There’s no shortage of criticism about the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Much of that criticism comes from people who like the hall but want to see it change how it chooses artists for induction. I’m in that camp.
Looking at this year’s induction class, I can only think that the voting committee was overly concerned with checking boxes. And in an effort to please everyone, they pleased practically no one.
The performer and musical influence inductees for 2025 include Bad Company, Chubby Checker, Joe Cocker, Cyndi Lauper, Outkast, Salt-N-Pepa, Soundgarden, The White Stripes and Warren Zevon.
The hall also is inducting musicians Thom Bell, Nicky Hopkins and Carol Kaye in the musical excellence category and music industry executive Lenny Waronker in the Ahmet Ertegun Award category.
As I’ve said before, by having one all-encompassing induction ceremony, the hall limits the size of its annual induction class. I’d love to see a two-night blowout with double the number of inductees, just to put a dent in the massive backlog of worthy artists. They could have ceremonies in two locations: Los Angeles and New York City (or maybe Las Vegas and Cleveland).
It would be interesting to be in the papal conclave where the artists are inducted, just to see the process. But based on this year’s induction class, it looks like the voting body is overly focused on balance. Heaven forbid the class is too rock focused or pop focused. And they have to consider diversity in this day and age.
As they’re horse-trading, the voters are checking boxes: classic rock act (Bad Company), more recent rockers (Soundgarden and The White Stripes), outrageous snubs rectified (Chubby Checker. Joe Cocker and Warren Zevon), MTV-era acts (Cyndi Lauper and Salt-N-Pepa) and well-regarded modern act (Outkast).
Unfortunately, to me, nobody stands out as a headliner for this year’s induction class. It might make a great awards ceremony, thanks to guest performers. But overlooked nominees such as Mariah Carey, Billy Idol and Joy Division/New Order would have made for a better show.
That’s my two cents.
Related articles:
Chubby Checker, Joe Cocker, Bad Company, Cyndi Lauper and Outkast get into Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (AP; April 27, 2025)
Rock Hall of Fame Inductees Unveiled: Cyndi Lauper, Outkast, White Stripes, Chubby Checker, Warren Zevon and More to Join Class of 2025 (Variety; April 27, 2025)
The 10 Worst Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Snubs (Ultimate Classic Rock; May 2, 2025)
How hip-hop came to dominate the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (Axios Cleveland; May 12, 2025)