crucially, at least 2-3 true rock artists. In recent years, the institution has taken a lot of shots for expanding inductions for those in non-rock genres. It’s probably too late to change the name of the museum to the Popular Music Hall of Fame. As long as Rock and Roll is in the title, you can expect the voters to at least attempt to hold a nominal standard for a genre that has become increasingly marginalized on the radio and through streaming.
For those cranks who would argue that such inductees as Madonna, Whitney Houston, Hank Williams Sr., Dolly Parton, Miles Davis, and Mary J. Blige aren’t “true rock and roll artists,” well, that train has left the station. Learn acceptance.
With that being said, here are my incredibly uncertain bets for induction:
Phil Collins
P!nk
Joy Division + New Order
Iron Maiden
Luther Vandross
Sade
The Wu-Tang Clan
Possible sleepers:
Nearly everyone else, but watch New Edition (can the Hall ignore their runaway fan vote victory), a surging Shakira, an “alright, we give,” selection of Mariah Carey, and a sneaking in of another rock band (most likely INXS or Oasis).
My ballot:
The choices were tough. I don’t just vote for my favorites; I consider each artist’s full resume and try to act accordingly. In this year’s fan vote, my daily selections are as follows:
Billy Idol
INXS
Joy Division + New Order
Oasis
Sade
Luther Vandross
The Wu-Tang Clan
The Unkindest Cuts:
Jeff Buckley
Lauryn Hill
Two artists who cast massive shadows despite a small stack of work.
Who I would vote for had I unlimited options:
Jeff Buckley
Phil Collins
Lauryn Hill
Billy Idol
INXS
Iron Maiden
Joy Division + New Order
New Edition
Oasis
Sade
Shakira
Luther Vandross
The Wu-Tang Clan
All of the above have strong enough cases to be a “yes” in my book.
Who I wouldn’t vote for under any conditions:
The Black Crowes
Mariah Carey
Melissa Etheridge
Their mix of artistry, influence, and greatness falls below the line for me. Even so, I would not lead a revolt should any of the three get in.
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be held this fall and will stream on Disney. Fan voting closes on April 3, 2026.
Reel Reframe 