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.
Talk about getting snubbed: not only is Johnny Rivers denied his rightful place in R-n-R HOF but he’s ignored as one of the snubs. It’s giving me the Rockin’ Pneumonia And The Boogie Woogie Flu.
Is that you Bernzie! Can you fix a hi fi? 😉
Glad to see that the Guess Who is on this list, another Canadian Gordon Lightfoot should also be on it. It’s a disgrace that Chicago and the Doobie Brothers, Moody Blues, plus several others are not in the Hall. I will never figure out how this happens.
Craig, you are so right about Chicago. I don’t know if it is because of the bitterness between Peter Cetera and the band. They completely messed up the recent nominations from last week. So many excellent bands on the outside looking in again. Besides Chicago, what about Journey, Yes, Def Leppard, etc. They nominate Green Day/Nine Inch Nails before these bands, really? No offense to the two bands’s contribution, but really?
Read the front page of LinkWray.com. I think you’ll agree he needs to be on your list
The Rock n Roll hall of fame has lost credibility by not having people like Connie Francis, Paul Anka, Neil Sedaka, Deep Purple, Chicago, Chubby Checker, Lionel Richie, and the Moody Blues not inducted. There are people a lot less qualifed who are in already. Something is radically wrong!!
Agree completely! Would like to see Pat Boone added to the list of early rock ‘n roll stars long overdue for induction.
A rock and roll band that I never see get any recognition these days is Paul Revere and the Raiders.
I thought they were a kooky funny band that had a lot of great songs. My favorites were Fang and Harpo! Always acting up!
The Raiders was my first rock and roll band that I got to go and see as a young lad.
What about considering arguably the most overlooked and under-appreciated rock bands of all time…The Association…
I have always been appalled that the Association has been snubbed by the Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame. Let’s list just a few of their musical accomplishments:
1. They have THREE (3) songs listed by BMI as the top played songs for the ENTIRE 20th Century: Never, My Love, Cherish and Windy. The Beatles only had 3 and no other recording group had more!
2. A seriously significant run of million-selling Billboard songs including such hits as: Along Comes Mary, Cherish, Windy, Never, My Love, Everything That Touches You…
3.The breath-taking vocals and heart-wrenching words of Requiem For The Masses which was a so-called “B” side of a single. I don’t think any other band in the history of Rock ‘n Roll could perform a Gregorian Chant that could leave you breathless and you jaw dropping to the floor! They should be in the Hall of Fame for THAT song alone!
4. The Association wrote and performed the songs and score for the hit movie Goodbye, Columbus
5. How many bands in Rock ‘n Roll history could successfully perform the enormous VARIETY of song styles that the Association did in their career? They did Pop, Rock, Hard Rock, Love Ballads,Swing, Folk, Protest Songs. Psychedelic, Country, Gregorian Chant…They could do it all!
5. Each member of this forever hard-working band played multiple musical instruments, often switching instruments numerous times during a typical concert. Terry Kirkman could play virtually every wind instrument in existence and do it well.
I could probably go on for pages but I think you get the idea. The Association more than deserves to be in the Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame. It’s high time to correct this horrible wrong of their exclusion!
What about considering arguably the most overlooked and under-appreciated rock bands of all time…The Association…
I have always been appalled that the Association has been snubbed by the Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame. Let’s list just a few of their musical accomplishments:
1. They have THREE (3) songs listed by BMI as the top played songs for the ENTIRE 20th Century: Never, My Love, Cherish and Windy. The Beatles only had 3 and no other recording group had more!
2. A seriously significant run of million-selling Billboard songs including such hits as: Along Comes Mary, Cherish, Windy, Never, My Love, Everything That Touches You…
3.The breath-taking vocals and heart-wrenching words of Requiem For The Masses which was a so-called “B” side of a single. I don’t think any other band in the history of Rock ‘n Roll could perform a Gregorian Chant that could leave you breathless and you jaw dropping to the floor! They should be in the Hall of Fame for THAT song alone!
