The Rock Hall's identity crisis by the lake

Why this year's snubs reveal the Hall's broken logic

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame isn’t something I’ve paid much attention to over the years.

It’s taking a sports concept to music, which is often a bad idea. In baseball, there are stats and championships. In music, there are record sales and fandom, but the best-selling music isn’t always (is rarely) the best music.

But, I do want my favorite bands to get in. Obviously, bands like the Beatles, Rolling Stones and Allman Brothers are already in. But when the Black Crowes and Oasis were nominated this year, I got sucked in and voted for those two bands several times.

I learned early in the process that the fan vote didn’t actually mean much — the fan vote counts as a single vote alongside more than 1,000 “industry votes — but figured when Phish surprisingly blew out the rest of the field, they’d be a shoo-in.

Wrong. They didn’t get in, and neither did the No. 3 act on the list, Billy Idol.

The inductees were mostly deserving, though there were some poor choices and some names that got in that weren’t even on the fan vote.

This is a good time to say I have no interest in the “That’s not Rock and Roll” argument. “Rock and Roll” was always a hodgepodge of blues, country, folk and any other random musical influence including jazz, classical, big band, Latin, polka, Eastern, etc. And if you want a more “pure” Rock Hall, you’re going to have to turn back time, because that ship sailed a long time ago.

Here’s a look at who got in, who didn’t, and some thoughts on each:

2025 HALL OF FAMERS

Bad Company — Should’ve already been in. In high school, “10 From 6” — their greatest hits CD — was in everyone’s car. Some truly great songs and a memorable voice in Paul Rodgers. And, they were No. 2 in the fan vote. VERDICT: ✅ (Overdue)

Carol Kaye — One of four inductees based on the “Musical Excellence Award” — not part of the fan vote and kind of confusing based on past winners. But the four winners of this award this year are all outstanding. Kaye was a member of the famous Los Angeles-based “Wrecking Crew” — a group of session musicians who played on most of the hit music that came out of the West coast in the 1960s. Kaye played bass or guitar on more than 10,000 songs, including much of Phil Spector and the Beach Boys’ catalog, and also music from Frank Sinatra, Simon & Garfunkel, Stevie Wonder, Barbra Streisand, The Supremes, The Temptations, the Four Tops and The Monkees. As a female bass player/guitarist, she was a pioneer in an industry that is still male-dominated. VERDICT: ✅ (Behind-the-scenes legend)

Chubby Checker — When I first saw the list, it seemed like a slam dunk that “The Twist” guy should be in. Then I dug in a little and discovered that not only is Checker’s name a cheap knockoff of Fats Domino’s, but that “The Twist” was a Hank Ballard remake that Dick Clark enlisted Checker to perform, then pushed the song on his TV shows to make it a hit. Checker made a career off lame variations of “The Twist.” And here’s the thing — the song was inducted into the Rock Hall in 2018. Checker, other than a remake of “Limbo Rock,” never had another song anyone has heard of that didn’t have to do with “The Twist.” VERDICT: ❌ (One-hit wonder)

Cyndi Lauper — Lauper is a class act who has been a strong voice for the gay community. But her music isn’t the type most people are still listening to as adults. She’s pure nostalgia for 80s children, which is fine. But the Hall of Fame is a stretch. VERDICT: ❌ (Kids songs)

Joe Cocker — A sometimes sad and difficult figure, I’ve seen arguments going both ways for his inclusion, but “Mad Dogs and Englishmen” is enough for me, and he had some hits in the 80s that gave him enough longevity for a strong argument. VERDICT: ✅ (Unforgettable voice)

Lenny Waronker — Waronker is the “Ahmet Ertegun Award” winner — it’s the category for “non-performing industry professionals.” He’s a legendary producer and executive known for the rare quality of putting quality music over profits. He was born into the music business and by 1967 was working with names like Leon Russell and Simon & Garfunkel, and producing hit songs — one of his first was “The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin’ Groovy).” He produced music by Little Feat, the Everly Brothers, the Doobie Brothers, Randy Newman, Rod Stewart, Eric Clapton, James Taylor, Arlo Guthrie, Ry Cooder, Gordon Lightfoot and Rickie Lee Jones, and signed dozens of other major acts to the labels he worked for. VERDICT: ✅ (True original)

Nicky Hopkins — Another of the “Musical Excellence Award” winners, Hopkins was a de facto member of the Rolling Stones for most of their prime. One of the great studio pianists of all time, he played on the Beatles’ “Revolution” and songs by groups including the Who, the Kinks, the Steve Miller Band, Jefferson Airplane, Rod Stewart, The Hollies, Cat Stevens, Carly Simon, Harry Nilsson, Joe Walsh, Peter Frampton, Jerry Garcia, Jeff Beck, Joe Cocker, Art Garfunkel and Badfinger. VERDICT: ✅ (Overdue)

Outkast — My kneejerk on Outkast was “no way.” I don’t personally care for their songs, but they’re one of the best-selling rap artists of all time and also considered among the most-influential, so no argument here. VERDICT: ✅ (Credit where credit is due)

