Groups or individuals are qualified for induction 25 years after the release of their first record. Nominees should have demonstrable influence and significance within the history of rock and roll.
Four categories are recognized (as of 2000):
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- Performers
- Musical Excellence (Influencers)
- Early Influences
- The Ahmet Ertegun Award (formerly Non-Performers)
- Former Categories include Sidemen and Singles, Most Sidemen and Backing Members have been left out of inductions since the beginning and Singles category was only in 2018. A good link to snubbed members of inducted bands is here: Snubbed Members of Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Artists Read the comments too for a complete list.
With that we propose the following list that absolutely, positively should be a part of the Rock Hall.
Iron Maiden
Just replace 40+ years in the description (instead of For 35 years, put For 40+ years) (also add) They even have their own font (metal lord) and screams Rock louder than an Eddie T-Shirt!- Screamin’ Jay” Hawkins
If you haven’t heard his hits, you heard a band cover them! Screamin Jay is known as the pioneer of Shock Rock. One of his songs is in the Rock Halls top songs that shaped Rock and Roll so get him in the Rock Hall!! - Billy Idol
From the London punk scene in the late 70’s Billy made it HUGE in the 80’s with his snarling punk attitude and rock hooks. He has multiple #1 billboard hits, awards and he still records and tours today. 
Weird Al Yankovic
The leader of rock parody and always on the cutting edge of pop music this icon cannot be overlooked. Since 1979, “Weird Al” Yankovic has carved a unique career as rock and roll’s premier satirist. Weird Al has created and solidified his own essential niche in rock music, and it’s high time he be honored. He also has his own induction site here: https://www.dohtem.com/al/rockhall/- The Bangles
All Female and one of the most successful rock groups of the 80’s. The Bangles still tour today and have been featured in many movie soundtracks for decades. Their songs remain relevant today as they were when released. - Connie Francis
CONNIE FRANCIS was the ME TOO of the late 50’s till 70’s before it was cool. She paved the way for many female artists with her chart topping hits both on Billboard and internationally. Her song “Where the Boys Are” was a hit that became a movie and introduced the concept of Spring Break! Her songs lead her to star in movies and television. She has recorded songs in 9 languages. 
Devo
Are we not men worthy of Rock Hall fame? These guys were one-of-a-kind, and amongst the great innovators in rock history. They continue to this day in TV shows, animated and commercials we see everyday.-
INXSHailing from Australia INXS has numerous hits, platinum albums and every award on the planet, except and induction to the rock hall! Never considered and totally snubbed this band is a major influence to many bands that came after them. Still touring and recording with singers after the unexpected death of their original lead singer in 1997 Michael Hutchence.
HOME of Induct INXS | Get INXS Nominated & Inducted @Rock Hall. Sign at Induct INXS.com | Induct INXS - The Runaways
The Runaways are one of the first all female bands and has had a HUGE influence on most modern female (and male) bands to come along since. The members such as Joan Jett and Lita Ford have gone on to have long successful careers, along with the other members. Major motion pictures and documentaries have been made about them. They are still currently being played on radio. - Supertramp
A British Prog Rock band that dominated the airwaves in the 70’s and 80’s with multiple top 10 singles. Their songs have endured through the decades, often in soundtracks and covered by modern artists to this day. Are we nothing but a dreamer to get them in the Rock Hall? Bloody Well Right we are! - The Smiths
Morrissey and Johnny Maher were smart, enigmatic and fun and the music they created helped lay the groundwork for independent music and alternative rock in the 1980s and ’90s. - Gordon Lightfoot
Prolific Songwriter has had many top hits with his songs of tales of love and historic events. Successfully heard the world over his songs have been covered by many of the worlds most renown artists about Lovers, Loneliness, Trains, Shipwrecks, Rivers and Highways. 