4. The Association wrote and performed the songs and score for the hit movie Goodbye, Columbus
5. How many bands in Rock ‘n Roll history could successfully perform the enormous VARIETY of song styles that the Association did in their career? They did Pop, Rock, Hard Rock, Love Ballads,Swing, Folk, Protest Songs. Psychedelic, Country, Gregorian Chant…They could do it all!
5. Each member of this forever hard-working band played multiple musical instruments, often switching instruments numerous times during a typical concert. Terry Kirkman could play virtually every wind instrument in existence and do it well.
I could probably go on for pages but I think you get the idea. The Association more than deserves to be in the Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame. It’s high time to correct this horrible wrong of their exclusion!
Can’t believe Geils, Moody’s, War and B-52’s aren’t in. Not all my favorites, just too big and influential not to be in.
Sweet does not belong there, but “Ballroom Blitz” is probably one of my favorite five rockers. That song can raise the dead.
Agreed, how can you induct a band for one monster hit. I know, maybe they should have a HOF “One Hit Wonder” section! heheheh
Dio is greater than anybody on this list. Best vocalist of all time.
Definately beyond worthy. But best vocalist is a bit of a stretch…so many great vocalists…
True! Believe in Dio!
…..at least three-quarters of your list (in particular the Monkees, who impacted popular culture EVERY bit as much as the Beatles in key aspects; Kansas, Styx – for the entirely valid reasons noted in Comments; Chicago, Journey, possibly REO, if for Richrath’s psychotically deft lead lines) I COULDN’T agree with more – but as much as Duran deserves to be inducted, ROXY does TENFOLD; THE ensemble that had an ENORMOUS impact on New Wave, sounded like NOBODY else…..have been lobbying for The Sweet over a decade now – Andy Scott is the FATHER of the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal – and though it won’t EVER happen, would be elated to see ANOTHER band very much impacting Eighties musical trends, Gary Glitter’s former backing combo, who made some of the Seventies’ most distinctive songs and, along with the Rollers, really got the nostalgia kick going after Mott (who ALSO should be inducted…..) and I’d even place SPARKS in that mix, TOO. To this list I would add Dan Fogelberg, in my opinion a much better songwriter than his friend Jackson Browne and a CRIMINALLY underrated guitarist…..in the realm of soul and funk still yet to be suitably recognized, I’d advocate for both The Dramatics and Eddie Kendricks (even over Ruffin, by a bit) and the Commodores, as well as the Spinners and Stylistics, with Thom Bell & Linda Creed as the primary architects for ‘TSOP’, then Gamble & Huff. Finally, while Joan and the Runaways DO merit consideration themselves, it AMAZES me that the woman who almost singlehandedly picked up the torch from Joplin and was indisputably Jett’s TEMPLATE, Suzi Quatro, hasn’t EVER been nominated despite having sold over 50 million records worldwide (unfortunately, not ENOUGH of them in America…..) I’d strongly argue Three Dog Night, the Grass Roots (holding a record which will NEVER be broken, 6 straight YEARS of Top 40 presence)Tommy James & The Shondells, and the Turtles, ALL of whom have their present inductees as champions, should be admitted ASAP. Lastly, it would be nice to see both Big Star and Badfinger in, as they both made their own considerable impact on popular music for decades afterwards, not to mention QUEENSRYCHE…..oh yeah: the Cure? B-52’s? PLEASE, no…..Depeche, definitely deserves to be though I’m not really a big fans of theirs…..
…..as for the Scorps, HELL yeah; with 4 of the best axemen that ever picked up a guitar (to wit Michael & Rudy, Uli and Matthias) and a HUGE body of provocative (not JUST titillating; Taken By Force and Virgin Killer, have a lot to say in some numbers)work, most especially Animal Magnetism, one of the best hard rock albums ever made…..
Absolute ditto’s here. The Scorps have laid a solid foundation as Metal gods. Ingnoring them displays a blatant disrespect.
