Rock & Roll Hall of Fame 2026: Nominees, Predictions & More

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nominees are like a box of chocolate: you never know what you’re gonna get. You can, however, predict what you’ll get.

Below are my official predictions for the 2026 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nominees. Here’s to hoping that this list ages well!

Beck

Beck is one of the most unique artists of his generation. A true genre chameleon, he has experimented with nearly every genre that you would expect from an icon of alternative. We’ve seen Beck in countless colors.

From his early oddball folk work (ex. 1993’s Golden Feelings) to his commercial breakthrough with 1994’s Mellow Gold and 1996’s Odelay, Beck spent the early stages of his career dabbling in a fusion of indie rock, rap, electronic, and even folk. Since then, he’s conquered genres like funk (1999’s Midnite Vultures), trip hop (2005’s Guero), and even synthpop (2019’s Hyperspace).

Beck was previously nominated in 2022 but failed to make the cut. He has since influenced artists like Gorillaz, LCD Soundsystem, and Cage the Elephant. With him taking part in the Sly Stone tribute done at last year’s induction ceremony, it seems that the Hall has eyes on him once again. Another nomination from the Hall seems imminent.

Other Possibilities: Pavement, PJ Harvey, Weezer

Bikini Kill

It is no secret that the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame has something of a “punk problem.” Only a handful of punk bands have ever made the ballot, and even fewer have seen induction. Bands like Green Day, the Ramones, The Stooges, The Clash, and the Sex Pistols have been exceptions to this rule. Less commercially successful yet influential punks like Black Flag and the Dead Kennedys have been completely ignored by the Hall. Bands like The Replacements and Bad Brains have made the ballot for one-off appearances in past years, but have had no luck in actually receiving induction.

Bikini Kill may not seem like they have enough traditional commercial success to make the Hall’s radar. However, recent news from November 2025 rewrites the story somewhat. Back in November, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame announced their Music Makes Us podcast. The podcast is hosted by none other than Bikini Kill frontwoman Kathleen Hanna and sees her interview previous Rock Hall inductees (amongst others).

This is by no means a guarantee of Bikini Kill’s induction. However, having a member directly connected to the Hall has greatly benefited acts like Rage Against the Machine in the past.

Considering Bikini Kill is arguably the most influential riot grrrl band of the 90s and seeing how the Hall loves to throw fans at least one or two curveball nominees every year, it doesn’t seem unreasonable for Bikini Kill to show up on the ballot sooner rather than later.

Other Possibilities: Black Flag, New York Dolls, Sonic Youth

Boston

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’s most frequent critics will cite the institution’s over-reliance on classic rock radio favorites as one of its biggest flaws. Whether the Hall’s choice to induct nearly every band this side of Journey is an issue or not is debatable, but that won’t stop them from nominating those bands.

Picking the next 70s/80s stadium rock band to receive a nomination is a bit difficult. Styx and REO Speedwagon lack the critical acclaim that the Hall somewhat values (albeit much less than commercial success), while Supertramp is probably too musically progressive for some members of the committee that nominates acts to the ballot. Boston feels like a safe bet.

With multiple radio staples, a highly acclaimed debut album, and a connection to the boomer nostalgia that the Hall frequently clings to, there is little to nothing that will stop Boston from being inducted if they were to reach the ballot.

Other Possibilities: Blue Öyster Cult, Styx, Supertramp

De La Soul

It could be argued that the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is still scared of rap. Even after inducting their first hip-hop act, Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five, all the way back in 2007, the Hall’s rate of inducting rappers has been as slow as molasses. Despite inducting rappers like Public Enemy, N.W.A., Eminem, 2Pac, and Jay-Z, the Hall usually only features a single rapper on the ballot each year.

While this nominee’s induction is usually all but guaranteed due to the lack of competition, it also showcases a major limitation in the Hall’s representation of different genres.

The Hall has been playing it safe with rappers in recent years by turning to the slightly alternative side of things. A Tribe Called Quest and Outkast are the two most recent rap inductees to be honored through the Performers category. De La Soul continues that trajectory of influential rap groups with a style that blends a plethora of genres.

Their 1989 debut album, 3 Feet High and Rising, is one of the most influential alternative hip-hop albums ever made. Later records like 1993’s Buhloone Mindstate and even their 2025 comeback album Cabin in the Sky have also been met with high praise.

