Last Updated on February 1, 2023 by Scott Shetler
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is fascinating to watch. Sometimes, the Hall’s selections make perfect sense, but at the same time, they often seem to ignore or overlook numerous worthy artists. The Dave Matthews Band, Mariah Carey, Weezer, Kate Bush, and the Smiths are among the many acts who deserve serious consideration but haven’t yet been inducted.
Why haven’t your favorite bands been inducted yet into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame? Which bands will be next to earn induction? Let’s make some predictions.
“Will They Get Inducted?” Our Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Predictions
Our “Will They Get Inducted?” column examines some of the acts who are vying for Rock Hall inclusion. One by one, we look at the pros and cons for each artist, and make an informed conclusion about whether the folks who run the Hall of Fame will someday induct them.
We’ve got in-depth analysis on the chances of several different artists earning Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction. Click each one to read the case for each artist!
Remember as you read these percentages, the key word is eventually. Many of these artists might seem like longshots right now, but over time, we believe their candidacy will be given more serious consideration. If they get inducted 30 years from now, that still counts!
Dave Matthews Band
Odds of getting inducted eventually: 100%
Bottom line: The biggest lock on this list.
Read our complete analysis of DMB’s Rock Hall chances
Mariah Carey
Odds of getting inducted eventually: 95%
Bottom line: She has to be the next pop diva in line after Whitney and Janet.
Read our complete analysis of Mariah’s Rock Hall chances
Sheryl Crow
Odds of getting inducted eventually: 95%
Bottom line: Huge hits, large influence, and massive respect in the industry make Crow a likely inductee.
Read our complete analysis of Sheryl Crow’s Rock Hall chances
Rage Against the Machine
Odds of getting inducted eventually: 90%
Bottom line: Innovative rap-rock band’s induction is just a matter of time.
Outkast
Odds of getting inducted eventually: 90%
Bottom line: The influential rap duo managed to score a rare hip-hop win for Album of the Year at the Grammys, but somehow they’re still awaiting Hall induction?
Joy Division / New Order
Odds of getting inducted eventually: 85%
Bottom line: Every serious Rock Hall watcher believes these two bands will finally take their rightful place in the Hall. The fact that they had similar lineups but very different sounds should work in their favor.
Missy “Misdemeanor” Elliott
Odds of getting inducted eventually: 85%
Bottom line: The Hall has yet to induct a female rapper, and Missy is likely to be the first one (if they don’t go for Salt N Pepa first.)
“Weird Al” Yankovic
Odds of getting inducted eventually: 85%
Bottom line: The most criminally-overlooked Hall candidate, Weird Al is going to earn induction someday, especially after his career-capping #1 album Mandatory Fun. But it probably won’t happen until the 2030s or 2040s, because right now voters still aren’t taking him seriously.
Read our complete analysis of Weird Al’s Rock Hall chances
Snoop Dogg
Odds of getting inducted eventually: 80%
Bottom line: Snoop may have to wait awhile, but he’ll eventually join Dre and Pac in the Hall.
George Michael
Odds of getting inducted eventually: 80%
Bottom line: Great songwriters with great voices usually get inducted. It’s odd that, despite its recent efforts to diversify its membership, the Hall hasn’t yet considered one of the most noteworthy LGBT acts of the late 20th century.
Daft Punk
Odds of getting inducted eventually: 80%
Bottom line: Did you know Daft Punk are already eligible for the Rock Hall? While they won’t be inducted in the near future, they’ll likely get in someday, given their status as leaders of the electronic music explosion of the late ’90s and 2000s.
Beck
Odds of getting inducted eventually: 75%
Bottom line: We can’t believe it took so long for Beck to get nominated, given his immense critical success.
Iron Maiden
Odds of getting inducted eventually: 75%
Bottom line: After Judas Priest got inducted, Iron Maiden is the next big metal act in line. They should get in.
Weezer
Odds of getting inducted eventually: 75%
Bottom line: No rock band has ever pumped out hits as long as Weezer have (25+ years!) without earning Hall induction.
