The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame announced 14 nominees for its 2025 class Tuesday, including first-time nominee Chubby Checker after decades of lobbying. Other nominees range from Mariah Carey pop to Soundgarden metal.
“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,” said John Sykes, Chairman of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation.
The nomination might especially resonate with the 83-year-old Checker, who has campaigned for inclusion since taking out a full-page Billboard advertisement in 2001.
“I want my flowers while I’m alive,” Checker wrote then. “I can’t smell them when I’m dead.” The “Twist” creator even requested a statue on a 30-foot pedestal, writing, “I would like to be alone, thank you. I changed the business.”
First-time nominees include Bad Company, The Black Crowes, Checker, Joe Cocker, Billy Idol, Maná, OutKast, and Phish. They join returning nominees Mariah Carey, Joy Division/New Order, Cyndi Lauper, Oasis, Soundgarden, and The White Stripes.
Industry experts point to Soundgarden as a leading contender. “They were the first of the ‘Big 4’ grunge bands to release a song,” said music journalist Lauryn Schaffner. “Chris Cornell was one of the strongest vocalists that we’ve ever had in rock ‘n’ roll, and I’m afraid it’ll be quite some time before someone with that kind of range comes around.”
Bad Company’s nomination surprised many industry veterans. “The fact that they’re just now getting their first Rock Hall nomination is a bit shocking,” said Chad Childers of Loudwire. “The hits are there, and they even enjoyed a great second act with the late Brian Howe keeping them relevant at radio into the ’90s.”
The nominees represent a number of genres including hard rock (Bad Company, Billy Idol), alternative (Joy Division/New Order, The White Stripes), hip-hop (OutKast), and Latin rock (Maná, a Grammy-winning Mexican band).
Notable omissions sparked debate among critics, with Iron Maiden and Motorhead frequently mentioned. Newly eligible Linkin Park’s absence also drew attention. “Please, Rock Hall, don’t make Linkin Park another long-overdue band,” wrote Loudwire’s Joe DiVita. “You induct rap and hip-hop artists regularly now. Why not opt for a band from both worlds?”
The Rock Hall will announce inductees in late April, including special categories for Musical Influence, Musical Excellence and the Ahmet Ertegun Non Performer Award. The induction ceremony will take place in Los Angeles this fall.
Since its first class in 1986, the Hall has worked to recognize artists across the rock era (1955 to present), leading to a mix of contemporary stars and long-eligible veterans finally receiving recognition.