Seeing as the Hall might be unwilling to nominate lyrically and stylistically edgier rappers like Wu-Tang Clan or Snoop Dogg at the moment, De La Soul seems like an understandable step forward for the Hall’s rap representation.

Other Possibilities: Dr. Dre (Solo), Eric B. & Rakim, Wu-Tang Clan

Diana Ross

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame loves enshrining icons of popular music, even if it means inducting them multiple times. In recent years, artists like Ozzy Osbourne, Stevie Nicks, Tina Turner, and Carole King have been inducted for the second time after being inducted in other ways in years prior. Diana Ross could be the next name to come up for a second induction.

Ross was originally inducted with The Supremes all the way back in 1988. However, she went on to have a massively successful solo career after her girl group days were over. Songs like 1980’s “I’m Coming Out” and 1985’s “Chain Reaction” have remained staples of popular music since their release. Unlike other previously inducted artists with solo careers that could make the ballot (Phil Collins, Sting, Steve Winwood, etc.), Diana Ross actually has the solo catalog to back up a second induction.

Similar to recent inductees like Cher, Diana Ross is a cultural icon that the Hall won’t pass up.

Other Possibilities: New Edition, Patti LaBelle, Phil Collins

Harry Nilsson

Harry Nilsson was your favorite songwriter’s favorite songwriter. While the commercial success that he saw in his lifetime was limited to only a handful of songs (“Without You,” “Coconut”) and a couple of successful albums, his legacy is immense.

Nilsson has been covered by countless artists both during his lifetime and after his 1994 death. This includes Hall of Fame inductees such as Neil Diamond, Randy Newman, Bill Withers, and Chris Cornell. He can also be credited as a pioneer of music mashups thanks to his 1967 song “You Can’t Do That” as well as remixes with his 1971 remix album Aerial Pandemonium Ballet. Sprinkle in public admiration from Paul McCartney and John Lennon, and you have quite the esoteric career.

The Rock Hall tends to induct one or two singer-songwriters of varying degrees of fame each year. Nilsson seems like a likely candidate for the next in line.

Other Possibilities: Jim Croce, Nick Drake, Tracy Chapman

Iron Maiden

Depending on who you ask, Iron Maiden is the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’s biggest snub. Maiden were first nominated in 2021 and reappeared on the ballot in 2023, but haven’t been acknowledged by the Hall since.

In general, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame also has an issue with metal artists. Similar to punk, very few metal musicians have ever been inducted into the Hall. Groups like Black Sabbath, Metallica, and Judas Priest have been the exceptions.

Even when a metal band does get inducted, it seems like there is always controversy surrounding the occasion. It took Black Sabbath, arguably the most influential metal band of all time, a whopping eight nominations to get inducted. Judas Priest appeared on the ballot several times, but seemingly failed to get the traction to be traditionally inducted before being inducted through the Musical Excellence side category (a move that many viewed as disrespectful to the band’s massive legacy).

While metal is far from the Hall’s strong suit, it’s something they can’t ignore forever. Even if they only end up scratching the surface of the genre, some metal bands are simply too big to pass up. Iron Maiden is one of those bands. With one of the most acclaimed discographies in the history of the genre, a lively touring schedule, and a degree of influence and cultural impact that only a handful of metal bands have ever achieved, Iron Maiden should be ready to make the ballot once again (even if they eventually end up in a side category).

Other Possibilities: Mötley Crüe, Motörhead, Thin Lizzy

Jethro Tull

The Rock Hall’s lack of punk and metal representation is likely due to those genres being far too heavy for what the institution usually puts on the ballot. Progressive rock may often be more sonically in line with the Hall’s tastes, but the lack of hit singles and general commercial impact keeps many major progressive rock acts away from the Hall.

For a period throughout the 2010s, it seemed like the Hall was finally coming around on prog. Genesis, Rush, Chicago, The Moody Blues, and Yes were all inducted throughout the decade. The trend stopped there, though. Other prog giants like King Crimson, Jethro Tull, and Emerson, Lake & Palmer remain untouched.

Jethro Tull still has several classic rock radio hits as well as several acclaimed albums. A potentially hard sell due to their sheer number of members, Tull would likely do well on the ballot.

Other Possibilities: Emerson, Lake & Palmer, King Crimson, Phish

Joy Division/New Order

Joy Division/New Order is another major contender for the title of “Band(s) Most Frequently Cited as the Rock Hall’s Biggest Snub.” Interestingly, this nomination is the only example of the Hall nominating two bands at once to date. The oddity of that choice makes sense with further context.