Read our complete analysis of Weezer’s Rock Hall chances
The Smiths
Odds of getting inducted eventually: 70%
Bottom line: One of the most iconic early ’80s alt-rock acts, the Smiths seem guaranteed to get inducted someday, although Morrissey’s questionable politics these days could delay that honor.
Salt N Pepa
Odds of getting inducted eventually: 70%
Bottom line: The first commercially successful women in hip hop, Salt N Pepa deserve induction for “Push It” alone. As the Hall tries to honor more early rap acts they have overlooked, expect this group to get the call within the next 10 years.
The B-52s
Odds of getting inducted eventually: 70%
Bottom line: The B-52s have received little RnR Hall attention so far, but they should be in the conversation.
Smashing Pumpkins
Odds of getting inducted eventually: 70%
Bottom line: If the Pumpkins getting Hall induction is what it would take to see the original lineup perform together again, we’re rooting hard for it.
White Stripes
Odds of getting inducted eventually: 70%
Bottom line: Jack and Meg White should earn induction, unless voters are more impressed by Jack’s solo work.
Dionne Warwick
Odds of getting inducted eventually: 65%
Bottom line: Hopefully the Hall inducts the Queen of Twitter while she’s still with us. She paved the way for Whitney and countless others.
Willie Nelson
Odds of getting inducted eventually: 60%
Bottom line: Willie Nelson is one of those artists whom people are always surprised hasn’t been inducted yet. Unfortunately, we fear he may not be given his rightful place in the Rock Hall of Fame until after he passes.
Cher
Odds of getting inducted eventually: 60%
Bottom line: Cher is yet another female pop-rock act who was overlooked for years, but will earn induction eventually.
Oasis
Odds of getting inducted eventually: 60%
Bottom line: British acts who had more success in the UK tend to have a hard time getting inducted into the Rock Hall, but Oasis have a decent chance.
A Tribe Called Quest
Odds of getting inducted eventually: 60%
Bottom line: Influential hip hop group is among the ’90s rap acts still waiting for the Hall call.
Alanis Morissette
Odds of getting inducted eventually: 55%
Bottom line: Much like Carole King and Carly Simon, Alanis will likely get inducted many years later than she should have been.
Bjork
Odds of getting inducted eventually: 55%
Bottom line: Assuming the Hall finally starts inducting a substantial number of overlooked female artists, Bjork will be high on the list.
Kool & the Gang
Odds of getting inducted eventually: 55%
Bottom line: When it comes to overlooked soul acts from the ’70s and ’80s, Kool and his gang are near the top of the list.
Meat Loaf & Jim Steinman
Odds of getting inducted eventually: 50%
Bottom line: Meat Loaf and Jim Steinman absolutely deserve consideration for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame based on the first two Bat Out of Hell efforts, the original and sequel. It’s likely the Hall would consider the performer and the songwriter a package duo.
No Doubt
Odds of getting inducted eventually: 50%
Bottom line: Gwen Stefani inducted the Police into the Rock Hall years ago. Maybe Sting can return the favor someday!
Pet Shop Boys
Odds of getting inducted eventually: 50%
Bottom line: Same logic as Duran Duran. Plus the Pet Shop Boys have always had lots of critical acclaim, and the Hall has very few dance acts.
Motley Crue
Odds of getting inducted eventually: 50%
Bottom line: In much the same way that Journey and Rush were successful rock bands without critical acclaim who got inducted after years of being overlooked, Motley Crue could be in the running somewhere down the line.
Blink-182
Odds of getting inducted eventually: 40%
Bottom line: If this one surprises you, read our analysis. Blink-182 have a better shot than you think, especially given the recent pop-punk revival.
Read our complete analysis of Blink-182’s Rock Hall chances
Huey Lewis & the News
Odds of getting inducted eventually: 40%
Bottom line: Nobody ever mentions Huey and his band, but they scored such a lengthy string of pop-rock hits that they should be contenders someday.