Mott The Hoople
Some of the biggest rock songs and most covered rock songs in history come out of this band along with Ian Hunter and Mick Ronson among others. A Glam Band from the 70’s their songs have survived through decades and are always heard on soundtracks, streaming, and covers. A huge influence to many artists who came after them they are long overdue for the hall!- SugarHill Gang
Founders of Hip Hop and Rap. This pioneering group inaugurated the recorded history of rap music with their single “Rapper’s Delight”, a multi-platinum seller in 1979. First Rap to appear on America Bandstand. - Tom Jones
British Pop Star that sang hits for James Bond and many other movies. He has 36 top 40 hits, 19 in the top 10. Still a sex symbol and recording artist, he has sold more than 100 million records over the last 6 decades and was so popular he had his own TV show. Recognised by many Rock Stars and the influence of generations of Rock Stars he was knighted in 2006 for his contribution to music and now is Sir Tom Jones. - Tommy James and the Shondells
Eligible since 1991 and their hits including 2 #1 hits and 12 others in the top ten are covered again and again its a surprise that these guys have never been considered to the Rock Hall. They did it all from Bubble Gum to Psychedelic and are a straight forward rocking band. Still pops up from time to time on tours today. This is a cornerstone band that has been overlooked way too long. - ACCEPT
German Heavy Metal Band that played an important role in the development of Speed Metal, directly influencing bands like Metallica. They have sold millions of albums worldwide and are still recording and touring to this day. A favorite of Guitar Hero and many of their songs are featured in movies and TV shows. - Saxon
Part of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal they are one of Europes biggest acts, also having singles in the US, Japan and other countries in the world. 
Scorpions
German Heavy Metal Rockers have sold over 100 million albums worldwide. They have performed all over the world including Soviet Russia. The songs are always well written and they have received many awards worldwide. A major player in Guitar hero their songs will live on well into the future. Lets Rock them like a Hurricane into the Rock Hall.- SWEET
British Glam Rockers had over a decade of hits all over the world and continually are played on radio today. Many hits are still being covered and used in many hit movies. The influence of this band is immeasurable and their induction is long overdue. - Slade
English Hard Rock / Glam band whose hits are still being copied and songs still played on the radio. - Thin Lizzy
Major international Rock Band whose hits still played regularly on hard rock and Classic Rock radio stations. - Humble Pie
Humble Pie formed as a supergroup in the end of the 60s and went on to produce music that influenced many artists and top rock hits that are played to this day. Members were entertaining and extremely talented that went on to do so much more in the rock industry. - Slayer
Who hasn’t gone to a concert in the last 30 years and heard someone in the crowd yell “Slayer” for a request. Godfathers of thrash metal are two time Grammy winners and the winners of multiple music awards has made them the must have in every music fans collection. - The Replacements
Post-punk poets from Minneapolis blazed the trail for every alternative-rock band to come along since. Gets my vote on the strength of “Here Comes a Regular” alone. - Toto
Awarded several Grammy awards and in the Musicians hall of fame this band has always been around selling millions of albums. - The B-52s
New Wave innovators from Athens, Ga. “Love Shack” baby! 
