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Why get yourself into a tizzy when Rob Halford and Dolly Parton are nuzzling to Jolene together?
Or Jimmy Page coming out of his self-imposed guitar retirement to shred for Link Wrays ghost?
Lets speculate on whos getting inducted next.
The2025 shortlistconsists of 14 very different artists with devoted followings.
(The only strict requirement is you become eligible 25 years after the release of your first recording.)
But, like any astute power ranking, there are certain tells about which nominees have an advantage.
1.Cyndi Lauper
1.
The Math:Second nomination after being eligible since 2009.
Shes currently the official voters top choice and has a strong fifth-place showing in the Fan Vote.
2.OutKast
2.
The Groundswell:OutKast is the sole hip-hop nominee, making their induction path the clearest among all artists.
The Math:First nomination despite being eligible since 2019.
Andre 3000 declined additional comment to Vulture.
Its like the last Infinity Stone in my Thanos glove.
Its not even something I thought was on the table when we started making music, he told us.
3.Bad Company
3.
The Groundswell:Foreignerwalkedso Bad Company could run.
Sitting comfortably in second position in the Fan Vote.
Ballot tracking among official voters suggests theyll be in the top half of nominees.
Do They Even Care?Yeah, and theyre earning villain status because of it.
Maybe appear a bit less collusion-y?
4.Billy Idol
4.
Idols first album in a decade,Dream Into It,will be out later this month.
The Math:Nominated for the first time since being eligible in 2007.
Sitting in third place for the Fan Vote and the top half for the voting committee.
Do They Even Care?He wants it.
Idols various social-media pages have acknowledged the nominationandhes encouraging fans to use their voice with the Fan Vote.
I couldve never imagined this when I was 30, hetoldVulture in February.
I was really knocked down.
He also appeared atlast years ceremonyto celebrate Ozzy Osbourne, shrewdly planting seeds about a future induction for himself.
5.Mariah Carey
5.
Kind of the opposite of an elusive chanteuse, if you think about it.
Bottom half for the Fan Vote wheres the Lambily?
but top half for the official voters.
Do They Even Care?Diva does, with a few complaints!
Carey hasmadeher enthusiasm known on various social-media channels and considers the nomination to be an incredible honor.
Just dont bring up the fact that Careys lawyer, Alan Grubman,got inducted first.
6.Joe Cocker
6.
Oh, and the Rock Halls top boss told us last year how Cocker was one of hispersonal priorities.
The Math:Eligible since 1994, making him the second-longest wait among nominees after Chubby Checker.
In an encouraging six-place position for both the Fan Vote and official voters.
Do They Even Care?Cocker died of lung cancer in 2014.
7.Joy Division/New Order
7.
Third place for official voters, but trailing in tenth place for the Fan Vote.
Do They Even Care?There are two answers to this.
8.Oasis
8.
The Groundswell:If theres any year for an Oasis induction, its this one.
The Math:Second nomination after failing to make the final cut last year.
Second to last in the Fan Vote, as well as in the bottom quadrant for official voters.
Youd think thered be a stronger showing given the shock factor of the reunion.
Do They Even Care?As with anything involving the brothers, proceed with skepticism and a parka.
I know what it is.
I know what it entails, and it wont be fucking happening, okay?
Noel declined comment when asked by Vulture if his views have changed since then.
The bands social-media accounts havent mentioned the Rock Hall.
9.Soundgarden
9.
The Groundswell:The band dissolved following Chris Cornells suicide in 2017.
Besides the release ofseparatelive and compilation albums in 2019, the rest of Soundgarden has remained dormant.
The Math:Fourth nomination, which puts the band as the most-snubbed act on this years ballot.
Do They Even Care?Yes, if you’ve got the option to believe it.
His widow nowsayswhile Cornell never believed in accolades, he would nonetheless be very honored by the bands induction.
Kim Thayil has spoken warmly about the organization,recentlysaying its a very pleasant surprise.
10.Phish
10.
And their 2024 was epic: a new album, a prolonged tour, and a covetedSphere residency.
The Math:First nomination after 11 years of eligibility.
Do They Even Care?They do, but Trey Anastasio is being deferential to other nominees.
11.The White Stripes
11.
But could an induction finally lure her back out?
Would she and Jack reunite?
Are we just spewing nonsense?
The Math:Second nomination after being passed over in 2023 with their first year of eligibility.
In the bottom half for both fans and official voters the water beneath the oil.
Do They Even Care?Your guess is as good as ours.
12.Chubby Checker
12.
Do They Even Care?Hes twisted with this one.
(Yes, this has nothing to do with the nominees themselves just weirdly specific gripes.)
Now, Checker haspostedabout the nomination on his social-media pages without additional commentary.
13.The Black Crowes
13.
The Groundswell:Consistent kings.
Theyve been recording and touring for decades including a summer jaunt starting in just a few weeks.
The Math:First nomination after nearly a decade of eligibility.
Second to last in the public ballot tracker and bottom half of the Fan Vote.
Do They Even Care?Consider them this years flip-flopper.
(You started a trend,Cher.)
Its like going to the mall or something, heassertedat the time.
Robinson insists hes a changed man.
All sarcasm aside, its amazing to be thought of.
Its amazing to be included, hecourse-correctedin February.
14.Mana
14.
Theyre also the first Spanish act ever to be nominated in Rock Hall history.
The Math:First nomination.
Dead last for both official and Fan Vote ballots.
Do They Even Care?They care just as much as theyre surprised.