Salt-N-Pepa — One of two “Musical Influence Awards” winners — a confusingly named category that also isn’t voted on by the fans — Salt-N-Pepa was as big a part of the soundtrack of the late 80s and early 90s as any artist. They were one of the most successful female acts in history and were pioneers for not only women in rap music, but for rap music in general. It’s criminal Salt-N-Pepa wasn’t already in and is being put in now with some weird category (much like the other inductee in this category …). VERDICT: ✅ (Overdue)

Soundgarden — Maybe the best of the grunge bands, particularly as far as having a sound and music that stands the test of time. Chris Cornell was a Hall of Fame singer and the band was experimental, innovative and a sonic force. It’s heartbreaking Cornell isn’t alive to experience it. VERDICT: ✅ (Grunge kings)

Thom Bell — I’d never heard of Bell until his name appeared on this list (a “Musical Excellence Award” winner), but his resume as a soul and R&B producer and songwriter is Hall of Fame material. His breakthrough was producing the Delfonics, and he went on to produce, arrange and write songs for many acts including Jerry Butler, Archie Bell & the Drells, Jerry Bell, The O'Jays, Dusty Springfield, Dionne Warwick and the Spinners. VERDICT: ✅ (Architect)

Warren Zevon — I’m going to be honest and admit I’ve never really dug that deep into Zevon’s catalog, and am fairly indifferent to the songs I do know. But I know he has a legion of fans who swear by him and have been extremely vocal about Zevon, who died in 2003, not getting in. VERDICT: ✅ (Way overdue)

White Stripes — I don’t have a particular problem with the White Stripes, but I do wonder what the fuss is about. I don’t quite get what the genius of Jack White is supposed to be. I remember them being popular for a short time and then going away. But I’m sure someone could say the same thing for the Black Crowes … who didn’t make it … VERDICT: ❌ (Overrated)

NOT HALL OF FAMERS

Billy Idol — I haven’t listened to much of his music since it came out originally in the 80s. He seems like the “Hall of Very Good” in my view, but he was No. 3 in the fan vote, so I think he should’ve gotten in. VERDICT: ✅ (He’ll get in eventually)

Black Crowes — I never thought they had a chance and was shocked when they were nominated. They’re my favorite band, but they didn’t sell many records after the first two. The quality, quantity and longevity are all there. They’re a tough call, but they’d be a great addition for Gen Xers who still love rock and roll music. VERDICT: ❌ (I don’t see it happening)

Joy Division/New Order — Many people were upset the post-punk pioneers who later expanded into a more dance sound as New Order didn’t get in. But they performed poorly in the fan vote and suffered a similar problem another group on this list did — they never had the success in the U.S. they did in England. They’re highly influential and have a good shot in the future. VERDICT: ✅ (They’ll get in next year)

Mana — I’ve never heard of them. They’re extremely popular in Mexico. Does that open a can of worms? No clue. But they should probably be in based on prior inductions. VERDICT: ❓(I don’t have the slightest idea)

Mariah Carey — She finished low in the fan vote, but based on record sales, longevity, influence and that damn Christmas song, she’s a living legend and seemingly a slam dunk for induction. The Rock Hall has some politics going on that seem weird and possibly petty. VERDICT: ✅ (Surely she’ll get in at some point)

Oasis — They’re a borderline candidate based on just their popularity in the U.S. alone. But when you consider their intense popularity in England and also Japan, this seems like a major oversight. VERDICT: ✅ (I don’t see how they keep them out)

Phish — I’ve never gotten into them, but they won the fan vote so decisively, it’s a slap in the face they didn’t get in. That should count for more — especially when they pimp that fan vote hard and Phish fans showed up and voted. Who is the Rock Hall for? VERDICT: ✅ (I don’t see how they keep them out)

WHO SHOULD BE IN?

Country music legends have been inexplicably snubbed by the Rock Hall. Waylon Jennings, who did as much to marry rock and country as any artist, should’ve been in years ago. So should Hank Williams Jr. and Kenny Rogers. How are those three not in? Also add in George Jones, Conway Twitty, Merle Haggard, Loretta Lynn and Patsy Cline.

It was great to Carol Kaye get in, but how is fellow Wrecking Crew member Glen Campbell not in? He became a country star following his run as a rock session guitarist, giving him the Rock Hall’s “country kiss of death.”

Once they get in all the old-school country legends, names from the 80s and 90s — Alabama, Reba McEntire, Randy Travis, George Strait, Brooks & Dunn and Garth Brooks — are slam dunks.

Another name associated with country music who was as influential to bringing into rock music in the 1970s as anyone, Graham Parsons, is shockingly not in the Rock Hall.

While hip-hop is well-represented, it has an east coast bias. While NWA is in, Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg aren’t, and neither is Ice Cube or Too Short.

It just doesn’t seem like there’s much logic. The Supremes, Genesis, Traffic and the Police are all in, but Diana Ross, Phil Collins, Steve Winwood and Sting aren’t. Lionel Richie in but the Commodores aren’t?

When I think of Cyndi Lauper and the White Stripes getting into the Hall of Fame, and the fact The Marvelettes, Tommy James & the Shondells, Styx, Jethro Tull, Anita Baker, Iron Maiden, Grand Funk Railroad, Sade, the Replacements, Huey Lewis & the News and Motorhead aren't, it makes me wonder what the point is.

I hear it’s a nice museum, though. I’m going to make it a point to go soon — if only to leave a complaint about the induction process.