Tag: pop-culture

My Predictions for the 2026 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Nominees List

I am finally going to make my prediction of the nominees for the upcoming Class of 2026 of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. I keep making adjustments to my list, even right up to this point.

I have decided to go with 16 nominees, since until last year, when they only announced 14 artists, the Hall had made an effort to include 16 names during the 2020s. Plus, by doing this, I am giving myself a little leeway with my choices. I will list my nominees in alphabetical order, then I will choose the seven artists whom I would induct.

  1. Boston
  2. Mariah Carey
  3. Phil Collins
  4. Devo
  5. Billy Idol
  6. INXS
  7. Iron Maiden
  8. Joy Division/New Order
  9. Alicia Keys
  10. Alanis Morissette
  11. Motörhead
  12. Pixies
  13. Smashing Pumpkins
  14. The Smiths
  15. Styx
  16. Wu-Tang Clan

Others under consideration: The B-52’s, The Jam, Jethro Tull, Gloria Estefan, The Bangles, De La Soul, Three Dog Night, Snoop Dogg, Thin Lizzy and Little Feat.

Now, the difficult part for me. Narrowing down those 16 nominees to seven for enshrinement next year. So, here goes my first go-around with this prediction which I am pulling completely out of you know where.

  1. Mariah Carey
  2. Phil Collins
  3. Billy Idol
  4. Iron Maiden
  5. Alicia Keys
  6. Styx
  7. Wu-Tang Clan

Alicia Keys is my dark horse. Let’s face it, the New York City intelligensia love to praise their hometown. And since Alicia Keys is hugely popular, has successfully hosted the Grammys and has an excellent Broadway show running currently, I really see Alicia getting a first-ballot induction. My opinion is that she should be under consideration, she is not that important in the big picture of rock and roll history. But, that has never kept the Hall from such an induction.

Now, my reasoning for Keys’ induction is going to backfire as to why their has been a delay on NYC acts on my list such as Wu-Tang and Mariah. I can’t figure out what has taken so long for these two. Phil Collins has been treated horribly over the years and deserves this honor. Iron Maiden and Billy Idol are huge 80s acts that have been overlooked for far too long. Finally, there is Styx, who after the induction of Bad Company in 2025, moved them to the top of the classic rock list fulfilling my pre-punk era of favorites in the Hall by joining Queen, Cheap Trick, KISS, Journey, Rush and Alice Cooper.

I have no knowledge as to what will happen. I watch articles by some prominent Hall Watchers who tend to let their biases interfere with their choices. As much as I try, I removed my biases, otherwise Paul Weller’s WHOLE career would be inducted including his 80s band The Style Council, and attempt to make an educated guess based upon the number of times experts list an artist. As much as I try to make this process scientific, and it has worked in some years and been a disaster in others, I am basically just guessing.

Yet, for all of the frustrations, I come back to this topic every year. Is this a sign of insanity? I’m beginning to think so.