Joy Division existed in an admittedly brief timeframe. From their formation in 1976 to their official break-up in 1980, Joy Division only put out two albums. Those records, 1979’s Unknown Pleasures and 1980’s Closer, changed alternative music forever. Countless goth, post-punk, and indie rock bands built their sounds off of those albums.

After frontman Ian Curtis’ suicide in 1980, the band continued as New Order. While their early sound was similar to that of Joy Division, they quickly developed into a fascinating fusion of gothic sounds, synthpop, and pure electronic music. Both groups are undeniably singular. If you’ve ever heard anything from bands like Molchat Doma and Interpol, you’ve heard bands that owe their entire careers to Joy Division and New Order.

The combination has been previously nominated in both 2023 and 2025. Reappearing on the ballot implies that the committee is interested in seeing them receive induction. Whether or not the voters are willing to push them over the line is another story.

Other Possibilities: Pavement, Pixies, The Smiths

Linkin Park

Every year, it feels like there are fewer and fewer no-brainer newly eligible artists for the Hall. The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame refuses to fully dedicate itself to rap. And it isn’t quite brave enough to induct wholly alternative acts. However, the decline of mainstream rock music post-Nirvana leaves only a handful of 21st-century stadium rock acts currently eligible.

The Strokes have the critical acclaim. Coldplay is the commercial giant. Above all else, though, Linkin Park is a cultural juggernaut whose legacy will likely outlive us all.

Currently leading the “Who You Think Should Be Inducted” fan vote kiosk at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame museum, Linkin Park is undeniably beloved. Even if the nu-metal genre remains as polarizing as ever, even the greatest haters of Korn and Slipknot are usually willing to give credit to Linkin Park’s artistic integrity and overall impact.

Even after Chester Bennington tragically took his own life in 2017, the band carried on. Now sporting Emily Armstrong on vocals, Linkin Park is still active. That kind of perseverance, as well as Bennington’s nearly mythologized legacy, is likely to appeal to the Hall. If Linkin Park were to be nominated, they would be one of the first rock bands predominantly active in the 21st century to be acknowledged by the Hall.

Other Possibilities: Alice in Chains, Smashing Pumpkins, The Strokes

Mariah Carey

Another name who has been appearing on the ballot frequently in recent years, Mariah Carey likely needs little introduction. One of the most commercially successful artists in the Western Hemisphere, she is one of the biggest pop stars who is on the outside of the Hall looking in.

Despite her immense popularity, it can sometimes be easy to forget how huge Carey truly is. Each year, “All I Want for Christmas Is You” seems to overshadow the rest of her discography. With nineteen #1 Billboard Hot 100 hits, Mariah stands behind only The Beatles as the artist with the most #1 songs in the United States.

Other pop stars have admittedly had trouble in the past. Cher took thirty-three years of eligibility before she was nominated and inducted in 2024. Meanwhile, eternally influential female artists like Kate Bush and Janet Jackson have taken multiple nominations before receiving the honor. Mariah Carey has already been nominated twice, but it’s hard to imagine her taking more than three nominations to finally get inducted.

Other Possibilities: Björk, Roberta Flack, Sade

Oasis

It took a while before the Rock Hall began to acknowledge British bands. Sure, the major hitters like The Beatles and The Rolling Stones were inducted immediately upon eligibility. However, less commercially successful acts like T. Rex, Roxy Music, and The Zombies didn’t see induction until decades after their initial eligibility.

After finally digging into British alternative music of the 1970s, it seems like the Hall is finally ready to sniff the UK’s 1990s.

Oasis is easily the Britpop band with the best chance of making the Hall. Blur, Suede, Pulp, and other groups never quite had the same success in the United States that they did in their home country. Oasis, however, reached high commercial peaks in the United States. The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame tends to value commercial success in the US. That means that Oasis will likely be favored over nearly any major British rock band from the 1990s. Previously nominated in both 2024 and 2025, the continued interest in getting Oasis into the Rock Hall is clear. Their 2025 reunion tour certainly helps their case.

Other Possibilities: Blur, Coldplay, Stone Temple Pilots

The B-52’s

There are some groups whose lack of inclusion in the Rock Hall is downright befuddling. The B-52’s are one of those bands. Despite only having a couple traditional hits, you would be hard-pressed to find more than a couple of other new wave bands with more cultural presence decades after their debut.