The Carpenters
Siblings Karen and Richard Carpenter lit up the charts with number one hits in the 60s and 70s. Stopping in 83 with the sudden death of Karen their songs still endure to this day. Covered by many and influencing many artists The Carpenters are still considered one of the top greatest duos of all time. Rolling Stone has Karen as one of the greatest vocalists of all time. In all the Hall of Fames except this one, and long overdue!- Jethro Tull
Formed in 1967 with their flute playing front man Ian Anderson Jethro Tull has been overlooked for too long by the Rock Hall. Songs like Aqualung, Teacher, Bungle in the Jungle and others are true classic rock and are known worldwide. These grammy winners are still touring to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary and have a new studio album coming out. - Joe Cocker
Dude was at Woodstock. One of rock’s great interpreters. His gritty rendition of “With a Little Help From My Friends” is more memorable than the Beatles’ original. And his cover of Randy Newman’s “You Can Leave Your Hat On” is a bona fide classic. - Motley Crue
Hard living band since 1981 that continues to influence Rock and Roll today with radio and reality shows. Everyone from babies to Grannies know this band. - The Raspberries
Eric Carmen and the boys burned hot and bright in their short time together and left us some of the best pop-rock music ever. Besides, Bruce Springsteen thinks they should be inducted into the Rock Hall, and who are we to argue with The Boss? Wally Bryson is an influence to Slash from Nominated Guns and Roses . - The Guess Who
“American Woman,” “These Eyes,” “No Sugar Tonight.” One of the great ’60s pop-rock outfits. - J. Geils Band
Who doesn’t know their song centerfold? Nominated once for the 2010 inductions, they were snubbed. The wooba gooba with the green teeth, needs to be let in. - Los Lobos
Their cover of Ritchie Valens’ “La Bamba” put them on the commercial map. But these L.A. rockers are a creative force in their own right and one of the best live bands in rock. - Motörhead
Motörhead’s overwhelmingly loud and fast style of heavy metal was one of the most groundbreaking styles the genre had to offer in the late ’70s. Though the group’s leader, Lemmy Kilminster, had his roots in the hard-rocking space rock band Hawkwind, He left taking the Progressive Space rock and melting it in with Biker Punk rock to be the first metal band to harness that energy and, in the process, they created speed metal and thrash metal. Formed in June 1975 they have sold over 16 million albums worldwide. - Jan and Dean
We all know the songs Dead Mans Curve and Little Old Lady From Pasadena, besides the other iconic songs the duo of W. Jan Berry and Dean Torrence sang with the iconic sixties west coast sound. Active from 1958 till Jans death in 2004 they toured and recorded, and went on to produce rock music through the decades. Known for an anti-establishment attitude toward the music industry they still recorded their music with a high level of craftsmanship. 
Twisted Sister
I don’t know anyone who has not heard of their well-known hits Were Not Gonna Take It and I Wanna Rock.
Dee Snider should be in the Rock Hall because he testified against the PMRC alone! (Along with John Denver and Frank Zappa)- THE TUBES
Majorly Influential since 1975 this band is considered to be one Rocks most creative masters of lyrics for the Rock/New Wave and hard rock genre. Still touring the band has survived to this day. - Uriah Heap
One the most influential bands of the 4 cornerstones of Heavy Metal and an AOR radio favorite. They have been an influence to many progressive rock bands and vocalists. Their induction cannot be overlooked.
Bonus Tracks!!!
UFO
Heavy British Rock Band with many influential members, this band cannot be overlooked or its “lights out”. The Band continues to this day to release critically acclaimed albums.- Leslie Gore
At just 17 she had iconic hits like It’s My Party and You Don’t Own Me. Her songs have been trailblazing for women in Rock. She’s way overdue for induction. - Mariah Carey
The Songbird Supreme with a 5 octave voice has been on the charts for over 3 decades. Too many awards to list here she has sold over 200 million records worldwide, making her one of the biggest selling artists in music history. Carey has spent 82 weeks at the number-one position on Billboard Hot 100, the greatest number for any artist in US chart history and accumulated 19 number-one singles. Versatile singer and actress we will hear from her for decades to come. - Matthew Sweet
Matthew has had many popular releases and has been featured on TV and Movie soundtracks. His original and unique style has won him legions of fans and praises from critics since the late 80s. - The Monkees
