It resembles what could be called an all-music Hall of Fame.
Here’s the list.
The Black Crows
Jeff Buckley*
Mariah Carey
Phil Collins*
Melissa Etheridge*
Lauryn Hill*
Billy Idol
INXS*
Iron Maiden
Joy Division/New Order
New Edition*
Oasis
Pink*
Sade
Shakira*
Luther Vandross*
Wu-Tang Clan*
* Artists being nominated for the first time.
It appears that the Hall of Fame is looking to broaden their base even more every year, but they are steering further away from what constitutes rock. Maybe they should just change the name and be done with any pretense. After looking at the list above listen to my interview with the president and CEO of the R & R Hall of Fame, Greg Harris.
In this interview Harris gives what the major considerations are for being selected for even a nomination. They must have a large body of work (Jeff Buckley?) They must have hadn impact on music and influenced or led the way for artists that followed and. Oddly, popularity and record sales are not important considerations. Not only are many of this year's chosen artists not truly rock musicians but consider this list of performers who haven’t been inducted yet—ask yourself if any of those selected this year should really be inducted before the names on this list. Let’s start with the major omissions.
The Guess Who was the first group that were successful out of Canada and made it possible for not only Bachman, Turner Overdrive (who also should be considered) and Rush to follow, other lesser-known stars like Triumph.
Styx has not been selected, but artists like Foreigner with a very similar track record are already in. They had an impact on music and have sold a lot of records, but that doesn’t matter.
Ten Years After has never even been nominated once. Hard to believe. They check all the boxes of everything that is said to be important. They were not only one of the highlights of the most legendary concerts, Woodstock, but were one of the most exciting live groups ever. The entire band was among the very best on their instruments in the entire history of rock. Other bands did not want to be on the same bill as them because they always stole the show.
Blood, Sweat & Tears is not in, but Chicago is. They both were major contributors to making horn-based rock popular. BST&T even went behind the Iron Curtin during the Cold War to help spread the music around the world. Check out the interview with Steve Katz for details.
Supertramp created a very unique sound and their influence can be heard in many of the groups that became popular after their success. Their large body of work is huge compared to some who were nominated this year.
Beck should be considered if you ae looking for more recent artists. This singer songwriter has influenced an entire generation, starting with his first hit in 1993. There are others who followed him that should also be considered soon.
Emerson, Lake & Palmer were spectacular in person. Their explosive live show combined rock, jazz and classical as well as anyone. For that matter, Procol Harum should be in as well for leading the way in combining rock and classical.
Toto were a group that contributed much to music as studio players long before recording as a group. They were good enough to not only sell lots of records but won a Grammy for the best of the year.
Jethro Tull / Ian Anderson took rock in an entirely new direction. Ian Anderson showed how an instrument like the flute could be weaved into rock music. Jethro Tull, Ten Years After and Led Zeppelin were the first rock bands to be considered musical enough to play at the prestigious Newport Jazz Festival
J Geis Band mixed R & B in a most unique fashion. They were one of the most exciting live acts ever. Peter Wolf kept the audiences engaged with his frantic patter. And they sold a lot of records. Oh, that doesn’t count.
That is the top ten who should have been in long before any of those selected this year. There are a lot more.
America, Bon Jovi, Blue Oyster Cult, Foghat (had a number one rock & blues album last year), Canned Heat, King Crimson (first real “progressive rock” group), Kansas, REO Speedwagon, Meat Loaf (one of the biggest selling alums of all time), Steppenwolf, War (first “progressive soul” band), Bad Finger, Boston (set a sales record with their debut album), Ian Hunter/Mott the Hoople, Bryan Adams, and other solo artists that were part of famous groups like . Steve Winwood, Joe Walsh, Don Henley, Robert Plant are just some that are better suited than the list of nominees for this year. Let’s get some rockers who really do rock in the hall of fame. There are others I’m sure.
One more thing. Bill Graham, who did so much to promote rock music, is in the hall of fame. He deserves to be, but so does legendary promoter Larry Magid. Larry is second only to Graham for his contribution as head of the Electric Factory. He also produced “Live Aid” and the Atlantic City Pop Festival. Just two of the best and well-organized concerts of all time.
UPDATE:
The list of those who made the cut this for the class of 2026 has been announced. Those who made it as a performer include:
Phil Collins, Billy Idol, Iron Maiden, Joy Division/ New Order, Oasis, Sade, Luther Vandross, and Wu-Tang Clan.
The early influence list includes Celia Cruz, Fela Kuti Queen Latifah, MC Lyte and Gram Parsons.
Musical Excellence Award goes to Philadelphia’s Linda Creed Jimmy Miller, Rick Rubin and Arif Mardin
The Ahmet Ertegun Award goes to Ed Sullivan.