Read out complete analysis of Huey Lewis & the News’ Rock Hall chances
Boyz II Men
Odds of getting inducted: 35%
Bottom line: Boyz II Men are the male equivalents of the pop divas like Whitney and Mariah. Whitney has now been inducted, and after Mariah inevitably gets her honor, the Boyz could receive serious consideration.
Culture Club
Odds of getting inducted eventually: 30%
Bottom line: After Duran Duran and the Eurythmics get in, it’s possible an act like Culture Club could earn consideration. Their run was short but memorable, and includes the five-star album Colour By Numbers.
Enya
Odds of getting inducted eventually: 25%
Bottom line: Enya popularized a niche genre, created her own layered vocal sound, and was sampled by shockingly large number of hip-hop artists. That will earn her some votes, eventually. Many, many years from now.
INXS
Odds of getting inducted eventually: 25%
Bottom line: INXS feel like a band that could be inducted in 30 years when the Hall is trying to dig up worthy ’80s acts who were never considered.
Fiona Apple
Odds of getting inducted eventually: 25%
Bottom line: A few classic singles and albums, a unique style, and a powerful presence make Fiona Apple a dark-horse Rock and Roll Hall of Fame candidate.
Toto
Odds of getting inducted eventually: 20%
Bottom line: The Hall has ignored Toto forever, but the same was true of Chicago and Steve Miller. I believe Toto could get in someday.
Bryan Adams
Odds of getting inducted eventually: 15%
Bottom line: It’s conceivable the Canadian rocker could be considered for induction many years from now.
Phish
Odds of getting inducted eventually: 15%
Bottom line: Another band that could be considered way, way in the future, mostly due to their longevity and reputation as a killer live band.
Slipknot
Odds of getting inducted eventually: 15%
Bottom line: There’s no chance Slipknot gets inducted anytime soon. But in 20 years, when the Hall is looking backward to find more metal bands to consider? It’s not an impossibility.
We have a large list of artists we’re planning on analyzing next, so stay tuned. Those on our future list include Chaka Khan, Styx, Garbage, Shania Twain, the Spinners, Barbra Streisand, Celine Dion, Sting, Tears for Fears, and Maroon 5.
Not all of these acts are Hall-worthy, of course. But we’ll examine their credentials objectively and consider whether the Hall might someday consider inducting them.
Recent Nominees for the Rock Hall
Who might get inducted soon? For that answer, it helps to look at who was recently nominated. The 2023 nominees feature a ton of first-time nominees from the ’80s and ’90s who have never been nominated before. The Hall seems to be making a concerted effort to get more artists into the conversation, which can only be a good thing.
The 2023 Rock Hall Nominees
Kate Bush
Sheryl Crow
Missy Elliott
Iron Maiden
Joy Division / New Order
Cyndi Lauper
George Michael
Willie Nelson
Rage Against the Machine
Soundgarden
Spinners
A Tribe Called Quest
White Stripes
Warren Zevon
Who gets in? We predict: There are so many worthy nominees that it’s hard to make a call. I think Kate Bush, Soundgarden, Willie Nelson, Missy Elliott, and George Michael get inducted, but it wouldn’t surprise me if Rage Against the Machine, Sheryl Crow, Iron Maiden, the White Stripes, or Joy Division get in.
The 2022 Rock Hall Nominees
(those in bold were inducted)
Beck
Pat Benatar
Kate Bush
Devo
Duran Duran
Eminem
Eurythmics
Judas Priest
Fela Kuti
MC5
New York Dolls
Dolly Parton
Rage Against the Machine
Lionel Richie
Carly Simon
A Tribe Called Quest
Dionne Warwick
Who gets in? We predict: Eminem, Dolly Parton, Pat Benatar, New York Dolls, Lionel Richie
Update: Four of our five predictions were correct. Once again the New York Dolls were our only miss.
