The definitive case for and against all 17 Rock Hall nominees for 2026

Let me give you a heads-up: what I’m about to say might upset some people. I’m going to quickly look at 17 popular musicians and predict whether they’ll be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame this year. While I’ll try to be fair, my personal opinion will inevitably come through.

This article consistently attracts more angry and critical comments than anything else I write. Even when I express controversial opinions – like saying the Carpenters are underrated or that the album Aja isn’t as good as The Royal Scam – the backlash isn’t usually as strong. (Although, the Aja opinion does stir up trouble with readers who are really into high-fidelity sound.)

Now that’s settled, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has revealed its 17 nominees for the class of 2026. Typically, around seven artists are inducted each year, though the Hall of Fame could always change things up. Other artists may also be inducted through different categories, but these 17 are competing for a spot as performers.

Let’s start with the ten first-time nominees, and we’ll go in alphabetical order.

Jeff Buckley

Jeff Buckley is a cult favorite with a dedicated fanbase and a lasting impact, despite not being a mainstream artist. For 28 years, a tribute concert has been held in his honor at Uncommon Ground in Chicago, a testament to his enduring appeal. A strong, devoted following like this can sometimes propel an artist to recognition even among more famous peers.

He released only one album during his career. While many fans praise Grace as a classic, his limited body of work doesn’t compare to that of other artists being considered.

It’s very unlikely Jeff Buckley will be inducted into the Hall of Fame as a performer, though his iconic rendition of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” might eventually be included in their collection of significant songs.

Phil Collins

He became a major solo artist in the 1980s and also appeared in movies. Having seven songs reach number one on the Billboard charts is a remarkable achievement.

Okay, so about why I’m not letting this artist in… honestly, those seven number one hits? They’re just… not good. Like, some of the worst pop from the 80s, in my opinion. I told you I’d be opinionated! And I’m not alone – a lot of people in the music world feel the same way, I think.

Phil Collins’ chances of being inducted into the Hall of Fame again are moderate. He’s already recognized for his work with Genesis, and rightfully so – he was a talented drummer and stepped up as a capable singer after Peter Gabriel’s departure. He’s received appropriate recognition and doesn’t necessarily need further accolades.

Melissa Etheridge

As a huge music fan, I truly believe Melissa Etheridge deserves to be inducted! She’s an incredible blues-rock artist who really shaped the sound of the ’90s, and honestly, she still makes amazing music. Her impact is undeniable!

She likely won’t be inducted because her albums haven’t sold exceptionally well. Only three of them have ever reached the top ten on the charts.

Melissa Etheridge has a decent chance of being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Many fans believe she’ll get in eventually, likely after Sheryl Crow, who was inducted three years ago. While I don’t think this is the year for Etheridge, I’d be happy to see it happen. If she is inducted, it would be fitting if Bonnie Raitt did the honors, as Etheridge inducted Raitt back in 2000.

Lauryn Hill

She’s widely admired within the music industry and the traditional boundaries for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame are becoming less strict. While Lauryn Hill and the Fugees weren’t strictly a rock band, her music crosses enough different styles that most voters will likely consider her qualified for induction.

It’s hard to say if she’ll be inducted. She has a similar vibe to Jeff Buckley, though perhaps a little less serious. She’s put out one album on her own and two as part of the Fugees. While both The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill and The Score are widely considered all-time classics, the question remains: will that be enough to get her in?

Lauryn Hill’s potential for a comeback is strong. Unlike Jeff Buckley, who left us too soon, Hill has continued to create music since her incredible first album. While she hasn’t released a lot of new material or collaborated extensively lately, that’s been a conscious choice. Now, she’s widely respected and admired in the music industry.

INXS

I’m a big fan of INXS. They were really popular and talented for a while in the late 80s, and they’ve consistently put out good music over the years. However, I’m not convinced that’s enough to guarantee their success.

INXS isn’t likely to be inducted this year because two other nominees share a similar musical background, though they work in different styles. We’ll discuss those bands shortly, but for now, INXS will have to wait its turn.

Chances: Poor. Until (band-name-coming-soon) is inducted, INXS is out.

New Edition

This group was a major force in R&B music during the 1980s and 1990s, achieving five number-one hits and six additional top-five singles.