Who can’t resist loving the TV band that made many top 40 songs from the late 60’s? These guys still influence lives to this day. The Mikes are still touring, and still major producers in the business. If you google “Monkees Influence” you will see pages about their influence in Rock and Roll, videos and Hollywood. Sadly they have been on our list for so long we have lost 2 members since we started this list: Davy Jones and Peter Tork. Lets get them in before they are all dead! - Johnny Rivers
In the 60s and 70s radio hits always had Johnny Rivers songs on the charts, many to hit #1. His songs have been performed and covered by many bands and are featured in TV and movies till this day. - Blue Oyster Cult
This Rock band sold out stadiums, and still sells shows out to this day. BOC started in 1967 and had chart toppers throughout the 70s and into the 80’s. Induct them before Godzilla comes out of Lake Erie for you. - The Cult
The Cult has had many hits from the Goth/Punk/Rock British band. The Cult have had various line-ups; the longest-serving members are vocalist Ian Astbury and guitarist Billy Duffy the band’s two songwriters. Their popularity is worldwide and still requested on radio and many online streaming services. - Sir Douglas Quintet
The Sir Douglas Quintet was an American rock band, formed in San Antonio in 1964. Formed by Doug Sahm, They had their first hit in 1965 mixing R&B with Tex Mex and psychedelic rock. The Sir Douglas Quintet is considered a pioneering influence in the history of rock and roll for incorporating Tex-Mex and Cajun styles into rock music. Many of their hits are featured in movie soundtracks from 1967 easy rider to today. - Three Dog Night
Three Dog Night scored a succession of 21 hit singles, including eleven Top Tens, and twelve consecutive gold albums from 1969 to 1975, thanks to the slick, sometimes soulful vocal harmonies of singers Danny Hutton, Chuck Negron, and Cory Wells and an excellent ear for quality material. Their vocal harmonies and pop licks have influenced many vocal bands in rock and pop till today.
Frampton, Boston, Styx, Kansas, Foreigner, REO Speedwagon, ELO, Blue Oyster Cult amongst others, were THE definition of 70s/80s rock and roll. Anyone who went to school in that era heard them every day on the radio, and bought their LPs, 8-tracks and eventually cassettes. Any time they tour, even in their later years, they still sell out. Radio still plays their catalogue every day, and many have dedicated CHANNELS to their songs. How in the HELL are none of these bands even nominated let alone not already in there?
ELO finally in as of 2017!
I couldn’t agree more. My favorite Band, Jethro Tull is going on 50th Anniversary Tour (well, it is Ian Anderson but that is Jethro Tull for the most part) and their success and longevity should have them in as well. Get these guys in while they can enjoy the accolades.
There’s no doubt that there are many bands that have been shunned, and there are many that aren’t rock that have been inducted. There’s no doubt, though, that the RRHOF finally did not ignore fans of true rock and made some much-needed choices this year. At this point, I’d like to see how the Hall arranges things with the new inductees included. Then, start commenting about who should be relegated to a closet somewhere and who else should be inducted.
How is this happening Tull not a member. Winning a Grammy for rock album of the year and total domination of rock music for decades.
It’s a total shame that Boston is snubbed or what ever excuses the Hall has for not nominating one of the greatest American rock bands of all times . Get ur act together Hall and do the right thing.
Kansas, Dan Fogelberg, Boston, Styx, Foreigner, REO, The Doobie Brothers, Pat Benetar, The Smiths, BTO. Love or hate the above-mentioned (I love them all), they are totally worthy and long-overdue for induction.
As many have mentioned, there are people in the “Rock & Roll HOF”, that you would really have to stretch them pretty far to put them in the R&R category. That bugs me more then the omissions.
I’m sorry to say also that there are a lot of nominations listed here for groups that probably shouldn’t be in. It should be a reasonably exclusive club. Not for every group that you ever liked.
I was just looking at the current crop of RRHOF inductees. What exactly is the criteria in deciding who gets inducted into the RRHOF? Who are the people who decide who gets inducted? I have looked at the list of inductees and over half of them I have never heard of and over half of the others are a joke to even be considered. Either performing in a coliseum, arena, or stadium Boston would blow most of these groups or individuals out of the water not to mention the amount of ticket sales they would generate. Also, where the hell is Ted Nugent? Are you freakin’ kidding me?
Let’s not forget Johnny maestro and his arms long list of hits! Along with the crests and Brooklyn bridge. Really? Sounds like Doo-wop is being forgotten.
