Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Nominations and Everything You Need to Know to Vote, by Scott Torgerson

Vote for 7 artists, once per day until April 3rd at rockhall.com/2026-nominees/

On February 25th the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame released the official 2026 nominees which includes 17 different artists as well as 10 first-time nominees. So, who are these nominees, why are they nominated, and who should you vote for? I can’t answer that last one, but I can provide a quick summary of each artist as well as 1 song recommendation to help you expand your music knowledge. While I’m at it, I might as well include my personal 7 votes at the end to help with your voting decision. 

1. The Black Crowes

   Song Recommendation: “She Talks To Angels”

It’s the 2nd nomination (previously in 2025) for The Black Crowes who are a 3 man band, 2 of which are brothers and original members (Chris and Rich Robinson) Known for their southern and blues rock, The Black Crowes are mostly known for their first 2 studio albums: Shake Your Money Maker which was released in 1990 and The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion (TSHAMC) released in 1992. Both went multi-platinum, but TSHAMC was their first, and only, album to reach number 1 on the Billboard top 200 albums. It had 4 different number 1 rock hits and also went multi-platinum. They are nominated for their work in southern and blues rock creating some essential albums for the genre. I would recommend diving deeper into them if you enjoy artists like Lynyrd Skynyrd and Tom Petty.

2. Mariah Carey

   Song Recommendation: “We Belong Together”

It’s the 3rd nomination (previously in 2024 and 2025) for Mariah Carey who you definitely recognize from the all-time Christmas classic All I Want For Christmas Is You, but there’s so much more to know about her. Mariah Carey is a singer-songwriter, record producer, and actress. Ranked the 5th greatest singer of all time by Rolling Stone in 2023, she has made quite the career for herself in the Pop and R&B genres. She has so many awards it’s insane. Notable ones include: the only artist to have her first 5 singles reach number 1 in the U.S., the most Billboard number 1 hits for a solo artist as well as female songwriter and female producer, and Time magazine’s 2008 top 100 most influential people list. She is nominated for being a hit maker and for her influence in Pop and R&B. I would heavily, heavily recommend diving deeper into her if you’re a fan of artists like Rihanna and Beyoncé. 

3. Phil Collins

   Song Recommendation: “You Can’t Hurry Love"

Technically Phil Collins is already in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as the drummer of the progressive rock band Genesis, but unlike Ringo Starr, you’ve probably heard his solo work. Phil Collins is a singer-songwriter, record producer, and actor known for his very up-close and personal albums (both literally and figuratively as his albums famously show up-close photos of his face) as well as his influence on other famous artists. His 1981 studio album Face Value provided the noise of a generation with classic hits like “In The Air Tonight.” He is nominated for his influence on music in general, as he’s known to have influenced artists like Kanye West, Beyoncé, and Ben Gibbard. I would recommend Phil Collins to anyone who enjoys some classic ‘80s pop or enjoys artists like George Michael. 

4. Melissa Etheridge

   Song Recommendation: “I’m The Only One”

First-time nominee Melissa Etheridge is most known for her pop-based folk-rock and for being one of those rare activist musical artists that broke through the mainstream with her third album, Yes I Am. Released in 1993, Yes I Am spent 138 weeks on the Billboard 200 and went 6 times platinum and got her ASCAP’s songwriter of the year award. She has her own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame as well as ranking 49th on VH1’s top 100 Greatest Women in Rock and Roll in 1999. Taylor Swift even stated that Melissa Etheridge inspired her to learn guitar. She is nominated for her honest, heartfelt songwriting, which influenced mainstream rock to be more personal, and her openness for gay rights as a lesbian influenced many queer musicians. I recommend her if you like artists like Bruce Springsteen and The Black Crowes. 

5. New Edition

   Song Recommendation: “Can You Stand the Rain”

First-time nominee R&B group New Edition got their name for being the “New Edition” of The Jackson 5. I’ll be honest, their hits aren’t as good as The Jackson 5, but they’re here for a reason. Known for being the blueprint for modern-day boy bands, New Edition originally consisted of 5 members (Ricky Bell, Michael Bivins, Ronnie DeVoe, Bobby Brown, and Ralph Tresvant), but expanded to 6 with Johnny Gill when Bobby Brown left for a short period to focus on a solo career. Since then they have directly influenced groups like Boyz II Men (named after a New Edition song), The Backstreet Boys, and Brockhampton. They are nominated for their influence in R&B groups, as mentioned before. I would recommend them if you’re a fan of boy bands. 

