Fourteen artists are celebrating their nominations for the 2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Performer inductee class: Bad Company, The Black Crowes, Mariah Carey*, Chubby Checker, Joe Cocker, Billy Idol, Joy Division/New Order*, Cyndi Lauper*, Maná, Oasis*, Outkast, Phish, Soundgarden, and The White Stripes* have all been nominated to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame for 2025.
Five artists (*) have been nominated at least once before. Ballots now go out to an international voting panel composed of over 1,200 artists, historians, and music industry professionals who will choose the final list of this year‘s performer inductees, to be revealed in late April. Selection criteria include an artist’s impact on music culture, influence on other musicians that have followed, and the scope and longevity of their career and body of work.
Of note, inclusion of the Mexican band Maná marks the first time an artist recording primarily or entirely in Spanish has been nominated. Chubby Checker, who has been eligible since 1985, is still around to accept the award in person, while almost all of his contemporaries have passed.
CoolCleveland had the honor of interviewing Chubby Checker a few years ago when he was in town for a benefit appearance: view the video here.
The 2025 induction ceremony will take place in Los Angeles at a date to be announced in the fall of 2025.
More artists may be nominated in additional categories which have not been announced. For example, Dionne Warwick and Jimmy Buffett became inductees via the Musical Excellence award last year. Other categories to be announced include Musical Influence and the Ahmet Ertegun Non-Performer Award.
In a statement on the 2025 nominees, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation Chairman John Sykes said, “These remarkable Nominees have each created their own musical style and attitude impacting generations of music lovers and contributing to the ever-evolving sounds and continued growth of rock & roll.”
Recently their mission was broadened, and the Rock Hall now “celebrates the sound of youth culture,” allowing a wider range of inductees from country, hip-hop, and pop.
Many are still wondering when the B-52s, Beck, Mott The Hoople, New York Dolls, Iggy Pop, Warren Zevon, Cleveland’s Joe Walsh and The Raspberries and Akron’s Devo will be recognized. Among others.