New Edition faces the same challenge as INXS: there’s another artist who is more likely to be inducted. Until that artist is finally recognized, New Edition’s chances are slim.

Their chances of getting in are slim. It’s hard to say if they’re exceptional enough to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, even compared to other nominees. It’s tough to predict what voters will think, and the criteria for induction seem to vary from year to year.

P!NK

She has a strong case for inclusion thanks to her incredible success: over two decades in the music industry, with eight of her nine albums achieving platinum or multi-platinum status. She also boasts an impressive record of hit songs, with 15 reaching the top ten in the US and 21 in the UK.

As a fan, it really frustrates me how people seem to automatically put every female pop-rock artist in the same category, like they all came from the same mold as Britney Spears. I’m worried that Pink is going to be unfairly judged because of this for a long time to come.

Pink’s chances of being inducted are lower than they should be. While she might not be a classic rock artist like the Rolling Stones, her music is far more rooted in rock and roll than many recent inductees. This highlights how limiting the term ‘pop rock’ can be. She’ll likely be inducted eventually, but it might take a few more years.

Shakira

Shakira deserves to be inducted because of her numerous hit songs and widespread global popularity. She’s known for having one of the most recognizable voices in pop music today.

Shakira might struggle to be accepted as a rock artist. Today, it’s hard to define what truly is rock music, and the boundaries are blurry. While most of Shakira’s biggest hits aren’t traditionally rock and roll, her massive international popularity could still help her break through.

It’s hard to predict how Lauryn Hill will be received. I’m not sure how voters will see her, so I’ll share an interesting connection. Lauryn Hill and Shakira are linked through a song: Wyclef Jean originally offered “Dance Like This” to the Fugees (Hill’s group), but she turned it down. That song was then reworked into Shakira’s hit, “Hips Don’t Lie.” So, if Shakira is voted in and Hill isn’t, it’s likely because of that song’s history.

Luther Vandross

Luther Vandross continues to be highly respected as an artist, even decades after his passing. He achieved a remarkable run of success, with seven consecutive number-one albums on the R&B charts – many of which also became mainstream hits. His collaborations with iconic artists like Janet Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Mariah Carey, Dionne Warwick, and Beyoncé further demonstrate his influence and standing in the music industry.

It’s unclear why he hasn’t been accepted, and it’s surprising he’s never gotten this far in the process before. The only possible reason to exclude him would be if his music doesn’t fit the general definition of rock and roll.

Despite the competition, I believe his odds are excellent. Kendrick Lamar’s song “Luther,” which honors Vandross, recently won Record of the Year and topped the US charts for 13 weeks at the beginning of 2025. It seems like now is the perfect time to recognize Luther Vandross.

Wu Tang Clan

Wu-Tang Clan is considered the most impactful group in hip hop history, profoundly shaping the genre over the last three decades, which is why they deserve to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.

It’s tricky to define Wu-Tang Clan’s most important work. With eight official albums and numerous related projects, it’s hard to pinpoint their legacy. Focusing solely on Wu-Tang Clan releases, some argue they never topped their debut album and experienced a decline after ODB’s passing.

It’s unlikely they’ll be inducted this year. While a hip hop artist has been chosen in five of the last six years (except for 2023), Lauryn Hill is a strong contender. However, it’s also possible rap won’t be represented at all this year. I believe the Wu-Tang Clan will eventually gain enough support for their extensive body of work – both as a group and through individual projects – but that’s probably several years away.

Now onto the repeat nominees.

Interestingly, five out of the seven artists nominated this year were also nominated last year but didn’t make the cut. The only two 2025 nominees who weren’t selected this year or in the past were Phish and Mana – two groups with a relatively smaller, dedicated fanbase.

Black Crowes

I didn’t expect the Black Crowes to be nominated last year, and they weren’t. However, their successful comeback album, Happiness Bastards, released in 2024, significantly improves their chances this time around.

I’m a fan of the Black Crowes, but I don’t think they’re quite at the level of bands who deserve to be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Many other bands have been waiting for induction longer, and I’d place them ahead of the Crowes. My opinion isn’t important, but I suspect many voters feel similarly about their own favorite bands – which might be different from mine – and that could lead to the Crowes being overlooked as a result.