Journey!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ugh… agree completely! How Journey is not in the Hall is BEYOND me!
Journey not in? Did they gamble on Rock and Roll like Pete Rose did on baseball or something. They should be locks.
Yeah, who dropped the ball here? I guess Neal Schon’s guitar playing doesn’t make the grade. gawd…
Journey is garbage!
@Alexia I think Depeche Mode have always been far superior to The Cure but i dont think they’ve ever been ripped off by them. Strange opinion. Two very different bands and both should be in the hall of fame by now.
As for Duran Duran? I’m not so sure, they were very popular yes but i dont think they were very influential.
Sueprior? not in any musical way!. I’m a musician and I don’t like those kind of bands, but there is a thing about The Cure that not so much bands can do, they can play a lot of different kind of music genres with their own sound. That thing is far supeior to the electronic thing made by Depeche Mode, Kraftwerk deserves to be in the Hall before those electronic jokes!.
I agree with your additions. I think ELP (Emerson, Lake, and Palmer) should be included. I can’t believe so many of the great bands with very talented musicians are not included. I think so many of the choices that are included are “fadish.” Kurt Colbain or whatever his name was…. a member of Nirvana. There is no way he had the affect and musical talent of most of your list. Just because he represents a culture of self-pity doesn’t mean he should be admitted before all the truly deserving bands that were snubbed. I don’t get it at all. Look at Jeff Lynne from ELO and Traveling Wilbury’s.. What a talented musician and he’s not in????? Just crazy… It is a popularity thing based on OPINIONS not any relevant criterian…It just makes me sick.
Bad example. Yea Kurt may not be as talented as quite a few bands/musicians who aren’t on the list but he’s WAY more talented than a lot of other artists who made the list. I’m a huge classic rock fan and don’t listen to many 90’s/00’s bands but Nirvana will always be a band I enjoy. They aren’t as accessible as many happy go lucky bands but if you listen to their MTV unplugged album you can’t deny the talent and passion.
How about Little Feat ? I agree with Chicago, Moody Blues and Todd Rundgren. Lowell George and the Boys deserve SOME credit !
I disagree with Los Lobos. HOF for a cover, I don’t think so
Slade, nah
I’m a metalhead and love Saxon, they were pioneers but weren’t groundbreaking
I think Tom Morello had it right in KISS’s induction speech: Impact, influence, and awesomeness.
OH, yeah….and STYX.
I can agree with most of the current list of 40 bands. Chicago should absolutely be at the top, I am disgusted that they are not already in.
Names I feel are missing:
Grand Funk Railroad
Badfinger
Pearl Jam
Jethro Tull
Alice in Chains
Ronnie James Dio (solo or for the influence he brought Sabbath and Rainbow which propelled those bands to new heights)
What about the Sir Douglas Quintet, the Moody Blues, and the Doobie Brothers?
Finally, I get to speak my mind. Yes there are a lot of bands that deserve this honor, but when these bands are not already inducted, you start to think, when will they be acknowledged. Well, my list include:
Duran Duran
Chicago
Deep Purple
Cheap Trick
Pat Benetar
Joan Jett
Journey
REO Speedwagon
Def Lepperd
Scorpions
Just to name a few. I’ve been somewhat out of the loop, maybe some of these groups are already in, but I’ll cast my vote for each and every one of these groups cause they put the time in and they’re still putting the time in. It’s time for these groups to finally be recognized!!!
And let’s not forget about Blue Oyster Cult. I pray that by some miracle, Godzilla stomps on the HOF and turns into rubble and in turn allows the people to vote on who should be inducted in the newly built HOF. Hmmm, perhaps a possible Godzilla sequel scene?
The rock n roll hof is a joke! There are so many deserving bands. Maiden, Priest and Deep Purple are better than most already in. Also how do you induct Joan Jett before Pat Benatar and Lita Ford?? Are you kidding me?? Then theres Journey,Foreigner, Styx and many others!! I could start my own Rock hof that would put the official one to shame!