The 2021 Rock Hall Nominees
(those in bold were inducted)
Mary J. Blige
Kate Bush
Devo
Foo Fighters
The Go-Go’s
Iron Maiden
Jay-Z
Chaka Khan
Carole King
Fela Kuti
LL Cool J
New York Dolls
Rage Against the Machine
Todd Rundgren
Tina Turner
Dionne Warwick
Who gets in? We predict: Jay-Z, Foo Fighters, The Go-Go’s, Tina Turner, New York Dolls
Update: We got 4 of our 5 picks correct. Carole King and Todd Rundgren were surprisingly selected, and the New York Dolls were not. And LL Cool J was selected in the “Musical Excellence” category.
The 2020 Rock Hall Nominees
(those in bold were inducted)
Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo
Depeche Mode
Doobie Brothers
Whitney Houston
Judas Priest
Kraftwerk
Dave Matthews Band
MC5
Motörhead
Nine Inch Nails
Notorious B.I.G.
Rufus featuring Chaka Khan
Todd Rundgren
Soundgarden
T. Rex
Thin Lizzy
Notable Artists Who’ve Been Rock Hall Finalists, But Haven’t Been Inducted
When it comes to making future Rock and Roll Hall of Fame predictions, the best strategy is to look at the acts who have already been nominated in the past. Here are some of the most famous acts who have yet to earn Rock Hall enshrinement despite being nominated at least once before:
A Tribe Called Quest (2022)
Bad Brains (2017)
Beck (2022)
Pat Benatar (2020, 2022)
Kate Bush (2018, 2021, 2022)
Dave Matthews Band (2020)
Devo (2019, 2021, 2022)
Duran Duran (2022)
Eric B. & Rakim (2012)
Eurythmics (2018, 2022)
Jane’s Addiction (2017)
Judas Priest (2018, 2020, 2022)
Chaka Khan (2016, 2017, 2021)
New York Dolls (2001, 2021, 2022)
John Prine (2019)
Rage Against the Machine (2018, 2019, 2021, 2022)
Lionel Richie (2022)
Carly Simon (2022)
The Smiths (2015, 2016)
Sting (2015)
Soundgarden (2020)
Conway Twitty (2005)
Other Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Predictions and Resources
–The official Rock Hall website
–The Who Cares About the Rock Hall? podcast – a great resource for discussion and more Rock and Roll Hall of Fame predictions
–Photos of the exhibits inside the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame museum
–Complete list of Rock Hall inductees (Wikipedia entry)
So many worthy acts continue to get snubbed year after year and there are so many questions as to why certain acts have already been invited to the club. Artists that have made significant differences – be it songwriting, interpretation, musical excellence, genre – does not matter but so many have gone ignored: Let’s change it and get caught up with inductions for Carly Simon, Judas Priest, Bad Company, The Monkee’s, Three Dog Night, Peter Paul & Mary, Iron Maiden, Pat Benetar, Joe Cocker, King Crimson, Kool & the Gang, Foreigner, John Prine, Kate Bush, Duran Duran, Eurythmics, Jethro Tull, Steppenwolf, Grand Funk Railroad, Dave Matthews, Phish and Devo. All worthy, all made a difference in their respective genre’s. Get it right, after all Abba, Darlene Love, Percy Sledge, Public Enemy and Gene Pitney are already in!
Will Lionel Ritchie be induced into the Hall of Fame. Will Kansas be induced into the Hall of Fame?
I believe Jr. Walker and the All Stars, Joe Simon, Johnnie Taylor, KoKo Taylor, Tyrone Davis, Little Milton, Denise LaSalle, Sonny Boy Williamson, Rufus Thomas, Carla Thomas has been overlooked way too long to get into the rock and roll hall of fame.
Why bands like Tull,ELP and Kansas aren’t in baffles me, I think Boston and Styx belong too,if Notorious Big is in and the Go Go’s there is something wrong.
Phish is a rock and roll enigma. Deserving for a long time. Although no commercial success, their influence is everywhere (go to a festival or ANY live show) and an entire genre of music inspired. Early 80’s start, and carved a path unlike anyone else, even the Dead. Premium musicianship, groundbreaking innovation (show sharing, internet use, livestreams, concert lighting, festival production, etc.). There’s no doubt they’ll get in, but what are we waiting for here?