BLACK OAK ARKANSAS
Robin Trower deserves to be inducted into RRHOF! His style is similar to Jimi Hendrix, but different. Trower’s style is more of a finesse version. Used to fill large outdoors stadiums as a solo artist in the 70’s. Bridge of Sighs album is a masterpiece, and his Live album is one of the best live albums of the era.
Perhaps a celebration is in order, now that the Moody Blues are to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. They are, at long last, getting their due. Not at all!!! Their “due”, had it been gotten, would have come in their first year of eligibility. Undoubtedly this will placate a large subset of MB fans. I won’t be among its members. This, to me, is a slap in the face with rotting halibut – quite possibly intentionally so. From my perspective, excluding the Beatles, there was no one more deserving of a golden ticket for year-one admission than the Moody Blues. More to come when The Guess Who finally gets “its due”.
Lets NOT Forget How Motley Crue Inspired An ENTIRE DECADE Of Copycat Artists That So DESPERATELY Wanted To Be Motley Crue. There Are Current Bands That Are Even Inspired By Their Earliest Releases. Such As The Remake Of Too Fast For Love Which Was Redone By Stone Sour, A Current Heavy Metal PowerHouse And I DONT Know Anyone Who CANT Name At Least Three To Five Motley Crue Songs Off The Top Of Their Head. These Guys Changed The Music Industry And HELPED Make Heavy Metal Become Cool For EVERYONE. You CANT Think Of Heavy Metal WITHOUT Having Motley Crue Pop Into Your Head. Weather YOU Like These Guys Or NOT MILLIONS Of People Around The WORLD Do And They Are The ONLY BAND To Have Their Own Music Festival Where Other Well Known Bands Jumped At The Chance To Be Their Opening Acts Not Just Once But TWICE. Motley Crue Belongs in the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame
MIKE, couldn’t agree more…Moody Blues is WAY more talented and has given us classic songs…Nights in White Satin, Tuesday Afternoon, etc. The Doobie Brothers, China Grove, Listen to the Music, ELO, Three Dog Night, Jethro Tull, The Hollies, Gordon Lightfoot even though he’s a folk artist, Don McLean…other bands like ELO and Chicago…not sure if the last two are in but if Talking Heads and REM made it in, whoever judges true musical talent from the RRHOF aren’t playing with a full deck.
The Guess Who is currently the greatest snub. If they aren’t going to put them in, then Bachman should go in individually at a bare minimum.
Styx might arguably be a greater snub. Bizarre that they’ve been cheated.
They seem to hate soft rock as much as they do hard rock or metal. Or if you wrote too many pop Hot 100 hits. With this said, Bread, Dan Fogelberg, The Cars, Foreigner, JudasPriest, and Iron Maiden should be in. Don’t think a one of them has ever been nominated.
How many times have I said TGW as the greatest snub? (Yes, the Moody Blues are well deserving too!) Burton Cummings and Randy Bachman not in the Hall is a disgrace! They epitomize rock and roll as it was meant to be!
Must be politics as I don’t have any other explanation for their absence!
Moody blues have been nominated. Go to hall of fame voting website, vote once a day till Dec. Spread the word. The more votes, better chances to get inducted.
What about Bachman-Turner Overdrive. Randy Bachman has been essential to the 1965 – 1975 period of rock music.
Are you kidding? No one listens to that garbage. Guess who? What is that a pair of pants?
Styx sucked when I was a kid. Total sh…. Get your ears cleaned out.
Easy on that second cup of coffee there, guy. You’re wrong about The Guess Who. Great rock band. However, I do agree with you that Styx sucks.
I think they hate progressive rock worst. Where are Kansas and Emersin, Lake, and Palmer.
William,you are spot on with those two! Add Jethro Tull also.