6. Jeff Buckley

   Song Recommendation: “Lover, You Should’ve Come Over”

Another first-time nominee, Jeff Buckley, son of folk legend Tim Buckley, is a singer-songwriter known for his all-time classic album Grace. Grace is widely considered one of the greatest albums of all time by the likes of Pitchfork, Rolling Stone, and NME. Unfortunately, he tragically died at the age of 30 before the release of his second studio album My Sweetheart The Drunk. His four-octave voice is the closest we will ever get to the chorus of angels and his songwriting parallels that of his father. He is nominated for having a perfect discography and for his wide influence inspiring both new and veteran musicians with his unique sound and personal lyrics. I highly recommend him to anyone who listens to artists like Radiohead or Phoebe Bridgers. Also check out the documentary It’s Never Over, Jeff Buckley if you want to know more about him. 

7. Billy Idol

   Song Recommendation: “Rebel Yell”

This marks the second nomination for Billy Idol, who was previously nominated in 2025. Known for bringing the punk “look” and “sound” into the mainstream, Billy Idol started his career as the lead singer for the British punk band Generation X in which he achieved notable success until 1981 when he began his solo career. He then became a MTV staple with classic music videos for hits like “White Wedding” and “Dancing With Myself.” He was also the lead face for the “Second British Invasion.” I’m going to fast-forward to his classic New Wave studio album Rebel Yell which is some good classic 80’s music and it went platinum in America, Canada, New Zealand, and Brazil. He is nominated for influencing the new-wave sound of the ‘80s. I would recommend him if you like artists like Tears for Fears or The Police.

8. Iron Maiden

   Song Recommendation: “Wasted Years”

This is the third nomination for Iron Maiden who were previously nominated in 2021 and 2023. To be completely honest, I’m surprised they’re not already in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. If you listen to them you will hear the blueprint for how a metal band sounds and if you look at them you will see the blueprint for how a metal band should look. They directly influenced almost every single metal band and I mean that. The list of bands they influenced is too long to list here. According to Metal Hammer, a heavy metal magazine, Iron Maiden is only second to Black Sabbath in having the most influence on the metal genre, and notably, Black Sabbath has been in The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for decades! They’re nominated for everything I just said and I would heavily, heavily, heavily recommend them to anyone who likes anything metal. 

9. INXS

   Song Recommendation: “The One Thing”

I’m not going to lie, this list of nominees is so stacked that the fact that INXS isn’t in my top 7 of these 17 artists is actually crazy. INXS is the oldest of the first time nominees with their debut coming out in 1980. INXS is a 6 man Australian new wave rock band formed by 3 brothers and their 3 friends (Andrew, Jon, and Tim Farris along with Garry Gary Beers, Kirk Pengilly, and lead singer Michael Hutchence). Their 6th studio album Kick is a new wave classic providing the band international success and their only number 1 hit in America, “Need You Tonight.” They’re nominated for providing the unique new wave sound of the ‘80s as well as influencing the Australian music scene as well as modern pop rock, inspiring both The 1975 and Maroon 5. I recommend them to anyone who likes artists like Duran Duran and Simple Minds.

10. Ms. Lauryn Hill

    Song Recommendation: “Doo Wop (That Thing)”

First-time nominee Ms. Lauryn Hill, like Jeff Buckley, has a flawless discography. Ms. Lauryn Hill is a singer, rapper, record producer, and songwriter who gained recognition for her work on The Fugees’s second album, The Score.The album peaked at number 1 on The U.S. Billboard Top 200. After the success of The Score, Ms. Lauryn Hill began working on her first, and only, solo album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill which was recorded in Bob Marley’s Tuff Gong Studios in Kingston, Jamaica. The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill became a number one hit in the U.S. for 4 weeks and was praised worldwide from audiences and critics alike. There isn’t much I can say about the impact of her album that hasn’t already been said.  It changed the game, to put it simply. She is nominated for her influence on music, that of which is so wide and such a long list I could write a whole article about that alone. I highly recommend her to anyone who likes artists like Kendrick Lamar or SZA.

11. Joy Division/New Order

    Song Recommendation: “She’s Lost Control” for Joy Division and “Blue Monday” for New Order

This is the third nomination for Joy Division/New Order (previously in 2023 and 2025). Now you might be asking, “Why are there 2 bands here?” Well, it’s a long and very depressing story. To summarize: Joy Division was formed in 1976 by a bunch of friends (Ian Curtis, Bernard Sumner, Peter Hook, and Stephen Morris). In 1980, the lead singer and lyricist, Ian Curtis, took his own life. The remaining members (along with new member Gillian Gilbert) formed a new band called New Order. Joy Division is nominated for being an insanely influential post-punk band. It directly influenced goth subculture and has a flawless discography. New Order is nominated for  its influence, as it contributed to the post-punk scene of the ‘80s, inspired artists like The Killers, as well as to this day having the best selling 12 inch of all time. They are technically an indie band which has a big impact on the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame because if they do get in more indie bands could follow. I recommend Joy Division if you’re depressed and New Order if you like artists like The Cure. 