Okay, so looking at the nominees, I’d say all five of them actually have a pretty decent chance of winning. But honestly, when I think about The Crowes, I’d put their odds right around average – not terrible, but not amazing either.

Mariah Carey

She’s a guaranteed success thanks to her incredible track record. She’s topped the Billboard charts 19 times and has six number-one albums. Every studio album she’s released has landed in the top ten, making her one of the best-selling musicians ever and a major inspiration to countless female pop artists.

Carey might become a dividing line for Rock Hall voters. If the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame starts including more broadly popular music, Mariah Carey is an obvious choice. However, if voters want to set a limit on who’s considered ‘rock and roll’ enough, she could be where they draw the line.

I previously believed Carey was certain to be inducted last year, but it didn’t work out. I still feel she has a strong possibility this time, although it’s difficult to predict exactly who will make the cut.

Billy Idol

Billy Idol deserves to be inducted simply because I’m a big fan! But beyond that, he was a hugely popular musician in the 1980s and has remained well-known through appearances in films and commercials.

He had a moment of success, but it didn’t last. While he was popular for a while, he’s largely faded from the spotlight and might be remembered more for being enjoyable than truly great. He’s unlikely to be considered among the all-time greats.

His chances are uncertain. While his return to the ballot is encouraging, many people see him as an exaggerated caricature of a rock star, and it’s unclear if that perception will sway enough voters against him.

Iron Maiden

This band is likely to be inducted because they weren’t nominated last year, but have been nominated twice before, giving them a strong record. They’ve been a hugely popular act in a classic rock genre for many years.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame voters tend to overlook metal music, and even within that genre, some consider Iron Maiden less artistically impressive than other deserving bands that haven’t been inducted yet.

I doubt Chances will be inducted this year. They’d need strong, united support from the metal community, as mainstream fans aren’t likely to advocate for them. Unfortunately, the metal world itself is too fragmented. Currently, only four bands that truly fit the definition of ‘metal’ are in the Hall of Fame. (It’s worth noting that what qualifies as ‘real’ metal is a debated topic.)

Joy Division/New Order

Simply put, both Joy Division and New Order have earned a place in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Whether you prefer one over the other, they were incredibly influential rock bands after the British Invasion, and they achieved far more than just niche popularity.

I honestly have no idea why they weren’t selected. I wasn’t sure why they were passed over last year either. It’s possible some voters, like me, simply don’t favor them, but aren’t objective enough to look past personal feelings and focus on their qualifications. The takeaway? Try to be unbiased when making your decision.

I’d say their chances are fairly good. Also, remember what we said about INXS – they won’t be accepted unless JD/NO is accepted first.

Oasis

Oasis was incredibly popular in the 1990s, achieving top ten hits in the UK with over twenty singles over a decade. Given their massive success as a global rock band during that time, they deserve to be inducted.

There are a few reasons why they haven’t been inducted yet. Their success in the United States wasn’t comparable, and that’s a significant factor. Also, many people who aren’t familiar with their music actively dislike them. The Gallagher brothers’ difficult personalities often overshadow their musical achievements, and unfortunately, that seems to be holding them back.

Despite having very different styles of music, JD and NO could still attract votes from each other’s supporters.

Sade

Sade is a strong contender for induction because they are both a singer and a musical group, similar to how Blondie was often seen as just Debbie Harry. They were nominated in 2024 after being overlooked last year, and they clearly meet the criteria – they’re artistically significant, popular, and influential.

Despite being popular, this group doesn’t really fit the rock and roll mold. And while they’ve had success, they haven’t fundamentally changed or redefined R&B and soul in a way that would justify their inclusion in the rock and roll canon.

It’s very difficult to succeed. If you’re trying to break into a similar field, you’ll need to be incredibly forceful and assertive. Someone like Sade excels through subtlety and finesse.

That’s all for now. You can find more in-depth profiles of individual artists elsewhere on the site. I’ll likely share some predictions closer to the official announcement, which usually happens in late April. But for now, I’ll just leave you with my usual closing thoughts.

It’s a real shame that legendary bands Motorhead and Little Feat haven’t been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and many fans feel it’s a serious oversight that needs to be fixed.

2026-02-27 14:02