They debuted as one of the most colorful punk-adjacent bands out there. With a sound more similar to Devo than the Ramones, songs like “Rock Lobster” made them a peculiar group that was difficult to compare to anyone. With their beehive hair-dos, nasally vocalists, and surf rock influences, they carved out a sound wholly their own.

Their late-career comeback with 1989’s “Love Shack” and accompanying album Cosmic Thing was unpredictable. Still, it firmly established them as a group beloved by the world. Since their initial heyday, they’ve become LGBT+ icons and been covered by the likes of the Foo Fighters and The Offspring. With a well-balanced diet of weirdness and mainstream accessibility, The B-52’s have a real shot of making it into the Hall. They just need to make the ballot first.

Other Possibilities: Billy Idol, Devo, Sparks

The Black Crowes

When Maná was nominated in 2025, it came as a shock to many. The Hall rarely recognizes artists from outside the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Suddenly, the most commercially successful Latin American band of all time was on the ballot. While Maná’s failure to be inducted was anything but shocking, it did overshadow one major question: how the hell did The Black Crowes get on the ballot?

Historically speaking, the Black Crowes are relatively unspectacular. They were never critical darlings. More often than not, they were ridiculed for being derivative of blues rock and southern rock groups like Little Feat. They were never commercial titans, either. While 1990’s Shake Your Money Maker and 1992’s The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion have since gone 5x Platinum and 2x Platinum, respectively, they haven’t had regular Billboard hits like the Hall’s usual crops of nominees.

Despite the arguable lack of credentials, the Hall has always loved blues-oriented rock bands. One of the most-nominated bands to never be inducted is blues rockers The J. Geils Band. Elsewhere, some of the most polarizing nominees of all time have been blues-rock bands that many have perceived as having marginal cases for induction (despite many arguably deserving names being left out).

The Rock Hall also loves to honor the kinds of artists who keep “traditional” (i.e., classic rock) alive. The Black Crowes did admittedly carry the great United States tradition of southern rock into the age of grunge. Nothing can take that away from them. Seeing them inducted feels unlikely, but it won’t be surprising if they get another chance at the ballot.

Other Possibilities: Lenny Kravitz, Little Feat, Steppenwolf

The Monkees

The Monkees are something of an anomaly in pop music history. They were a group developed by the music industry to compete with The Beatles, did not initially play their own instruments, and still somehow came out as one of the most adored pop groups of their generation.

The Hall proved that they were still happy to dip into the mid-to-late 1960s last year after the induction of the late Joe Cocker. If Cocker’s induction implies a brief revisit to that era, The Monkees are one of the most popular groups of the era left not inducted. Songs like “I’m a Believer” and “I’m Not Your Stepping Stone” have stood the test of time. Meanwhile, their songs have been covered by everyone from Smash Mouth to the Sex Pistols.

The biggest issue the Monkees face is the lack of respect given to them by their peers. While many Monkees’ songs are beloved by people of all generations, their status as a manufactured band still leaves a sour taste in the mouths of many who were alive during their commercial peak. While that may have kept them from making the ballot in the decades since their first year of eligibility, it isn’t hard to imagine them making it immediately after nomination.

Other Possibilities: Dick Dale, Love, Tommy James & the Shondells

War

War may have started with The Animals’ Eric Burdon working on another blues rock band, but they quickly evolved into something much more. By the end of the 1970s, they had become a progressive group that integrated people of various cultural backgrounds into a Latin-flavored funk-soul group. They had Billboard’s best-selling album of 1973 with The World Is a Ghetto and a number of hits (“Low Rider,” “Why Can’t We Be Friends?”).

War was originally nominated in 2009, 2012, and 2015. While it may seem like the Hall has given up on them since their last nomination, the committee has occasionally brought seemingly forgotten artists back to the ballot. Eric B. & Rakim, New York Dolls, and Jane’s Addiction have been nominated in recent years after years away. The Spinners even got inducted after several years since their last turn on the ballot.

Considering the Hall’s recent approach to be more sonically diverse while better representing people of color, War’s nomination and potential subsequent induction would only make sense.

Other Possibilities: D’Angelo, The J.B.’s, The Meters

In conclusion

Trying to predict the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’s nominees is like buying lottery tickets. For every good pick you have, you’ll get another twenty that wind up going nowhere.

Whether this year’s batch of Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nominees winds up being forgettable or the most mind-scratching crop of candidates yet, the Hall can always be counted on to throw fans at least a few curveballs.