12. Oasis

    Song Recommendation: “She’s Electric” 

This serves as the third nomination for Oasis (previous nominations were in 2024 and 2025). Oasis is a 5 man Britpop rock band that includes 2 brothers that hate each other (Liam and Noel Gallagher. Other members are Paul Arthurs, Gem Archer, and Andy Bell). They blew up almost immediately with their first studio album Definitely Maybe and carried that momentum to their second album (What’s the Story) Morning Glory? which has “Wonderwall” on it. Not only did they create the song that is Guitar Center’s worst nightmare, but they also were the main spearheads of Britpop influencing the likes of The Killers and Arctic Monkeys. They are nominated for their wide mainstream appeal, with one of the most popular songs of all time and one of the highest selling albums of all time. I recommend them if you like artists like Gorillaz or Arctic Monkeys.

13. P!NK

    Song Recommendation: “Who Knew”

First-time nominee P!NK is also the most recent nominee with her 2000 debut. P!NK is a singer and songwriter and basically provided the foundation for the classic “white girl banger” songs of the 2010s. She also has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and her themes of fearlessness inspired a generation of millennials who honestly should be more fearful. Even though it may sound like I don’t like her, she does deserve to be here, as she’s one of the world’s best selling musicians and the list of awards she’s won could fill an entire page. She’s nominated for her pop influence on music influencing artists like Adele, Dua Lipa, and Halsey. I recommend her if you like artists like Katy Perry and Lady Gaga. 

14. Sade

    Song Recommendation: “No Ordinary Love”

First-time nominee Sade is a British R&B and soul legend. Her success in the music industry was so highly recognized that she was made Commander during the 2017 Queen’s Birthday Honours. Her debut studio album Diamond Life was an immediate hit reaching number 2 on the UK Album Chart. This launched her into the mainstream where she kept climbing after that. Her fourth studio album, Love Deluxe, is widely regarded as one of the best soul albums of all time. She is nominated for her influence on contemporary music inspiring artists such as Kanye West and Clipse. I would recommend her if you like artists like Marvin Gaye and Anderson .Paak. 

15. Shakira

    Song Recommendation: “Whenever, Wherever"

First-time nominee Shakira is a Colombian singer, record producer, and dancer often referred to as the “Queen of Latin Music.” She started her recording debut at 14 years old. While she completely flopped with her first 2 albums, she never gave up and quickly started gaining recognition with her next 2. She didn’t receive worldwide success until her 5th studio album, Laundry Service, which  became the highest selling album of all time by a female Latin artist. She quickly became insanely influential in the music industry to the likes of Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran, and Rihanna. She made it so people paid more attention to Latin music and inspired so many Latin artists. She’s nominated for being a hit maker, having an underrated album run from’98-’05, and for being insanely influential not only in Latin America but the world. I would recommend her if you like artists like Lady Gaga or Kali Uchis.

16. Luther Vandross

    Song Recommendation: “A House Is Not a Home”

Another first-time nominee, Luther Vandross is a R&B and soul singer, songwriter, and record producer. He’s also incredible at writing love songs. He started his music career in a music ensemble in New York performing at Apollo Theater. The group got so popular they appeared on Sesame Street which is pretty cool. Musicians quickly noticed his singing ability and wanted him to provide backing vocals on albums. The likes of this include David Bowie, Stevie Wonder, and Ben E. King. In 1981 he began his solo career with the release of Never Too Much, a classic soul album, and reached stardom. He continued to release music and collaborate with tons of musicians until his death in 2005. He is nominated for being royalty in the soul genre as well as helping many artists create iconic masterpieces such as Beyoncé’s Dangerously in Love. I would recommend him to anyone who likes artists like Stevie Wonder or SZA. 

17. Wu-Tang Clan

    Song Recommendation: “Protect Ya Neck”

Surprisingly their first time being nominated for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Wu-Tang Clan is a 9 man hip-hop group (previously 10, unfortunately in 2004 member Ol’ Dirty Bastard passed away. Other members are: RZA, GZA, Method Man, Raekwon, Ghostface Killa, Inspectah Deck, U-God, Cappadonna and Masta Killa) formed in 1992 in Staten Island, New York. Their first studio album, Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) shot them into stardom and is considered one of the best albums of all time. They influenced hip-hop/rap groups like A$AP Mob, Brockhampton, and Odd Future. They’re nominated for their incredible impact on hip-hop/rap as a sound as well as a style. . I highly recommend them to those who like artists like Nas and MF DOOM.

My Personal 7 Votes In No Particular Order:

1. Jeff Buckley 

2. Phil Collins 

3. Lauryn Hill 

4. Iron Maiden 

5. Wu-Tang Clan 

6. Joy Division/New Order 

7. Mariah Carey