Predicting the Rock Hall's 2025 Nominees Ballot
Who do I think will be nominated for induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame this year?
It's that time of the year again – predicting the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame's nominees on the performers ballot. This will be revealed sometime in early February, but now is the time I put my money where my mouth is and make some predictions. There are no wrong answers, so please take these predictions at face value.
Instead of 15 nominees like on last year’s ballot, I’m gonna predict 16 this year and also include a wild card pick (my ride-or-die, so to speak, and you probably can guess who it is). I’m predicting 6 returning nominees and 10 brand new to the ballot.
Previous Nominees
Cyndi Lauper: She appeared in the Rock Hall's 1984 exhibit as the voiceover narrator, which essentially guarantees her return to the ballot (why else would she agree to do it?). On the heels of a recent documentary and a farewell tour, Lauper's name has been everywhere lately, and a Rock Hall induction is certainly overdue.
Lenny Kravitz: In hindsight, it's surprising that Lenny Kravitz didn't receive enough votes for induction last year. I think he came close, and there's a very good likelihood he will be nominated again.
Iron Maiden: They are Tom Morello’s top priority at the moment and there’s probably a 99% chance they return for a third nomination. With votes now able to vote for 7 acts instead of 5, I think this bodes well for return nominees such as Iron Maiden. I do think, however, the voters have a metal and hard rock problem that can’t quite shake off.
Sade: I think there will be considerable support for Sade's return to the ballot after their first nomination last year. Following the release of their first new single in nearly a decade and subsequent media attention, I believe they are currently the committee's top priority amongst 80s-era R&B artists.
Soundgarden: I hope the third time is the charm for these pioneering Grunge legends. Like Iron Maiden, I think Soundgarden’s chances for induction has greatly increased now that voters can vote for 7 acts.
Sting: Although there has been a recent surge for getting Phil Collins inducted a second time (he certainly deserves it), I believe Still will return to the ballot after a 10-year absence. This is more of a hunch, but Sting's high-profile 2025 is likely to boost his candidacy. He's touring extensively with Billy Joel and appearing at the Fire Aid benefit concert (produced by his friend, John Sykes, the Rock Hall Chairman). This increased visibility could significantly improve his chances.
First-Time Nominees
Bad Company: It's shocking that Paul Rodgers, widely considered one of rock's greatest vocalists and deeply respected by his peers, hasn't yet been inducted into the Rock Hall. The Rock Hall has consistently inducted bands with iconic vocalists (e.g., Journey, Foreigner), making Bad Company's absence glaring. Add to the fact that Steven Van Zandt, a Hall of Fame member himself and a vocal advocate for Bad Company's induction, has championed their cause for years further strengthens their case.
Billy Idol: Billy Idol's electrifying performance at last year's Ozzy Osbourne tribute served as a powerful reminder of his enduring talent. A defining figure of MTV's early years, Idol's influence on music and pop culture is undeniable. With a highly anticipated tour alongside 2015 inductee Joan Jett & the Blackhearts on the horizon, the timing feels right for Idol's long-overdue induction.
Coldplay: I recently ranked them as the most deserving act eligible for induction. Yet there are 3 things that make me think it’s happening for them this year: (1) Chris Martin’s was recently on the cover of Rolling Stone (2) committee member Amanda Petrusich penned a New Yorker piece about them last fall and (3) their biggest concert ever (132,000 attendees) will stream exclusively on Disney+ India (remember where the ceremony streams now). All signs are pointing towards a Coldplay nomination.
De La Soul: With their entire catalog now available on streaming services, De La Soul's chances for a Rock Hall nomination is imminent. Following A Tribe Called Quest's induction, they are likely to be the next major classic-era hip-hop act considered by the committee. Given Questlove's deep admiration for the group and their frequent collaborations, his support for their nomination is highly probable.
Dr. Dre: He has appeared at three of the last four ceremonies and remains one of the biggest hip-hop artists in the history of the genre. Just for The Chronic alone, he deserves a second induction (potentially the first for a hip-hop artist). It forever changed the landscape of popular music and has appeared on virtually every “best-of” list imaginable. It’s a toss-up between him and many other hip-hop acts vying for this spot (including Queen Latifah, Snoop Dogg, and Outkast), but if anyone from hip-hop could get inducted off the bat, Dre probably has the best chance.
Kenny Loggins: If you watched Max’s recent Yacht Rock documentary, you’ll notice there are at least three committee members involved with that project (Danyel Smith served as a producer while Questlove and Amanda Petrusich appear as interviewees). One of the biggest names coming out of the film is none other than Kenny Loggins. He is the type of artist who is largely off the radar with those who follow the Rock Hall but is exactly the type of artist who would resonate with older voting body members. He has the longevity with a number of well-known songs and collaborated with several people already inducted into the Rock Hall.
Melissa Etheridge: It was recently announced that Sheryl Crow was added to the nomination committee. She said she’d like to get Melissa Etheridge inducted and I believe this will be one of her biggest priorities. Etheridge has a handful of songs the general music audience knows but she’s a name almost everyone knows. Also, Etheridge and Crow appeared at events related to the Rock Hall many times over the years including the museum’s grand opening concert in 1995.
Patti LaBelle: I went back-and-forth between Diana Ross and Patti LaBelle but opted for the latter. Like Paul Rodgers, it’s stunning that the great Patti LaBelle is not inducted in the Rock Hall. It’s perhaps even more stunning that she has never appeared at an induction ceremony. LaBelle is a beloved pop culture icon with a lengthy career and songs people know and love. I can see LaBelle following the footsteps of the legend and icon spot that the likes of Tina Turner, Carole King, Dolly Parton and Cher (among others) have occupied over the years. But, again, it could easily be Ross, and I would be equally elevated. It's important to note that LaBelle is 80 years old, and her induction would be a long-overdue celebration of her extraordinary career.
Pixies: In a recent Vulture article, Chairman John Sykes revealed that the Pixies have been frequently discussed by committee members as potential inductees. With a new tour on the horizon (notably lacking September and October dates, suggesting potential Rock Hall-related scheduling conflicts), and guitarist Kim Deal's recent appearances at museum events, the time feels ripe for the Pixies to finally receive their long-overdue nomination.
The Pointer Sisters: My beloved Pointer Sisters. You all know how much I love these women and think they are beyond overdue for Rock Hall induction. There are two things that have sparked hope for them: first, in the museum's widely promoted 1984 exhibit, their neon dresses are literally among the first things you see as you enter the room (incredible!). Second, Questlove posted his appreciation of the group and called for their Rock Hall induction in an Instagram post last year. After the Spinners and Kool & the Gang, they seem like a logical next choice to select from long overdue 70s R&B acts.
My Wild Card Pick (if that counts…)
The B-52s: I predict their nomination almost every year, and they are among my personal favorites. While they've always been on my radar, I have a feeling this could be their year. They will be receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame this year and announced additional dates for their successful Las Vegas residency as part of their ongoing "farewell" tour. However, something else caught my eye: Dave Grohl, a two-time inductee and a member of the nomination committee, said in Questlove's SNL documentary, "Seeing the B-52s on SNL is what really changed my life." Grohl has also publicly professed his love for the band in numerous articles, and that quote gives me hope.
And those are my predictions! There will be a “reaction to the 2025 ballot” on my podcast Rock in Retrospect shortly after the announcement.
There are some artists I considered but ultimately didn’t predict: Diana Ross, No Doubt, TLC, War, Luther Vandross, Queen Latifah, Beck, Sinead O’Connor, Mariah Carey, Outkast, Snoop Dogg, Joe Cocker, Eric B. & Rakim, Phil Collins, and Tracy Chapman.