Quick Predictions
Guessing the Rock Hall's Class of 2025
We’ve finally come to the end of the first leg of the journey to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame class of 2025, as the voting comes to its end tomorrow (April 21). Although the class has almost certainly been tabulated already thanks to online voting, it looks like we’ll have to wait until the “Rock Hall Edition” episode of American Idol airs on the 27th. A drag on several levels, but there it is.
Most of the Hall-watching community has put out their predictions, so I’ll jump in before it’s too late:
“What, They’re Not In Already?”
Chubby Checker
Bad Company
Joe Cocker
While these acts are all different stylistically, they’ve all been eligible for some time, have been discussed widely as snubs, and have broad populist appeal. Anyone not very familiar with the Hall will be aghast they’re not in yet, and that includes the voting body.
Whatever the arguments against Checker, and they’re valid ones, his name serendipitously comes up alongside rock and roll’s founding names, for better or worse. Best solution would’ve been to accept it, wink, and put him in one of the early classes. Second best is to use a category and get it done. That still might happen if he doesn’t quite get the votes, but I think he will — he’s been in the top five of the fan vote the entire time and there are enough voters with real ballots who’ll make the association and click the box.
Cocker and Bad Company will also get the benefit of the older vote. In Bad Company’s case it’s a vote for Paul Rodgers and his inimitable voice, and again, it’s not the worst thing. I personally hope he performs on at the ceremony; I think he deserves it.
The Time Has Come, Parts 1 and 2
The lane is clear and the Hall intends to finally give Outkast their due. The big question is whether they’ll perform. It’s going to take a lot of work to persuade Andre 3000 I think, but we can hope.
When Cyndi Lauper was first nominated in 2023, there was some surprise and questioning of her bona fides. I’m not seeing that now; she’s done very well in the fan vote and has been the top pick for voting members who’ve shared ballots - a small sample, but it can be a good temperature check. I think the good will will carry over to the voters at large. And you know the crowd bopping along to, “Girls” is something the Hall will be delighted to play up this year when women are so poorly represented on the ballot.
Speaking of Women
That poor representation is another reason the Hall would like to avoid a Chaka Khan redux and not have Mariah Carey turned away again. They’ve already subjected her to seeing her lawyer go in before her. I’m a little less certain about her than I was at the start, but while there are still some haters, they’ve had time to deal with her presence on the ballot and understand that hers is a career that cannot be denied. I mean, in disclosure, I’m not a big fan myself and I have voted for her every single day she’s been on a ballot and will do it until she’s in. It’s an L.A. year - in the end I think the stars will align.
It’s Not Just the Girls Who Want to Have Fun
I had Soundgarden in this slot, but I find myself wavering. There’s a lot of love out there for Billy Idol, and who doesn’t want to bounce up and down and pump their fist to “Rebel Yell” on induction night? You may argue he’s not FYN material, but…so what? Soundgarden deserves it and in just about every respect it seems to be the right time, but it’s possible voters will go for the fun guy with catchy songs who they saw playing for Ozzy last year. Age may come into play here too, with many voters just peaking a hair before Soundgarden’s time - you’ll have to ask though, I’m sure I wouldn’t know anything about that.
If Eight
Soundgarden.
Out of the remaining six, I think the nearest misses will be the White Stripes (Jack White has a lot of respect in the business and he served notice tearing things up at the SNL tribute), Joy Division/New Order (also respected, but chronologically in an odd little bubble between Boomer/Gen X and Millennials). It wouldn’t completely surprise me if either band leapfrogged over one of my choices.
For the others, it feels too soon for the Black Crowes, and the stars don’t align for Oasis or for Phish so soon after Dave Matthews. Yes, fans will tell you they’re not the same, but perception’s a powerful thing.
And as has been pointed out repeatedly since Day One, Maná is unknown to too many. I sincerely hope their nomination is part of a broader strategy on the Hall’s part, and adding Leila Cabo to the nominating committee is another encouraging hint. I also hope that they gained some new fans among those who were curious enough to reach out and learn in fulfillment of what the Hall USED to give as its mission: “Inspiring and educating in the spirit of rock and roll.”
The categories can be wildly random, but definitely look for the New York Dolls, in a sad replay of last year’s MC5 nod. The Hall isn’t utterly tone deaf, just mostly, so at long last Carol Kaye may get her due. Anything less will make this entire class feel like a failure. I personally hope Kristofferson doesn’t get the nod this year, although it’s certainly deserved; it’s just too reminiscent of Jimmy Buffet’s posthumous induction last year. Hopefully we’ll see more women, including for the Ertegun slot. Estelle Axton’s still unaccounted for…