Analyzing Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 2025 snubs: What went wrong (and right)

by

Year after year, it seems to me that the purpose of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (RRHOF) is to provide fans with an opportunity to express their opinions – or even complaints – about who isn’t featured in its ranks.

For each “What a delight to learn that (X artist) has been included,” I often encounter double the number of posts expressing outrage like “Why on earth was (Y artist) left out?!” and yes, these posts usually include more than three exclamation marks.

This year follows the trend. Out of the 14 musical acts nominated as performers, seven will indeed be inducted. Six other individuals (making it seven if you count one duo) will be recognized in different categories. I’m thrilled to see Warren Zevon finally acknowledged. I can’t quite figure out why he was categorized as a “musical influence” rather than a performer, but I suppose that’s just how things are.

You see how this works? Even when I am applauding an induction, I’m still complaining about it.

Who didn’t make the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2025 and how big was the snub?

Instead of being thrilled about Soundgarden and the White Stripes making it in, I’m zeroing in on the acts that didn’t make the cut today. Let’s list the seven acts that were overlooked this year, arranged in order from least to most significant snub. (We don’t use “snub factor” technically or scientifically, but perhaps we should.) On a scale of 1-10…

Mana – Snub Factor: 1

Mana’s nomination served as an essential stepping stone into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (RRHOF). Soon, Latin rock and pop artists will follow Santana’s lead and be inducted, with many of them performing songs in Spanish. While Mana boasts a significant international reputation, they didn’t make it this year.

Fans who might not have paid much attention to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame didn’t participate in the online voting, yet they effectively brought Mana into public view and attracted some intrigued music enthusiasts to learn more about them. This was merely the initial move.

Phish – Snub Factor: 2.5

A multitude of Phish enthusiasts gathered, and they emerged victorious in an online poll. However, this victory turned out to be inconsequential. Interestingly, this is not the first time an online winner was bypassed for induction; it happened previously with the Dave Matthews Band a few years back. Surprisingly, DMB was admitted last year despite their initial online defeat.

As a die-hard Phish fan, I can’t help but wonder if their journey will follow a similar path to some other legendary live acts. Phish is renowned for its dedicated fan base and their unique style as a jam band that thrives on stage. However, when it comes to album sales and global reach, they don’t compare to many other well-known bands. So, while I hope for the best, I have to admit that Phish still seems like an underdog in the music industry.

Black Crowes – Snub Factor: 4

I’m a fan of The Black Crowes. Among those who didn’t make it into the hall of fame this year, they rank as my runner-up. However, that’s just my personal preference. When attempting to be impartial (which is generally valued among rock enthusiasts), I feel their body of work might not quite measure up.

I dig The Black Crowes. Compared to the other artists denied entry into the hall of fame this year, they’re my second choice. But that’s just a matter of taste. If I put aside personal feelings (which is something many rock lovers strive for), I believe their discography could be a bit more impressive.

The criteria for induction into a sports Hall of Fame is generally whether an individual was one of the absolute greats, even if their peak performance didn’t span a long period. I’m not convinced that The Black Crowes meet this standard for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. While they were consistently good, they may not have reached the level of greatness required for induction.

Despite what I’ve previously mentioned, it’s important to note that the Robinson brothers haven’t reached their peak just yet. Their upcoming album, “Happiness Bastards” in 2024, marked their first studio release in over a decade, and it was truly impressive. The Black Crowes are still expanding their repertoire.

Joy Division/New Order – Snub Factor: 6.5

Here’s where I find it challenging: I’m not a fan of how Ian Curtis shaped a specific type of rock music during the late ’70s. However, it’s undeniable that he made a significant impact, and the band carried on this influence even after his untimely death in 1980, with Bernard Sumner, Peter Hook, and Stephen Morris at the helm.

The Velvet Underground and Frank Zappa deserve their place in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame because of their impact, not just their album sales. Conversely, I believe Phish hasn’t been influential enough to outweigh their sales figures. However, Joy Division and New Order have a stronger argument for their influence.

They continue to be somewhat obscure, and possibly they are hindering themselves from becoming as impactful musically as Zevon was, serving as an inspiration.

Mariah Carey – Snub Factor: 7.5

It’s widely believed that Carey was a shoo-in for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame list, but surprisingly, her name appears among those snubbed. The assumption was that the Hall would welcome artists with rock-related influences from various genres such as pop, hip hop, and country.

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but wonder, if you plan on keeping someone like Carey at bay, how do you manage that? She’s not just another pop artist; she’s one of the most successful in contemporary music history.

Twice already she’s been turned down, and it seems like Mariah Carey might be the fortress that is proving tough for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame to breach, much like the Maginot Line held off invading forces during World War II. If you didn’t catch that in history class, you really should have paid closer attention!

Billy Idol – Snub Factor: 9

This one is particularly painful for me: Billy Idol stands out as my top pick on the list of overlooked artists. While many of my peers seem pleased that Chubby Checker has finally received recognition, I don’t hold him in high regard compared to Idol.

Billy Idol is my favorite artist who was overlooked, but some older people are happy about Chubby Checker getting recognized. I’m not really a fan of Chubby Checker.

Billy Idol has a more compelling argument given his influential role in the early punk movement with Generation X and later as a solo artist in the ’80s, making him a crucial figure in rock and roll. Frankly, when Adam Sandler was looking for an emblem of rock fame for his 1998 film The Wedding Singer, he chose Idol.

Approximately two and a half decades after, Workday structured their entire advertising campaign based on Billy Idol being a renowned rock star. If a prominent industry leader such as Ogilvy isn’t capable of identifying what constitutes pop culture, then I’m unsure who else can be trusted in this regard.

Oasis – Snub Factor: 10

Although I’m not a fan of Oasis, they reached the standard I mentioned earlier. For a significant part of the ’90s, they were among the most prominent rock bands globally. Unfortunately, due to the Gallagher brothers’ disdain for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, they have been excluded from entry.

It’s all good. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has the freedom to decide who joins their exclusive group. Frankly, I wouldn’t extend an invitation to the Gallaghers to my home either. However, it’s hard to argue that anyone representing rock music’s history and current state can do so without acknowledging Oasis.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s mission is to honor and celebrate the vibrant spirit of youth culture, a role that British-Irish band Oasis embodied exceptionally well during their active years. From 1994 to 2008, they released seven studio albums, all of which reached number one in the U.K., and several of which charted in the top ten in the USA. This musical journey is a testament to the essence of youth culture.

Read More

2025-04-29 17:30