Happy 70th birthday Burton Cummings on December 31st. Someday I hope to say this as past tense when you have been inducted into the RRHOF! You and the other main members of the Guess Who (Randy Bachman) have been long overlooked! Ah what fond memories of pure rock and roll and wonderful ballads. (No Time, Stand Tall, Star Baby, Rain Dance, Takin Care of Business, Let it Ride etc. etc. etc.)
Hard to believe – A Generation has snubbed The Guess Who . That,s just sad .
When they don’t mention Pat Boone, Brooke Benton, Chubby Checker, moody Blues,Connie Frances, then I want to know what the criteria is. If you run a race then we know the winner. Don’t say 25 years and vote in favorite. Did they influence, how many top 40 hits.Chubby Checker changed the dance scene. Patrick’s Boone had more hits than most artists. Moody Blues were and are still great. Brooke Benton is a voice that should be heard. These are but a few. Imagine if I as a teacher just passed the ones I liked but not the best. What kind of person would I have been. If they deserve to be then put them in.
Vote now that moody blues have been nominated. The more votes the better chances. Spread the word. Vote once a day till Dec.
Anybody remember Rainbow? Then you have UFO,Iron maiden,Jud.Priest and the other metal bands.
I don’t think Tina Turner is in there? Or THIN LIZZY? Joe Cocker? Moody Blues are long over due.
Whitney Houston needs to get in to the hall of fame
Pretty sad when even a snubs list, snubs one of the only true American progressive rock bands, Kansas…btw, they just released a new album! How many other 40 year old bands have done that!
and rheir new album with new original songs, the “Prelude Implicit” is selling so well and their concerts are selling out and they have a new live album, with their killer new line-up, touring to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of their “Leftoverture” album ready for release this November 2017. I have already pre-ordered mine from their KansasBand web site.
Gary Puckett and the Union Gap also belong there. In 1968 they outsold the Beatles. In the same year they had 6 gold records. I read somewhere they outdid Elvis at one point. Gary Puckett’s incredible voice is still considered one of the best ever. They spanned generations…teens through those over fifty. They also paved the way for many groups that followed. Many of the current audiences, which include teens and young adults, say they would rather listen to Puckett than what passes for music today. The Hall of Fame needs to correct their oversight before it’s too late!
I agree, definitely Gary Puckett
Pat Boone, Connie Francis, Paul Anka, and Neil Sedaka
How can anyone take the RRHOF seriously without the Moody Blues. And how about the Vietnam Vets favorite band…The Doobie Brothers. I just gotta wonder about the sanity of the HOF voters when so many deserving acts are continually ignored, year after year, and yet we see Joan Baez inducted…Joan Baez??????????
Only one thing can describe the obvious blacklisting of so many long overdue inductees into class rock’s Mecca, starting with the Mozarts of this entire industry. The exact same thing going on for years now with the Kenedy Center. Proof positive for the umpteenth time, politics never, ever results in anything good. They really do need to relocate to the left side of D.C.
Agree! And personally I’m also pissed that Tower of Power ain’t on any list–anywhere. What the hells up with that!?!
Where is The Association?
You can take Joan Baez at 27 off list.She’s in now!!And put Janet Jackson in Top 40!!
I have to say I agree with you. Janet Jackson should be way up there at the top. Kinda shocking she didn’t make it in yet.
Janet Jackson? She only has the last name. Pat Benatar should be in. Pat still can sing 35 years later. No one cares about Janet once she got preggy, fat and self absorbed. Go to a Benatar concert where you will be entertained. The fact that blimp, Linda Rondstandt, and Heart, is in before Pat is a disgrace. Do not get me started with that dead no talent rap star. Pat in 2018 or else.
Dokken needs to be there they have sole millions of albums and original guitarist George Lynch has been an influence on many in the guitar community
There will never be a RnR hall of fame without UFO or the scorpions. Songs like Rock bottom, Doctor Doctor. And the scorpions from toyko tapes to savage amusement, have rocked the world for 50 years. Both bands are still touring, that alone tells you they should be inducted for the demand for them. Their music is better than Kiss who is in the hall of crap already